My new 4Runner Limited 4wd (pics)

[travisk]

My new 4Runner Limited 4wd (dirty pics)

I bought this 4Runner from a TTORA forum member two weeks ago. I couldn't bear to put up any driveway queen photos, so my wife and I took it for a run up to Santiago Peak in Orange County, CA this weekend. It looks much better with a thick coat of dust on it.

It's a 2000 Limited 4wd, raised with TRD Tundra front coils and Downey coils in the rear. It also has a 4Crawler 2" body lift and 285/75 Firestone Destination MTs.

I also have a Jeep that I use for serious off-roading. I bought this 4Runner hoping that I could make some of my easier off-road trips a little more comfortable, and it's meeting all of my expectations.

I have a bunch of other off-road photos on my personal website . I also run the off-road trail wiki Dirtopia.

Anyways, glad to join the T4R forum, and I'm sure that I'll have a bunch of questions for you guys in the future.

 

[alpha]

Welcome to the forum!♠

 

[4x4Runner09]

Very nice 4Runner. I have the truck but with some different mods.

Which way did you access Santiago Peak aka Main Divide? I heard Maple Springs gate was closed this time of year?

 

[arizcats9987]

very nice truck. Im liking the hood scoop on the limited.

 

[travisk]

We accessed Main Divide via Bedford Road . Maple Springs was not closed, though the forest service will tell you that it is. Some of our group made the return trip via Maple Springs.

 

[4x4Runner09]

We accessed Main Divide via Bedford Road . Maple Springs was not closed, though the forest service will tell you that it is. Some of our group made the return trip via Maple Springs.

Very cool. In that case I will be hitting Maple Springs next week some time. BTW what rims are those your running?

 

[travisk]

I think the rims are from a 5th gen Land Cruiser. The previous owner painted them.

 

[Raddogz]

Slick!

It looks good and welcome to the forum. I have the same year and color truck.

 

[Ill4Runner]

Sweet 3rd Gen. and welcome to T4R!

 

[Fo_SheeZy]

Omg! That's Grimpy's old 4Runner...
http://www.yotatech.com/f79/grimpys-00-t4r-4wd-limited-73558/

 

[grimpy]

Welcome to the board Travis... Glad to hear you are enjoying the 4Runner...

 

[travisk]

Welcome to the board Travis... Glad to hear you are enjoying the 4Runner...

Oh yeah, it's a blast. It looks like you got your Taco. Congrats.

 

[4reak]

nice ride... i have the same one, just a different color. How was the trip? i havent gone off roading with mine yet, and the only time that i have used my 4wd is when i was in tahoe during the winter. it was awesome. i wish i knew more about offroading though, thats mainly why i havent gone anywhere yet. id love to meet up with some people local to oc and hit up a trail sometime. all in all, welcome to the group.

 

[kingbiscuit]

Must be nice to have a 4runner as your other vehicle. Looks pretty sweet.

 

[travisk]

How was the trip? i havent gone off roading with mine yet

The trip was pretty mellow. The Cleveland National Forest doesn't really have any hardcore trails - it's mostly graded fire roads. It's a great area for first-timers.

Since you've never been off-roading before, I'd recommend dropping tire pressure to 15 psi or so just to help with the bumps, as these roads get pretty washboarded. Make sure that you have a way to air back up when you get back to the pavement. Costco has a decent pump that can handle big tires for $50. Those little emergency air pumps from Walmart will burn up on the second tire.

After you've explored that area, head up to Big Bear where there are many more trails. Some of them can get pretty advanced.

Here is an example of the terrain in the Cleveland National Forest: