sn_85
Senior Member
Sick. That 4x4 Labs front just goes so well on the 2014+ 4Runners.
Seattle206's 2014 SR5 Thread
- Thread starter Seattle206
- Start date
Sick. That 4x4 Labs front just goes so well on the 2014+ 4Runners.
Seattle206
Senior Member
Out in E. Washington and got caught in a rainstorm in the desert. Tried getting out the trail before the clouds got to us. Made the last 2 hours extra interesting. When fine, soft dirt meets water = extra slick, clay-like mud.
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Teamoatmealpie
New member
Looks like you had some fun. I am sure many folks look at that and think it doesn't look that bad, but those who have experienced it, the desert can go real bad real quick when it rains, can get stuck on the smallest of obstacles. Good thing you had multiple rigs.
Got caught out on some rainy shelf road with some off camber sections solo last summer. Although I made it, decided next time waiting it out might have been a better choice.
Ever see those epic wet desert recovery videos- Matts Offroad Towing and recovery- southern utah desert + rain + tourists = epic
YouTube
Got caught out on some rainy shelf road with some off camber sections solo last summer. Although I made it, decided next time waiting it out might have been a better choice.
Ever see those epic wet desert recovery videos- Matts Offroad Towing and recovery- southern utah desert + rain + tourists = epic
YouTube
Seattle206
Senior Member
Exactly. Pics never really do justice. It was sloppy mud and even with our hiking boots on we were sliding trying to maneuver walk around the vehicles.
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sn_85
Senior Member
It was wrecked. I think some big dump truck nailed his front bumper.
csommers
New member
Right - I meant, why not go with the same again?
Seattle206
Senior Member
Yeah, my AO bumper was wrecked by some large commercial vehicle as it was parked.
Reason why I didn't go with AO again is because I've always been a fan of the 4x4 Labs front bumper. Even when I had the AO I knew I was going to get the 4x4 eventually in the future.
The AO bumper was good and did everything I needed: winching, taking bumps from dirt mounds, stumps, and has a nice approach angle and fairly light weight at roughly 105lbs . Their CS is left to be desired though. Whoever does their emails don't respond much after a purchase is made.
Seattle206
Senior Member
Four night camping trip out in Southeast Oregon. Seattle to Bend, OR than nearly 75% off pavement all the way down to the Alvord Desert and Steens Mountain. Up to John Day, OR and back to Seattle.
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Seattle206
Senior Member
After a 6 month wait (ordered in Feb 2020) my Shrockworks rear bumper finally arrived. Heavy duty packaging, great welds, and a quality powder coat finish. The BOL listed the entire shipment at 321lbs.
Install was straight forward. Their jerry can holder cover strap won't clear the Scepter military 20L water jug so I am currently using some ratchet strap to keep it in place until I can fab something up. Also SW doesn't offer a 4gal Rotopax mount, only 2gal mounts and their standard jerry can mounts. I'll design and fab up something to mount my 4gal pax onto the swing out.
Install was straight forward. Their jerry can holder cover strap won't clear the Scepter military 20L water jug so I am currently using some ratchet strap to keep it in place until I can fab something up. Also SW doesn't offer a 4gal Rotopax mount, only 2gal mounts and their standard jerry can mounts. I'll design and fab up something to mount my 4gal pax onto the swing out.
Seattle206
Senior Member
From late September on the Fortune Creek trail:
sleepsontoilet
New member
Some of Yall are blessed with the best scenery!
Seattle206
Senior Member
Yup, we hit up the Willow Springs hot spring near Fields, OR. One warning though. The deer flies are nasty, pesky little bastards. Their bites hurt, draw blood, and are relentless.
Seattle206
Senior Member
A post turkey day xmas tree run isn't a run if somebody doesn't get stuck in a ditch or sliding off the cliff edge. Either run beadlocks at 5psi or chain up.
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Seattle206
Senior Member
Random update to my thread.
Seattle206
Senior Member
Removed the old Dobinsons 677v coils for the stiffer C59-701v. Rear end sits much higher and I don't even feel any of that weight in the back. Real test is when I have the fuel/water cans filled, coolers, and camping gear loaded. If you have any sort of steel swing-out with a fullsize spare then skip the 675/677 and go straight to 701.
Great install pics of the 701v springs, and great adventure pics! I have a few questions on you switch from the 677v to 701v. Do you happen to have the rear hub-to-fender height measurements with the 677v and currently with the 701v? I'm trying to decide between the 677v, 701v, and 329. My 4Runner is weighted about the same, so I'd expect similar lift numbers. Ideally I'd like to to go with a variable rate but I don't currently have a long-travel setup and don't want to end up with too much lift. I'm sitting around +620lbs constant unloaded weight which calls for the 701v if I want 3" lift (25" fender-to-hub). I'd like closer to 2.25-2.5". Thinking the 677v might work, but might also be too soft. Otherwise I'll just go with the 329. Thanks in advance for any info!
Seattle206
Senior Member
With the 677v measured roughly 23" from center hub to fender. I found the 677 to be too soft as 1) the rear end squats noticeably upon quick acceleration 2) once I load additional camping gear/equipment, full fuel/water cans, full tank of gas - the rear end sits low and front is nose high. This isn't visually appealing.
Now with the 701v my center hub to fender measurement is 26" and I retain some rake. I've had these coils in for a week now and I don't feel the weight of the rear steel bumper like I did with the 677. My swing-out bumper and full size spare combined is roughly 340# and my rear drawer plus loaded tools bags is 130-140#. This is the weight I carry in the rear at all times. Not including my RTT, full fuel/water cans, hi-lift jack, and camping gear but I believe these 701v coils should handle that additional weight nicely. These coils are still pretty new so it'll settle after a bit more driving.
