TexasTJ's 2017 T4R TRD Pro - Cement "Zoe"

[FirefighterMTN]

I've enjoyed reading through your thread. You guys are out there living, good work! Keep it up!

Doing all these things early in your marriage is such a great way to start out, especially if you guys decide to add to the family.

Though kiddos are truly amazing, certain adventures are harder to make happen until they get older.

None of my business if you are are not, just throwing it out there.

I'm just now getting back into the camping/hiking/biking world now that my kids are older and added a 4R to the mix!

Cheers!
Brian

 

[RainGoat]

Definitely enjoying the 4R. Went out to the Fort Worth Nature Refuge.

Just my 2 cents regarding the kayaks. You don’t really need that line from the bow to your hood/bumper. I’ve hauled two 16 foot sea kayaks as well a river kayaks all over Arizona, both rough off road & AZ 90mph highway speeds in the same trip. All you need are decent load bars and some good cam straps. Just strap it at each load bar hand tight, drive 10-15 min & get out & do it again & you’ll be fine.

 

[TexasTJ]

I've enjoyed reading through your thread. You guys are out there living, good work! Keep it up!

Doing all these things early in your marriage is such a great way to start out, especially if you guys decide to add to the family.

Though kiddos are truly amazing, certain adventures are harder to make happen until they get older.

None of my business if you are are not, just throwing it out there.

I'm just now getting back into the camping/hiking/biking world now that my kids are older and added a 4R to the mix!

Cheers!
Brian

Thanks! We have both become much more outdoorsy since college. We are going to Moab in September, and up to the Smoky Mountains (and surrounding NC area) in October. Kids will come eventually, but not before a second pup and several years. :zoom:

Just my 2 cents regarding the kayaks. You don’t really need that line from the bow to your hood/bumper. I’ve hauled two 16 foot sea kayaks as well a river kayaks all over Arizona, both rough off road & AZ 90mph highway speeds in the same trip. All you need are decent load bars and some good cam straps. Just strap it at each load bar hand tight, drive 10-15 min & get out & do it again & you’ll be fine.

You're probably right, but it's easy enough to throw up there so I figure why not.

 

[TexasTJ]

Writing this, it's crazy to me that when I started this thread we were still engaged and anxiously awaiting our wedding date. We got the 4R with 18 miles, it had just over 1,000 miles by our wedding, and this trip brought it to just over 22,000 miles. This last year went by very quickly and was wonderful.

My wife and I spent the weekend in Fredericksburg, TX for our first anniversary and stayed in this cool silo. My MIL saved the top of our cake from last year, it was gross but luckily I came prepared and ordered a fresh slice the day before we left home. We checked out the shops and art galleries the first day, and then hiked Enchanted Rock the second day. We started ER at 7:30am to beat the heat and the crowds. Good thing we did, because it got hot later (99* was actual outside temp). This Turkey literally brushed against the back of my leg, he was oddly friendly.

 

[007Tacoma]

Writing this, it's crazy to me that when I started this thread we were still engaged and anxiously awaiting our wedding date. We got the 4R with 18 miles, it had just over 1,000 miles by our wedding, and this trip brought it to just over 22,000 miles. This last year went by very quickly and was wonderful.

My wife and I spent the weekend in Fredericksburg, TX for our first anniversary and stayed in this cool silo. My MIL saved the top of our cake from last year, it was gross but luckily I came prepared and ordered a fresh slice the day before we left home. We checked out the shops and art galleries the first day, and then hiked Enchanted Rock the second day. We started ER at 7:30am to beat the heat and the crowds. Good thing we did, because it got hot later (99* was actual outside temp). This Turkey literally brushed against the back of my leg, he was oddly friendly.

Glad you guys had such a great time! Sorry we didn't get to meet up. My wife didn't start feeling better until Monday. So, we stayed around the house until then. Hope to catch up with you another time... maybe on the trails or maybe when I make it back East.

Congratulations on your anniversary! Cheers!

 

[TexasTJ]

I sold our Smittybilt Overlander a couple of weeks ago. There were no issues with it, but it didn't allow for a ladder encompassed annex. I purchased the Overlander XL and got it here in about 2 weeks. I think it's about the size of a California King. Looking forward to a few more camping trips this summer before we go to Moab in September, and North Carolina in October. I noticed that the XL seems to be a newer batch than my standard was. It has a heavier duty cover, thicker mattress, and some metal hardware, where my buddy's XL has plastic hardware and the older style cover.

 

[TexasTJ]

Drove out to Abilene and back today, and hit 25,000 miles. Got home and changed the oil.


25,210 miles
Oil filter 04152-YZZA5
Oil drain plug gasket 90430-12031

 

[TexasTJ]

Wife and I made our first camping trip with the pups, and they did great. We used this as a quick trial run with the new tents and awning/room in preparation for my Moab/Ouray trip this month (in the Jeep) and the North Carolina trip next month.

