New Mexico 4Runner Owners Thread

[LOUD 4-RUNNER]

Hello,

I'm a Gen 4 V8 (2005 Sport Edition) owner for a year and a half or so now. I'm looking for an expert shop or mechanic for this vehicle in the Santa Fe / Albuquerque area.

I love this little truck! I live out in the boonies between Santa Fe and Albuquerque off of HWY 14 on a really rough dirt road, so its suspension gets a regular workout. It has developed a minor irritating clunk that I'd like to resolve. The vehicle was well maintained and completely stock when I bought it. I was taking it to ToyAutoMan in Santa Fe for routine oil changes and OEM service. At some point I asked them to solve the clunk. They shotgun trouble shot it and ultimately recommended I replace the front shocks with KYB, which I let them do. This did not fix the clunk at all and merely made the ride quality on the road noticeably worse. I told them this and they just threw their hands up.

Chet's Wheel Alignment in Albuquerque recommended I change the front front control arm lower ball joints when I put KO2s on the car about a year ago. I took it to them a few months ago to diagnose the clunk but they aren't sure replacing the the ball joints will eliminate the clunk. They can put microphones on it and track down the exact source, but it's an expensive process.

Has anyone assembled a list of recommended shops and such to support this machine in New Mexico? I did a few searches against the forum but didn't come up with much. The stock capabilities of the vehicle meet my needs perfectly, so I really don't think I need anything better than OEM, but I am interested in modifying this vehicle in specific and relevant ways using aftermarket suspension hardware that would constitute a quality improvement over OEM for sheer durability.

Any help on shop (or shadetree mechs) recommends would be greatly appreciated!

I also have a shop recommendation. You might wanna check out a shop in Santa Fe called Affordable Alignment. The owner Chris is down to earth,has good prices and he's a suspension specialist. He does all sorts of mechanics but suspension is his specialty. I went to him to have my lift installed. Good luck.

 

[mr_ro_co]

I also have a shop recommendation. You might wanna check out a shop in Santa Fe called Affordable Alignment. The owner Chris is down to earth,has good prices and he's a suspension specialist. He does all sorts of mechanics but suspension is his specialty. I went to him to have my lift installed. Good luck.

Excellent, thank you very much for the recommendation!

 

[Rancho5]

Hey guys,I picked up a Thundercloud 02 Sport with 150k on it about 6 months ago. I traded my 96 f250 7.3 with 300,000k for this little rig and I'm pretty glad I did. My wife actually LIKES to drive the T4R and hated the f250. I've been toolin' around the hills W of Enchanted Hills Elementary School in Rio Rancho but nothing else really.

I'd love to meet up and go for a drive if anything comes up, and schedules allow.

 

[SantaFeTrailer]

Nice 'Runner Welcome.

Hey guys,I picked up a Thundercloud 02 Sport with 150k on it about 6 months ago. I traded my 96 f250 7.3 with 300,000k for this little rig and I'm pretty glad I did. My wife actually LIKES to drive the T4R and hated the f250. I've been toolin' around the hills W of Enchanted Hills Elementary School in Rio Rancho but nothing else really.

I'd love to meet up and go for a drive if anything comes up, and schedules allow.

 

[Rancho5]

Thanks, I just put a new Kenwood double DIN head unit in

 

[gm350reratliff]

Hey guys,I picked up a Thundercloud 02 Sport with 150k on it about 6 months ago. I traded my 96 f250 7.3 with 300,000k for this little rig and I'm pretty glad I did. My wife actually LIKES to drive the T4R and hated the f250. I've been toolin' around the hills W of Enchanted Hills Elementary School in Rio Rancho but nothing else really.

I'd love to meet up and go for a drive if anything comes up, and schedules allow.

Welcome from Grants! Nice 4runner! Those old body F250's will beat you up on our rough roads but I do have a soft spot for those old 7.3's.

