stockwell45's 97 4Runner Build Up Thread
- Thread starter Stockwell45
- Start date
JadatheRottweiler
New member
This looks awesome
Now I know my next purchase...time to turn my rig into expedition portal worthy
What other tents were you considering? Why did you chose this one?
I just watched all their YouTube videos and convinced I will go camping more than going off road. Thank you for the inspiration. I will focus on building my rig for my mountain biking and hiking trips with the dogs.
Now I know my next purchase...time to turn my rig into expedition portal worthy
What other tents were you considering? Why did you chose this one?
I just watched all their YouTube videos and convinced I will go camping more than going off road. Thank you for the inspiration. I will focus on building my rig for my mountain biking and hiking trips with the dogs.
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Stockwell45
New member
I've actually spent some time inside a Kukenam tent at the overland expo, and I have been inside an ARB tent and Camping Lab tent as well and to me they all seemed similar in design and materials. The ARB was way out of my price range and too big for me, the Camping Lab was great and good price but I would have to pay to get it shipped. The Tepui was the winner because it was only a 3 hour drive to pick it up, and after I sat in one before I liked it a lot.
This tent with it's mattress is nearly the size of a queen size bed, so plenty of room for 2 people if need be, and very roomy for 1. I definitely wouldn't need anything bigger.
the great him
Elite Member
way cool you lucky dog
Stockwell45
New member
I'd hate getting up that after a night of camping and drinking lol. That thing is seriously badass though. I don't camp nearly enough to compensate spending that kind of money, I usually just sleep IN the truck instead of on top of it...
Funny you say that...the first thing my brother says when he sees me open it up is "there is no way you are climbing that ladder drunk" lol so I guess I'll have to find out. I wish I didn't have to spend the money on it, normally I sleep inside too but the interiors gonna be jam packed for my trip.
JadatheRottweiler
New member
Thanks for the info- glad you were able to compare other roof top tents. I was drawn to this because it was affordable and reviews online seem good.
Only downside I am considering is that once its on the roof- I don't see it coming down. Which means for me during the snow season I will not be able to slap on the snowboard racks or even the Yakima storage bin up top if the tent is installed.
I probably could remove it during snow season, but I don't have the luxury of a large garage like yours.
decisions...
also they sell this tent at bass pro shops that has a current free shipping promo...did you save any money buying directly from santa cruz?
Only downside I am considering is that once its on the roof- I don't see it coming down. Which means for me during the snow season I will not be able to slap on the snowboard racks or even the Yakima storage bin up top if the tent is installed.
I probably could remove it during snow season, but I don't have the luxury of a large garage like yours.
decisions...
also they sell this tent at bass pro shops that has a current free shipping promo...did you save any money buying directly from santa cruz?
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Stockwell45
New member
It took me an hour to attach it to my roof. That was my first time and I'm sure I could cut that time down a bit. For taking it off once in the fall and back on in the spring it isn't too inconvenient. I've heard of people storing it in the winter on a pallet and wrapping it in a big tarp behind their house, that could be an option for you.
I was really tempted to just go to the Bass Pro in Manteca and pick mine up, but I wanted to go to the company because I wanted help assembling it and pointers on how to set it up. And I'm glad I did because getting it new out of the box to completely assembled is a little confusing.
And no, it was exactly the same price buying it from Tepui as it would have been at Bass Pro. Maybe if you could have it shipped from bass pro to you for free, you could put up a post over on expedition portal asking if anyone can help you set it up who has done it before if you have trouble. That's how I was able to see an ARB tent and Camping lab tent, people over there with tents are pretty helpful.
farmerjon
Senior Member
Very nice rig! and voted for you, btw, on the YotaTech calendar contest - especially since you're the only 3rd gen representing! Cheers mate! I need to read through your build thread when i have more time 
EDIT: finished reading through - AWESOME RIG & thread! I've always loved this color especially, and it looks awesome with the front and rear bumpers... What kind of MPGs are you getting on the highway with those bumpers and the RTT?
EDIT: finished reading through - AWESOME RIG & thread!
I've always loved this color especially, and it looks awesome with the front and rear bumpers... What kind of MPGs are you getting on the highway with those bumpers and the RTT?
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Stockwell45
New member
Very nice rig! and voted for you, btw, on the YotaTech calendar contest - especially since you're the only 3rd gen representing! Cheers mate! I need to read through your build thread when i have more time
EDIT: finished reading through - AWESOME RIG & thread!
Thanks! Haven't really noticed a drop in MPG's since the tent, I'm still right around 16, maybe 18 if I'm cruising on a freeway but I live an hour and a half from the nearest freeway.
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Stockwell45
New member
New mounts on! 4 on each side instead of 2, no sign of bending yet.
Slept in the tent last night for the first time, once the sheets and comforters are in there it's gonna beat the heck out of my double bed in the house!
Slept in the tent last night for the first time, once the sheets and comforters are in there it's gonna beat the heck out of my double bed in the house!
Stockwell45
New member
Thanks guys, hopefully I'll be putting my 4Runner and tent to good use for a while.
Road trip has begun. For the next 4 or 5 months, I'll be cruising around the western U.S. checking out some of this beautiful country. The 4Runner with all my stuff weighs 5700 pounds! My LC coils don't like it too much, and the thing has about as much power as a volkswagen van on hills.
Right now I'm sitting in Utah at my parents house waiting for this storm to pass. On sunday I'll be heading over the rockies into Denver, then onto Cheyenne and into Montana. Later after Christmas I'll probably head down through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and maybe Arkansas. Maybe I'll be seeing some of you out there on the road!
Road trip has begun. For the next 4 or 5 months, I'll be cruising around the western U.S. checking out some of this beautiful country. The 4Runner with all my stuff weighs 5700 pounds! My LC coils don't like it too much, and the thing has about as much power as a volkswagen van on hills.
Right now I'm sitting in Utah at my parents house waiting for this storm to pass. On sunday I'll be heading over the rockies into Denver, then onto Cheyenne and into Montana. Later after Christmas I'll probably head down through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and maybe Arkansas. Maybe I'll be seeing some of you out there on the road!
SCRunner12
New member
Good luck and safe travels on your trip Matt. That kind of trip is exactly what I wanted to do, but I'll have to wait a bit longer to get it done. You should pick up some OME 861's while in Colorado any by Toytec.
Stockwell45
New member
I doubt I'll be down there that early, are you gonna be out there later in the year? Yeah OK isn't the greatest place in the world but I'll be passing through there anyways so might as well check it out.
Thanks man. Yeah I thought about doing that. Except of how overloaded my 4runner is right now, It would be such a pain to install new coils unless I unloaded everything. And I would have to do it out in a parking lot somewhere in the snow most likely which would suck
Thanks, I'm gonna need all the luck I can get!
How far north are you talking about? I will definitely be around the border, but my passport isn't quite ready yet. So we would have to wheel down here or I'd have to find a way to sneak across the border lol
rickashay
New member
I'd be up for a trip down to Montana if your passport isn't ready. Sneaking across probably will result in something bad.... hahah
I live 40mins north of the Sweetgrass/Coutts border crossing. So I'm about 3.5 hours south for me to be in Whitefish Montana. Wild Bills ORV just happens to be down that way as well!
the great him
Elite Member
feel free to leave out OR and WA on your itinerary... its cool man... actually its probably for the best as id have to go out and buy a tent... safe travels man enjoy your trip!:thumb3:
