So after a few months of vigorous shopping and thinking I finally got my new truck and getting started building. I originally wanted to buy an old Defender 110 but the price and practicality of a daily driver just didn't work out. Considered a Land Cruiser but hard to find a good old one and the new ones are too expensive, so I settled on a slightly used 4Runner and man am I happy with my decision. I Love This Truck! I got a black 2013 4Runner Trail Edition, with 30k miles. I got a great deal on it but the real kicker is that I don't think the dealer knew what they had. I got it for $35k and change but it already has at least a series 5 ICON lift, new wheels and 33inch tires, Gobi roof rack, and rock sliders. No way I could find a stock one and put all that into it for that price. Not sure what seres ICON lift it is but it has front and rear remote reservoirs so it is at least a series 5 I think. Took it out for a shake out run this Wed and MAN, this thing ROCKS! I absolutely love the ICON system. Drives like a dream, cruising 80 mph on the highway and then just eats up the trail. Actually had a problem of going too fast on the trail because it rides so nice its hard to judge the speed and then a turn comes up all of the sudden and I about drove off the road, really had to pay attention to the speedometer. All and all a great truck and a great head start on the build. Here she is as I bought her.
As a first trip I drove down Bloody Basin Road N. of Phoenix, explored some indian ruins, got muddy, and then went to Sheep Bridge and drove back through Cave Creek. Had an amazing veterans day break, took the kids with me and will definitely be back for some camping soon. Can't say enough about how amazing this vehicle runs and handles. Not really the wheel and tire choice I would have went with but they are pretty new so I will stick with them for now. I would have preferred black rims and the tires are Toyo Open Country 285s but they don't seem to fill up the wheel well as much as I would like, maybe end up with Mud Terrain 295 eventually. Right as we stared the trip we nearly ran into a big black bull so it seems like we have a name for the rig, El Toro Negro. Here are some highlight pics of the trip and a link to Flickr for all photos.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/58236519@N00/sets/72157658846211933
Indian Ruins, Mud, Rivers, Hot Springs, sun, it was amazing and I am 100% in love with this vehicle. Only a small minor issue, got out after a pretty long, bumpy spot with lots of breaking and heard a sound like high pressure line popping and crackling, thought a line was leaking but I think it was moister in the brake fluid and starting boil and I did notice the brakes getting a bit soft, doubt the fluid has been flushed so I think I will put new fluid in and possibly had Speed Bleeders by Russell. Has anyone used them or the Motive brake bleed kit? Any feedback there? I talked with the Toyota dealer tech and he told me it was not possible for the brake fluid to boil? Really, come on, what good is a warranty if the guy working on it doesn't know what he is talking about. I think I'm just gonna take care of it myself since they said I would have to leave it with them all day. Also, the rig leans just a very small amount to the passenger side, I guess the previous driver was a big guy or something since I know the ICON lifts are usually adjusted to consider the driver weight. Any info on how to adjust the lift to level it out and should you lower the driver side or raise the passenger. Brings up another issue, not sure I want the Toyota dealership mucking around with my ICON lift, pretty sure they don't really know anything about it. Also, pretty much all of the installed weather tech window deflectors came out after a few bumps. Any idea how to reattach them, it seems like they just stick on? Do they have some kind of tape you can order, I also have a can of 3M adhesive, but not sure if that will hold them? Other than these small issues, she performed perfectly.
Next up mod is to address the lack of 3rd row seats. I turned in my Armada so I'm missing some size and need a third row. As luck would have it just 2 miles away I found someone selling their used Little Passenger deluxe seat with headrests and shoulder harness belts. It's not the one that is made for the 4Runner but it still fits like it was made for it. Just need to figure out how to attach her and also it is a bit used and dirty so hoping to find some kind of cover. Anyone know where to get an aftermarket cover that would fit over them or some other solution? After that I will look into some wheel spacers (any suggestions, I have no idea here), and will look to get a rear bumper, CBI probably and matching spare and wheel, high lift jack, .... hmm not sure what after that. More fun to come.
Not sure if I mentioned it before but I Love this damn truck.
Bill
As a first trip I drove down Bloody Basin Road N. of Phoenix, explored some indian ruins, got muddy, and then went to Sheep Bridge and drove back through Cave Creek. Had an amazing veterans day break, took the kids with me and will definitely be back for some camping soon. Can't say enough about how amazing this vehicle runs and handles. Not really the wheel and tire choice I would have went with but they are pretty new so I will stick with them for now. I would have preferred black rims and the tires are Toyo Open Country 285s but they don't seem to fill up the wheel well as much as I would like, maybe end up with Mud Terrain 295 eventually. Right as we stared the trip we nearly ran into a big black bull so it seems like we have a name for the rig, El Toro Negro. Here are some highlight pics of the trip and a link to Flickr for all photos.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/58236519@N00/sets/72157658846211933
Indian Ruins, Mud, Rivers, Hot Springs, sun, it was amazing and I am 100% in love with this vehicle. Only a small minor issue, got out after a pretty long, bumpy spot with lots of breaking and heard a sound like high pressure line popping and crackling, thought a line was leaking but I think it was moister in the brake fluid and starting boil and I did notice the brakes getting a bit soft, doubt the fluid has been flushed so I think I will put new fluid in and possibly had Speed Bleeders by Russell. Has anyone used them or the Motive brake bleed kit? Any feedback there? I talked with the Toyota dealer tech and he told me it was not possible for the brake fluid to boil? Really, come on, what good is a warranty if the guy working on it doesn't know what he is talking about. I think I'm just gonna take care of it myself since they said I would have to leave it with them all day. Also, the rig leans just a very small amount to the passenger side, I guess the previous driver was a big guy or something since I know the ICON lifts are usually adjusted to consider the driver weight. Any info on how to adjust the lift to level it out and should you lower the driver side or raise the passenger. Brings up another issue, not sure I want the Toyota dealership mucking around with my ICON lift, pretty sure they don't really know anything about it. Also, pretty much all of the installed weather tech window deflectors came out after a few bumps. Any idea how to reattach them, it seems like they just stick on? Do they have some kind of tape you can order, I also have a can of 3M adhesive, but not sure if that will hold them? Other than these small issues, she performed perfectly.
Next up mod is to address the lack of 3rd row seats. I turned in my Armada so I'm missing some size and need a third row. As luck would have it just 2 miles away I found someone selling their used Little Passenger deluxe seat with headrests and shoulder harness belts. It's not the one that is made for the 4Runner but it still fits like it was made for it. Just need to figure out how to attach her and also it is a bit used and dirty so hoping to find some kind of cover. Anyone know where to get an aftermarket cover that would fit over them or some other solution? After that I will look into some wheel spacers (any suggestions, I have no idea here), and will look to get a rear bumper, CBI probably and matching spare and wheel, high lift jack, .... hmm not sure what after that. More fun to come.
Not sure if I mentioned it before but I Love this damn truck.
Bill
