Building, Driving and Adventuring the MTN4RNR

MTN4RNR

Adventurer
Full report tomorrow, but for tonight here are a couple of images!

Photo courtesy of @v_man
image_zpsnare6byc.jpeg


image_zpsl9we2wjo.jpeg
 

MTN4RNR

Adventurer
Highway 4 to 88 - 1 of 3

Now that the snow is melting in the Sierras, v_man [Vincent] and I decided that it would be good to head up to the hills off of Highway 4 to see what we could find. After a quick post on Expo, we had a group of guys for a 2 day 1 night trip.

Driver/Rig:
V_man[Vincent] - 1990 Toyota 4Runner
younglexx [Alex] - 2005-2010 Toyota Tacoma
Comanche Scott [Scott & Thor] - 2014 Jeep JKUR-X
jAndyMendo [Andy & Taco] - 2014 Toyota Tacoma TRDOR
MTN4RNR [Max] - 2016 Toyota 4Runner Trail

Vincent, Andy and I met in the Bay Area and headed East to meet the others in Stockton
IMG_6724_zps3qtyuky2.jpg


We all met in Stockton, refueled and headed up to the mountains!
DSC_0010_zpsskdnljdd.jpg

PC: Vincent

IMG_6726_zpsdr0yfh2s.jpg


Soon, snow!
IMG_6733_zpspffskke2.jpg


After a quick refuel in Arnold, our first stop was the famous Slick Rock trail. We were stopped at the trailhead due to heavy snow on a North facing slope. Still about 3' left, so maybe in a month or so we can try again!
IMG_6736_zpsji5dyidk.jpg


DSC_0013_zps5hpkgbla.jpg

PC: Vincent

We moved up the highway to a nice overlook at the top of the Pacific Grade where we got a chance to get out and check out the scenery.
DSC02156_zpsutwuzbcr.jpg

PC: Andy

DSC02174_zpsbyqqsggd.jpg

PC: Andy

We then down the eastern side of the Pacific Grade, into Deer Valley. The pass had just opened the day before, so people and cars were scarce. We pulled over and watched Vincent plow through a bank with his 37's. The Tacomas tried to follow, and weren't successful. A good use of Scott's winch, and we had them out.
DSC_0017_zpsbyeinv4d.jpg

PC: Vincent

DSC_0018_zpsl5mah1cu.jpg

PC: Vincent

After our quick recovery session, we drove a few feet up the road to the Deer Valley 4x4 trail. Taking a quick look up the trail, and a short walk, I realized that my mostly stock 4Runner would have a hard time with the trail if I didn't want to sustain body damage. Seeing as I am installing sliders within a few weeks, it seemed foolish to try, so I parked at the bottom and became the spotter/cameraman for the trail run.
D0DCF93D-9AEC-4FDA-8C24-AD7253E30485_zps37ng0gk7.jpg


Vincent led the group with his 4Runner. 37” tall tires and low, low gears made his rig the most capable of the group. He hardly required a spot, and was usually far ahead on the trail.
DSC02189_zpsdbyn91yf.jpg


DSC02212_zpszclrb6p2.jpg


DSC02239_zpsqttidewi.jpg


DSC02252_zpswxoclzqu.jpg


DSC02264_zpsbngy4jt6.jpg


Andy took a tough line and ended up 2 wheeling on a boulder and lost forward momentum, ultimately taking the other line. Major props for the attempt, it was awesome! SLIDERS for the win!
DSC02284_zpsakurvvxv.jpg


DSC_0033_zpsxye2fgvj.jpg

PC: Vincent

DSC02291_zpsck9pfysz.jpg


DSC02302_zpsdjbd39ex.jpg


See 2 of 3 below
 
Last edited:

MTN4RNR

Adventurer
Highway 4 to 88 - 2 of 3

TACOOOOOOOOO
DSC02318_zpsaz4kbrzz.jpg


DSC02332_zps70ssjwa0.jpg


After finishing up a short run of the Deer Valley trail, we headed back down the mountain to the west to check on the Corral Hollow trail. We were stopped by snow at the trail head at the eastern entrance, and met the same story at the western entrance.
E01ED6A0-D8BE-4E73-BD13-12DB8A867020_zpsbsq9bpt9.jpg


