Been following since the beginning. Excellent job on that bumper. I was disappointed to see that Colorado was not in the cards, however after seeing those beautiful pictures of KY and TN, I'm inspired. I grew up in KY (now live in FL) but never went to Daniel Boone, never been to Smokies either, so the scenery in those pics blew me away. I doubt I'll ever make it to out west with my 4Runner, but I've done the drive from FL to KY many times, now I'm itching to do it again. I'd love to see more info on your routes, places of interest, or any specific guide books to those areas. Great trip, and the Runner just looks awesome.
Project Alpha Bound - 1985 4Runner Adventure Truck Build
- Thread starter ab1985
- Start date
D
Deleted member 9101
Guest
I love how much you have been able to cram into suck a small vehicle!!! Definitely allot of thought!
ab1985
Explorer
I'm glad everyone is enjoying it. I swear I'll get some updates up soon.
I wish I had better info here, but I didn't really have a back up plan when CO fell through. I left at 6:30 P.M. that Monday night with nothing but an address to the Blue Herron campground at Big South Fork. I stopped and bought a fold-n-go TN road map the next day and used that the rest of the way. In the mornings after I broke camp I finished off my coffee and used that map as well as the park specific literature I picked up at the welcome centers to plan my next destination.
For the most part, if you're visiting state or national parks the welcome centers can provide all the info you need. There are a ton good websites out there with info for planning trips like this in advance, though, which I would highly recommend.
I wish I had better info here, but I didn't really have a back up plan when CO fell through. I left at 6:30 P.M. that Monday night with nothing but an address to the Blue Herron campground at Big South Fork. I stopped and bought a fold-n-go TN road map the next day and used that the rest of the way. In the mornings after I broke camp I finished off my coffee and used that map as well as the park specific literature I picked up at the welcome centers to plan my next destination.
For the most part, if you're visiting state or national parks the welcome centers can provide all the info you need. There are a ton good websites out there with info for planning trips like this in advance, though, which I would highly recommend.
Sempertoy
Explorer
Hey I think that you said in an earlier post that you are running 33" tires. Is that the size you are running still? They look bigger. Also you said you used to have a tacoma? Did I understand that right? I am thinking of trading someone here local my tacoma for their 87 sas runner. What would be your biggest complaints about the runner? How is the 22re? I know that a 96 taco is obviously worth more than a runner, but I also gain passenger room and can sleep in it if I need to. If you have any words of advice I'm all ears.
ab1985
Explorer
I'm running 33x12.50x15 BF Goodrich KM2's with about 2k miles on the set. The spare is a 33x12.50x15 Goodyear MTR with 50% tread. So yes, these are 33's, but I've had others comment that they look larger.
I did have a 99 Std Cab Tacoma for several years which was an amazing truck. Unfortunately I rolled it at Tellico, and it became a 1 ton buggy project (ended up parting out when we moved due to not having a garage). It's hard to compare the two. They're both underpowered, but you get used to that. The solid axle runner will likely be less comfortable onroad, a con which of course will be countered to some degree by increased offroad performance. As with any older vehicle, just make sure it's been kept up. Try to get a feel for what type of guy the current owner is and how he treats his vehicles. Some people chronically neglect their vehicles, while others take pride in maintaining their rig and knowing that everything is functioning properly. Should you trade? You know what your needs are better than anyone else. Just work out a deal that you're both comfortable with. You each end up with a truck you like at what you both feel is a fair price. Win win.:sombrero:
I did have a 99 Std Cab Tacoma for several years which was an amazing truck. Unfortunately I rolled it at Tellico, and it became a 1 ton buggy project (ended up parting out when we moved due to not having a garage). It's hard to compare the two. They're both underpowered, but you get used to that. The solid axle runner will likely be less comfortable onroad, a con which of course will be countered to some degree by increased offroad performance. As with any older vehicle, just make sure it's been kept up. Try to get a feel for what type of guy the current owner is and how he treats his vehicles. Some people chronically neglect their vehicles, while others take pride in maintaining their rig and knowing that everything is functioning properly. Should you trade? You know what your needs are better than anyone else. Just work out a deal that you're both comfortable with. You each end up with a truck you like at what you both feel is a fair price. Win win.:sombrero:
Sempertoy
Explorer
yeah good call. What gear ratio are you running? lockers? front and rear? Do you daily drive your runner or is it a weekend play toy? What kind of gas mileage are you getting right now? sorry if I am overwhelming but I am getting serious about getting a runner and want to know everything before I do.
