MTgirl's build and adventure log

[MTgirl]

Not sure how much "build" will be happening here - that all depends on funding - but I thought I'd try to keep track of things in one spot. This could very well end up being nothing but a collection of pictures of my Runner in awesome places across Montana.

My rig:

2012 SR5, V6, bone stock, purchased 01/16/15

Short term plans:
- seatcovers - Precision Fit Covers - DONE!
- Weathertech mats DONE!
- locking storage bin for the rear (suggestions?)
- satoshi "homergrill"

Long term plans:
- roof rack - Thule crossbars for now. Maybe Santa will bring me a frontrunner slimline rack
- lift (~2")
- sliders

I'm sure the list will get modified as we go but for now I'm extremely happy with the rig as is. Only time will tell what "needs" to be done...as long as I can camp and explore I won't complain.

 

[MTgirl]

 

[Rorck]

Good list! How are liking the new rig? At first I really missed my Tacoma but fell in love with the runner after a few wheeling trips.

 

[Intruder]

This could very well end up being nothing but a collection of pictures of my Runner in awesome places across Montana.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that. A few of us have threads that are pretty much entirely made up of posts like that.

Long term plans:
- roof rack (the OEM will handle my CVT RTT for now)

Just a suggestion, but you may want to do a roof rack or aftermarket crossbars sooner than later. The OEM rack will handle the weight of your RTT at rest, but the dynamic load rating of the crossbars (130 lbs) is probably lower than the weight of your tent.

 

[3wbdriver]

Someone who shall remain nameless has an awesome picture thread of their adventures in Canada. I'd love to see some awesome pictures from Montana. It's one of the few states I haven't visited and always wanted to. opcorn:

 

[MTgirl]

Good list! How are liking the new rig? At first I really missed my Tacoma but fell in love with the runner after a few wheeling trips.

Loving it so far. I can see there may be times I miss my Taco but I was ready for something new. As long as this rig gets me to the places I love to camp I'll be a happy girl.
I took a quick run to Yellowstone yesterday and encountered rain, snow, slush and ice so I have a pretty good idea of how it handles, was pretty impressed. Got just a smidge over 23mpg too!

Absolutely nothing wrong with that. A few of us have threads that are pretty much entirely made up of posts like that.


Just a suggestion, but you may want to do a roof rack or aftermarket crossbars sooner than later. The OEM rack will handle the weight of your RTT at rest, but the dynamic load rating of the crossbars (130 lbs) is probably lower than the weight of your tent.

Good to know we all get sidetracked.

I'd like a rack sooner but they're a little pricy so I'm keeping it on the long term wishlist for now, if I find a deal then I'll get one sooner. Got a little research to do too. With the factory rack I won't fit in my garage with the tent on - missed that by about an inch! I'd like to get something as low profile as possible. The rack says its rated for 135lbs and my tent is 120 lbs (CVT Bachelor) so I'm just under the limit there.

Someone who shall remain nameless has an awesome picture thread of their adventures in Canada. I'd love to see some awesome pictures from Montana. It's one of the few states I haven't visited and always wanted to. opcorn:

You're gonna need a bigger bucket of popcorn...
Photography is a hobby of mine and one of the big reasons I camp and explore. There will certainly be lots of photos coming once camping season starts!

 

[gm350reratliff]

Congrats on the new ride and welcome. I recognize your name from TW.

 

[brian0128]

Subbed for the adventure log and pictures. I just sold my Tacoma as well and recently joined up here. I should do the same and start a thread of the adventures I go on since I don't plan on doing too many modifications but I do get to lots of cool places.

 

[wanderMT]

Hi MTgirl. Keep the pics coming - never tire of beautiful country.
Sounds like you might be in Bozeman area - if so, have you done business w/Ressler and how are they?

 

[GSPRunner]

Love Yellowstone and the Tetons. Love looking through your photo feed on TW. Family has a home in the Madison Valley, so I've spent a lot of time out there. Never gets old.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Are you still running the stock Bridgestones/Dunlops? If so, what are your plans for tires.

 

[MTgirl]

Congrats on the new ride and welcome. I recognize your name from TW.

What is this TW place you speak of? :spy:

Hi MTgirl. Keep the pics coming - never tire of beautiful country.
Sounds like you might be in Bozeman area - if so, have you done business w/Ressler and how are they?

Yep and yep. I bought my Tacoma from them and my parents got their Tacoma and their Chevy truck there as well. Pretty good place, fairly knowledgeable folks. And they don't treat me like a lost child when I'm cruising the lot which is a huge plus. Only complaint is the prices. They tend to mark the used vehicles on the high end of the scale and they will not negotiate at all. Would have bought from them again though if they had what I wanted....instead I ended up at a Jeep dealer to buy my Runner.
Where in MT are you?