So we moved to lower elevations and made our way to an OHV area around 6000' elevation. We didn't encounter nearly as much snow, and the need for a campsite was approaching. Game on.
118B31CD-7B36-4546-AD99-D2FC7F994B73_zpsthlyjafd.jpg


DSC_0044_zpswkvxqloj.jpg


DSC_0056_zpszmgq8hqr.jpg

PC: Vincent

After about 20 miles of slow paced sections and some 40 mph rally stages, we settled on an area next to a creek with a few established fire pits. Set up camp, had some beers, had some conversation around the campfire, and settled in for the night.
C418BE39-6512-4CBB-A9BA-DB54CBA047E6_zpsojvccqlk.jpg


I also got a good opportunity to test out the Hatch Light Mod in the wild. I was pretty amazed by the light output of the S2 from @baja designs.
DSC02373_zpsdqhzu2fh.jpg


Morning breaks in the campsite.

Hotel 4Runner
C999E832-6E2D-4C9E-B2E9-ECD4A30B46EF_zpsb24c9ult.jpg


DSC02375_zpspjtrfa8e.jpg

PC: Andy

IMG_6815_zpsd198gapl.jpg


Breakfast on the creek
7CDB6AF7-4707-458F-961A-F3D3D24E4F93_zpslfm0moxp.jpg


See 3 of 3 below
 
Last edited:

MTN4RNR

Adventurer
Highway 4 to 88 - 3 of 3

We then dispersed from camp and headed through the National Forest land, with the exit point being Highway 88, north of our location.
0738F85F-498E-49AA-99C9-EE0B439FFD07_zpssum2jfuy.jpg


FAC0B14B-9E05-4E24-9DA5-08DDA49CAA63_zpsmkgrkvep.jpg


We then came across a river that had an optional river crossing with an overhead bridge. Needless to day, we took the optional route.
DSC_0076_zpsrnvrmd0q.jpg


DSC_0092_zpsdovqkbdm.jpg

Woo hoo diff breather mod!
DSC_0104_zpsijoyi4w4.jpg

PC: Vincent

We then found ourselves upon the swollen Mokelumne River and a sweet campsite next to it.
IMG_6793_zps5stw7soc.jpg


IMG_6790_zpsrj9igsuy.jpg


Crossing the river [on a bridge, duh] we headed out of the canyon, towards Highway 88, and to the end of the adventure! 55 miles off road, 2 days, 5 rigs, and an awesome adventure! I can't wait for the next trip!
DSC_0115_zps39yphe9n.jpg

PC: Vincent

IMG_6794_zpsf3uxvkxh.jpg


IMG_6808_zpsweyh0nvw.jpg


More to come….​
 
Last edited:

Comanche Scott

Expedition Leader
Was a great trip!
I was impressed with how well your 4Runner did with just the tires. That is one very capable vehicle. You drove it well! :beer:
 

MTN4RNR

Adventurer
Found a great view
6BB01841-59EE-46E7-9232-6ABAF9A7A90C_zpse3zqzehq.jpg


Found a great campsite
F90DA1CC-5237-4CB9-B8D6-F413727501BE_zpsxhr04qqf.jpg


Installed some great sliders
B9DB1D91-194F-4E3F-A370-5D7D4A5A9057_zpsngirxllj.jpg


Overall, a great weekend :wings:
A more detailed recap later today...​
 
Last edited:

MTN4RNR

Adventurer
Rattlesnake Road - June 2016

This weekend I took some time to head into the Sierras off of I-80. I scheduled to have my sliders installed at 4x4 Labs on Monday in Grass Valley (more on that later) so I decided that I would head up Sunday morning to explore around an area that I had plotted out on a map, but have never driven. I checked last weekend when I was passing through to make sure the gate was open, and it was. So I made my way up I-80 in the morning, hoping maybe I would find a good campsite and maybe a thunderstorm.

74A3BAFF-4A84-4E93-9452-42A070CE9A02_zps3zjaf7g8.jpg


On my way up before getting to the Rattlesnake Road area I stopped in another area I have always been curious about to do some preliminary scouting for open/locked gates. That's the fun part about having a loose schedule, you get to say, "hm what's over there" and then just go. Found a few potential places to explore later on.