ab1985
Explorer
I'm running 4.88's in the front and rear differentials with no lockers. In my Tacoma I had a Powertrax No-Slip in the rear and a Lock-Rite in the front. I looked at doing front and rear ARB's in this rig but can't justify the expense for the benefit I'd get. If I were to need a locker(s) at this point, I'd probably add a No-Slip to the rear and leave the front open. I do drive this truck daily, but my commute is only 10 miles round trip. I work in corporate finance and get some pretty crazy looks from people when I roll up at work, but it doesn't bother me.:ylsmoke: My daughter and I go to breakfast every Saturday morning in "daddy's truck". Other than that it's a toy. On the highway, where I can keep 5th gear, I get around 16-17 mpg. In town it's probably 13-14. To be honest I don't keep track since I don't drive much.
If your concern is DD'ing a 1st Gen 4Runner, I'd say go for it without hesitation. Again, just make sure the truck is well kept and everything works as it should.
If your concern is DD'ing a 1st Gen 4Runner, I'd say go for it without hesitation. Again, just make sure the truck is well kept and everything works as it should.
Ruined Adventures
Brenton Cooper
Really? Hmmm, I was contemplating 4.88's and 265/85/16's for a bit but that sounds like it'll rack up way too much on the fuel budget.
I guess my calculations were way off...apparently I don't know how to use the gear calculator correctly :drool:
ab1985
Explorer
I wouldn't let my response raise too much doubt. Like I said, I don't pay much attention given my driving habits. My assertion is based on consistently getting 200 miles to a 14 gallon tank before refilling and assuming I could get another 25-30 miles (so 225/14=16). Hopefully I didn't grossly misrepresent the trucks capabilities. It's not a gas saver by any means.
NorthernWoodsman
Adventurer/tinkerer
Hmmm....
I've been trying to figure out the gearing thing for a while myself.
I run 33's with my stock 4.10 gears right now and on my last trip I averaged 340 miles per 17 gallon tank which equals 20mpg. This is a rough estimate, but close to accurate.
I want to regear to get back the power I lost when I switched to 33's and I was considering 4.88's. Sounds like they'll actually hurt my mileage even though they might give me my power back.
Do you think that 4.56's would be a good compromise to regain power, but not sacrifice my mpg's?
I've been trying to figure out the gearing thing for a while myself.
I run 33's with my stock 4.10 gears right now and on my last trip I averaged 340 miles per 17 gallon tank which equals 20mpg. This is a rough estimate, but close to accurate.
I want to regear to get back the power I lost when I switched to 33's and I was considering 4.88's. Sounds like they'll actually hurt my mileage even though they might give me my power back.
Do you think that 4.56's would be a good compromise to regain power, but not sacrifice my mpg's?
ab1985
Explorer
I wish I could weigh in here with a more informed opinion, but I'll have to defer to those who have done more study on the issue. I will say my estimate of 225 miles is at full expo load, and who knows how accurate it is. I am getting curious, though. Maybe I'll pull a Kramer and run it dry to find out.:smiley_drive:
Sempertoy
Explorer
I am also just a little confused. I was under the impression that running a higher gear ratio would improve gas mileage AND power.. I will need to do some research as well. From what it looks like you are running a newer 4 runner espc. With that 17 gallon tank. If you are running 33's I would recommend 4.56 gears. I have talked to a lot of guys that run that tire/gear size with their tacoma's. Here is a link to a thread I started on TTORA and it includes a useful gear chart on the second post. Good luck with your decision!:sombrero:
http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179023
Sempertoy
Explorer
I guess that I don't really have any hesitaion on DD'ing a first gen. They are probably some of the most reliable toyotas made. I just have a sentimental connection to my truck because its the first rig I have even built. But I feel like I am looking for something new. I feel the 4runner is probably the best expo platform that one can have and still use it as a DD. The runner I am looking at is locked front and rear with a 4.10 ratio. I will be running 35's on it (managed to swing keeping my tires) So I will have to re gear asap. I feel like the 22re will be grossly underpowered after my 3.4l tacoma. I am willing to deal with that because I have a 8 minute round trip commute to work (live on base). I guess Im just really trying to talk myself into it but by reading this post I think that maybe I have? lol.... I THINK it sounds good but when it actually comes down to pulling the trigger.... that may be a whole different story. If I do end up with the 4runner I will re read your entire post and even then Im sure I will still have questions. Thanks a bunch!
-Jon