3rd gen 4runner + Trailblazer trailer, Redwood family camper combo

[JasonRedwood]

A few months back we found out that me and the misses would be adding a new addition to our family. I eventually came to the conclusion to ditch the 1st gen 4runner/flip-pac project I had started for something with 4 doors that could accommodate my wife, 2 dogs, a kid and myself. I picked up 1997 4x4 auto limited 4runner with 125k. Shortly after I came across A Trailblazer trailer on Craigslist so I snagged that up as well. This is going to be a slow build for the most part, but I will do what I can to keep it moving forward. I decided to try stick with the mods that would be "family Friendly", so the Whitson roof rack was the first up.

As far the tentative 4runner mod list goes;
Toytec Ultimate Lift INSTALLED
ARB bumper (purchased, waiting for lift to install)
Tundra Brakes upgrade INSTALLED
16" Steel Wheels. Gathering wheel by wheel
Cargo/dog barrier INSTALLED
Storage/ dog platform behind rear seats INSTALLED, still needs adjusting
Dual battery...?
Fridge...?
Custom rear bumper (wishlist)


Tentative Trailblazer trailer mod list;
Max Coupler hitch
Lighting
Custom awning or room extender
Fix the bowed trailer cover
Duplicate fender, replaced PO's fiberglass work in the works

The lists may change a bit as time goes.
Here are a couple pictures of the 4runner and trailer as they sit as of Labor Day weekend, 2013. Southern sequoia national forest.




I couldn't be happier with the 4runner and trailer so far. The tent trailer folds out really quickly and the storage underneath is perfect for us.

 

[paddlenbike]

Congrats on the new addition to the family and the new rig. I've been without my white 3rd gen 4Runner for the past couple of weeks (someone rear-ended me) and can't believe how much I miss that stupid thing. It has taken me everywhere I have wanted to go and has cost me nothing to own, except for the modifications you folks have talked me in to. Enjoy it, they are wonderful trucks.

 

[JasonRedwood]

wow its been a while

I ordered my Toytec lift last week. Because the ultimate coliovers were backordered they upgraded me to the BOSS kit. Super nice customer service at Toytec. With the generosity of Drabbits from T4Runner, we got the kit installed. Check out his roof racks for 3rd and 5th gen 4runners. BTW, my rack is a Whitson Rack. The lift is a little high in the front, by and inch. I plan on seeing what kind of settling it does by friday then adjust it from there. Next up is the wind fairing for the rack and dog platform, in the next week or 2. Need to decide on tires now...

The new lift


And the new lil man, Chayton at 9 weeks, last friday. His first camping trip is April 10th!

 

[JasonRedwood]

New Axles

The stock CV boots didn't appreciate the new ride height. 2 Days after installing the lift I noticed the boots had completely torn. I lowered the ride height in the front and ordered some new remanufactured axles from CVJ in Colorado. For a little extra they added some longer inner CV boots. After we installed the axles I lowered the height of the coils a tad more to give the 4runner a little rake.

 

[JasonRedwood]

Dog/storage platform

Got the suspension all adjusted nicely. Rides smooth.
Replaced the contacts in the starter, cleaned the MAF, new wires and plugs, also had my mechanic replace the #6 injector.
Waiting for new anti-sway bar bushings.

Just working out a simple storage and dog platform. The idea was to make something easily removable that we can just slide duffel bags under. Still working out if I like the height of the platform, its only screwed together for now. When I decide on the final design I'll glue everything down and put some sort of coating on the wood. For the fog bed I cut up an old HD foam mattress to fit and had my wife sew up the outdoor fabric. The pit and Chihuahua love it. Best thing is that the mattress can just be hosed off.

 

[Anarchy Joe]

kick *** on the minor threat onese....

 

[JasonRedwood]

kick *** on the minor threat onese....

Thanks!

 

[JasonRedwood]

On our way to Monterey. 2 adults, 2 dogs and a 5 month old.


Its amazing how our boy has more stuff than we do. Worth it.


All packed up and ready to leave Big Sur.

 

[mizzle415]

Congrats on the little man and for your family camping setup. Let's see some pics of that trailer setup! I too have a 3rd gen and am building up on old David Bradley trailer for camping. I have two boys as well, a 3 year old and an 8 month old, so fitting the fam and the gear is my focus as well.

 

[JasonRedwood]

Hey mizzle415, I only have this one picture of the trailer set up in the drive way the day I brought it home.

After 2 trips in the last month, LA to Kernville and LA to Big Sur, the brakes need some attention.
I think Im going to have to do the Tundra brake upgrade with in a week or so.
These 3rd gens have such inadequate front brakes.

 

[Applejack]

Yes, definitely do the Tundra swap and do the 231mm big brake one. I futzed around for a few years trying to do everything else but the Tundra swap and spent a few hundred dollars more in the process with different rotor/pad setups. I got all the stuff I needed from NAPA for under 400 bucks, including a Tundra master cylinder which I recommend doing as well.
I don't feel like it has a ton more stopping power but at least now I can go down long steep descents without frying my brakes with nothing left when I reach the bottom.
Good luck!

 

[Loubaru]

How do you like the new CVs w/ extended boots? Have you had any issues with the boots rubbing at all? My boots are torn so was looking into doing the same thing you did.

 

[98roamer]

I did the 199mm on my 98 4runner and should have gone with the 231mm but I pull a 2,500lb popup also.

 

[JasonRedwood]

How do you like the new CVs w/ extended boots? Have you had any issues with the boots rubbing at all? My boots are torn so was looking into doing the same thing you did.

Hey Louaru-
I like the new axles. CVJ was a pleasure to deal with. Quality looked great. They were really responsive to me when I noticed that the boot ribs were touching.Diff drop installed) I feel like the geometry of these 3rd gens aren't meant to be lifted more than 2 inches or there will be rubbing. Toytec makes a beefer CV axle but Im not sure if their boots are any different than CVJ's extended boots. The Toytec was too rich for my blood so I kept with the middle ground.

On a side note. My buddy has auto store remans, with the tundra coils up front, and has no issues of the ribs touching. His 4runner looks a bit taller too. I haven't measured his hight to mine yet.

I did the 199mm on my 98 4runner and should have gone with the 231mm but I pull a 2,500lb popup also.

Thanks for the input 98roamer!

 

[JasonRedwood]

Yes, definitely do the Tundra swap and do the 231mm big brake one. I futzed around for a few years trying to do everything else but the Tundra swap and spent a few hundred dollars more in the process with different rotor/pad setups. I got all the stuff I needed from NAPA for under 400 bucks, including a Tundra master cylinder which I recommend doing as well.
I don't feel like it has a ton more stopping power but at least now I can go down long steep descents without frying my brakes with nothing left when I reach the bottom.
Good luck!

I don't think I have noticed people using the Tundra master cylinder in my research. Was it a pretty simple swap?