New to the state looking to explore FL

[Brownmamba]

Hello all, I have just moved to Jacksonville, and I am looking to get into camping, light overlanding, and off roading in the 4runner. Since I have had her, which is around a year, it has only been off road 2-3 times. Most of the mileage put on her is from road trips with the wife and pup. If anyone has some knowledge they are willing to give, I would greatly appreciate it, or if you know of any groups that meet within driving distance. Thanks ahead for any responses. I look forward to hearing back.

 

[Importpower99]

Hello all, I have just moved to Jacksonville, and I am looking to get into camping, light overlanding, and off roading in the 4runner. Since I have had her, which is around a year, it has only been off road 2-3 times. Most of the mileage put on her is from road trips with the wife and pup. If anyone has some knowledge they are willing to give, I would greatly appreciate it, or if you know of any groups that meet within driving distance. Thanks ahead for any responses. I look forward to hearing back.

Hello and welcome! Us Xterra guys are actually doing Ocala National Forest trip this weekend. PM if your interested .

 

[TerraCrawler]

So humid in Florida right now. Best to explore Florida when its coldest and go elsewhere in the meantime!

 

[Shadow18]

Im also in FL, looking to meet up with others and go off roading, if anyone knows anything, dont hesitate to pm me!

 

[Cymon]

Im also in FL, looking to meet up with others and go off roading, if anyone knows anything, dont hesitate to pm me!

:welcome:

There is a very active Florida 4Runners Facebook group that has meet-ups and other get togethers/trail rides.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Florida4runners/

It looks like you’re in Naples. There is also an active FJ and Landcruiser group on your side of the Swamp. I’m just across alligator alley from you, about 10 minutes South of Weston. Down here about the only place to go is Big Cypress. We go camping there every now and again. It has some great scenery and light off-roaring canal trails. They also have designated “off-road” areas but you need a permit, and during the wet season that we’re in now a snorkel. Lazy Springs off road park is also over near you. A nice little day trip to exercise the 4wd. I have some pics in my thread linked in my signature of the last time we went over there as a 4Runners group.
Most people go up North to either Ocala National Forest or Citrus Wildlife management area. Ocala is huge and has some good camping (also pics buried in my thread). There is also Hard Rock off-road park near Ocala that is a little more intense if that’s what you’re into.
If I hear of anything or we’re heading out anywhere I’ll shoot you a pm. My family and I are more of the exploring/camping type as opposed to the hard core mudders and swappers, but we do enjoy dirtying the tires.

We are fairly recent Florida transplants originally from Maryland and then California, so we are still adjusting to the heat and no Mountains type of outdoor activities.

:cheers:

 

[uncleelie]

Hi,

Same situation here ! South Floridian ( Fort Lauderdale area, in Hallandale ).
Just purchased a TRD Off Road, it still has stock tires.
I've been looking at posts on the Facebook Florida 4Runners group.
I'm exploring the options to go out with people from this neck of the woods, as I understanding going alone is not a wise option, even less so when one is a newbie.

 

[Cymon]

Hi,

Same situation here ! South Floridian ( Fort Lauderdale area, in Hallandale ).
Just purchased a TRD Off Road, it still has stock tires.
I've been looking at posts on the Facebook Florida 4Runners group.
I'm exploring the options to go out with people from this neck of the woods, as I understanding going alone is not a wise option, even less so when one is a newbie.

:Welcome: I was the one from Pembroke Pines replying to your post on the Facebook group. I’ll definitely shoot you a PM whenever I head out. I’m a teacher so I usually have more time in the Summer. We could even do a short day trip and check out some canal roads in Big Cypress or head over to Lazy Springs over in Naples. If you check out my thread in my signature it has some pics of a few of the trail rides including Lazy Springs, Hard Rock and Ocala.

 

[TowMeOut]

Go North!!

The wheeling you seek is more likely in GA/SC/NC but there are places to go here in FL if you like sand and mud. Folks already mentioned Ocala and Big Cypress. Both the Citrus and Croom tracts of Withlacoochee State Forest have some good places to check out. I've been once to JW Corbett WMA which was kind of cool. I haven't made it to any of the offroad "parks" like Hard Rock or Jeep Ranch yet but maybe this summer I'll make a road trip. I'm really wanting to head to north GA and try and complete all or at least a section of the Georgia Traverse.

