Backcountry 4runner build (3rd gen)

[verticaltrx]

So now I need some advice from those with more overland experience than I. :smiley_drive:

I'm trying to come up with some sort of storage system for the back of my 4runner that will be easily removable and multipurpose. Most of my trips are between 1-4 days in length so I don't need to carry a ton of gear, but like to be well prepared. I'm leaning away from a roof rack if I can figure a way to get all this stuff inside the vehicle, and still have a place to sleep inside.

This list is based on what I took in my Tacoma, and obviously I had a lot more bed space in it:

For general wheeling trips or backcountry exploring:
-hi-lift
-3ton Wyeth-Scott hand winch
-sand landders (pair, each about 60" long, 12" wide, 2" thick)
-d-handle round point spade
-ax
-6' and 20' tow strap, couple D-rings
-small tool box
-40 qt cooler
-backpack for clothes/supplies
-sleeping bag/etc
-fire extinguisher
-small first aid kit
-small survival kit

I would like something where I could put the heavier/dirtier stuff on the very bottom (hi-lift, hand winch, sand ladders, shovel, etc) and have the gear in compartments above, with an area to sleep atop that. Still don't know where to put the cooler. I want it to be lightweight so I can slide the whole unit out the back since I often haul tools/supplies back there during the week. I'll either build it out of Aluminum, aluminum/steel, or wood, I have the ability to fabricate any of the aforementioned.

I guess I'm looking for a little different setup than your average sleeping platform/drawer setup, but I'm open to any suggestions or ideas. Any advice/pics/input would be great.

 

[Applejack]

I'm trying to come up with some sort of storage system for the back of my 4runner that will be easily removable and multipurpose..

I had the same desire on a previous 4runner build I had. I wanted a sleeping platform and some semblance of organization, and still be able to haul my dog with us with out things falling all over him with the roads got bumpy.
I did also use a roof rack for the hi-lift, shovel and firewood.
Sorry no pics of it, but I built it out of plywood and made it a two piece 50/50 set up. This made it easy to take in and out. I will be building another on here shortly once I get the garage organized enough to work in.

I didn't use drawers, instead I made 4 sections for storage. 3 with lids and 4th without that was suitable for a cooler, plastic storage bin or a large gear duffel.
On the next one I am definitely going to make a couple of drawers to house the things you always need to get to but cant because there's a bunch of crap on top of the lid you want to get into.

 

[FLYFISHEXPERT]

I know it isn't exactly the modular design you are looking for, but here are a couple of pictures of my setup. The platform extension is removable when not in use.

The cooking equipment (stove, cookware, tableware, etc.) goes in the drawers, and the cubbie holds all of our recovery gear and air compressor.

I do have a roof basket we use for the lighter items including camp chairs and table.

When in camp, I throw any extra items up there for the night.

Also, you will be amazed at to how much room the rear seats take up. I use the sleeping platform with the seats removed and area below the platform is where I store our dry food, clothing, and tools, etc. You could easily place your hi-lift and sand ladders, along with any other heavy items, in that area

 

[verticaltrx]

Great ideas. A water tank is something that I forgot to consider. I guess having some gear on top of the sleeping platform might be inevitable during travel (cooler, water jug, etc), then just set it outside or out of the way when sleeping. Maybe I do need to consider some sort of roof rack for the hi-lift and sand ladders, that would free up a lot of space. I'm trying to keep the sleeping platform as big as possible since sometimes my fiancee goes with me and we are both about 6' tall. I'll see what it takes to remove the seats, I saw somewhere a wing nut setup on the lower seat brackets to make them easily removable.

 

[runrunner]

A follow up on the rough riding suspension:

As a test I put a cheap set of $35 Autozone shocks on the rear and the ride is great now, 100% fixed. My conclusion is that the 60027 OME shocks are just way way too stiff for anything but fully loaded off-road use. I bought the suspension from Toytec so I'm going to see if they will swap my shocks for the lighter valved 60028 shocks. If not I guess I'll just stick with these cheapo's. Interestingly enough the compressed/extended lengths of these cheap Gabriel shocks are within a 1/4" of the OME's.

Really? I've always thought it was the springs that rode stiff, not the shocks. I can feel it when I pull into my driveway, front is fairly smooth and the rear is jarring. I think the ride is pretty bad but just try and avoid potholes and basically just deal with it. I thought OME discontinued the comfort shocks and only carry the sport ones now?

 

[Applejack]

Great ideas. A water tank is something that I forgot to consider. I guess having some gear on top of the sleeping platform might be inevitable during travel (cooler, water jug, etc), then just set it outside or out of the way when sleeping. Maybe I do need to consider some sort of roof rack for the hi-lift and sand ladders, that would free up a lot of space. I'm trying to keep the sleeping platform as big as possible since sometimes my fiancee goes with me and we are both about 6' tall. I'll see what it takes to remove the seats, I saw somewhere a wing nut setup on the lower seat brackets to make them easily removable.