A76C9BBD-3D4F-44BC-A1CB-7B4F57E246BA_zps6onsuomw.jpg


I reached Rattlesnake Road, aired down to 20 in the front, 18 in the rear. When I am packed light, I have found this to be a good forest service road pressure combo.

B00C009D-2848-4102-8890-FBA4CE8C5CE3_zpsvurm4k8y.jpg


I was immediately met with a cascading creek (that I would later camp by up the mountain).

655D8574-35FF-44B8-9AD0-2E1835552E58_zpscnof41bc.jpg


I initially wanted to reach Lola Montez Lake, but snow would stop me, and I would come back to this point, venturing towards Sterling Lake and Fordyce Lake.

B282F6A6-E385-4F4B-AF28-6D1203749BB6_zpsnwuwlvz5.jpg


I found a locked gate, and a great campground just beyond it on the creek. Saved for a future trip.

CB2F059A-DF44-46AC-84BF-F4EFCD8347A7_zpstbr8e382.jpg

EA953E40-7203-4CEF-A82F-A37C19838796_zpsxrbzfrqm.jpg


Continued up the road towards Lola Montez Lake, and met some snow which ultimately forced me to turn around. Being solo, there wasn't a point to push getting stuck, even with a shovel and MaxTraxx. Not worth it.

4B1ED964-19D9-4085-9B6B-6031874FB63E_zpsqgdjurap.jpg


Doubled back to the fork and made it to Fordyce Summit overlooking Fordyce Lake. I didn't venture too far down there because I knew I wanted to stay on the Rattlesnake Creek side of the mountain. Saved for a future trip.

E0D7A256-973A-477E-84F7-5B7C3CFCE59B_zpsus9amtgm.jpg

A27542BC-B7D0-471D-9AB1-8620DD9F97E1_zpsnzt1kbbz.jpg

0A59CBB7-01E5-4CA6-8C77-C43F0B32D58C_zpsln5qx4e8.jpg


I thought for fun I would try to head up the east side of Signal Peak just to see how the trail was, knowing I would likely need to turn around. Sure enough, snow. Saved for a future trip.

00AEAC8C-7C77-4BF0-9064-2E3AB6FC6CA6_zpstyrpjqnt.jpg


One last exploring attempt to head towards Sterling Lake was stopped by...? You guessed it, snow. I made it through a few smaller drifts, and likely could have humped it over this one, but with it being uphill on the way out, I figured the likelihood of getting stuck was too high. Saved for a future trip.

25205295-FC04-477A-A18D-A29EE4853EA4_zps1nosykrm.jpg


So we came back to a campsite I had spotted earlier in the day on Rattlesnake Creek, tucked away from the road. Set up a small fire and made camp.

F90DA1CC-5237-4CB9-B8D6-F413727501BE_zpsx2tbk8fv.jpg


I got a chance to try out my Snow Peak torch, which took some practice, but I eventually figured it out and it worked great. Plus who doesn't like things that blow fire!

3596B50F-8AF7-484A-B079-90F9128BA2C8_zpsjvqugxoi.jpg


Morning in Hotel 4Runner

D4F8AB33-52BE-43D2-BE0D-F95DE807BD40_zpsc4k7isty.jpg


Coffee and dutch apple pie for breakfast

7FFC0716-4789-4C2D-962F-5CBBE23A80C3_zps2iceyai8.jpg

AB287BC2-E179-4C31-9922-583C76ABC212_zpsh9zd8uks.jpg


After breakfast we packed up and headed out of camp, and down the mountain to 4x4 Labs just in time for my appointment. Overall a great area, a fun overnight destination, and a place I look forward to exploring more!



More to come...
 

MTN4RNR

Adventurer
A tiny bit on the front passenger at 3/4 lock under compression. But it's not enough to do anything other than brush the dirt and mud off of the plastic fender piece it contacts. So, technically yes, but not really, ha!
 

ohanacrusader

Adventurer
OK thanks for the quick response, I am looking for my next set of shoes and feel that the Duratracs aren't working out with my 4runner. Quick questions do you get any harmonic noise coming through your steering wheel from the cooper's?
 