Love Yellowstone and the Tetons. Love looking through your photo feed on TW. Family has a home in the Madison Valley, so I've spent a lot of time out there. Never gets old.

Ever get up into the Gravellies outside of Ennis? Love it up there, one of my favorite places to camp.

Are you still running the stock Bridgestones/Dunlops? If so, what are your plans for tires.

No, the PO had Hankook Dynapros on there. Still a decent amount of tread left so I'll probably try to get through the summer with them. Not sure whats next when they wear out. I like the look of the Grabber AT2's. But I was happy with the Big O AT's that I had on my truck. I was a little leary about buying an "off brand" but they held up really well. Those will be on my short list when it comes time to shop.

 

[GSPRunner]

Ever get up into the Gravellies outside of Ennis? Love it up there, one of my favorite places to camp.

A little bit. We are literally right there. It's beautiful out there, wish I could live there year round.

 

[Mistaken]

I sure do love MT! We make it over to Hamilton and also Kalispell every so often. Beautiful out there. :banana:

 

[cjacob316]

Congrats on the new ride and welcome. I recognize your name from TW.

I knew the name was familiar, just couldn't remember if it was from TW or here.

 

[wanderMT]

What is this TW place you speak of? :spy:

Yep and yep. I bought my Tacoma from them and my parents got their Tacoma and their Chevy truck there as well. Pretty good place, fairly knowledgeable folks. And they don't treat me like a lost child when I'm cruising the lot which is a huge plus. Only complaint is the prices. They tend to mark the used vehicles on the high end of the scale and they will not negotiate at all. Would have bought from them again though if they had what I wanted....instead I ended up at a Jeep dealer to buy my Runner.
Where in MT are you?

I'm about an hour east of Billings.
Asked about Ressler because Lithia owns dealership in Blgs and prefer to do business with smaller companies.

 

[Nervo19]

Congrats on the new 4Runner. IMO white is on the best color, after blue.

My son just got a really nice 1st gen Tacoma, 2000, and I've been plodding through the "What Have You Done With Your Tacoma Today," thread about six pages per day. I'm just up to the part in 2011 where you had your fender flares painted to match. So...the Tacoma gets sold? Way to spoil the end for me...

[/URL]~original[/IMG]

 

[Raildawg1]

mt also

hello from Sidney mt. just got my tep from lithia in billings. maybe we'll see you out there somewhere.

 

[MTgirl]

A little bit. We are literally right there. It's beautiful out there, wish I could live there year round.

It is a cool area, I'm over that way quite a bit.

I sure do love MT! We make it over to Hamilton and also Kalispell every so often. Beautiful out there. :banana:

Haven't had too muc htime to explore over there but I have driven the Magruder Corridor a couple of times, hope to make it back again this summer.

Congrats on the new 4Runner. IMO white is on the best color, after blue.

My son just got a really nice 1st gen Tacoma, 2000, and I've been plodding through the "What Have You Done With Your Tacoma Today," thread about six pages per day. I'm just up to the part in 2011 where you had your fender flares painted to match. So...the Tacoma gets sold? Way to spoil the end for me...

[/URL]~original[/IMG]

Its silver....white was my first choice, then blue. Don't see many blues around though.

Sorry to ruin the ending for you. If it makes you feel any better I could keep updating the thread with things that dad does to the truck. Like replace my sliders with running boards, put an icky diamond plate tool box in the back...sigh...
There's still plenty of mods you need to read about, keep going.

Hope your son loves the truck, it should serve him well for many years

I'm about an hour east of Billings.
Asked about Ressler because Lithia owns dealership in Blgs and prefer to do business with smaller companies.

Like I said, my only complaint is the pricing on the used vehicles. My folks and I have not had any issue dealing with them. If you are looking at used vehicles let me know, I drive past the lot a couple times a day. Would be happy to scope out anything you find, make sure its worth your time

hello from Sidney mt. just got my tep from lithia in billings. maybe we'll see you out there somewhere.

Howdy. I don't make it to the eastern part of the state much but I do hope to get to Makoshika sometime this year.

 

[MTgirl]

Might have something to add to the list already. Shift knobs. I want the gear knob to be shorter and the 4wd knob to be taller. I can't reach the 4wd without leaning way over and around the gears shifter. Toyota kinda failed when they placed the 4wd knob next to the passenger and not the driver. Double fail by creating a roadblock with the shifter.

Must investigate options.