PrpleGophr's '12 TE Build and the Ultimate Alaskan Roadtrip (pic heavy)

prplegophr · May 15, 2012

This is my build thread as well as my on-the-road updates thread as I put my 2012 Trail Edition together. I then head home to Alaska via a cross country run from the Outer Banks of North Carolina all the way to Anchorage. Along the way, there will be plenty of off road opportunities and adventures to be found. Plus lots and lots of pictures.

Also... 6,213 miles over 39 days. Including four ferry rides, a section of the Alaska-Canada Highway, a hill climb on Ketchikan's Brown Mountain, and a journey through some of the landmark destinations of the Continental US of A.

Once in Alaska, there will be multiple trips around the state in the future, including (hopefully) a trip to the Arctic Circle. But we shall see.

So tune in... the journey kicks off in two weeks!

prplegophr · May 15, 2012

Bone Stock

2012 4Runner Trail Edition w/ KDSS and Nav in stock configuration as I picked her up in Feb 2012.

At the Dealer

With my trade in

Out to the beach in the Outer Banks the next day.

Out to the beach in the Outer Banks the next day.

ALL terrain vehicle

This is how you break in a new interior!

prplegophr · May 15, 2012

The Build Begins

The mods start

With her Stablemate

with her stablemate

Gobi Rack going on at Teaka Toys in Wilmington, NC

Gobi Rack going on at Teaka Toys in Wilmington NC

prplegophr · May 15, 2012

OME 3" lift up front, TT springs rear. ATX Mojave wheels and 285/70 R 17 Kumho KL61 tires. Then 4 x 6" SR Specter-series across the front and two Vision X dualies on the back.

undftd4 · May 16, 2012

nice work and camera shots.

Supra725 · May 16, 2012

nice pics mate..

which camera and lens did you used? and would you have any night shots of the led lights in action?

Infrared013 · May 16, 2012

great pictures! That must have been an incredible jourey! I too traded my pathfinder in for a T4R! I miss my Pathfinder but love my T4R....i made the right decision I am sure you feel the same

prplegophr · May 16, 2012

@undftd: Thanks!

@Infrared: Thanks, I do feel like the 4Runner is much better (even if the throttle mapping is much less enthusiastic). However, the journey hasn't started yet! I head out at the end of the month!

@Supra: It's a Nikon D3S w/ a 24-70 2.8 or a 70-200 2.8. Or it was an iPhone 4 depending on the photo. Either ways, here's one shot of the LED lights at night but I'll try to get more soon.

~original[/IMG]

Supra725 · May 16, 2012

that is beautiful..

looking forward to the pictures mate.

oly4runner · May 16, 2012

Hybrid badge? Lolz! That's awesome!!!

Looking forward to your amazing journey with this T4R beast of a rig. I love the color you picked and the beautiful photography that's being displayed! Well done, sir! :snacker:Subscribed!:snacker:

quicksilvr · May 17, 2012

Umm...AWESOME. It's already proven that you take great pictures, and you're telling us that you're getting ready to drive over 6000 miles taking pictures the whole way. In a 2012 TE 4Runner.

franster · May 17, 2012

hey i live in vancouver, bc, canada! maybe when ya going through that area n have some time we can meet up along with some other 4runners n go for a drive!

prplegophr · May 17, 2012

quicksilvr said:
Umm...AWESOME. It's already proven that you take great pictures, and you're telling us that you're getting ready to drive over 6000 miles taking pictures the whole way. In a 2012 TE 4Runner.

Aw, thanks everyone. I will definitely try to keep the pictures coming. After all, the rig is just one big tripod for me.

prplegophr · May 17, 2012

franster said:
hey i live in vancouver, bc, canada! maybe when ya going through that area n have some time we can meet up along with some other 4runners n go for a drive!

Hey that's a fun idea. But the closest I get to Vancouver is Bellingham, WA and Seattle, WA on 14/15 June.

Well, I suppose I do actually get way closer as I pass through the Strait of Georgia on the Alaska Ferry.

Want to cruise down into Washington??

deedst4r · May 17, 2012

This build looks awesome. I cant wait to see all these pictures! Keep us updated!

Edit: What is the reason for the road trip. For fun?

ar1five · May 17, 2012

Can you still drive on the sound side of Nags? If so, how do you get there?

prplegophr · May 17, 2012

deedst4r said:
This build looks awesome. I cant wait to see all these pictures! Keep us updated!

Edit: What is the reason for the road trip. For fun?

Movin!

Which is nice in that I don't have to worry about driving back right away.

prplegophr · May 17, 2012

ar1five said:
Can you still drive on the sound side of Nags? If so, how do you get there?

I know you can drive on the ocean side. I've never driven on the sound side.

franster · May 17, 2012

prplegophr said:
Hey that's a fun idea. But the closest I get to Vancouver is Bellingham, WA and Seattle, WA on 14/15 June.

Well, I suppose I do actually get way closer as I pass through the Strait of Georgia on the Alaska Ferry.

Want to cruise down into Washington??

oh your taking ferry up ahh. umm yea that could be arranged, i can book the time off work n head down for a day or something yea. i guess maybe pm me with more info if anything