R4Adventure 04 SR5 v8 Rocklander Build
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R4Adventure
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Glad I could help. Trying to share as much of my experience (good and bad) so it makes it easier for the next person.
R4Adventure
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I know, right. I had considered making my own, but this mount doesn't require any fabbing or drilling holes. Only requirement is having the 3rd row seating option. If you have that, this is almost a no brainer. And it's super easy to revert back to stock.
I would recommend putting something, like a plastic bag, under the tire. If not, it will leave a black mark on your carpet.
R4Adventure
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Finally Some Adventuring
Time for a break with friends. We had been planning this trip for awhile. This was a great opportunity to get away and check out the 4Runner and the roof top tent combo. Our small group wanted to go some place less traveled, were the scenery was great and dispersed camping areas were plenty.
We opted for the Badlands and Black Hills areas in South Dakota and we where not disappointed. I wasn’t expecting the last minute idea to take kayaks, that was a surprise. This trip was intended to be laid back and with no plans to do any crazy trails or visit any touristy areas. We just wanted to get away and relax.
Our trip was already starting off with challenges. I could not find my wheel lock which meant I couldn’t swap out a tire if I needed too. I will be taking a big risk, but I wasn’t going to cancel this trip last minute.
Because I spent so much time looking for the wheel lock, I felt rushed with organizing my gear. Fortunately, most of my camping and off road gear was in the same containers and bags that I used for the Moab trip with my Tacoma. You can’t see it here, but I also have my fridge and solar generator in place of the second row seat (removed) plus parts and tools on the passenger side. Regardless, with the setup and the RTT, I was still able to setup or break down camp is less than 30 minutes.
Our group opted to meet at a Village Inn across the river, in Council Bluffs, IA, to have a good breakfast. We were already attracting attention too.
Time for a break with friends. We had been planning this trip for awhile. This was a great opportunity to get away and check out the 4Runner and the roof top tent combo. Our small group wanted to go some place less traveled, were the scenery was great and dispersed camping areas were plenty.
We opted for the Badlands and Black Hills areas in South Dakota and we where not disappointed. I wasn’t expecting the last minute idea to take kayaks, that was a surprise. This trip was intended to be laid back and with no plans to do any crazy trails or visit any touristy areas. We just wanted to get away and relax.
Our trip was already starting off with challenges. I could not find my wheel lock which meant I couldn’t swap out a tire if I needed too. I will be taking a big risk, but I wasn’t going to cancel this trip last minute.
Because I spent so much time looking for the wheel lock, I felt rushed with organizing my gear. Fortunately, most of my camping and off road gear was in the same containers and bags that I used for the Moab trip with my Tacoma. You can’t see it here, but I also have my fridge and solar generator in place of the second row seat (removed) plus parts and tools on the passenger side. Regardless, with the setup and the RTT, I was still able to setup or break down camp is less than 30 minutes.
Our group opted to meet at a Village Inn across the river, in Council Bluffs, IA, to have a good breakfast. We were already attracting attention too.
R4Adventure
New member
I was pretty cool, traveling with a group of kitted out Toyota’s. I will admit that I missed my Tacoma, but really enjoyed the v8 in the 4Runner…. just not the gas milage. (I will talk more about that later, it was really bad).
The Black Hills, South Dakota isn’t to far from Omaha, NE, which would give us more time to relax and not be so rushed. We opted to take i29 north, passing through Sioux City, IA and then on to South Dakota. I wasn’t expecting the crazy wind. Add the RTT and kayak on top, I was surprised to still be on the ground.
We weren’t to far into the trip when I started having electrical issues that was effecting my hard wired GMRS radio that I recently installed. It would lose power to the radio and then it would turn back on. Rinse, repeat. Eventually, I just unplugged the radio and used my handhelds that I was glad that I had with me.
The Black Hills, South Dakota isn’t to far from Omaha, NE, which would give us more time to relax and not be so rushed. We opted to take i29 north, passing through Sioux City, IA and then on to South Dakota. I wasn’t expecting the crazy wind. Add the RTT and kayak on top, I was surprised to still be on the ground.
