Love the rig. Also love the furry friend you have back there. Did he sleep in the rig with you? Bet that was fun lol
"Sammy" Build and Exploration Thread
- Thread starter MN4RNR
- Start date
Love the rig. Also love the furry friend you have back there. Did he sleep in the rig with you? Bet that was fun lol
MN4RNR
New member
Thanks.
Yes. 4 year old GSD. We had the space arrangements worked out pretty well so room was not an issue. She makes for a great travel companion.
MN4RNR
New member
Baja Rack Installed
I picked up a Baja Rack and a pair of Spidertrax from a guy selling his Runner. The Spidertrax ended up with [MENTION=121993]MightyP[/MENTION] down in Texas, the roof rack has been hogging up space in my garage. The install was solo. No big thing. Be careful popping off the OEM end caps. They are fragile. Used some silicone and seal up the holes before bolting the new rack on. After the install got a little interesting though.
[MENTION=45575]BajaRack[/MENTION]
So it is snowing. Comfortable temps and sloppy stuff. I go around the corner to look for a poser shot location. I have my 5 year old with me because we aren't supposed to leave them home alone. I pull off to the side of a dirt road on what looked like solid ground covered by plowed snow. Yeah no, just snow spilling over the embankment edge. Passenger side sinks and I start to slide down the slope. I had her in 4Hi but center diff was off (VSC on). Didn't play nice. Got the differential to lock so the tires started to bit and i was able to get the back end up on the road and the front pointed down. Grabbed my spade and dug a softer climb out and exposed the dirt/sand underneath. Once the Cooper's hit dirt they were a lot more cooperative. A little work and she backed right out. Hah. All for a picture...so here is what I got...
I picked up a Baja Rack and a pair of Spidertrax from a guy selling his Runner. The Spidertrax ended up with [MENTION=121993]MightyP[/MENTION] down in Texas, the roof rack has been hogging up space in my garage. The install was solo. No big thing. Be careful popping off the OEM end caps. They are fragile. Used some silicone and seal up the holes before bolting the new rack on. After the install got a little interesting though.
[MENTION=45575]BajaRack[/MENTION]
So it is snowing. Comfortable temps and sloppy stuff. I go around the corner to look for a poser shot location. I have my 5 year old with me because we aren't supposed to leave them home alone. I pull off to the side of a dirt road on what looked like solid ground covered by plowed snow. Yeah no, just snow spilling over the embankment edge. Passenger side sinks and I start to slide down the slope. I had her in 4Hi but center diff was off (VSC on). Didn't play nice. Got the differential to lock so the tires started to bit and i was able to get the back end up on the road and the front pointed down. Grabbed my spade and dug a softer climb out and exposed the dirt/sand underneath. Once the Cooper's hit dirt they were a lot more cooperative. A little work and she backed right out. Hah. All for a picture...so here is what I got...
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MN4RNR
New member
Drawer and Sleeping Platform Build
Started to fab and test fit my storage/sleeping platform. I am doing a basic fit right now, just the box and divider. Seeing if the setup works for me before I lock it all down and finish up what I am sure will be version 1.0.
The tricky part is working with the change from what the seats are up vs. down. Still fine tuning that for better functionality.
But for now...
r
Started to fab and test fit my storage/sleeping platform. I am doing a basic fit right now, just the box and divider. Seeing if the setup works for me before I lock it all down and finish up what I am sure will be version 1.0.
The tricky part is working with the change from what the seats are up vs. down. Still fine tuning that for better functionality.
But for now...
r
84ability
New member
Great thread. I have an 06 driftwood pearl in Minneapolis. Currently installing the Taco/FJ suspension. I am really happy to see you have done some camping in state forests here. I would GREATLY appreciate some specifics on where you've enjoyed camping in state forests. I scour google maps satellite view in the state forests looking for roads and camping spots to hit. I saw a horsecamp along a creek/river in St. Croix state forest, I believe it's the Tamrack horse campground and day use area-- have you been there?
edit: it's called Horsemans campground. I've been eyeing this area:
https://goo.gl/maps/WBLmYMq8Ry92
edit: it's called Horsemans campground. I've been eyeing this area:
https://goo.gl/maps/WBLmYMq8Ry92
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MN4RNR
New member
Sorry for the late response. Yes, I am familiar with that location. There is a camp site near the horse camp. I head up there to sit at the lake while my kids play on the water pump. It's usually a lunch stop for us. I have 2 locations I like to camp. One is a hilltop off the Mallard Lake Spur, the other is a blow down area just off the Gandy Dander Trail connecting St. Croix and Nemadji.
MN4RNR
New member
Been a bit. Not much on upgrades for Sammy, the very slow storage build being the exception. My son and I did hit up a state forest for our annual camping trip. Good weekend and lots of good times. Actually ran in to some other Toyota drivers out there. A couple of Tacos. One built pretty nicely and one other out there cruising around on the weekend.
A nice lake to cool the toes in and spend some time in the quiet after the road trip to the woods. My adventure here...learning a spin cast real. My fishing expertise is as deep as a worm on a hook.
The wildflowers sandwiching the trail are a nice touch. Lots of yellow and purple this year.
Still very happy my Cooper Discoverer ATP in 275/75/17 purchase.
Put the BajaRack to the test. I know some have experienced issues with the powdercoat. Since I rarely need it in the winter I pull it off the legs and hang it overhead in the garage (doubles as winter storage for kids toys too). Has kept the evil rust bunnies at bay. Repping Team4Runner
Didn't even see the clouds in this when I took the shot. Not until I reviewed did I realize they were there. Fun news on the midwest overlanding front. DNR is in planning stages for a 400ish mile off road border to border trail thanks to the efforts of MN offroading organizations to demonstrate the value of the activity we enjoy.
A little bit of fun after we woke up on day 2. The recent storms left the water table really high. Several trails were closed as split lakes merged over trails.
My kind of road sign. ORVs can run about 20 miles of it, ATV and OHMs get the entirety.
Keep it interesting. Go out a different way than you go in.
A favorite stop. Duquette General Store. https://duquettegeneralstore.com/ According to their website it's been around since 1905 and their best selling product was dynamite. This fun little stop is right there when you pop out of the forest. A great spot for a cold drink and flushing toilet.
A nice lake to cool the toes in and spend some time in the quiet after the road trip to the woods. My adventure here...learning a spin cast real. My fishing expertise is as deep as a worm on a hook.
The wildflowers sandwiching the trail are a nice touch. Lots of yellow and purple this year.
Still very happy my Cooper Discoverer ATP in 275/75/17 purchase.
Put the BajaRack to the test. I know some have experienced issues with the powdercoat. Since I rarely need it in the winter I pull it off the legs and hang it overhead in the garage (doubles as winter storage for kids toys too). Has kept the evil rust bunnies at bay. Repping Team4Runner
Didn't even see the clouds in this when I took the shot. Not until I reviewed did I realize they were there. Fun news on the midwest overlanding front. DNR is in planning stages for a 400ish mile off road border to border trail thanks to the efforts of MN offroading organizations to demonstrate the value of the activity we enjoy.
A little bit of fun after we woke up on day 2. The recent storms left the water table really high. Several trails were closed as split lakes merged over trails.
My kind of road sign. ORVs can run about 20 miles of it, ATV and OHMs get the entirety.
Keep it interesting. Go out a different way than you go in.
A favorite stop. Duquette General Store. https://duquettegeneralstore.com/ According to their website it's been around since 1905 and their best selling product was dynamite. This fun little stop is right there when you pop out of the forest. A great spot for a cold drink and flushing toilet.
MN4RNR
New member
It's a bit late but...
Back in September the Midwest Overland Society conducted our 2nd annual fall get together dubbed the Northwoods Rendezvous Part Deux. Attendance from last year doubled and we saw a wider variety of travelers. While Wranglers and Land Rovers were the most popular vehicles we had a Nissan van, a VW van with a popup and even a Toy Rover along with some Toyota's. Enjoy the pics and if you are in the midwest stop by our forum or Facebook page and catch up on the progress in making Minnesota an overlander friendly destination.
We doubled the vehicle count over last year.
