Project Alpha Bound - 1985 4Runner Adventure Truck Build

[ab1985]

I'm golden with storage when rolling solo, but last weekend we ran tighter on space on a family camping trip (me, wife, 2 yr old daughter, and little dog). To my surprise, it was pretty manageable, but definitely not ideal. Had I left the firewood at home we would have had more than enough space in the back (as it happened we ended up with a pack-n-play, backpack, blanket, and 5 gallon water hug in the backseat). This was kind of last minute. We're going to Mammoth Cave National Park in two weeks and I'll try to be a bit more scientific with my packing then.

Gear list:

1. Propane (not yet loaded)
2. MFC (no need on this trip)
3. Fold-n-Go Portable Toilet
4. Outback Porta Privy
5. EdgeStar FP430 on 250 lb. slides
6. Camp Organizer
7. Stove
8. Queen Size Air Mattress
9. Firewood
10. Camping Chairs
11. Tent
12. Axe, shovel, saw, lantern, extension cord

Photoshop is not my thing, so hopefully this makes sense.

 

[4runnerteq]

Nice runner. Nice pics of fall creek & smokies. Actualy tryin to talk the wife into camping at fall creek next week. I want to check out the backpacking & bike trails. backpacked in the smokies a couple times & savage gulf. Been to red River Gorge up in your area a couple times. Im over in Paducah. 97 runner. Sonoran Steel & 285s. Gotta love a 1st gen though. Just cool trucks. Yours looks great.

 

[ab1985]

Fall Creek Falls is awesome for hiking, swimming, and biking. It was our go-to when we lived in Nashville. I have yet to get to the Red River Gorge/Natural Bridge area which I'm ashamed to admit. Still trying to figure out this family camping thing. I'd like to get to LBL down your way while the weather is still nice.

 

[4runnerteq]

Was just there yesterdau on the mountain bike. Very fortunate to be so close-25 miles. Got a lot of nice back roads to run & Turkey Bay OHV area. I had just as soon stick to the unmaintained roads though. Hopefully I'll be at fall creek next Sunday afternoon for a few days. Fall brake here & kids are out of school.

 

[98roamer]

I hope you don't mind if I do a thread resurrection. I was going through and organizing my camping pictures and camp across our Big South Fork National River & Recr..... trip in July of 2010.
We stayed at the Blue Heron campground for a week but in a popup with AC due to the heat wave and we were doing some volunteer work in the area. It was a first time for me to camp with small black bears in the campground. Which turned exciting near the end.

The Barthell's Mining Camp has cabins that they rent so they are "open" but you have to get in when they open the gates for guess or visit via the tourist train that runs out of the Stearns Station, which you pictured. It's a small replicate of the mining town with shops full of a forgotten time, but its private so the hours are screwy.

But, the reason for me posting, is for future reference, if you follow the road past Barthell's to the end, 1/2 mile you come to the end of the railroad line.
http://www.bsfsry.com/index.php/news-and-info/blue-heron

A birds eye view of the Blue Heron Coal Mine you can see from the overlook, across the river,


The bridge used to carry small coal cars from the mine to be sorted and loaded into rail cars.

It was very interesting to walk around on the self guided tour and read the history of the mine. We were trying to image life back they, which really helps me put life's little issues into perspective.

There are a lot of forest service roads in the area some lead to trails east of the town,


This arch was seen from a very sandy trail.

But not all trucks made it out of the area, it's like a time stamp of time.


I enjoyed your trip report and encourage you to try Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge. Both are great camping and hiking parks for a family. Just be aware to all the cliffs. We go at least once every year and just got back from RRG last weekend.

Day 1 was Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area via Daniel Boone National Forest from Prospect , KY. I got in late and got a fire started enough to relax for a few minutes. The next morning I ate, hiked to Devil's Jump, and went to check out Barthell's Mining Camp. The mining camp ended up being closed (despite the sign that insisted they were open). I decided to head back into to town and visit the museum in Stearns, KY. It was hot and I had planned to be in the mountains by now so I decided to shoot down to Great Smoky Mountain National Park for a couple days.

Camped at BSFNRRA:

 

[4runnerteq]

Didbt make Fall Creek Falls. But headin to Savage Gulf this weekend for some backpacking this weekend. Cant wait.

 

[Jeff@QuadShop]

Nice build! We have got to get together for a wheeling trip!!!

 

[ab1985]

Thanks, Jeff. I haven't had much time for the truck lately, but it's always ready for a road trip. *hint hint* :sombrero:

I sent you a PM about the dual battery kit I'm about to install. I'm also going to rework the sleeping platform with new 36" drawer slides to support the extension. I've decided to re-gear and lock the differentials and replace the 33's with 35's (just need to find tires). Finally, I still have a 14 gallon onboard water setup with electronic pump and heat exchanger to install. I need to get busy.

 

[dorton]

Cool ride. I just re-joined the 1st gen 4runner club as of last night. I'm looking forward to building a family friendly rig myself.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sempertoy]

I just wanted to bump this thread to the top. It is one of my favorite builds on the forum! Have you had any luck swapping your 33's out for 35's?

 

[ab1985]

Thanks! No luck swapping tires. The story I'm getting is that the KM2 mold was damaged, but production should be back online this month or next. If that's the case I'll just buy a new set then.

The 4Runner hasn't gotten much love lately, but I'll get back at it soon!

 

[ab1985]

The extension for my sleeping platform was a separate piece of ply that locked into place and was laid across the top of the folded down back seats. This worked well, but my 4Runner came with a rear seat delete panel and I knew I wanted to use it as a truck if my kid(s) weren't along for the ride. My other complaint - there was no good place to carry the panel when loaded with the seats back. A couple of months ago I ordered a set of 36" drawer slides to support the extension instead (I have had nothing but good experience with TCH http://www.tchweb.com/tchstore/product/520-36113/c800/36--250-lbs-Full-Extension-Drawer-Slide.html). I stared at it for a while, then two weeks ago I set out integrating the extension into the storage unit to be usable with or without the back seats. I still have to add a couple 1/4" shims and carpet, but I think this will work well when the 4Runner is in truck mode.

 

[ab1985]

I was getting things together for a yard pass/camping trip I had secured for last weekend. This, before our new baby is due on 6/24 (last camping trip for a while). Unfortunately (or fortunately?) just before I left I ran across a 40th Anniversary LC that was a much better fit for our growing family, so instead of camping in the 4Runner I took a road trip to pick up a new addition to the stable. 5 hours after picking her up in GA I was on the Tennessee River for two days and even in stock form I could tell I was going to love camping in the LC. With 108k on the clock she has plenty of life left in her and is probably more suited for family adventures.

My driveway looks jacked in the picture below, but it's straight. The LC has brand new KM2's and is really good shape. Sorry no pics from the river; I couldn't pack my good camera with all my gear when I flew out.

 

[ab1985]

I'm still working through the logistics of having 3 vehicles with a two car garage. I think I can make things work with the space we have, but insurance may be a deal breaker. The 4Runner may end up getting parked for a while as I build up the 80. Luckily I have a ton of stuff that was going on the 4Runner that can go right on the LC (CB, antenna, dual battery kit, 14 gallon water tank, Jabsco variable speed water pump, plate heat exchanger, complete sink/shower setup). That should keep me busy for a while. So for now I will retire this 4Runner thread. If I start it up again it, let's hope it's for a good reason.

Here's a pic from my hiking trip to Natural Bridge last fall. Love this 4Runner.

 

[Sempertoy]

Congrats on the 40th! That is a beautiful rig. I'm sure you will do many tasteful mods to this one jut like the 4 runner. I still want a first gen one day.

I am also glad that you found this, because ever since you announced that you were looking for an 80, I have pondered offering to trade you mine. However those thoughts went away after last weekend's camping trip. You will be BLOWN AWAY at the comfort of these things offroad. I cruised comfortably through the rocky desert at about 40 mph.