LawnDart's Build Thread

[propain]

Hey at least the major components haven't broke, like ball-joints/uni-balls/suspension/bushings/radiator/engine/belts/wheel bearings, etc. Seems like only minor aftermarket stuff broke, not bad! Make sure you keep your eye on all the fluid levels. Brakes/Coolant, etc. After the trip you definitely want to take a good look at all the wheel bearings/all bearings etc. Sand can kill these quick.

:thumb:

 

[LawnDart]

Hey at least the major componenets havent broken, like balljoints/uniballs/suspension/bushings/radiator/engine/belts etc. Seems like only minor aftermarket stuff broke, not bad! Make sure you keep your eye on all the fluid levels. Brakes/Coolant, etc.

:thumb:

I was warned ahead of time that the only thing that would likely be a problem is after market stuff. And that's the absolute truth.

We're in Loreto but pushing to San Rosalito today. All off road.

Honestly the scariest parts are the highway sections.

 

[propain]

I was warned ahead of time that the only thing that would likely be a problem is after market stuff. And that's the absolute truth.

We're in Loreto but pushing to San Rosalito today. All off road.

Honestly the scariest parts are the highway sections.

Wish i was there with you.

 

[maddiesel67]

when your done it would be cool to get a full breakdown of what all broke haha

 

[ADK Explorer]

It is nice to see you putting all those expensive mods to good use. This is definitely an acid test for the whole truck. Thanks for being the mad scientist guinea pig for us. Glad your having fun. Carpe diem.

 

[wootalien]

Your truck was not built specifically for baja, it's more of a camping truck. A lot of these accessories are not rated for rides like this. I am not surprised half of your mods are hanging on. Not even to mention your fridge, IT connections, awning etc.

There's probably no problem with the CBI bumper. If you're planning on doing rides like this, I would not buy a bumper with a camp table.

 

[4Running303]

Trail of Missions Day 4 & 5: San Ignacio -> San Juanico - race-deZert.com

Photos from day 4 and 5. We did some epic splishy splashes yesterday.

Did some hill climbs at ridiculous speeds. This whole trip has been ridiculous.

I am seriously doubting if I'll make FJ Summit. I will try to make it. The truck will just be a mess.

Ha, you should definitely bring it to FJ Summit...baja scars and all!!! Don't even wash it!

 

[Trixx]

One thing a lot of people can probably realize here (I'm sure many do) is that LawnDart's Baja issues are due to his 60-70+ mph speeds.

I would bet that a stock 4runner can probably do most every road that he has been on, just at a much more reasonable speed.

Baja is full of sand and such. Not much rock climbing or anything very challenging at all in a 4Runner.

There are a FEW trails throughout Baja that would be a bit more tough, but even those I would probably be fine in my slightly modified 4Runner.

One more challenging routes involves some very deep ruts, inclines, sand, etc. from south of Todos Santo through the mountainous back roads to north of Las Veredas. From what I have seen that is probably one of the most challenging trails in Baja. No one would be going 70 mph through there lol.

 

[Broso]

Your truck was not built specifically for baja, it's more of a camping truck. A lot of these accessories are not rated for rides like this. I am not surprised half of your mods are hanging on. Not even to mention your fridge, IT connections, awning etc.

There's probably no problem with the CBI bumper. If you're planning on doing rides like this, I would not buy a bumper with a camp table.

This 100%. The experience is probably amazing and the 4Runner build is awesome but not built solely for Baja speeds which is the way to go. I applaud the balls though!

 

[LawnDart]

Your truck was not built specifically for baja, it's more of a camping truck. A lot of these accessories are not rated for rides like this. I am not surprised half of your mods are hanging on. Not even to mention your fridge, IT connections, awning etc.

There's probably no problem with the CBI bumper. If you're planning on doing rides like this, I would not buy a bumper with a camp table.

The design is weak. It broke two hours in on washboards. Do whatever mental gymanastics you gotta do but the swing arm design needs way more reinforcement.

Also we've done some technical hill climbs here. Lots of boulders so ground clearance is a must.

 

[LawnDart]

Ha, you should definitely bring it to FJ Summit...baja scars and all!!! Don't even wash it!

I'll clean out the inside. But I will leave the outside as is.

This truck is so messed up but still holding strong.

 

[LawnDart]

Current damage for today:

The truck tore the front left fender liner out and we had to cut out the damaged section. The rotors look like garbage. The truck squeaks so bad. And there's so many rattles.

But hell if we're not still going strong. One more day of off roading.

 

[Trixx]

Current damage for today:

The truck tore the front left fender liner out and we had to cut out the damaged section. The rotors look like garbage. The truck squeaks so bad. And there's so many rattles.

But hell if we're not still going strong. One more day of off roading.

Broken stuff or not, it says a lot about your 4Runner if you're still able to even drive it home! Big difference between going home to fix some aftermarket shit that didn't hold up vs getting towed home or spending a week at a shop before you can make it home.

 

[propain]

I remember seeing this a few years ago.

 

[LawnDart]

Broken stuff or not, it says a lot about your 4Runner if you're still able to even drive it home! Big difference between going home to fix some aftermarket shit that didn't hold up vs getting towed home or spending a week at a shop before you can make it home.

For sure. I wouldn't want to be on a stock rig down here unless I was going slow on these trails.

The locals here are nuts on the road.

Oh here's a new one: we rattled the driver front turn signal so hard the bulb exploded from the vibrations.

 

[TX med]

Not sure if this has been asked or not, but will you be able to post some pictures of the aftermath? Curious to see what a 4runner looks like after a trip like that.

 

[Senorlechero]

[MENTION=124732]LawnDart[/MENTION] How's your nav/comm stuff holding up in the Ram mounts?

 

[Sno Dawg]

I remember seeing this a few years ago.

Thank you for the videos proving that a mostly stock Toyota 4Runner driven by drivers with FINESSE can finish the Baja 1000 and finish in 2nd place. I believe that one of these truck driven at high speeds appropriately by skilled driver(s) can run in Baja without major damage. I have ridden motorcycles in that area with no mechanical failures and have had friends who tend to hammer with no regard to machine who have Taco'ed (no pun intended) rims and broken subframes on their bikes. It is not how fast you go, it is how you treat your machine!

I think that was Ivan THE IRON MAN Stewart getting out of the stock 4Runner in the end. That guy knows how to drive a truck!!!

Great videos!


Teeth to the wind,
Sno Dawg - Jeff

 

[Sno Dawg]

Stock 4Runners and great videos

I remember seeing this a few years ago.

Thank you for the videos proving that a mostly stock Toyota 4Runner driven by drivers with FINESSE can finish the Baja 1000 and finish in 2nd place. I believe that one of these truck driven at high speeds appropriately by skilled driver(s) can run in Baja without major damage. I have ridden motorcycles in that area with no mechanical failures and have had friends who tend to hammer with no regard to machine who have Taco'ed (no pun intended) rims and broken subframes on their bikes. It is not how fast you go, it is how you treat your machine!

I think that was Ivan THE IRON MAN Stewart getting out of the stock 4Runner in the end. That guy knows how to drive a truck!!!

It is less about the vehicle and more about the pilot - hell guys and girls do the Baja 1000 in stock VW Beetles!

Great videos!


Teeth to the wind,
Sno Dawg - Jeff

 

[LawnDart]

Not sure if this has been asked or not, but will you be able to post some pictures of the aftermath? Curious to see what a 4runner looks like after a trip like that.

I will.

We broke the truck. I think we blew up the ABS pump 21 miles from the end.

Truck is running but my dashboard looks like a Christmas tree.