Hello from AZ

N

noisebeam

New member
A week ago I bought a new 'nautical blue' 2015 Trail with KDSS and Nav options.

Put on BFG A/T KO2 at 34miles (see story about a mix of C and E load rating) and went on a 1300mi road trip with 300mi dirt, 20mi ion rough 4L sections.

It is so smooth on the freeway (50mph feels like you are not moving) and even better on rocks.

My experience matches to a tee this review (although I don't have cargo tray) I could have written it after my trip:
A 5th Gen 4Runner Long Term Review - Expedition Portal

It got ridiculously dirty and dusty as I expected. Unfortunately the rear slide down window has accumulated a lot of dust below the seal so even after deep cleaning it is belching dust when I shut the truck or use the window.

I'm skeptical how the exterior plastics will hold up. Also the head/tail lights concern me how the protrude.

The dark blue is noticeably hotter surface temp vs. my old white Explorer, only an issue when packing up camp having be be careful not to touch/lean on body.

But overall very happy.
 
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Yes, generally any darker object absorbs light heat compare to light colors that reflects them. Congrats on purchase and welcome! Share some pics if you have..
 
Welcome! You picked a really nice color, unfortunately as you've found, it really soaks up the Arizona sun and hangs on to it for your pleasure (or not) later... LOL!

_coder
 
cf_coder said:
Welcome! You picked a really nice color, unfortunately as you've found, it really soaks up the Arizona sun and hangs on to it for your pleasure (or not) later... LOL!

_coder
Click to expand...

Yeah, I knew before I bought that blue would be warmer. All my past vehicles have been white for this reason.
My wife much prefers the blue over white and as it (or the medium red) were the only color choice without a wait I went for it.
It surprised me how much warmer I felt in its near presence, when loading/unloading camp, etc.
White does stand out a lot more though when camping, but that has also has helped me when hiking back to camp in dark/dusk.
 
Several weeks later and it is still a great truck ;)

Thought I'd share my ideas for it here so as not to clog up the forums with newbie q's.

This truck is used when I go hiking, backpacking or camping when there is a anything but pavement or a well graded short dirt road to the trailhead. Otherwise I use the Prius. ;) I've been doing this for 25yrs in Arizona, but prior with a 4wd 2dr Ford Explorer. Never been stuck but have slashed tires, banged up underside on occasion and ripped off some trim.

Sometimes this means some very rough roads where 4WD is required and 4L is a few tough places. Sometimes I can get in fine, but as with my last camp trip with 1.5" of rain the road gets washed out with a mini-grand canyon to traverse and it can be a challenge getting out.

But I don't wheel just for the fun of wheeling - that is I don't seek out challenging trails unless those trails take me to places I want to hike.

I put on BFG KO2 stock size. No other mods yet.

For added protection I am considering sliders and skid plates and also Billstien 5100s, maybe a 1" rear lift to compliment. I've looked thru the pertinent treads.

So my Q's are
1. What is first step in basic undercarriage protection that can be added to later to expand? I think I recall the gas tank is a priority to protect.
2. What local ( am in SE phx valley) options are there for sliders, skids and potentially 5100's. I wouldn't install the shocks myself.
 
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