The Manly Minivan
- Thread starter MightyP
- Start date
MightyP
New member
Wife is out of town, so I loaded up both kids and did some off-roading with Texas Overland at Hidden Falls Adventure Park. Lots of fun, great people, kids enjoyed themselves, and I even got a chance to use my Traction Jacks, Tred Pros and one of the other's Maxtrax.
I went with the "Mostly Stock and Don't Want to Destroy Our Daily Drivers" group of rigs. We had as many as 8 rigs in our group, but the last one arrived just after this picture was taken. And, no Texas Overland isn't a Toyota-exclusive group, but you might not realize it from the pictures today.
While we were, in fact, the "no damage" crew, Hidden Falls has gotten some rain lately and the moderate, and even easy, trails had some washout, making things more challenging. One particular section at least scuffed the bumper of every rig that tried it. We tried to use Maxtrax, Treds and Traction Jacks to bridge.
I got a kiss on my bumper. Thankfully, it looks like trail damage and not like I backed into a pillar at the mall.
More Maxtrax and Tred use for bridging.
I forced my kids to take a picture to prove they were really with me. Daughter was trying to be good, but my son was having none of it.
I went with the "Mostly Stock and Don't Want to Destroy Our Daily Drivers" group of rigs. We had as many as 8 rigs in our group, but the last one arrived just after this picture was taken. And, no Texas Overland isn't a Toyota-exclusive group, but you might not realize it from the pictures today.
While we were, in fact, the "no damage" crew, Hidden Falls has gotten some rain lately and the moderate, and even easy, trails had some washout, making things more challenging. One particular section at least scuffed the bumper of every rig that tried it. We tried to use Maxtrax, Treds and Traction Jacks to bridge.
I got a kiss on my bumper. Thankfully, it looks like trail damage and not like I backed into a pillar at the mall.
More Maxtrax and Tred use for bridging.
I forced my kids to take a picture to prove they were really with me.
Daughter was trying to be good, but my son was having none of it.
FourRunnerFreak
New member
MightyP
New member
If you aren't already a part of Texas Overland on Facebook, you should join. Great group of people located all over Texas. Those of us in the Austin/San Antonio area meet up about once a month in an official TO capacity, but people just post up that they're going camping and anyone can join. That's how I met up with people for my trip to PINS and I'm looking at possibly going to Big Bend in December.
unevolved
Member
Cool, thanks. Just requested to join. I'm hoping to go to Big Bend this winter too, a coworker has been planning a trip.
MightyP
New member
The little ditch lights by the side mirrors? I like them. I don't like how light bars look on 4th Gens without a roof rack and I didn't want to break the bank, so I went this route. Plus, I like that I can angle them out a little and get more light on the sides of the trail/road, letting me what's around me instead of just what is in front.
$60 for the mounts and you can use them with a bunch of different things, I'd say they're worth it. @cbi_offroad_fab makes them and they're pretty much invincible.
EDIT:
And apparently, they're on sale...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/www-cbioffroadfab-com/225834-get-original-ditch-light-brackets.html
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MightyP
New member
Been a while since I've updated this thread, but at least it's for a good reason. I've been doing stuff! 
Guess I'll start with my trip last October to PINS (Padre Island National Seashore) WITH the family. If we're honest, it was a rough trip. Had lots of lessons learned, but I can't complain too much, both kids still ask to go camping!
Here, I'm loaded up and ready to go. Actually had to buy a hitch basket because we didn't have enough room for everything otherwise. This is just one of the reasons a real roof rack is on my short list.
Went out with a group from Texas Overland. Great group of people.
The rest...
The absolute best part of PINS is being able to be on the beach and not see anyone outside your group in either direction. Amazing...
Guess I'll start with my trip last October to PINS (Padre Island National Seashore) WITH the family. If we're honest, it was a rough trip. Had lots of lessons learned, but I can't complain too much, both kids still ask to go camping!
Here, I'm loaded up and ready to go. Actually had to buy a hitch basket because we didn't have enough room for everything otherwise. This is just one of the reasons a real roof rack is on my short list.
Went out with a group from Texas Overland. Great group of people.
The rest...
The absolute best part of PINS is being able to be on the beach and not see anyone outside your group in either direction. Amazing...
MightyP
New member
Got out camping with a friend in November, but nothing really related to the 4runner, so no pics here... Holidays came and then I got a job, so I didn't take much time off again until April of this year.