 

[southern_x]

another member here back into a t4r again 3rd one haha, but 18 OR looking to mod/build ...anyone have anything they are parting out? aftermarket

 

[Rancho5]

another member here back into a t4r again 3rd one haha, but 18 OR looking to mod/build ...anyone have anything they are parting out? aftermarket

PM me. I just got the number of a guy in Belen who parts out T4R's

 

[p4.runner]

Hoping to get a transfer from Houston TX to the Rio Rancho area in the coming months. Recent T4R owner 5th gen and interested in what around the area as far as trails ect. Being originally from cali and have lived in az for 10+ years I'm dying out here in houston

 

[Quantumkiwi]

Hey guys. Just found this thread, never realized this forum had region specific categories. I live in the Jemez area and just bought my 3rd gen about a year ago but have only really started working on it recently.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Hey guys. Just found this thread, never realized this forum had region specific categories. I live in the Jemez area and just bought my 3rd gen about a year ago but have only really started working on it recently.

Welcome from Grants!

 

[Rancho5]

Does anyone have a lead on some dirt backroads? I’m dying to go exploring...but my wife won’t go with me without a map or something (I’ve gotten lost before). Nothing too gnarly, just beautiful backroads. I’ve heard there is a trail from Rio Rancho to Grants? Is there a book, or links, or site someone could recommend? You can call or text me at (505) 270-6868. Thanks!

 

[ridefast]

Does anyone have a lead on some dirt backroads? I’m dying to go exploring...but my wife won’t go with me without a map or something (I’ve gotten lost before). Nothing too gnarly, just beautiful backroads. I’ve heard there is a trail from Rio Rancho to Grants? Is there a book, or links, or site someone could recommend? You can call or text me at (505) 270-6868. Thanks!

I use Gaia GPS. Check out THIS vid that [MENTION=142941]LifestyleOverland[/MENTION] has on their awesome YouTube channel. I use the free version but also see big benefit to paying for the membership. It's just about impossible to get lost if you learn to use a gps software. It took me about a week to be proficient with making and using routs on Gaia GPS. Once you create an account you can go to the overlays and select "public trips" then you will be able to import routs from others as well as create your own. The awesome thing about GPS is you don't have to have cell service to use the GPS features on your phone or tablet and you will be able to see yourself on the map.
[MENTION=137794]JasonKoko[/MENTION] has put in a great deal of effort into explaining Gaia on his awesome YouTube channel. In fact it was he and [MENTION=142941]LifestyleOverland[/MENTION] that got me into planning my trips. Before I go anywhere I always share my route with a friend so if I don't show back up on schedule they know where I was headed.

HERE is how to map out tracks on google maps. Its much more work than Gaia though. Overland Bound has a thread with routs that are shared by all the members too. Most of them are GPX files that you can instantly download to Gaia.

To answer your question the only way I know to go to Grants from RR is to link it up from Hwy 550 to Cabazon peak wilderness area then up and over the Mt Taylor area.

 

[alia176]

I have one of these in my vehicle, along with using a mapping app/software of some kind https://www.benchmarkmaps.com/products-page/atlases/new-mexico-road-recreation-atlas

 

[Rancho5]

This is fantastic. Thanks for taking The time to post such a descriptive and helpful response. I really appreciate it. I’m going to check out the GAIA app. Next time you go exploring hit me up.

 

[alia176]

This is fantastic. Thanks for taking The time to post such a descriptive and helpful response. I really appreciate it. I’m going to check out the GAIA app. Next time you go exploring hit me up.

A great way to explore this state is to download the NMBDR map from this website: https://www.benchmarkmaps.com/products-page/atlases/new-mexico-road-recreation-atlas Then simply follow the GPS tracks and enjoy the scenery.

Last weekend, we finished up the COBDR from down south to up north. Next weekend, we'll start at the south end of NMBDR and drive until Monday. We'll return some other time during the summer to finish up the NMBDR all the way to the CO/NM border.