If you are going to be doing a lot of long distance travel and living out of your rig for the most part (expedition), I think a roof rack will be somewhat inevitable, especially if you travel to more remote places and have the need to start carrying fuel. You won't want those smelly cans inside with you.
If you want something low profile check out Front Runner
http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/Roof-Racks-c35/

Taking the rear seat bottoms out is very simple even without the wing nut mod. It's like a 5 minute job or less.

 

[verticaltrx]

Really? I've always thought it was the springs that rode stiff, not the shocks. I can feel it when I pull into my driveway, front is fairly smooth and the rear is jarring. I think the ride is pretty bad but just try and avoid potholes and basically just deal with it. I thought OME discontinued the comfort shocks and only carry the sport ones now?

They call both model shocks the 'sport shocks' now, but they have a light valving (60028) and a heavy valving (60027). I've been in contact with ARB and they agreed to swap mine for the lighter shocks. Apparently they have been having a lot of trouble with the 60027's being too stiff for anything but fully loaded expedition type travel.

If you are going to be doing a lot of long distance travel and living out of your rig for the most part (expedition), I think a roof rack will be somewhat inevitable, especially if you travel to more remote places and have the need to start carrying fuel. You won't want those smelly cans inside with you.
If you want something low profile check out Front Runner
http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/Roof-Racks-c35/

Taking the rear seat bottoms out is very simple even without the wing nut mod. It's like a 5 minute job or less.

I guess if I go with a roof rack I would first have to get a factory rack for the rails. My 4runner only has two plastic strips where the factory rack mounts, I haven't pulled them off to see whats underneath. I like the looks of the front runner.

 

[verticaltrx]

Nothing too exciting, but I got a 2" receiver hitch installed this evening. Picked up a Curt 13087 from Advance Auto, $125.

When installing the hitch you have to remove the rear tow points, so I thought I would upgrade with this front tow hook off my old Tacoma. These are some of the best factory tow hooks I have seen, the work great with tow straps and the strap rarely falls off:

Pic of tow hook installed on the driver side (If I had more of these I would add another front and rear):

The ground clearance is great with this hitch, it does stick out behind the bumper a little more than I would have liked. I guess with this design it has to in order to get a hitch pin in:

I was also going to make up some sway bar disconnect links this evening, but the wire feeder on my MIG welder took a dump. So that's off until I can get it fixed.

Anyone have a good link or writeup on the rear diff breather extension mod? Sounds pretty easy, just want to look at what fittings etc might be needed.

 

[verticaltrx]

I haven't had a chance to do any more work/mods on the 4unner, but I did get to take it on a short trip today. We headed out on some forest service roads towards some trails that I had seen on the topo map but never explored. Stopped at a couple places in the national forest along the way (over look, lake, etc). Total we drove for about 3hrs and 2hrs were on dirt the whole way. The road up the north side of the mountain was very icy but these narrow A/T's seemed to do well. Ran down a steep trail that was still deeply snow packed until we got to lower elevation, then it turned to deep snow and mud. At times we were crab walking almost sideways down the trail with a rear tire in the ditch and fronts on the road bed. Unfortunately I didn't get any pics at that point as I was more concerned about making it out, lol. Overall the 4runner did great though, I hope to take it on some longer trips and more challenging trails soon. Better storage will be the next thing on the list of upgrades.

Here's a few pics we took:

 

[verticaltrx]

One more:

 

[CYi5]

Nice idea with the hook in the rear, first time i've seen that done.

 

[verticaltrx]

Thanks, I was going to add another to the rear but the curvature of the hook would have made it hard to hook a strap over it. In my experience with my Tacoma just having one good tow point front and rear was generally enough. I do still have the little D-ring hole on the other side if needed.

 

[Applejack]

Anyone have a good link or writeup on the rear diff breather extension mod? Sounds pretty easy, just want to look at what fittings etc might be needed.

You will find it here--------http://www.nwtoys.com/tech/differential-breather

 

[Rab89]

I used to drag and bang my hitch all of the time. I've since removed it and have had much better luck, but now have nowhere to mount my hitch-mounted bike rack. Now if I can just find money for an aftermarket rear bumper...

Before:

After:

with the tacoma's you can flip the hitch over, and it comes out where the license plate would go in the rear bumper, maybe you can do the same and just cut a hole in your bumper for the hitch to come out?

 

[verticaltrx]

You will find it here--------http://www.nwtoys.com/tech/differential-breather

excellent, thanks.