We had a nice enclosed spot our at LBJ National Grasslands big enough for at least 4 vehicles. My buddy brought his Tundra with a used SB XL tent that I found and he cooked some awesome fajita tacos for dinner; he's got a Doemtic 95 and dual battery setup on order for NC.

First time using the awning or room and we were setting up at dark. Well turns out the new awning room had a tear in the fabric already, and then we discovered we had it on backwards. It still worked ok and we were able to put the dog kennels inside for them to sleep. If you like pups, check out our IG: mia_and_gusgus.

 

[TexasTJ]

We leave for our North Carolina trip in 2.5 weeks!

For anyone who just likes to see wheeling pics, check out my recent Moab/Ouray trip in my Jeep here. I rolled the Jeep and blew the radiator on a trail.

 

[TexasTJ]

Hit 30,000 miles so I changed the oil and filters. Then I relocated the rear diff breather for the upcoming trip to NC and the pup tried to go for a joy ride.

30,001 miles
Oil filter 04152-YZZA5
Oil drain plug gasket 90430-12031
Air filter 17801-38051
Cabin air filter 87139-YZZ10

Used Toyota parts 90930-03136 and 90404-51319 for the nipple and breather.

 

[vipers28]

That's a good looking pup!

 

[TexasTJ]

Well my wife, my GSD and my buddy all accompanied me to travel over 2600 miles from Texas, through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana on our trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this past week. Met up with some forum friends, made some new ones, and had a blast. Did some hiking, some wheeling, and some camping. Each night we camped we were 100% alone, one night we even heard a mountain lion screaming; which by the way is terrifying in the middle of the night. Here are some of the pictures.

Day 1 at Broken Bow, OK.

 

[TexasTJ]

Day 2 we made it to Memphis, TN and had lunch at Central BBQ. It was good, but nothing to get overly excited about. Then we met up with a buddy in Nashville, TN where we stayed for the night.

My Nashville Jeep buddy told me about an old train tunnel that you can now drive through near Wartburg, TN. We made our way over to the Nemo Tunnel #24 where the water inside of it came up to the doors of the Tundra and over the lightbar in the SSO bumper.

Video of entrance

With my 1000 lumen flash light

The trail can be followed out to a nice little river.

 

[TexasTJ]

Day 3 we made it into NC and over to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Mia checking out the steak and taters

 

[TexasTJ]

Day 4 we made our way to the Linville area for Table Rock trial.

My co-pilot....

Taking a break on the way up Table Rock

Then we drove until we found a random camping spot in the Pisgah National Forest.

 

[TexasTJ]

Day 5 we hiked up the Devil's Courthouse, which was much easier than it sounds.

The camp I had planned for the night was blocked off, so we made our way to Hot Springs, NC and camped by the river for the night. If you go to the restaurant in town, don't get the "Mountain Man" steak...

 

[TexasTJ]

Day 6 we met up with some forum buddies from NC to run Hurricane Creek Trail. The trail was extremely secluded and was a nice easy trail for us, but a nice challenge for my buddy in the Tundra for two reasons. The first reason being, it was his first time offroad, ever. The second being, his Tundra is 2wd with stock suspension and tires. His Tundra is low to begin with, was loaded down, and we aired down his tires so he did get stuck twice to where I threw a strap on him and gave a little tug. Other than that the Tundra did great and he learned quiet a bit; coming from the world of a Cobra and an STI prior.

At some point we came across a downed, rotten tree. With the Tundra's wider footprint he was unable to get around the tree without making contact. As we got out at one point to chat we noticed this piece of wood in between his tire and wheel. No air was coming out, so we opted to finish the trail until we could make it to a nice flat spot. We were able to air the tire down even further and remove all of the wood without any damage thankfully.

....

 

[TexasTJ]

Day 6 cont.
After Hurricane Creek we slid over to Max Patch for a quick hike to a flat summit with a nice view.

After MP we made our way over to Buzzards Roost to check out that view.

Our oddball crew.

 

[TexasTJ]

Day 6 cont.
We went back over near the Harmon Den area and found a small campsite, just big enough for the three vehicles.

In case you haven't figured it out, Mia and I are best buds.

Even when she grabs our firewood and runs away with it.

She's also more than willing to steal your seat if you get up.

Mia enjoying the warm RTT on the cool 30* mornings.

 

[TexasTJ]

Day 8
We were winding down and making our way back to Texas. One of the guys insisted that we stop at Rock City in Georgia . It was interesting to say the least, but not quite worth the price of admission IMO.

Mia has never been allowed in our bed at home, this week was her first time in a hotel/ in any bed. Mia is not big on cuddling, but she was more than happy to share the bed with us each night. While in the RTT she generally slept by our feet to keep an eye on the door.