We weren’t to far into the trip when I started having electrical issues that was effecting my hard wired GMRS radio that I recently installed. It would lose power to the radio and then it would turn back on. Rinse, repeat. Eventually, I just unplugged the radio and used my handhelds that I was glad that I had with me.
R4Adventure
New member
Our first major stop was at a cool spot in the Crooked Creek Township, near Wall, SD and on just north of the Badlands National Park. This dispersed camping spot was recommended to us by one of my friends, coworker. This dispersed sight sits on the outskirts of a sunflower farm too.
Magic hour was pretty cool with the sun setting off in the distance.
Even the moon rise was pretty cool. This was September, 2023 when the moon was supper bright.
Magic hour was pretty cool with the sun setting off in the distance.
Even the moon rise was pretty cool. This was September, 2023 when the moon was supper bright.
R4Adventure
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It got pretty windy overnight. Seems to be a common theme up in South Dakota. Didn’t help that we setup camp at the crest of the hill. Ironically, after the wind died down, I had a coyote not more than 20 feet from my 4Runner yapping for an hour. lol.
First night in the RTT was an experience, but really, not a bad one. Waking up to a view like this made it worth it.
First night in the RTT was an experience, but really, not a bad one. Waking up to a view like this made it worth it.
R4Adventure
New member
We saw a few vehicles driving down into the valley when we had setup camp and was interested to see what was down there. After having breakfast and packing everything up, we decided to venture down the trail.
It wasn’t crazy, but did have deep, washed out ruts. You could get to our camp spot with a Civic but traversing the trail beyond that point really isn’t recommend unless you have a 4WD. High clearance isn’t required.
Here you can see up close, the crooked creeks. The creak looked pretty low.
This was probably the most challenging part of the trail…..not really.
We found a cool spot towards the end of the trail. I don’t have pictures, but beyond where we parked was a large grouping of prairie dog’s. The whole trail experience was safari like. We weren’t interested in blazing new trails so we turned around and headed back out and off to our next destination.
It wasn’t crazy, but did have deep, washed out ruts. You could get to our camp spot with a Civic but traversing the trail beyond that point really isn’t recommend unless you have a 4WD. High clearance isn’t required.
Here you can see up close, the crooked creeks. The creak looked pretty low.
This was probably the most challenging part of the trail…..not really.
We found a cool spot towards the end of the trail. I don’t have pictures, but beyond where we parked was a large grouping of prairie dog’s. The whole trail experience was safari like. We weren’t interested in blazing new trails so we turned around and headed back out and off to our next destination.
R4Adventure
New member
For our next stop, we decided to head to Pactola Lake, so we could do a little Kayaking and fishing. Pactola is a pretty big lake. And staying consistent to the theme for this trip, it was very windy.
Most of our fishing occurred in a cove as the currents would keep forcing you back to the docks if you stayed in the open water.
Most of our fishing occurred in a cove as the currents would keep forcing you back to the docks if you stayed in the open water.
R4Adventure
New member
The next dispersed spot didn’t have as cool of a view, but it was still nice and secluded. We only had one neighbor who was far enough away that we still had privacy. Here we stayed a few days and just relaxed. Was even able to go down to Rapid City to restock on food and beverages, and stop at Cabela’s. It was great up until the last night.
One of my friends had bought a used rtt and it didn’t include the rain fly. Unfortunately, we had a rain storm come through during the night that dump on us for about 30 minutes. It was enough that my friend and his sleeping gear was soaking wet. We found a tarp and secured it over his tent and got him a dry blanket to get him through the night.
Convoy is ready for the trip home. To bad as I was just getting comfortable. Overall, this was a much needed and relaxing trip where a lot was learned and more things were identified with my setup that I needed to address.
We are definitely coming back to South Dakota though.
One of my friends had bought a used rtt and it didn’t include the rain fly. Unfortunately, we had a rain storm come through during the night that dump on us for about 30 minutes. It was enough that my friend and his sleeping gear was soaking wet. We found a tarp and secured it over his tent and got him a dry blanket to get him through the night.
Convoy is ready for the trip home. To bad as I was just getting comfortable. Overall, this was a much needed and relaxing trip where a lot was learned and more things were identified with my setup that I needed to address.
We are definitely coming back to South Dakota though.
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