Joe's WAYAWAY 2001 4Runner.. and adventures

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WAYAWAY

WAYAWAY

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Member III

1,473
San Diego, CA
First Name
Joe
Last Name
P
Member #

20487

My work on this 4Runner is pretty much complete.

When I picked it up, it had been fairly molested. The guy that had it bought another, lower model and wanted the turbocharger.. so the one I ended up with had to be really monkeyed with to get it running and to pass smog.
It had a lift, but the shocks were spent. On the upside, the last guy was only a parking lot off-roader.
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Here's the 4Runner when I first got it.

I had a bunch of fun with it in that form. Lots of desert trips, solo or with my sons.
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(they look so tiny in this photo! taken in 2018)

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On a road trip to Utah.
 
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WAYAWAY

WAYAWAY

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

1,473
San Diego, CA
First Name
Joe
Last Name
P
Member #

20487

Early in 2019 it was time for some changes. The front brakes were really anemic.. so I popped for the Tundra disc upgrade. Slotted rotors even.
New wheels, tires, diff drop. New front and rear axles, too. New shocks, too.
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(I love the smell of new tires in the morning... smells like.. adventure)
I decided to go for the tall, skinny look.. all 5.
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(Lynna scrambling down from the Wind Caves).

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My son Joey and I took a road trip through the Mojave Road (west to east) and on to Moab in March of 2019. Epic good times.


View attachment 133963
Me and Joey at the Penny Can.
 
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WAYAWAY

WAYAWAY

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

1,473
San Diego, CA
First Name
Joe
Last Name
P
Member #

20487

Fast forward to September 2019. The offroading, the bigger tires were taking a toll on the rear end. The brakes were squealing and the axles were leaking.
In hindsight, I shouldn't have popped for a Gen 4 Rear End, but I did. It was a fairly major upgrade.. lots of custom fab.
I could have replaced the brakes and axles a few times over for the money.

Now the wheels stick out from the fenders, too..

On the upside, it stops really damned well. Like I worry about the people behind me instead of the ones in front now.
View attachment 133964
 
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WAYAWAY

WAYAWAY

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

1,473
San Diego, CA
First Name
Joe
Last Name
P
Member #

20487

Here is how it sits right now.
View attachment 133966
Late December in Baja.

I'm having a brilliant time with this 4Runner. It has around 210,000 miles on it.. and still going strong.
My only immediate plans are to get the valve cover gaskets replaced.

Future.. I'd like to re-do the whole roof rack. Extend the length by .5 (same change was made by the guy from Overland Family Expeditions). Then pop for one of the Smittybilt Defender one piece baskets.
www.4wheelparts.com

Smittybilt Defender Rack Welded One Piece Roof Rack - 45454

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I think I can use their mounting plates and a little ingenuity to get it up there without using the Toyota roof crossbars.

Then again.. it might look like an aircraft carrier when I'm done.

Onward... TO ADVENTURE!
 
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WAYAWAY

WAYAWAY

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

1,473
San Diego, CA
First Name
Joe
Last Name
P
Member #

20487

CURRENT UPGRADE LIST:
Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks
5 BFG AT KO2 235/85r16s
5 stock steel wheels
Sonoran Steel differential drop kit
Old Man Emu 2" rear springs
2" front lift springs (no idea on what brand)
Front light bar
2 Throttle Body Spacers
K&N Cold Air Intake
Computer Chip
JET 69148 Mass Air Sensor
Tundra front brakes
Front & rear axles
Gen 4 4Runner Rear End
Yakima LoadWarrior
WeatherTech Mats
Rear Diff Breather
 
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tjZ06

tjZ06

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Advocate I

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Las Vegas/Palo Alto
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mynameisntallowed
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I've always, always loved those 3rd Gen 'Runners (especially the ones like yours before the hood scoop). Seems like a great adventure rig that you've built just the way you want!

-TJ
 
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WAYAWAY

WAYAWAY

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

1,473
San Diego, CA
First Name
Joe
Last Name
P
Member #

20487

MLK Weekend in and around Joshua Tree

Saturday night: Little Blair Valley.
Campfire, whiskey and a little simple charcuterie.
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Sunday morning:
Lynna approved banana nut campcakes and bacon.
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Sunday midday - Painted Canyon Hike. Such an amazing day hiking in the slot canyons, climbing ladders and walking along the tops of the ridges.
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The paths were clearly marked with giant stone arrows. Someone clearly loves this hike, and we could see why.
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When there is a "U-Turn" arrow, we found out that you should really pay attention..
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Sunday evening: Old Dale Road.
Not many photos. The road was either bad washboard or really aggressive rock with drop-offs. Good times in the dark.
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After setting up camp in a little wash, we made an amazing dinner (with some wine that Lynna bought in Baja)..
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Sunday night was much more comfortable, same sleeping arrangement - just about 10 degrees warmer!
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Monday morning breakfast - Breakfast Tacos!
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Monday mid-day: North of Joshua Tree there are lots of abandoned mines to explore.
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PEANUT-BUTTER-JELLY-TIME
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Monday afternoon: We headed back into JT and onto Geology Tour Rd. It connects to Berdoo Rd, where there are some fun challenges..
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Already dreaming about the next trip..
 
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Kwikvette

Kwikvette

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Central CA
First Name
Nelson
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Montero
Nice rig!

Your 4R is coming along nicely; definitely on track with what I'd do if I had gone with a 4R vs the Taco I've got.

Keep it coming
 
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WAYAWAY

WAYAWAY

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

1,473
San Diego, CA
First Name
Joe
Last Name
P
Member #

20487

Neonsnow78 said:
great looking rig man!!!! love my 96, whats size tires are those?
Click to expand...
Kwikvette said:
Nice rig!

Your 4R is coming along nicely; definitely on track with what I'd do if I had gone with a 4R vs the Taco I've got.

Keep it coming
Click to expand...

Thanks guys. I'm having a blast with it. So far it's gone everywhere I've told it to go.
 
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WAYAWAY

WAYAWAY

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

1,473
San Diego, CA
First Name
Joe
Last Name
P
Member #

20487

This weekend, my son Joey and I got in an overnighter in Arroyo Seco Del Diablo.
We hit the mud caves and did a little hiking over in Dos Cabezas.
Just about 38 miles off-road.

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The Canyon Sin Nombre overlook..
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Big moon in Vallecito Wash
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Dinner was spicy sausage and mushroom pasta.
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Our campsite.. Joey playing guitar.
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Messing around with the Night Mode setting on my phone..
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Camp is all packed up.. and we are on our way.. but first..
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Back up Canyon Sin Nombre.
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Morteros on our hike.
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The skies were so beautiful.
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More fun next weekend!
 
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