Moab or Bust, 1987 4Runner Low Budget Build
- Thread starter Freebirds
- Start date
JCMatthews
Tour Guide
Really like how that Jeep bumper looks on your 4 Runner.
Freebirds
Observer
Day 1
It always takes longer than expected to pack up and get out of town, this trip was no exception. We hit a few snags that set us back, a few missing supplies and I found a large screw in my tire. By the time we finally hit the road it was late afternoon. Because of our late start, we decided to change our plans and stay the night with an old friend in Grand Junction. I did one last mechanical check, topped off the fluids, and we were on our way to Moab.
This was my first time taking the 4runner over the mountains. I was concerned that a cooling issue or other mechanical problem would rear its head with the added stress of climbing the mountain passes. To my relief the 4runner ran wonderfully the entire trip, though many of the climbs were painfully slow.
The altimeter getting a bit of a work out on Vail Pass
We hit a mixture of weather on our trip; from rain, to snow, to clear skies.
We arrived in Grand Junction as the day was fading and enjoyed a few beers with an old friend.
We have tons and tons of pictures from day 2, it may take a little bit to sort through all of them.
It always takes longer than expected to pack up and get out of town, this trip was no exception. We hit a few snags that set us back, a few missing supplies and I found a large screw in my tire. By the time we finally hit the road it was late afternoon. Because of our late start, we decided to change our plans and stay the night with an old friend in Grand Junction. I did one last mechanical check, topped off the fluids, and we were on our way to Moab.
This was my first time taking the 4runner over the mountains. I was concerned that a cooling issue or other mechanical problem would rear its head with the added stress of climbing the mountain passes. To my relief the 4runner ran wonderfully the entire trip, though many of the climbs were painfully slow.
The altimeter getting a bit of a work out on Vail Pass
We hit a mixture of weather on our trip; from rain, to snow, to clear skies.
We arrived in Grand Junction as the day was fading and enjoyed a few beers with an old friend.
We have tons and tons of pictures from day 2, it may take a little bit to sort through all of them.
Freebirds
Observer
Day 2
We began the day by dropping the 4runner off at Discount Tire to have the screw removed from the tire. I had a feeling that it didn't go all the way through, but I wanted to get it checked out before we hit the trail. Then we grabbed some breakfast, picked up a couple more last minute supplies, and we were on our way.
We decided to take highway 128 into Moab since it's a bit more scenic.
The beginning of 128 with the La Sals in the background
Fisher Towers and the La Sals
Quick detour to check out Fisher Towers
Then we were off to Arches!
Jen doing some yoga
Lots of these guys running around
After a day of hiking in the desert we were ready to find a camping spot on the water. We took a four-wheel drive trail west out of Arches and met up with highway 191 and 313. We followed the map book to Spring Canyon, which eventually led us to Hey Joe trail and the Green River.
On the river with the sun setting
We began the day by dropping the 4runner off at Discount Tire to have the screw removed from the tire. I had a feeling that it didn't go all the way through, but I wanted to get it checked out before we hit the trail. Then we grabbed some breakfast, picked up a couple more last minute supplies, and we were on our way.
We decided to take highway 128 into Moab since it's a bit more scenic.
The beginning of 128 with the La Sals in the background
Fisher Towers and the La Sals
Quick detour to check out Fisher Towers
Then we were off to Arches!
Jen doing some yoga
Lots of these guys running around
After a day of hiking in the desert we were ready to find a camping spot on the water. We took a four-wheel drive trail west out of Arches and met up with highway 191 and 313. We followed the map book to Spring Canyon, which eventually led us to Hey Joe trail and the Green River.
On the river with the sun setting
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Freebirds
Observer
Day 3
We camped on a spit of sand right next to the Green River. For being in the middle of the desert there was quite a bit of wildlife. In the morning we could see all of the little tracks in the sand crisscrossing our campsite.