Watch out in all of these places though because just because you can drive there doesn't mean it's legal. There are numerous phosphate and clay pits in these forest areas that are normally posted and no trespassing. Going to play in them is illegal even if you didn't bypass any locked gates or cut through the bushes to get there. That also goes for some of the "mall crawling" that people do in construction areas and road projects. Just because there's a track and some mud doesn't mean we're welcome to play there.

Definitely check out the FB group. Anthony is good people and he'll get you on the site ASAP.

 

[eelski]

I'm down in Miami. The last turn you can take before going to the Keys is Card Sound Rd. Turn left and your first left is "The Humps" for some fun 4 wheeling and lots of puddles. Yes, it's pretty popular so you won't get stranded. Lots of camping spots in the everglades too.

 

[Swamp]

I'm down in Miami. The last turn you can take before going to the Keys is Card Sound Rd. Turn left and your first left is "The Humps" for some fun 4 wheeling and lots of puddles. Yes, it's pretty popular so you won't get stranded. Lots of camping spots in the everglades too.

Hey I'm in Key Largo... Drive on Card Sound all the time. Haven't gone in there because I was worried about the salt in the groundwatere. Is that true? Thanks!

 

[piratebo]

I'm in Hollywood near Ft. Lauderdale. I like to go to J.W Corbett in West Palm Beach and the Holey lands off 27 north of alligator alley. Have not been to the humps since I was riding with friends in their heeps I remember it being fun tho :whoo:

 

[DCRedneck]

Y'all South Florida folks have any recommendations for shops for upgrades? I'd like to upgrade the suspension/tires and add a winch/bumper to my gen5 TRD Pro. I am rather new to the area, and have had bad luck with the local (FTL) repair shops for my wife's car.

It seems like most the shops cater to the Jeep and jacked up F150 mall crawler crowds.

I would love any recs!

 

[Mark4runnar]

Hello all, I have just moved to Jacksonville, and I am looking to get into camping, light overlanding, and off roading in the 4runner. Since I have had her, which is around a year, it has only been off road 2-3 times. Most of the mileage put on her is from road trips with the wife and pup. If anyone has some knowledge they are willing to give, I would greatly appreciate it, or if you know of any groups that meet within driving distance. Thanks ahead for any responses. I look forward to hearing back.

I head down to Ft Myers in Jan (thru May)-------- I will keep my eye on this thread and hope to join up
I have been to Big Cypress --- but have mostly used my mountain bike while there.

2014 4runner
1993 LC

.mc

 

[Maj_Beck]

Y'all South Florida folks have any recommendations for shops for upgrades? I'd like to upgrade the suspension/tires and add a winch/bumper to my gen5 TRD Pro. I am rather new to the area, and have had bad luck with the local (FTL) repair shops for my wife's car.

It seems like most the shops cater to the Jeep and jacked up F150 mall crawler crowds.

I would love any recs!

Hi Red, if you find one for suspensions, you let me know also. I'm in the MIA area and have put off most upgrades due to the same exact issue. Mike from Exit up north (I think Jax area) said he heard a shop named lux in doral had experience with Dobinson suspensions on 4Rs, I reached out to them many months ago and never got a reply. So, if you find any shop in MIA/FTL that doesn't cross thread bolts or install things upside down and doesn't shaft you personally without lube, please let us know.

For the tires, you can search for any shops that have the good road force balancing machine (I forget the model #): the one that fixes the steering wheel wobble on the factory tires that nobody can balance properly. otherwise, it's not such a big deal.

As for the winch/bumper, if you can find 1-2 friends, a few bottle or floor jacks and some carpet covered wood, it's not at all difficult.. just try not to herniate or dislocate anything and wear steel toe boots... FYI, there are several powder coat places in doral and hialeah, or just get the bumper coated from mfg/vendor. FYI, test the winch before mounting the bumper... nothing worse than finding out afterwards you got a dud

So, while I didn't answer the question the way you would have wanted, at least you know you aren't alone.

Good luck on the search and keep us informed, I'm sure there are other lurkers that want a recommendation... anyone?

 

[Maj_Beck]

I head down to Ft Myers in Jan (thru May)-------- I will keep my eye on this thread and hope to join up
I have been to Big Cypress --- but have mostly used my mountain bike while there.

2014 4runner
1993 LC

.mc

Hi Mark,

Thread's been mostly dead for a while; I think most people use c-i-a-book for organizing a meet. I may have a hunting trip or two in the Ft Meyers area in very early May 2022 (before the rainy season starts), feel free to msg me before then, might catch a trail... otherwise, passing by lazy springs park, if nothing else.

Doesn't big cypress require a ORV permit for anything motorized?

 

[neaac88]

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