The Manly Minivan

[MightyP]

It's after Thanksgiving and the extended family has vacated our house, so, to relax a bit, I'm posting up a few pictures from the trip to Padre Island I mentioned. As you can see, the trip didn't suck.

 

[MightyP]

Big Bend National Park. It's ugly and awful and definitely NOT worth going there.

 

[MN4RNR]

Big Bend National Park. It's ugly and awful and definitely NOT worth going there.

No joke! What a dump! What were you even thinking going there? I really need to cruise down and check these places out with you.

 

[YetiX]

Looking good. Looking forward to seeing what else you do.

 

[MightyP]

Thanks, [MENTION=114745]YetiX[/MENTION]! I actually have done more and just forgot to post.

Toward the end of January, my wife and daughter had something going on, so my son and I took a boys' weekend. It was a good time. We hung out, played on the playground and explored a little. It was a little chilly the first night and next morning, but warmed up later.





He helped me stake down the awning.




We went and toured the Hill Country. Which isn't bad for being January brown.








Even tested out my new quick setup table over lunch.




And found something I really didn't expect to see in central Texas...




We had a good time.

 

[MightyP]

It's been too hot to do any camping for a while, but I did add a few things recently, so I took some glamour shots.

 

[MightyP]

It's been a LONG time since I've updated this. Life has been busy, camping, working, playing with the family.

Since the last update, I added a fridge, solar power and changed the rims to bronze. Currently working on a fridge slide and creating a base to mount it to, along with adding sound deadening throughout.

Also rescued a dog since last we spoke. He's quickly become my adventure buddy.

Action shots courtesy of [MENTION=50591]gaterose[/MENTION]

 

[Legender]

Even without mountains here in TX it seems you've found some great places to explore. Great looking family and nice build. Keep up the good work making the rest of us jealous.

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

[MENTION=121993]MightyP[/MENTION] this is probably an ultra noob question but what is the grill emblem/logo you have on your grille? It seems that is a popular emblem around the Toyota community but i've never known what it is/stands for.

 

[Seymore Butts]

Great looking truck! How do you keep the paint so shiny? It looks brand new.

 

[El Dusty]

It's been a LONG time since I've updated this. Life has been busy, camping, working, playing with the family.

Since the last update, I added a fridge, solar power and changed the rims to bronze. Currently working on a fridge slide and creating a base to mount it to, along with adding sound deadening throughout.

Also rescued a dog since last we spoke. He's quickly become my adventure buddy.

Nice build and congrats on the dog!

 

[unevolved]

[MENTION=121993]MightyP[/MENTION] this is probably an ultra noob question but what is the grill emblem/logo you have on your grille? It seems that is a popular emblem around the Toyota community but i've never known what it is/stands for.

It's an old Toyota logo: The Toyota Logo History | TOYO Headquarters

 

[MightyP]

Great looking truck! How do you keep the paint so shiny? It looks brand new.

Ha! Thanks. It doesn't look quite as new in person, but I do try to make sure I clay bar and wax it at least once a year, if not twice. And I have a buffer, so it does a nice job.

 

[gaterose]

Looking good! Those are some fine action shots :hatsoff:

 

[MightyP]

It's been a while. Still getting out there and doing things. I do love this vehicle.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50654078321/in/dateposted-public/" title="4-Tue-0671"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50654078321_8df7afbda3_b.jpg" width="1024" height="564" alt="4-Tue-0671"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50653340718/in/dateposted-public/" title="6-Thu-"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50653340718_b443c8656a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="673" alt="6-Thu-"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50653338058/in/dateposted-public/" title="6-Thu-0186"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50653338058_af848d031a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="640" alt="6-Thu-0186"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50653334078/in/dateposted-public/" title="Lincoln NF--2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50653334078_9ea846405e_b.jpg" width="1024" height="640" alt="Lincoln NF--2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50654067121/in/dateposted-public/" title="Camping with J--4"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50654067121_ec4295a11a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="640" alt="Camping with J--4"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50654056101/in/dateposted-public/" title="Milky Way 2-5"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50654056101_bb278aba73_b.jpg" width="1024" height="676" alt="Milky Way 2-5"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50654051861/in/dateposted-public/" title="Ouachita NF-0020-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50654051861_4f9dc3e375_b.jpg" width="1024" height="640" alt="Ouachita NF-0020-2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50654142762/in/dateposted-public/" title="Ouachita NF-0250"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50654142762_6d54772f6d_b.jpg" width="1024" height="830" alt="Ouachita NF-0250"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Charlievee]

So, looks like rims and lift? Great title, I call my TuRD the station wagon with minivan hatch.

