Pre-trip prep

Mighty Buffalo

Mighty Buffalo

Member
I'm going to the Oregon Dunes in about a month. I have 2001 4R, and this will be my first outing in my own rig. Recommendations for things I should do before I go? I'll be with experienced wheelers that are handy with wrenches, but I'd rather not have to fix preventable failures on the trail.

Ive done timing belt/water pump/radiator, and I have a set of Yoko Geolander ATs on. It's more or less in stock form, about 160k on the clock.
 
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I'll start with questions...
How aggressive will the terrain be?
What mods are done to your vehicle? *Edit: I reread that it's mostly stock.
Do you have recovery points? A stock 4Runner can be setup with some recovery options. Tow-hitch shackle, enlarge the front tie-down loop for a shackle pin.
Are you concerned more about reliability issues or offroad-durability issues? From your post, it sounds like you are asking about the former(?)
 
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I've never been there but dunes are generally sand. my best advice is air down. i have the trail head tire deflators and they are worth the money.
 
4x4runner2002 said:
I've never been there but dunes are generally sand. my best advice is air down. i have the trail head tire deflators and they are worth the money.
Click to expand...

I agree, air down in sand! I have the Staun tire deflators and they are excellent.

Speaking of sand-travel...
Find out if anyone has some traction boards. Bring a shovel. Maybe a sand anchor? Snatch straps would be a good idea too.
 
ShooterMcGavin said:
I'll start with questions...
How aggressive will the terrain be?
What mods are done to your vehicle? *Edit: I reread that it's mostly stock.
Do you have recovery points? A stock 4Runner can be setup with some recovery options. Tow-hitch shackle, enlarge the front tie-down loop for a shackle pin.
Are you concerned more about reliability issues or offroad-durability issues? From your post, it sounds like you are asking about the former(?)
Click to expand...
Not sure about the terrain, maybe some dirt trails, probably sand. I've never been to Oregon Dunes.

Mostly I'm looking for guidance like "you'll want the diff breather mod, even if you're nowhere near water". I think most of the regular maintenance items are taken care of. Aside from taking off the running boards, it's pretty stock. Stock under armor, stock suspension, stock engine/trans.

I've got the factory tow hitch, I'll probably add a hitch shackle to tow back out. For the front, I just have the factory hook, no shackles yet.

ShooterMcGavin said:
I agree, air down in sand! I have the Staun tire deflators and they are excellent.

Speaking of sand-travel...
Find out if anyone has some traction boards. Bring a shovel. Maybe a sand anchor? Snatch straps would be a good idea too.
Click to expand...
Some of the guys are very experienced. At least one of the guys has traction boards. All of us will bring shovels. I've been stuck in snow, took a lot of digging.
 
I've never been there but dunes are generally sand.
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The one thing I see noobs forget about that causes more delays on the trail than anything else is the lack of a solid spare tire. Make sure your spare holds air, and make sure you've got the tools to change it on board your truck - jack, lug wrench, the long skinny arm to lower the spare. If you're going to be in sand, a good jack base wouldn't hurt either.
 
local regs

One thing people forget about Oregon Dunes is that even full-size vehicles in the sand are required to have a safety flag (we have too many yahoos launching off hills without looking first). It has to be orange or red, 9' off the ground, 8" wide and 12" long. Also you need an Oregon ATV permit, but we do have reciprocity with California so if you get one there you're good here too. Have fun!
 
Mighty Buffalo said:
Not sure about the terrain, maybe some dirt trails, probably sand. I've never been to Oregon Dunes.

Mostly I'm looking for guidance like "you'll want the diff breather mod, even if you're nowhere near water". I think most of the regular maintenance items are taken care of. Aside from taking off the running boards, it's pretty stock. Stock under armor, stock suspension, stock engine/trans.

I've got the factory tow hitch, I'll probably add a hitch shackle to tow back out. For the front, I just have the factory hook, no shackles yet.


Some of the guys are very experienced. At least one of the guys has traction boards. All of us will bring shovels. I've been stuck in snow, took a lot of digging.
Click to expand...

Aside from maintenance, and the other ideas already mentioned, fill up your windshield washer fluid, use an OEM factory paper air filter rather than a clothe-oil design (especially important for dusty areas), don't stop moving when you are in fine sand, and post pictures when you get back.
 
KidVermicious said:
The one thing I see noobs forget about that causes more delays on the trail than anything else is the lack of a solid spare tire. Make sure your spare holds air, and make sure you've got the tools to change it on board your truck - jack, lug wrench, the long skinny arm to lower the spare. If you're going to be in sand, a good jack base wouldn't hurt either.
Click to expand...
Good advice, can't remember the last time I checked the pressure on the spare.
RunningWild said:
One thing people forget about Oregon Dunes is that even full-size vehicles in the sand are required to have a safety flag (we have too many yahoos launching off hills without looking first). It has to be orange or red, 9' off the ground, 8" wide and 12" long. Also you need an Oregon ATV permit, but we do have reciprocity with California so if you get one there you're good here too. Have fun!
Click to expand...
Like this one?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0045...gs+for+atv&dpPl=1&dpID=11Q4rSJ3plL&ref=plSrch
 
of course you need to deflate tires on the sand

ive never used deflators, just did it old school

but then your gonna need an inflator (compressor) when back on pavement
 
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