I didn't need to use the TRED Pros but I was glad I had them along.
The Toy Rover was a big hit with the youngins
Overall a great time. Met some interesting folks, cool adventure dogs, and a retired racehorse camping nearby. We had informative classes on overland related topics, a challenge course and had a massive cook off feast. Looking forward to next event.
Back in September the Midwest Overland Society conducted our 2nd annual fall get together dubbed the Northwoods Rendezvous Part Deux. Attendance from last year doubled and we saw a wider variety of travelers. While Wranglers and Land Rovers were the most popular vehicles we had a Nissan van, a VW van with a popup and even a Toy Rover along with some Toyota's. Enjoy the pics and if you are in the midwest stop by our forum or Facebook page and catch up on the progress in making Minnesota an overlander friendly destination.
We doubled the vehicle count over last year.
I didn't need to use the TRED Pros but I was glad I had them along.
The Toy Rover was a big hit with the youngins
Overall a great time. Met some interesting folks, cool adventure dogs, and a retired racehorse camping nearby. We had informative classes on overland related topics, a challenge course and had a massive cook off feast. Looking forward to next event.
MN4RNR
New member
I finally made some build progress on my 4Runner. I just passed 3 years of ownership and it's been great but frustrating. Great in that I have learned a lot and seen and experienced new things. Frustrating in that I wish I was further along in the journey.
The biggest upgrade is the addition of [MENTION=131444]C4 Fabrication[/MENTION] sliders. They look and ride great and I was thrilled to ditch the running boards.
Although it is by no means a complete armor package it does give me more confidence in the tight forest trails that we experience here in Minnesota.
One nice thing the 4Runner has brought is meeting a bunch of new people and seeing an increased interest in overlanding and offroad travel in the Midwest. The spring brought some travel up north and we even had a pro car photographer along so I actually got a shot of me in motion!
PC: Alex Bellus Photography
Along with [MENTION=139381]sinks88[/MENTION] and Overland Misadventures we have a compliment of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th gen runners.
Up ahead are finishing the drawers that I have been putting off for a year and some sort of awning system before Midwest Overland Society's Northwoods Rendezvous 3.0.
The biggest upgrade is the addition of [MENTION=131444]C4 Fabrication[/MENTION] sliders. They look and ride great and I was thrilled to ditch the running boards.
Although it is by no means a complete armor package it does give me more confidence in the tight forest trails that we experience here in Minnesota.
One nice thing the 4Runner has brought is meeting a bunch of new people and seeing an increased interest in overlanding and offroad travel in the Midwest. The spring brought some travel up north and we even had a pro car photographer along so I actually got a shot of me in motion!
PC: Alex Bellus Photography
Along with [MENTION=139381]sinks88[/MENTION] and Overland Misadventures we have a compliment of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th gen runners.
Up ahead are finishing the drawers that I have been putting off for a year and some sort of awning system before Midwest Overland Society's Northwoods Rendezvous 3.0.
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yotaguy674
New member
I might need to make the drive north and come exploring!
markymark191
New member
Where would you say is the best place to go off roading/trail riding that is the closest to north west suburbs of minneapolis?
MN4RNR
New member
To my knowledge St. Croix and Nemadji SF are the closest. It is mostly low maintenance roads and fire roads but for what we have in proximity to us it has to do. A little further out is Foothills SF. That has some good track.
MN4RNR
New member
MN4RNR
New member
I just finished the 5th brake swap. I used Advanced Auto parts as I things came up suddenly and the repair was needed in a timely matter. Swap went well. Nothing overly difficult and I have never done brakes before. I went with the full 5th gen front and 5th gen rears calipers with 4th gen rotors due to the bore size. Took a short drive tonight bedding them in and they seemed to ride real nice. The pistons in my old ones were ridiculously rusted. Just a reminder to do a clean and lube annually. Thanks to [MENTION=46025]HokieRunner[/MENTION] (go Hokies - former Blacksburg resident myself) for the writeup on the rear rotor swap http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/166216-4th-gen-4runner-rear-brake-rotor-pad-diy.html and the various 5th gen swap threads for the hardware guidance.
