StormRunner Build & Adventure Thread

[jdtaylor42]

do you have a flickr page or anywhere to download higher res pics? my computer needs a new bg!

I do use Flickr but mainly to house photos to share with my family. I do not have an online account specifically for my truck. If there is a specific photo you would like though I can email you the full resolution version. Just let me know.

 

[jdtaylor42]

Hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend! While I didn't get to go camp, I did spend a lot of time out in the forest and I was able to grab a couple photos:

On Friday night I went out late (Saturday morning actually) to try my hand at astro-photography for real. I have gone once before but it wasn't a good location or good timing with the moon to get photos. This time was just a day removed from the New Moon and I picked a dark location without many city lights.

Also tried to get one with StormRunner in it

Then on Saturday night I decided to go out and have a campfire and I snapped this one

 

[JohnTheLuck]

On Friday night I went out late (Saturday morning actually) to try my hand at astro-photography for real. I have gone once before but it wasn't a good location or good timing with the moon to get photos. This time was just a day removed from the New Moon and I picked a dark location without many city lights.

Amazing picture !!! Excellent exposition and no star trail. What kind of camera did you used?

 

[jdtaylor42]

Amazing picture !!! Excellent exposition and no star trail. What kind of camera did you used?

Thanks. This one was shot with my Nikon D7100 and the kit 18-140mm lens. This particular photo was f/3.5, 25 second exposure at ISO 6400

 

[jdtaylor42]

I finally got around to finishing up the wiring for my new ARB fridge and got it installed. I had made my drawer system wide enough to fit the fridge with slide but didn't order the slide up front because I wanted to see if I needed it. I just used some angle iron to tie down the fridge to the drawer system.

Also a note that may help others when wiring their fridge if they decide to hard wire it like I did is that the top pole on the back of the fridge is the negative.

Personally I didn't want to use ARB's wiring kit because I did not want that 12V plug sticking out in the cargo area. So rather I ran wires from my Blue Sea auxiliary fuse panel over to the passenger side and under the door sill plates. The wires emerge from a grommet I installed in the front tie down panel. I made the wires long enough so I can install the fridge facing forwards or backwards. I figure for long road trips it will be nice to have it forward facing for on the road access.

And a repeat of my battery and fuse panel setup

And my drawer fully extended with all the gear I carry

I think I will really love this setup for camping in the future. Easy to pack around and no more worrying about ice!

 

[jdtaylor42]

Did a little wheeling around Flagstaff on Thursday

Two of my passions in the same picture. Off-roading and bourbon. Although I only poured this glass for a few pics; I did not drink a glass of bourbon and then continue to off-road :der:

Still loving the Spider-Trax wheel spacers stance

Stopped in at the Cinders OHV area for sunset

And kind of off-topic but after sunset I took my visiting brother and sister-in-law to Lowell Observatory to check out some sights. This here is the telescope and building that identified Pluto and has been standing for over 120 years. Pretty cool to look through. The bright spot just above the telescope is Jupiter which is what we were looking at for the evening through the telescope

 

[rocky.mtn]

This has to be one of the best 4Runners out there. Simple and Clean.
Greats photos!

 

[Hbryanlopez]

Awesome build!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DeepSea]

I got to go to Overland Expo West on Saturday morning but I was on crutches since I have a broken foot and could only handle walking around for a couple of hours. Got to see some great products, rigs, and people but only snapped a couple of photos.

I love the Pelfreybilt rigs. They always do quality work:

I also finally got to see Lawndart's rig up close and it is every bit as awesome as I thought it was:

And finally is my dream vehicle, an AEV Ram. These things are just awesome looking and can handle anything:

Wow that Ram is solid! Even better if it was a crew cab :cheers:

 

[jdtaylor42]

Wow that Ram is solid! Even better if it was a crew cab :cheers:

Definitely my personal favorite from the Expo and I agree a quad cab is how I would go. What's crazy is my buddy here is Flag is currently working on that exact setup. He has a brand new Ram 2500 Crew Cab and he has the whole AEV kit that he is installing now. Already has the snorkle and flares done and working on the rest as he has time. It's going to be amazing and make me jealous every time we hang out or wheel together!

 

[jdtaylor42]

On Saturday a few guys headed up to Flag from the valley so we could run a few trails. Pretty cool to run trails with three other awesome 4R builds! Not entirely sure if they are on the forum but for Instagram the other white Runner was @prjironman , the silver Runner was [MENTION=155468]feni_4r[/MENTION] , and the MGM Runner was @mcs0389_t4r . Great group of guys and a lot of fun

 

[DeepSea]

On Saturday a few guys headed up to Flag from the valley so we could run a few trails. Pretty cool to run trails with three other awesome 4R builds! Not entirely sure if they are on the forum but for Instagram the other white Runner was @prjironman , the silver Runner was [MENTION=155468]feni_4r[/MENTION] , and the MGM Runner was @mcs0389_t4r . Great group of guys and a lot of fun

That 1st pic I thought was a Cement PRO because the light grey shade on your truck. Makes me want to get that grill now :biggrin1:

Anyone ascending or descending that hill in shot 3 or that for motos only?

