How many of us are posers?

[Net4n6]

I am a poser now. I used to take my 4runner out "offroading" 4-6 times a years and camping too. It lifted and has 33" tires.

Now, I work 14 hours/day 6 days/week. I don't have any spare time for offroading fun. The runner parks on the driveway 6 days a week. I have a daily driver.

 

[Will816]

I live in a ski resort up in the mountains, the following pic was taken on an old mining road about 5 minutes from my house.

I go hunting with my dad and our friends and it sometimes gets pretty treacherous just trying to get to the trailheads (you should see my dad tackle a rutted dirt road pulling a 6 horse trailer in his 3/4 ton).

So yeah, I hit the trails enough to not be a poser. I've done it enough to know that it's not the size of your lift or the tread of your tires (I was on 31" tires on my '98, currently on Goodyear Forteras in a whopping 30" height 275/60R17s on my '03), but rather the lowness of your low-range and the number of locking diffs. A locked rear diff will get you further than any other mod you could install.

Deep mud is a different story, we don't have a lot of it in Idaho.

 

[ELonGrad97]

I think my definition of posing is owning any SUV that is outfitted with lifts, safari bars, spot lights, etc but stay 100% on pavement, 100% of the time. I bought my 4R to replace the Ram when it goes off lease. We're not sure if we're going to keep it for fire calls(yes, we live in that PA city that has made national news with the arsons), but I need a vehicle to tow my 5x8 cargo trailer to dogs shows and off-road on the show grounds. Needed the "omph" of the V8 for the tow, but friggin' LOVE the backup camera for hitching up. I'm all stock otherwise.

As a side note, I love people who are posers, but admit they're posers. I think admitting it cancels out being one. :

 

[rwilson]

I take mine hunting 1-2 times a year, and enjoy exploring old logging roads. Sometimes driving 8 hours a day in the forest.

Mine is stock except for a brush guard and a macthing rear bumper by Waag, this is second set of tires (Michellen).
I do not want to lift it since it is my main transportation and I like the way it rides at high speeds.

The brush guard is pretty scratched up from brush, maybe I should of gotten chrome. The rubber protectors on the brush guard sometimes start coming off after being in the woods, it happens when you back up and pull debris. If you wait for a hot day they become flexible enough to put back in place.

The transmission cooler got a branch stuck in it once but works fine, no major damage, I'm thinking of putting a Tundra skid plate that I've seen on this forum. It's been a reason for concern.

Skid plates are all dented up, but do not need replacement.
One running board is bent about 1-2 inches right smack in the center. The damage that I used to get was fixed by pulling the plastic back in place, but this is permanent.

Stock tail pipe has a big nick in it by a rock.

Every single panel is scratched, I tried buffing them out but the remaining scratches are past the clear coat down to the paint.

On one of the first trips out in the woods, I broke the rear cap on the rack, back in 04 Toyota quoted $480 to buy the whole kit, but I waited for a year, Toyota started carrying the part after car washing machines whould snap them off and demand increased. I think I still paid about $180, not sure.

The interior console is chipped on the passenger side where my buddy's rifle has banged against it. Not worth fixing cause it will get banged up again.

I never drive it in the water over 8 inches but do drive in thick brush.

I don't get out much, but when I do I drive it hard.I do not drive it hard enough to warrant modfying the truck. The truck has stood up to the challenge very well with the stock configuration.
My wife has a two wheel drive Highlander, and I could not take it with me and drive it the way and places I drive my 4 Runner.

So I'm not a poser.
I also just realized how much I really like my 4Runner, it's the best vehicle I ever had.

 

[steve germany]

I worry about car washes scratching the paint!

When did you start taking your T4R off the tar? Not from new - did you buy it new?

I full agree - a full up NON Poser! :beer:

BTW - Let see some proud pics!

 

[rwilson]

I took it off-road within six months of buying it new. Couldn't wait till the season.

My buddies are hard on their trucks so it was my turn with this one.

I'll try to get a picture up soon, the brush guard and rear bumper guard are a nice addition. Of all the brush guards Waag have the best looking. I also got the guard for the tail lights free when I bought set, but I have not put them on.