A view of our campsite from above (sorry for the poor quality)
A view of the river from our site
After breakfast we took the canoe out on the river. Our plan was to paddle up stream until we were tired and then float back to camp.
On the river
Private island
The wind started gusting on our return trip to the point where it was actually blowing us back upstream. We ended paddling in both directions instead of enjoying a leisurely float back to camp. The stormy weather continued for the majority of the afternoon as the cold air mass moved in. When we got back to camp we found everything covered in a nice layer of sand. By the end of the day the constant barrage of sand was starting to get to us and we decided it was time to head into town.
Sections of Hey Joe Trail
Spring Canyon was a very dramatic drive. In some sections the road is right on the edge of a sheer cliff.
After a long day of blowing sand, a hot shower and a cold beer were amazing!
Day 4
We decided to run Dome Plateau on our way out of Moab and I'm glad we did. It was one of my favorite trails. It had a variety of terrain and plenty of sights to see.
The drive back was pretty uneventful. Of course we had to make a pit stop in Palisade for a little vino
I pulled over for a quick picture on Vail Pass to add a little contrast to our trip.
I couldn't be happier with the 4runner. It was reliable, comfortable, great on the trail, and averaged about 21 mpg. My build is definitely not complete. Taking the truck on an extended trip gave me a better idea of exactly what I want. As soon as summer break begins I'll start the next stage of the build.
We camped on a spit of sand right next to the Green River. For being in the middle of the desert there was quite a bit of wildlife. In the morning we could see all of the little tracks in the sand crisscrossing our campsite.
A view of our campsite from above (sorry for the poor quality)
A view of the river from our site
After breakfast we took the canoe out on the river. Our plan was to paddle up stream until we were tired and then float back to camp.
On the river
Private island
The wind started gusting on our return trip to the point where it was actually blowing us back upstream. We ended paddling in both directions instead of enjoying a leisurely float back to camp. The stormy weather continued for the majority of the afternoon as the cold air mass moved in. When we got back to camp we found everything covered in a nice layer of sand. By the end of the day the constant barrage of sand was starting to get to us and we decided it was time to head into town.
Sections of Hey Joe Trail
Spring Canyon was a very dramatic drive. In some sections the road is right on the edge of a sheer cliff.
After a long day of blowing sand, a hot shower and a cold beer were amazing!
Day 4
We decided to run Dome Plateau on our way out of Moab and I'm glad we did. It was one of my favorite trails. It had a variety of terrain and plenty of sights to see.
The drive back was pretty uneventful. Of course we had to make a pit stop in Palisade for a little vino
I pulled over for a quick picture on Vail Pass to add a little contrast to our trip.
I couldn't be happier with the 4runner. It was reliable, comfortable, great on the trail, and averaged about 21 mpg. My build is definitely not complete. Taking the truck on an extended trip gave me a better idea of exactly what I want. As soon as summer break begins I'll start the next stage of the build.
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austintaco
Explorer
Your rig is a perfect example of what I would do, if I had to do it over again. It got you everywhere you wanted to go, with all of your gear, and you got good MPG too. Bravo.
huntsonora
Explorer
AWESOME! Love this build!
Apertura Expeditions
Observer
Awesome, awesome build! Thank you for sharing!!!
jeepstream
Observer
This is an inspirational build. 0 to Moab in just a few months.
I lived in Edwards 15 years ago so I've been over Vail Pass many times. I hope to see my 4Runner altimeter over 10k some day.
I took a similar route to Moab with three friends in a new Jeep Rubicon a few years ago. I recognize the Fisher Towers detour. There are a lot of fun quick hikes in that area and Moab.
I need to get my Runner on the road!
I lived in Edwards 15 years ago so I've been over Vail Pass many times. I hope to see my 4Runner altimeter over 10k some day.
I took a similar route to Moab with three friends in a new Jeep Rubicon a few years ago. I recognize the Fisher Towers detour. There are a lot of fun quick hikes in that area and Moab.
I need to get my Runner on the road!