Went to the Texas Overland Spring Roundup. Chance to meet other members and get some classes on Tread Lightly and wilderness safety. My wife and daughter had a 5K that weekend, so it ended up being a father/son weekend. Worked out great as a couple other dads did the same thing!
Full disclosure... If the picture is really great, it was probably taken by a friend who isn't on T4R.
On the way home we stopped at a cafe that is supposed to have the best pie in Texas. It was pretty amazing, but my grandmother probably still has them beat.
Went to the Texas Overland Spring Roundup. Chance to meet other members and get some classes on Tread Lightly and wilderness safety. My wife and daughter had a 5K that weekend, so it ended up being a father/son weekend. Worked out great as a couple other dads did the same thing!
Full disclosure... If the picture is really great, it was probably taken by a friend who isn't on T4R.
On the way home we stopped at a cafe that is supposed to have the best pie in Texas. It was pretty amazing, but my grandmother probably still has them beat.
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MightyP
New member
Most recently (Memorial Day Weekend), I took a "me" trip. Went to NM by myself to just get away, recharge, read, and spend time alone with God. Absolutely wonderful trip. If I can figure out how to get my kids through the drive across west Texas, we'll be going as a family...
Scenery was what you'd expect... amazing.
Trails were also great.
If you ever get the chance, definitely worth a drive to Carson National Forest.
Scenery was what you'd expect... amazing.
Trails were also great.
If you ever get the chance, definitely worth a drive to Carson National Forest.
MightyP
New member
And because I'm sure you're sick of seeing all the outdoor stuff (yeah right...), here's a quick plug for [MENTION=139789]RagoFabrication[/MENTION]. Been working with them for a couple months getting parts developed for the 4th Gen 4runner. They are absolutely great people who have a passion for what they do. It's rare to see a company excited to make parts for a vehicle that hasn't been produced for 8 years, so if there's something you're looking for, let them (or me) know.
I have their hidden lightbar mounts and light bar. While I have the lower grille insert removed to get the most out of the 30" light bar, it's definitely not required.
I also have their Modular Storage Panel (MSP), which is AWESOME. This is the prototype, so the final version will be powder coated, but you can see it in action here.
There are more items on deck for development, but, well, I can't just leave my 4runner up there, so it takes time.
How the Manly Minivan (Vera) sits today. Stay safe, y'all.
I have their hidden lightbar mounts and light bar. While I have the lower grille insert removed to get the most out of the 30" light bar, it's definitely not required.
I also have their Modular Storage Panel (MSP), which is AWESOME. This is the prototype, so the final version will be powder coated, but you can see it in action here.
There are more items on deck for development, but, well, I can't just leave my 4runner up there, so it takes time.
How the Manly Minivan (Vera) sits today. Stay safe, y'all.
MightyP
New member
So, [MENTION=139789]RagoFabrication[/MENTION] has been working with me for a while, kicking ass, and developing the stuff for the 4th Gens that either aren't out there or didn't get the attention other gens did and I've done a piss-poor job letting y'all know. So... I'm going to try and be better about passing on what's going on. So you should see some more posts from me in the coming days/weeks.
Full disclosure: Yes, I was comped the parts for them to use my 4runner for development. But... no, I'm not obligated or expected to push their stuff after the fact. The only benefit I'll see is about the same you'll see; we buy their stuff and they keep developing new things.
So, here it goes:
Since I last posted up, I swapped the Daystar spacers for Icon Stage 2. I've also added Rago sliders, awning mounts and ditch light brackets. I need to go through and clean up pictures, but suffice it to say, everything is what you'd expect from Rago. Incredibly strong and clean.
Sample from my trip to the beach over Halloween weekend.
And a raw slider before the test fit. It really is THAT beefy.
Full disclosure: Yes, I was comped the parts for them to use my 4runner for development. But... no, I'm not obligated or expected to push their stuff after the fact. The only benefit I'll see is about the same you'll see; we buy their stuff and they keep developing new things.
So, here it goes:
Since I last posted up, I swapped the Daystar spacers for Icon Stage 2. I've also added Rago sliders, awning mounts and ditch light brackets. I need to go through and clean up pictures, but suffice it to say, everything is what you'd expect from Rago. Incredibly strong and clean.
Sample from my trip to the beach over Halloween weekend.
And a raw slider before the test fit. It really is THAT beefy.
MN4RNR
New member
And a raw slider before the test fit. It really is THAT beefy.
Any concern with water pooling in that arm leading to rust? That would make me nervous in Minnesota.
They look awesome.