 

[jdtaylor42]

That 1st pic I thought was a Cement PRO because the light grey shade on your truck. Makes me want to get that grill now :biggrin1:

Anyone ascending or descending that hill in shot 3 or that for motos only?

Haha yeah once it gets dusty it definitely looks grey. I have had quite a few people tell me they thought it was Cement.

Its funny that you ask about that crater because there are tracks but I had never seen anyone actually attempt to drop in and then climb back out of that. It is cuhrazy steep and there is no chance a 4R or any vehicle I know could make that climb. Cinders are like sand so climbing in it immediately saps all your power. However, there was a group of Razr's at the top and one of them was turbocharged and the guy said he could make it and to our surprise he did! We were all surprised but definitely cool to see.

 

[DeepSea]

Haha yeah once it gets dusty it definitely looks grey. I have had quite a few people tell me they thought it was Cement.

Its funny that you ask about that crater because there are tracks but I had never seen anyone actually attempt to drop in and then climb back out of that. It is cuhrazy steep and there is no chance a 4R or any vehicle I know could make that climb. Cinders are like sand so climbing in it immediately saps all your power. However, there was a group of Razr's at the top and one of them was turbocharged and the guy said he could make it and to our surprise he did! We were all surprised but definitely cool to see.

Yeah that would a bit heavy/scary going any direction on that hill in the 4R

 

[DeepSea]

Is your Trail KDSS equipped? We don't have the option of not having it here in Hawaii as the dealers only bring them in with it. I just saw a great video and article about KDSS and wondering why the TRD PRO doesn't come with it?

Started a thread because I'm curious if anyone knows:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/239522-why-no-kdss-trd-pro.html

 

[greatape]

On Saturday a few guys headed up to Flag from the valley so we could run a few trails. Pretty cool to run trails with three other awesome 4R builds! Not entirely sure if they are on the forum but for Instagram the other white Runner was @prjironman , the silver Runner was [MENTION=155468]feni_4r[/MENTION] , and the MGM Runner was @mcs0389_t4r . Great group of guys and a lot of fun

-----------------------------------------

Beautiful area and plan to head back up soon

 

[jdtaylor42]

Is your Trail KDSS equipped? We don't have the option of not having it here in Hawaii as the dealers only bring them in with it. I just saw a great video and article about KDSS and wondering why the TRD PRO doesn't come with it?

Started a thread because I'm curious if anyone knows:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/239522-why-no-kdss-trd-pro.html

I do have KDSS. I test drove both and felt that it made enough of a difference that it was worth the little extra cost. The ones I was looking at was only about a $500 increase for KDSS. I have no clue why it's not at least an option on the TRD. Seems like the top model would have every option available for your choice.

 

[trailbikerider]

Just quickly read through your build. Your photography is amazing, I've been doing it as an amateur for a couple years, but I haven't made the next step which is buying some good lenses. I am still rocking the 18-55 kit lens and a 30mm prime on my D3200.

Love your truck, maybe we'll get to wheel together at some point!

 

[jdtaylor42]

Just quickly read through your build. Your photography is amazing, I've been doing it as an amateur for a couple years, but I haven't made the next step which is buying some good lenses. I am still rocking the 18-55 kit lens and a 30mm prime on my D3200.

Love your truck, maybe we'll get to wheel together at some point!

Thanks I appreciate that! I am trying to get better and learn photography tricks as I go. I actually have been using kit lenses forever but just last week got my first additional lens which is the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 so I am excited to shoot some with it.

Not sure if you are on Instagram but if so check out my profile. Just this past weekend we organized a group run using Instagram and we all had a good time so are looking to organize another one soon

 

[trailbikerider]

Thanks I appreciate that! I am trying to get better and learn photography tricks as I go. I actually have been using kit lenses forever but just last week got my first additional lens which is the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 so I am excited to shoot some with it.

Not sure if you are on Instagram but if so check out my profile. Just this past weekend we organized a group run using Instagram and we all had a good time so are looking to organize another one soon

I believe I'm already following you, my IG username is blake__nichols.

Which body are you using? Your shots just look SO much more crisp and vibrant than I can ever get mine to look. For example, here's a few of my photos.

Jefferson St, Downtown Phoenix by Blake Nichols, on Flickr

Phoenix Skyline by Blake Nichols, on Flickr

Broken Arrow by Blake Nichols, on Flickr