MTN4RNR

Adventurer
OK thanks for the quick response, I am looking for my next set of shoes and feel that the Duratracs aren't working out with my 4runner. Quick questions do you get any harmonic noise coming through your steering wheel from the cooper's?

No problem! The Coopers (for their tread pattern) are pretty quiet. And the steering wheel doesn't shimmy or "hum" with them on there, maybe a bit more under hard cornering, but any tire in the ST Maxx's class will do that. Overall I have been very happy with them, and any noise is something that I don't notice or care about anymore as their off-road performance outweighs that aspect for me.
 

MTN4RNR

Adventurer
4x4 Labs Slider Installation

After heading out on multiple trips, some with others some without, I decided that sliders would be a valuable addition to my 4Runner. Many people think that they're just for rock crawling rigs, but I started counting the number of times that something "could happen" to the rocker panels. On forest service roads, sometimes you come across small downed trees that you need to drive over, or large logs that you have to squeeeeze through, right at rocker height. Even driving in snow, if you drop into a rut and hit some ice, that can be enough to ********** your door. That being said, I do plan on traveling though rocky areas as well, where these are invaluable. So I decided that sliders were a good way to protect my investment. And as many of you know/joke about, I am still on stock suspension, making my ground clearance even lower so these will give plenty of side protection.

Now, why I went with 4x4 Labs. Simply, from what I could research/see, these are the best fitting sliders available for the 4Runner. Luke designed them to allow for the sliders so come about 3/4" from the bottom of the doors, giving the most amount of clearance on the sides as possible. And they offer the most protection overall, especially underneath. They have a fully plated, "boat-style" skid plate that rolls from the rocker panel to the frame rail. This makes the whole area from the door edge to the frame a big skid plate, protecting the rockers/undercarriage, and allowing larger objects to slide along not just the outside of the slider (on the rails), but underneath as well. A big winner for this design for all of you KDSS guys is it protects all of the KDSS components which, if you haven't looked, sits on the outside of the driver's frame rail. Right in the path of potential objects to impact the main KDSS valve body, as well as the hydraulic lines that run on the outside of the rails front to rear. So covering it all up is a great benefit. On one of my last trips of cruising forest roads, I came home and to my surprise, there was a 1" diameter branch that was wedged between the frame and a KDSS line. YIKES! They are connected to the frame with 3 U-bolts per side, and are extremely sturdy. Now, lets see some photos...

The sliders:
Bottom
D8EBDAEF-13B2-447A-B2EE-33999BCDBFD3_zpsytidusmc.jpg


Top (apologies for the shotty photo)
C8071541-2935-4656-9926-54F38804750E_zpscyd9wist.jpg


Installation:
Fresh off the trail, into the bay
39CF14F7-C401-414E-925E-19629682E71E_zpsw30j7tdj.jpg


And up it goes!
B6696184-A1F0-498D-8027-EAACC4EA2AFB_zpsmj7pnaky.jpg


OEM rocker panels come off
8B83B19C-BAE9-4AED-A05E-51768F5EE77C_zpscooxqtdi.jpg


Front mud flap and end cap removed (I was nice and sprayed the fresh mud off of the underside before coming to the shop)
595F6691-8B98-4DDC-B935-0413AAD9CCE2_zpsn2cakasb.jpg


Driver's side KDSS skids come off
Before (see what I mean about exposure)
BE6A6352-6853-45FF-B4CD-DD0D55789DF1_zpst3izaflj.jpg

After
4D5A79C2-5DC1-48EB-82FD-488AAA696B67_zpsledsx3kc.jpg


Not pictured, the fuel tank skid was loosened, as well as the emergency brake line and the KDSS hydraulic line towards the rear of the frame rail. That is about it for prep work.

Lifting them up was two guys lifting and one guy with the hardware. It was at this point I was happy I wasn't installing them in my driveway, but it was killing me that I could only watch...

They lifted vertically, and rotated them into position under the rocker panel.
DC82CE18-0598-44CC-83F4-B96B61D04750_zpskpgsd5xj.jpg

734AF595-A148-4D05-887B-4EAF0CBAB352_zpseoqhxw7l.jpg

F20AFC09-B206-488D-A5C9-417645390939_zpsml7yqfcq.jpg


Hardware installed, and the passenger side was on.
2AE8120C-C0EA-48AB-BB84-DAF692EC27CC_zps5kcc9rw4.jpg


Now, the driver's side (for any with KDSS and sliders, you understand) is much more difficult because you need to move the sliders in and around the hydraulic lines that extend from the rear to the front of the frame rails. The sliders are KDSS specific and have cut outs on the frame attachment points that go around the lines. Because of the size of the shop, and the 'crowded...ness' of the driver's side, I didn't get any photos of this part of the installation, but it was the same method. They started vertically, brought it under by rotating and lining it up the hydraulic lines with the cut outs and brought it to the frame. To get the bolt in next to the fuel tank, it's cramped. This is why the skid needs to be loosened because the 1/4" of movement you get with loosening it is enough to get the bolt in. They evened the sliders front to back and tightened everything up. The last bit to the driver's side is grinding the KDSS crossover plate to fit with the sliders.

[NOTE: I will be taking some more 'after' photos of the driver's side, including the KDSS line routing, and the KDSS crossover that has been modified. Look for updated photos tonight]

Here are the results:

Underneath you can see the skids coming back to the frame and the mounting hardware
5BD1F8D2-9810-4431-B452-0B50F812123B_zpstdfxy9ha.jpg


Fresh out of the shop. They are the cleanest thing on the truck right now, but not for long
FEED658D-7CBD-4132-B582-A38387D3CDC2_zpsloe6fzfi.jpg

F652C584-825D-430E-AF05-8B9CB6A99E78_zps4df2otoq.jpg


And a few close ups
B8CE80D3-67F6-48B2-963D-560ECAAE3346_zpscvvgxvsp.jpg

6A0ABEC4-88F5-46A5-B03D-DF9DEB82D744_zps0nflzu1r.jpg


I figured out that the mud flaps will reinstall without any interference with the addition of a zip-tie. I will run with them for now, but if they're ripped off later on, I won't be sad. You can see how close the sliders fit to the body
E36BD6A2-8DA1-4DAB-811C-825A6F64C784_zpsybg0rhub.jpg


23B3DA4A-2422-4FDF-9B2B-EB70C1D4F49B_zps1qnvrnfs.jpg

7941B8FF-047B-45AF-8D5E-E4CE2F9B238E_zpsymysewvg.jpg


As soon as they get dirty, hopefully this weekend, I promise I will update this post with them being used. And that's about it. They are built like a tank, and they will likely outlive the 4R. Let me know if you have any questions about the sliders, I would be happy to help.​
 

Bretthn

Explorer
Very nice. This is the first time I have seen sliders that incorporate skidplates. I can see this preventing you from getting hung up on the slider to frame legs.
 

MTN4RNR

Adventurer
Front Runner 45L water tank

I installed a Front Runner 45L water tank this weekend. Going on longer trips, sometimes in areas where water is less available lead me to wanting to have a reservoir system in the truck. Usually it's me, my girlfriend and dog on these camping trips. If we were less restrictive on water, I figure we use 1-2 gallons per person, per day including cooking/washing dishes. So this tank should last us 3-6 days depending on our usage. Plus dog uses roughly 0.5 gal/day. It might be a bit overkill, but I would rather have more water than not, and I hated buying the gallon containers from the store every time we headed out. I should get many years of use out of this tank, and it can also be mounted to a roof rack later down the road and used for a makeshift shower. I made a wood platform to sit on the driver's rear seat back which is almost always down anyways to let air flow through the dog's crate in the back. I attached it with paracord and an ez-cam to lock it in. This is a first attempt, and like everything else I do, I will see how it works and improve from there. The hose will be routed to the rear with a valve/quick release at the tank and a valve at the end. This way I can remove it without pulling the whole hose out. Anyways, here it is in all of it's glory. I will be adding the valves and quick release today, so I will update photos later on.

11EC8D11-F748-400E-AD54-D00106574180_zpssbfy5tax.jpg


Now I need a second one on the passenger side, solely for beer storage...​
 

Forum statistics

Threads
188,173
Messages
2,903,176
Members
229,665
Latest member
SANelson
Top