 

[Rancho5]

Do you pay for the maps? What App do you use to download to?

Edit: Downloaded the Gaia App and paid for the middle tier package. Created a trip on Old State H'way 279, off 550, just past the road you take to get to the Jemez. It's about 45 miles and it's a "there and back". 3400' ascent. We will see how it goes. Thanks for the tip!

 

[gm350reratliff]

Does anyone have a lead on some dirt backroads? I’m dying to go exploring...but my wife won’t go with me without a map or something (I’ve gotten lost before). Nothing too gnarly, just beautiful backroads. I’ve heard there is a trail from Rio Rancho to Grants? Is there a book, or links, or site someone could recommend? You can call or text me at (505) 270-6868. Thanks!

There's not a direct trail from RR to Grants but a collection of trails will get you there if the gates are not locked. There's a couple of roads you do have to cross or get on for a short time to get there.

The short, not very detailed version goes like this;

From RR, take Southern all the way west and descend into the Rio Puerco valley. You will come to a fence, follow that south to Rt. 66.

From Rt. 66, head west until the roundabout then head North on Rio Puerco Rd (I think that's what it's called). You will stay on this road as it winds through the high desert and bypasses Canyoncito. There are many off shoots on this road and it's easy to get off track without a GPS. Also, after any good precipitation, this road will probably be impassible due to mud. The easiest way is to stay on track is to keep on the road that looks most traveled as it slowly shifts west/northwest. Eventually you'll come out on County Road 1 between Seboyeta and Marquez.

From county road 1, you can go right to Marquez and cross around the back side of Mt. Taylor through a bunch of trails or go left and make your way to Seboyeta, then to Rt. 66

From Rt.66, head west, turn right onto forest road 400 and follow that north as it climbs the mountain. This road was really rough last time I was on it many years ago. Follow it to forest road 193. From 193, you should be able to find your way to Lobo Canyon which will lead you to Grants.

Keep in mind, these directions cross public, private, and reservation lands. You may encounter locked gates and no trespassing signs that were not present when I drove through. Be prepared to find a different road or even turn back completely.

I have done parts and sections of this course over many years but never all at once in a day or weekend. Someday, I'd like to do it from end to end in a day or weekend.

 

[Quantumkiwi]

Does anyone have a lead on some dirt backroads? I’m dying to go exploring...but my wife won’t go with me without a map or something (I’ve gotten lost before). Nothing too gnarly, just beautiful backroads. I’ve heard there is a trail from Rio Rancho to Grants? Is there a book, or links, or site someone could recommend? You can call or text me at (505) 270-6868. Thanks!

Like others have said GAIA GPS is awesome. I do a lot of backcountry backpacking out in the Sangres and often lead groups out there. I have found gaia gps to be the one-stop shop for maps.

If you are looking for specific areas, one of my favorite areas is the section of Carson NF surrounding (and mostly north of) El Rito. Well over 1000 miles of small dirt roads there, including some that are closed, but don't have any signs.

I would not recommend any road out there that seems at all like it would be closed. It can be very easy to slide off the road when it rains:

 

[Quantumkiwi]

Hey guys, I am new to the 4Runner world and just traded forester for 97 limited. Loving it so far and just can’t believe how much it can do stock wise. I have a couple of rock hits so far so I can understand why people are lifting.

I am located in Santa Fe and have gone to caja del rio and the forest service road 102 from Tesque to ski basin. I happened to head up there right on a rainy morning and my goodness what a drive, I see a lot of small off trails that I’d like to go with a winch and better tires. Interested in going on the 412 that forks off the 102.

Does anyone have any idea on the 102 closure? Season round or only when it’s serious? And any other cool trails around Santa Fe? Thanks!

I read somewhere that it is closed in the winter as it cannot be plowed, but most of the listings I see are for biking. It also appears to often be closed for fire restrictions.