If I replaced the running boards with the tubular ones they would match.

The truck is an '04 V6 with selectable 2WD-4WD. Ive got about 114 K.
I figure if I sell it when it has 250 K miles, the dings and dents won't make a significant difference in the price. Also once I pop'd the cherry the truck was no longer a virgin and there is less for me to get uptight about.

I have a dog and kids so I'm not uptight about them making a mess.

 

[T4Rfun]

Interesting topic. OK, my opinion. This forum has a wider interest base then some others I belong to. In that I mean that you can find some hard core off-roaders, those that use their runner to access remote areas for camping, fishing or hunting, mostly using improved dirt roads. There is also a large contingent of members here that are more street bias. All is cool. I like to read everything and there are some really nice rigs.

My truck is my daily driver. I also wheel it on anything from mild to extreme at least 4-6 days per month. I'd go more if I could. The T4R is an amazing truck off road and I can tell you that with some reasonable mods and trail driving experience a 4R can go pretty much anywhere your budget and nerve will take you. I bought this truck to build an expedition vehicle and I'm stoked with my choice of platform. As for thrashing a 30K+ truck...those scratches in the paint and minor trail damage are my badges of honor. Anything more then that, well that's why we have insurance...and hopefully someone nearby with a video camera so you can post the carnage for the rest of us to enjoy.

Poser...Poseur (or "poser") is a pejorative term, often used in the musical subcultures of punk, heavy metal, and hip-hop to describe "a person who habitually pretends to be something he is not." The term is used to refer to a person who adopts the dress, speech, and/or mannerisms of a group or subculture, generally for attaining acceptability within the group, yet who is deemed to not share or understand the values or philosophy of the subculture. While this perceived inauthenticity is viewed with scorn and contempt by members of the subculture, the definition of the term and to whom it should be applied is subjective and the subject of much debate.

 

[ric]

Im a "poser"

Anyone that knows me, knows Ill take the "poser" shot everytime

 

[ELonGrad97]

HA! That's funny. I did something similar on a snow bank in our parking lot at work. Well, no one else wanted to park there, so I did!

 

[ric]

HA! That's funny. I did something similar on a snow bank in our parking lot at work. Well, no one else wanted to park there, so I did!

i use to do that all the time, lol, soon as my skids go on, im sure ill do it more, posing on snowbanks, lol

 

[jimmy2x]

Well done, Peter78.
I hereby award you the brass figlagee with bronze oak leaf palm.

JP

Excelsior, You Fathead!

In the event that you are not aware of this, hundreds of Shepherd shows are available on a Podcast via ITunes.

 

[Gromulus]

Semi-Poser

Hmm. Guess I would classify myself as a "semi-poser". No real rock crawling but we do hit the backwoods of PA, KY, TN at least half a dozen times per year. (sometimes even in winter) We primitive camp quite a bit and try to get as far back off the main dirt roads as possible. We used to do (well, at least try) this in a minivan but did some damage a few times (tranny pans, etc) that convinced me we needed more ground clearance and better traction.

Sometimes in winter or for a short weekend the wife and I will take the 4Runner to the Alleghenies as deep into the woods as possible and even sleep in the back (with attached tarp, window screens, and Coleman heater for winter)

While we still tent camp and backpack quite often we did buy an "off-road" A-frame pop-up camper a few years back that actually has more ground clearance than my 04 Runner. Now the towing capacity of the Runner comes in handy.

Being a homeowner I still need to haul lumber, the occasional sheets of drywall, bags of fertilizer, etc, etc. While the Runer does not have the most cargo capacity for it's size and class, it does serve the purpose here as well. I used to have a truck but also need the extra seating with kids and parent.

We live in the snow belt of NE Ohio so the winter performance also comes in handy (although we would probably be better off with a Subaru and snow tires for that purpose alone!)

In summation the 4Runner serves a variety of uses for us. It's primary use is stil for commuting and everyday so if it had poor on-road performance and comfort than I would have looked elsewhere.