 

[MightyP]

So, looks like rims and lift? Great title, I call my TuRD the station wagon with minivan hatch.

LOL, rims are stock actually. :rofl:

In short, yes, lift, a bit of upgraded armor and additions to let me camp more comfortably. Bumper/winch will probably happen this year. Maybe a regear. We'll see.


Didn't really camp in December. Did a couple trips in January. As always, lots of fun and the 4runner gets me where I need to go.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50926906043/in/dateposted-public/" title="Getaway weekend-0152"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926906043_59d01f53aa_b.jpg" width="1024" height="730" alt="Getaway weekend-0152"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50927588536/in/dateposted-public/" title="Getaway weekend-0105-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50927588536_4a549035a6_b.jpg" width="1024" height="653" alt="Getaway weekend-0105-2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50926905003/in/dateposted-public/" title="Getaway weekend-0065"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926905003_d3eca48964_b.jpg" width="1024" height="803" alt="Getaway weekend-0065"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50927716557/in/dateposted-public/" title="Getaway weekend-0043"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50927716557_0db6201927_b.jpg" width="1024" height="591" alt="Getaway weekend-0043"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50926904383/in/dateposted-public/" title="Getaway weekend-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926904383_813b1e690c_b.jpg" width="1024" height="503" alt="Getaway weekend-2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50926900838/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sulphur Springs-0231"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926900838_d8eeacf1cb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="640" alt="Sulphur Springs-0231"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50927583096/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sulphur Springs-0211"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50927583096_ccc5ae8651_b.jpg" width="1024" height="637" alt="Sulphur Springs-0211"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50926899643/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sulphur Springs-0053"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926899643_d7e2c65f31_b.jpg" width="1024" height="622" alt="Sulphur Springs-0053"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[JBend]

LOL, rims are stock actually. :rofl:

In short, yes, lift, a bit of upgraded armor and additions to let me camp more comfortably. Bumper/winch will probably happen this year. Maybe a regear. We'll see.


Didn't really camp in December. Did a couple trips in January. As always, lots of fun and the 4runner gets me where I need to go.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50926906043/in/dateposted-public/" title="Getaway weekend-0152"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926906043_59d01f53aa_b.jpg" width="1024" height="730" alt="Getaway weekend-0152"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50927588536/in/dateposted-public/" title="Getaway weekend-0105-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50927588536_4a549035a6_b.jpg" width="1024" height="653" alt="Getaway weekend-0105-2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50926905003/in/dateposted-public/" title="Getaway weekend-0065"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926905003_d3eca48964_b.jpg" width="1024" height="803" alt="Getaway weekend-0065"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50927716557/in/dateposted-public/" title="Getaway weekend-0043"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50927716557_0db6201927_b.jpg" width="1024" height="591" alt="Getaway weekend-0043"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50926904383/in/dateposted-public/" title="Getaway weekend-2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926904383_813b1e690c_b.jpg" width="1024" height="503" alt="Getaway weekend-2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50926900838/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sulphur Springs-0231"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926900838_d8eeacf1cb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="640" alt="Sulphur Springs-0231"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50927583096/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sulphur Springs-0211"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50927583096_ccc5ae8651_b.jpg" width="1024" height="637" alt="Sulphur Springs-0211"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/164440525@N05/50926899643/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sulphur Springs-0053"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926899643_d7e2c65f31_b.jpg" width="1024" height="622" alt="Sulphur Springs-0053"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

are these BXbuilt headlights?

 

[MightyP]

are these BXbuilt headlights?

No. They're some I found on Amazon. Definitely need extra silicone to keep the water out.