1st Gen 4runner Overlander...Yes...No...Maybe

[1stgenoverland]

Hello everyone, Just needed some opinions...Found a trip I want to do Next summer...Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Was wondering what your guys opinion on driving a 4runner out this far. What would you guys have on your must bring would never leave home without it list. Anything I should watch out for.

Wes :smiley_drive:

 

[Applejack]

Hello everyone, Just needed some opinions...Found a trip I want to do Next summer...Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Was wondering what your guys opinion on driving a 4runner out this far. What would you guys have on your must bring would never leave home without it list. Anything I should watch out for.

Wes :smiley_drive:

Why not, assuming your 4runner is in fine working order. When I was a kid my mom would take us on 1000+ mi.trips that we really shouldn't have done in an old poorly maintained Chrysler K car. And as much of a hunk of junk that thing was, it made it, but who knows maybe God was with us, he must have been:elkgrin:
You may want to give some specific details about your rig (stock, mods etc.) What is your level of mechanical ability? It wouldn't help too much to bring spare parts if you can't change them.

I must say that as nice as it is to have all the extras and fancy "built for anything" vehicles, it does take some of that spirit of adventure away. There is something about throwing caution to the wind and just going for it that seems to be missing from our culture. We always worry about peace and safety, when what we really need is ADVENTURE!:sombrero:

So go for it my friend LIVE your only life.

 

[mtnbike28]

Go for it...

Somewhere on here there is the story of a couple taking a 1st Gen to the end of South America. If the truck is in good working order, I say go for it!

For parts. Think of small things that could strand you. Fuel pump, ignition things, a starter if it is a automatic.

 

[corax]

Somewhere on here there is the story of a couple taking a 1st Gen to the end of South America. If the truck is in good working order, I say go for it!

http://ramblewriter.com/

 

[djrez4]

We've taken our 85 backcountry in Grand Canyon NP after driving from Colorado. As everyone else said, if the truck is in good order, you should be fine. Normal prep and modifications required, obviously, and some spare parts may be prudent, but I'd have no issues taking our truck anywhere.

 

[RockyMtnFamily]

I say go for it as well. As with any vehicle make sure it is mechanically sound prior to leaving on the trip. I took a 1985 Toyota XCab 4x4 Pickup on a 2500 mile trip from Phoenix, AZ to Guatemala 4 months after making the purchase and it made the trip just fine. I would not hesitate to do it again given a mechanically sound vehicle and the time. Also, don't worry about spare parts as these are readily available in most any area.

Kevin

 

[slus]

If it is rock solid mechanically, I say go for it. Just don't plan on setting any speed records on the trip!

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

....I'm abandoning my ambition of making a first gen an overlander.......

But if you have the truck already and its a solid rig.... go for it. But, I do not care for its lack of comfort, noise, and lack of power. Sure you can fix that but then you are just throwing money at a truck, when you could buy something better.

We drove from DFW to Colorado, wheeled, then drove back to DFW. There have been a few other long trips but less mileage but more days/off roading. Truck can handle it, but my body is beat from the ride and seats.

 

[Ruined Adventures]

....I'm abandoning my ambition of making a first gen an overlander.......

But if you have the truck already and its a solid rig.... go for it. But, I do not care for its lack of comfort, noise, and lack of power. Sure you can fix that but then you are just throwing money at a truck, when you could buy something better.

We drove from DFW to Colorado, wheeled, then drove back to DFW. There have been a few other long trips but less mileage but more days/off roading. Truck can handle it, but my body is beat from the ride and seats.

I bought mine in March, and 4 months later we drove 5000 miles from Austin, TX to Seattle, WA and back...we detoured thru Mesa Verde, Moab, Yellowstone, Bob Marshall Wilderness, etc. LaOutback is so right about the seats, and you definitely won't get anywhere in a hurry. Supposedly SR5 seats are comfy, but in my stock seats driving 8 hours gets painful. You can always swap for a pair of Supra/Celica/Scion buckets and be comfy. The 1st gen 4runners are a ton of fun, easy to work on, and easy to find parts...plus, it's a fairly unique vehicle. I love the fact that I can expect 22mpg on road trips.

x2 on everyone else's comments. make sure it's mechanically sound, then drive the hell out of it to figure out what it needs (comfy seats, more insulation on the floorpan, etc.)

 

[Bogo]

No problem. People drive the Dempster Highway in 2WD cars.:Wow1: Just have lots of spare tires and fuel. You may get to a gas station or town to find out they are out of gas. Like said by others, also bring a few important spare parts. I'd do a full tuneup/refreshen of the normal maintenance stuff, then put the old working parts in a spares box ya bring along. To that box I'd add a full set of tools an supplies, especially lights.

The part of the truck I'd be most worried about is the suspension. Inspect it and it's mounting points for wear and corrosion. Repair and replace as needed.

 

[1stgenoverland]

Thanks for all the help guys...Ive been doing some research and know that the truck will make it...I believe to that it would be a fantastic overlander too because of the solid front axle and how basic the suspension is (leafsprings on every corner) I do have some work to do to before I can go. I am very mechanically inclined so Im not worried about grease under the fingernails and do most of my own work on my vehicles...have a good selection of spares too as I have a friend with another parts 4runner. Engine blew but the rest of it is mint...So sweet deal for me...Anyways...I was wondering more about overlanding gear that would be good to bring...The camping type stuff....

 

[4runnin']

Depending on what tire size you are running and if you need extra fuel you may need to build some sort of tire/gas carrier. I needed to running 35's. Here is a pic of my carrier. It has worked great and frees up the cargo area. Again, its been said but the seats do get uncomfortable after being on the road all day. I am currently looking into a new seat situation for my truck.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

1st Generation Toyota 4Runner's.....




.

 

[4Rescue]

Oh it'll definat;y make it. I personaly have no issues with my seats but I could see that being an issue. Take spares, specificaly, a Spare alternator, new belts and in your case if you're gonna wheel it at all and have 33" or bigger tires, get good at changing the Birfield joints... THese trucks will go ANYWHERE (more so with yours being a SFA model) and frankly they're built tougher then alot of 1/2 ton trucks out there these days.

If the truck's in sound working order adn you're not going to be hauling more then 2 people (this is a big one) you're fine. My GF and I frequently take my truck out for weeks on end and aside from wanting an Aux-fuel tank and a Water tank it hold more then enough gear for us to live out of it for I'd guess up to a month comfortably maybe a little tight if we had no access to water and fuel, but then that can be gotten around in some ways too...

If you go to larger tires, I'd highly suggest re-gearing. I'm doing OK with my 33's and 4.10's but BOY can I not wait to get the 4.88's in there. It will make a world of difference and get your fuel econ. back as well as the use of 5th gear. PLus you wont have to climb every steep grade in 2nd gear (that get's annoying)...

SO to answer your question: "1ST Gen 4Runner Overland..." YES. It's an older Toyota it's built better then 99.9% of anything that's out on the road right now.... Go for it mate, and take LOTS of pictures

Cheers

Dave

 

[thebrassnuckles]

thats my plan.

I'm building mine up right now(slowly). I have pretty lofty dreams of getting it done before april:Wow1: for our wedding/honeymoon in AZ...

as of right now... my fiance doesnt like to ride in it cause its "gross"

no carpet, no headliner, needs seat covers...all that jazz..:elkgrin: