Jeff's Build Thread

[SBdailyrunner]

My fiancé and I came up with the idea last summer to take 3 month long surfing road trip down to Costa Rica and back. I immediately started searching for a rig that would be dependable, fun, and go anywhere. That search led me to a 4Runner. After a month or so of searching, I came across a 97 limited 4x4 with an e-locker in great condition with only 154k. We drove it home to Santa Barbara and I immediately got on this forum and started researching how to build an awesome overlanding rig. I absolutely love this truck and wish I had bought one earlier.

The first thing I did was install a B&M tranny cooler to eliminate the pink milkshake. I then got bored and painted my wheels. Savage Offroad had a great Black Friday Sale and I went crazy. New bumpers, sliders, and skids. Paid that off on the credit card and then picked up the Sonoran Steel 1.2 lift and could not be happier. This thing drives so much better now. It has been intimidating spending this much money in such a short time but it is a small price to pay for a overlanding rig that will last forever. All the big stuff has been done and now I get to start converting it into a true overlanding rig.

Things on the list to do before we leave in June 2015:
Weld the sliders on
Winch
Roof rack
Lights
Tundra brake conversion
Dual battery conversion
Sleeping platform with pull out table
New LBJs and CV Joints
Timing Belt and Water Pump in 15,000 thousand miles

 

[CenCalifoothill15]

Great start man! I like the direction you're going. I'll be sure to check out the progression of your build thread.

Sub'd- :thumb3:

 

[hrt4me]

looks good, and best of luck on your upcoming journey

will you add a fridge for overlanding?
a portable air compressor?
solar panel(s)?
CB and/or dual band radios?
can you carry along extra fuel and/or water?

are you also on the ExPo forums?

 

[Hepar]

My fiancé and I came up with the idea last summer to take 3 month long surfing road trip down to Costa Rica and back.

That sounds like a dream trip. So many amazing breaks along the way and I can't even imagine how many more if you're doing the drive yourself. So jealous.

 

[JohnBill53]

man, probly one of the cooler stories behind a build, looking forward to it :yo:

 

[SR5Runner97]

Looks amazing. Also while you're doing maintenance you might as well change all your fluids.

 

[SBdailyrunner]

looks good, and best of luck on your upcoming journey

will you add a fridge for overlanding?
a portable air compressor?
solar panel(s)?
CB and/or dual band radios?
can you carry along extra fuel and/or water?

are you also on the ExPo forums?

I will be adding a fridge and portable air compressor too. I have to find a way to put the fridge and water jug in the back so it doesn't affect the sleeping arrangements too much. I won't have solar panels because the surfboards will be up top but I do have a jerry can holder for fuel that will attach to the rear tire carrier on my bumper. I love ExPo forums but haven't posted this on it yet. I will soon enough though. I can't get enough of all the blogs that people post on their journeys down the PanAmerican Highway.

 

[SBdailyrunner]

That sounds like a dream trip. So many amazing breaks along the way and I can't even imagine how many more if you're doing the drive yourself. So jealous.

This is the only time in our lives that we will be able to do a trip like this. The goal is to make it down to surf Pavones in CR and I have heard it is quite a journey to get to. Baja should be a blast to explore as well. I can't wait to do it.

 

[hrt4me]

I will be adding a fridge and portable air compressor too. I have to find a way to put the fridge and water jug in the back so it doesn't affect the sleeping arrangements too much. I won't have solar panels because the surfboards will be up top but I do have a jerry can holder for fuel that will attach to the rear tire carrier on my bumper. I love ExPo forums but haven't posted this on it yet. I will soon enough though. I can't get enough of all the blogs that people post on their journeys down the PanAmerican Highway.

LifeRemotely is one I've followed, there are many other good ones

 

[masphx]

LifeRemotely is one I've followed, there are many other good ones

Yep that is a good one. I actually met the people at the Overland Expo last year.
OP said in a earlier post that he was going to go more off the beaten path then what they did. I would caution this in Mexico though, unfortunately

Your rig is coming along very nice! A great thread to read and IMO one of the most helpful was Expedition Portal

Brings to light things you really don't need. A three week language class before the trip is better then a winch for instance.

Mason

 

[GrampsT4R]

I drove to pavones from the north end of Costa Rica in one day. The country is small and the roads are good. The roads are good in Guatemala too.

I'm pretty jealous of your trip. Mexico would be the only part that would make me nervous. Just drive during the day on main roads and you'll be fine. Also, take lots of trinkets and stickers and stuff to trade to people on the way. They love that kind of stuff.

 

[masson74]

Looking good but you need to get your front bumper mounted on correctly. FYI