First 4WD trip (in the new 4Runner)

[5VZ-FE]

Today I took my 4Runner out to the Prosser Reservoir, near Truckee. Since I bought it last weekend this was my first time using 4WD and my first time ever using a diff lock. It ran great and I took it pretty easy. Here’s some pictures

I wanted to get to a spot where I could try and use the diff lock and feel a difference, and then I looked at it afterwards and felt bad for leaving a hole

Cleaned up

 

[Thebeastlives]

Nice...place looks cooler than Az right now. You should hit one of those mtn trails and show us a view of that cool forested Calif terrain.

 

[5VZ-FE]

Nice...place looks cooler than Az right now. You should hit one of those mtn trails and show us a view of that cool forested Calif terrain.

Yep that’s next on the list. I also want to find some snow…

 

[gamefreakgc]

Yep that’s next on the list. I also want to find some snow…

Not a whole lot of that left after this 90 degree weather we are having.

 

[TheShowtime]

Nice 3rd gen! What year is it and how many miles does she have?

 

[lockedlex]

Great looking truck and good job on the lockers!

So Pross. Res. is an open use 4WD drive area, even right now, no lockdowns?

Are you able to actually just drive all around the reservoir and areas around it that's filled with water?

 

[tx_shooter]

Congrats on the solid rig. The 3rd gen 4Runner is already a good rig; but the rear locker just makes it that much better. But the question is still there - what upgrade is next?

 

[5VZ-FE]

Not a whole lot of that left after this 90 degree weather we are having.

Very true, up on Donner Pass there was still a bit, but nothing to play around in. Coming home to 85 degrees was not fun...

Nice 3rd gen! What year is it and how many miles does she have?

1999, has 238k on the clock, but about 115 on the engine

Great looking truck and good job on the lockers!

So Pross. Res. is an open use 4WD drive area, even right now, no lockdowns?

Are you able to actually just drive all around the reservoir and areas around it that's filled with water?

Thanks for the compliments. I've been coming up to Truckee my whole life and this was the first time I have ever been to this 4WD area, or even heard of it, so I'm not 100% sure about the rules. What I do know: The vast majority of the 4WD area is open right now, with very few closures posted. There were many people who had driven down the banks of the reservoir right up to the water to fish, and I saw cops but they didn't seem to have an issue with it. When I left I talked to some people who said that I shouldn't drive in the dry parts of the lake bed (the reservoir is super low right now), but I looked for signs stating that and couldn't find any. I think most likely they just didn't like the look and idea of people driving down there, which I guess I understand. I was really happy to find it and I'll definitely be returning to explore because its supposed to be a huge area.

Congrats on the solid rig. The 3rd gen 4Runner is already a good rig; but the rear locker just makes it that much better. But the question is still there - what upgrade is next?

Thanks, using the locker was crazy cool. I used to have a T100 which is super similar to the T4R, but this thing just handles everything so much better. I'd say the only place the T100 rises above is donuts, because there's barely any weight in the rear. My next upgrade is converting from crank windows to power windows. I wrote a little bit about how and why in another thread.

 

[3bears]

ive read many posts where people WANT crank windows...maybe you can find someone that wants to swap out what you have for what they have

also...congrats on your first 4runner 4wd trip..I too have had other 4wd...and when I got mine and took it for the first off road ( which ws actually back to home...the back long way)...I knew I had made the right choice. Adding a locker made another big difference

 

[jackstraw252]

Good looking Runner

 

[Endlessblockades]

Looks good - I'm getting ready for my first mild excursion in my new-to-me 2000 Limited E-locker . When I'm up in that neck of the woods, I like to continue past Prosser, Stampede and into Dog Valley. The kids like to dig up quartz crystals out there. Is the snow all gone out there? Also Henness Pass Road (runs from Verdi to Camptonville in the foothills) is a fun run down the ridges if you are headed down to the valley for some reason.I haven't been up there since my future wife took her old Jeep out there. I plan to get back up this summer in conjunction with some Tahoe and Northstar MTB runs. Just ordered some basic 2" 5100s and OME springs on sale at Wheeler's Offroad. Just needs some tires and I'm ready to go!

Done: Radiator, Valve Cover Gaskets, LBJs, Brakes, and rear hatch struts (too powerful!). And all gear oils.

 

[5VZ-FE]

ive read many posts where people WANT crank windows...maybe you can find someone that wants to swap out what you have for what they have

also...congrats on your first 4runner 4wd trip..I too have had other 4wd...and when I got mine and took it for the first off road ( which ws actually back to home...the back long way)...I knew I had made the right choice. Adding a locker made another big difference

I definitely would love to find someone who wants crank windows, whether to trade or buy, but I made a thread, commented on an old thread, and posted in the classifieds and have gotten almost no responses. If you know of anyone, definitely send them my way.

Good looking Runner

Thank you

Looks good - I'm getting ready for my first mild excursion in my new-to-me 2000 Limited E-locker . When I'm up in that neck of the woods, I like to continue past Prosser, Stampede and into Dog Valley. The kids like to dig up quartz crystals out there. Is the snow all gone out there? Also Henness Pass Road (runs from Verdi to Camptonville in the foothills) is a fun run down the ridges if you are headed down to the valley for some reason.I haven't been up there since my future wife took her old Jeep out there. I plan to get back up this summer in conjunction with some Tahoe and Northstar MTB runs. Just ordered some basic 2" 5100s and OME springs on sale at Wheeler's Offroad. Just needs some tires and I'm ready to go!

Done: Radiator, Valve Cover Gaskets, LBJs, Brakes, and rear hatch struts (too powerful!). And all gear oils.

The snow up on the summit was actually way more than I expected and the resorts seem to still have pretty good coverage (although that is viewing from a distance). Down in Truckee I barely saw any. I'll have to look into those trails you mentioned, sounds like fun. I have a couple friends who bike at Northstar during the summer, sounds really fun. Someday I'll check it out.

 

[VernySanders]

I miss truckee! I used to sell cars at Nissan of Reno in 2016 and I would board Mt. Rose weekly. Never owned a truck when I lived out there. Id kill to go back and go with my 3rd gen.