2016 TRD Pro in Houston, TX

I've had it for almost a year now, but just recently decided to try wheeling it. Had so much fun at Jambo this past weekend! New to the forums - thought I would say hey!

 

Welcome.....now show us some pics of your rig!

 

Welcome to the group. I was in a MGM 4Runner with the guys from TacomaWorld. We are all around the Beaumont area, but we hang out with the Dallas guys too. Keep an eye on the site, we are hopefully going to go to Hidden Falls in Marble Falls, TX in the near future.

 

No mods yet - need to get started on that! I've taken it to Gilmer (Jambo this past weekend) and Hidden Falls a couple months ago. Got a little trail damage this weekend - no going back now

 

I'm sure you got lots of advice this weekend, I'm guessing your damage was either front or rear or near the running boards?

I put on some bolt on sliders on the 4Runner and they are scuffed up. I consider that a good thing. If they had not been there I'd have hit my doors.

When we go to Hidden Falls again soon we'll likely keep to easier trails, but sliders are one of the first things I'd consider putting on the truck.

 

Scratched up the rear bumper. I definitely will do sliders first - just need to pick some out. I wanted some for Jambo but the lead time was too long so I didn't order any. I've messed up my gas tank skid - but that's what it's there for! I pushed my step sides up too - which I wasn't even upset about since I will take them off anyway. Plus I figure they saved my body by taking the hit!

 

Yea, my gas tank skid looks like that too. So dumb Toyota put the lowest hanging thing on the vehicle as a GAS TANK!

When I put my 2.5" lift on the 4Runner it started clearing a LOT more things, but I'm still gonna drop a C4 Aluminum skid on it eventually and just ride it down the rocks.

 

I need to either get a new one or have someone bang it out a little - it's rubbing on the gas tank and makes a squeaking noise when I drive. Super annoying! I wasn't really considering a lift but I'm starting to see the value...

 

When you decide to lift, you have some options, it depends on what you want, but if you want to maintain a good highway ride, keep it around 2". I drove home from Jambo to Orange, approx 300 miles, and averaged 16.5 MPG pulling a small trailer. Ride was completely comfy, not rough.

The difference offroad is quite a big difference too.

I did 2" OME 884's up front, 2" Toytec springs rear w/ Bilstein 5100's all around. I will likely add the LR UCA later.

 

@fajitas21 can i ask what that cost? I'm so damn frugal - it pains me to think about spending much...but clearly some stuff is worth it!

 

I think I paid about $850 for my lift. Add another $400 for a quality set of Upper Control Arms, which will further improve highway ride by allowing caster to get back into spec.

If you ever get anywhere near Beaumont, I only live 30 minutes from there. My wife or I can meet you and you are more than welcome to drive our 4Runner to see what it drives like with the lift. It might surprise you, but I prefer it to the stock suspension due to less body roll and better bump handling.

 

@fajitas21 that sounds great. I'm in La Porte - so not too far away. I have a friend that lives that direction - we are always talking about meeting up on the weekend so maybe I can kill two birds with one stone! And that price doesn't sound too bad...and if it makes it more capable and helps protect against damage it would be worth it!

 

Sure thing, keep me posted.

My neighbor across the street was from La Porte. I live in Orange, TX.

 

@fajitas21 I'm familiar with Orange (somewhat). The company I used to work for had an office there. Not too far at all

What did you think about Jambo? I had gone before as a passenger - this was my first time as a driver. I stuck to baby trails (I think I did Linda Gail like 6 times) haha

 

Jambo was amazing. I met at least 10 new people I plan to wheel with again. I had already gone with a pretty big group so at one point we had to split into 2 convoys because we were about 20 vehicles.

I'd never been before, but I'll be going again. I've been to Barnwell a few times, I love that place, minus the dust.

Did you have a group of people to hang out with? There's some Houston guys, us Golden Triangle guys, and the DFW guys, but we all kinda co-mingle. This year we took the 4Runner, which is my wife's, and had a blast with our 2 year old. She likes to drive but mainly just enjoys riding, she said it's like an expensive roller coaster.

As far as trails, we do 1, 2 and 3's. Almost accidentally did a 4, but I decided to ride and that was a good choice. Too bad we didn't run into each other, I took a group of new guys on about 5 trails that were all 2 stars. Some of these guys had never wheeled, and I even walked a few through how to put it in 4LO. We tried to keep thing really easy going so you can get comfortable with your truck and get ready for the future when you do something more challenging.

 

Wait, did you drive by in your 4Runner on Thursday when we were shaving Adam's head in the road by the campfire?

 

@fajitas21 I was with a decent size group - wouldn't be surprised if you know some of them. I think we did ride by you - I didn't see the head shaving but I heard it mentioned. I think pretty much everyone I was with is on these boards so you probably know them.