 

[ric]

Re: Semi-Poser

Hmm. Guess I would classify myself as a "semi-poser". No real rock crawling but we do hit the backwoods of PA, KY, TN at least half a dozen times per year. (sometimes even in winter) We primitive camp quite a bit and try to get as far back off the main dirt roads as possible. We used to do (well, at least try) this in a minivan but did some damage a few times (tranny pans, etc) that convinced me we needed more ground clearance and better traction.

Sometimes in winter or for a short weekend the wife and I will take the 4Runner to the Alleghenies as deep into the woods as possible and even sleep in the back (with attached tarp, window screens, and Coleman heater for winter)

While we still tent camp and backpack quite often we did buy an "off-road" A-frame pop-up camper a few years back that actually has more ground clearance than my 04 Runner. Now the towing capacity of the Runner comes in handy.

Being a homeowner I still need to haul lumber, the occasional sheets of drywall, bags of fertilizer, etc, etc. While the Runer does not have the most cargo capacity for it's size and class, it does serve the purpose here as well. I used to have a truck but also need the extra seating with kids and parent.

We live in the snow belt of NE Ohio so the winter performance also comes in handy (although we would probably be better off with a Subaru and snow tires for that purpose alone!)

In summation the 4Runner serves a variety of uses for us. It's primary use is stil for commuting and everyday so if it had poor on-road performance and comfort than I would have looked elsewhere.

IMHO, I would NOT call you a "semi-poser" due to the fact, you take it off road.... at least your going off road, taking it camping etc. :bigok:

 

[Thai]

Sadly, i am a poser at the current time. For about a year, i have not been off pavement. My G500 only has slightly big tires (32") with rocksliders. These were useful when i did off-road. However, for the past year, family life (and high gas prices) have limited me to running over my curb as the only off-roading i do. My son is 14 months old...and i have a daughter coming in March...so, it doesn't look good that i will be going off pavement anytime soon.

Well, the bright spot is that i love my Sienna! Minivan rules baby!

 

[Gromulus]

Sadly, i am a poser at the current time. My son is 14 months old...and i have a daughter coming in March...so, it doesn't look good that i will be going off pavement anytime soon.

Well, the bright spot is that i love my Sienna! Minivan rules baby!

Ah; the small children, diapers, and minivan days - I remember them all too well!

Well Thai, as you have acknowledged, your course is set for the next several years. You may at least get into the habit of starting kids off young! We took our girls camping when they were in diapers. This includes the trip in which a bear paid us a visit, took our Doritos, and laughed at my Super Redhawk (but this is another story.............).

 

[Thai]

Ah; the small children, diapers, and minivan days - I remember them all too well!

Well Thai, as you have acknowledged, your course is set for the next several years. You may at least get into the habit of starting kids off young! We took our girls camping when they were in diapers. This includes the trip in which a bear paid us a visit, took our Doritos, and laughed at my Super Redhawk (but this is another story.............).

I plan to! Hopefully, when my son gets older, i plan to teach him about off-roading (and cars in general) and take him to the gun range. My daughter...well, my wife has plans for her already! :

 

[Gromulus]

I plan to! Hopefully, when my son gets older, i plan to teach him about off-roading (and cars in general) and take him to the gun range. My daughter...well, my wife has plans for her already! :

Good deal. I taught all my girls to shoot as soon as they could hold a gun steady. My eleven year old can shoot better than many men I know!

Just wish I could get get them to keep their rooms clean and to check their tire pressures and fluids regularly.

 

[onewheelshort13]

I guess I am a poser for now. :bigok:

 

[steve germany]

I've given this a subject little thought now and believe that "poser" is not quite appropriate for most of us. Amature seems to more appropriate - Backed into a corner I'd drain every last capability out of the truck.

I'd like to think that I could be proud and can accomplish manly feats (based on others triumphs) with such a capababile vehicle.

Bottom line is that I look good, even with the darked rear windows loaded to the top with conspicious consumption!

Poser - perhaps (yes) so, but I can haul some manly boxes at 100mph knowing all the time that I could crawl up those steep autobahn enbankments during a German stau.

I should of had a V8...
:bash:

 

[Cruzrtwdgt]

Not a poser at all. Mine tows my ATV, and I have to go down some pretty nasty roads to get where I am going. Even with 2wd, I have not had an issue yet, in mud or snow.