Any Members in Arkansas?

May have to go down and take a look after work today

 

If you do, ask for Ted and tell him Aaron sent ya. He's a pretty straight shooting guy for a salesman. Sold me my truck.

 

I'm sure those pods and sand ladders make a lovely sound. That's the main reason I got rid of my big light bar and went to the bumper mounted lights.

 

Yea, they look like vanity lights. The kind mall boys use to put on their make up before shopping.

 

https://www.naturalstateoverland.org/rendezvous-in-the-ozarks-info

So who's going to the Rendezvous? I'll have my truck set up in the Vendor area, so won't be able to wheel, but I'll make a great spotter / navigator for some lucky driver

 

more than likely whoever buys it will just want it to look cool though

 

I need some more forward facing light, but I think a 30"er behind the grille would be the best option. I had to wrap paracord around my Yakima bars so they'd shut up. They're supposed to be the middle ground on noise, but good grief. It was like a tornado up there. They made more noise without the paracord than they do with my boat up there. I'd hate to put a big bar up there, and it be noisy again.



Also, here's a sneak peak of the "soda squat" I have when I restock my work. Depending on the volume, I've been really close to the bumpstops before. But it's just a half mile so, meh..

 

TL;DR for Pete: Rich is feeling bitchy. No plans for the rendezvous at the moment, but who knows.

Not sure why anyone would buy a Pro and mess with the suspension. What a waste. Just buy an OR or even SR and go to town. I guess some people just have money to burn. That's about what I paid for mine new.

Aaron, maybe look at some Sumo Springs -- thinking about doing that to mine for when I load it down for a trip. I had RideRites on my '12, but it did the squat a lot worse than this one.

Did an oil change and diff fluid change on the old '06 4Runner over the weekend. First maintenance I've done since I had the timing belt and water pump done at the dealer and new tires put on. Not sure which one did it, but somebody jacked up the center skid plate a bit. I do know the dealer was a bit sloppy and didn't replace some bumper/shield clips, ripped up the rubber fender splash shield on the driver side, didn't put all the hoses back in their routing clips, and it was low on coolant. And then the tires had 38 psi in them (supposed to be 32). WTF.

*sigh*

This is why I typically do all my own work. The timing belt just had a few tricks to it that I figured a more experienced tech would handle better, but should have just done it myself. At least they got that right, but the rest is just sloppy work. Not even sure I want them doing the free maintenance.

/rant

 

Some one needs a hug.

I'm thinking about it, sounds like a lot of people but a lot of fun. Not sure you wanna shotgun spot in LC tho.

 

As long as I stay above the water line....

 

Unfortunately I will not be making it. Currently out of the country but should be back in time for the bonfire if they do it again in the spring.

 

I've really been looking into something to level out when I'm loaded up. I like the adjustability of ride rites. That's what I'm looking at for the future anyway. It'd be safer going down gravel roads to not be squatted, and as I add to my camping stuff, that need will only become greater.

I think for our Christmas party I had about 750lbs of soda in the bed + other food items. It was a lot.

 

I loved them on my '12. Some of the bracket nuts are a PITA to install unless you have baby hands, but in general it's an easy install. General rule of thumb is 1 psi for every 32-40 pounds of load, so max you should ever need is about 30 psi unless carrying over 1000 lbs. I have a bike tire pump for fat tires that only goes to 30 psi and is accurate at low levels, so I would just estimate my load and use that to adjust pressure (automatic system is expensive and overkill unless you are constantly changing loads). Huge improvement in handling when carrying heavy loads.

I was just looking at the Sumo Springs as a simpler option, but they are not adjustable and seem expensive for what they are. So you got me thinking, and I just ordered some Firestones.

 

Are you going to go for the Daystar cradles? I've read where people use those to account for full articulation and not stretching the bag since it isn't bolted straight to it. That'd be my only concern. I don't see myself lifting the truck much at all in the rear; so, I'm thinking that'd be a good long-term option.

 

I'm not lifted and don't have extended travel, so I am not worried about it. They are pretty tough bags -- according to the documentation, they are strong enough to hold the axle up by themselves, but you are supposed to let the air out first before doing that. I think the main concern is limiting down travel. Do not connect them together. Some people do that so they have a single place to put air in, but it's a bad idea -- it can actually make your handling worse. Think about where air would be forced from one to another when turning a corner.

On my 2012, I drilled holes in the bumper on either side of the license plate for the valves, it was convenient and non-intrusive. Not sure where I will put them on this truck.

Walmart.com had the best price I found (Jet.com had the same, big surprise).

 

I have bags and the daystar cradles. They work well and I can’t tell any difference in the articulation. I’m about to head to Moab and then Telluride CO area for a 1.5 weeks, so I will use them a little more there. I have mine mounted on Dakar leafs.

 

I would definitely do the cradles if I had changed from stock leafs.

Enjoy the trip, that's a good one. I did SW Colorado (Creede/Lake City area), then to Telluride, then over to Moab a few years ago. Didn't do any serious wheeling as it was just me and the dog in a bone stock TRD Off Road, and it was my first time to Telluride and Moab.

 

I'm headed that way late August, but probably Grand Staircase for a few days then Leadville area in CO. I read San Juan NF is closed. I'd be interested in a trip report, sounds fun, enjoy!

 

Eek, yeah -- forest shows open but a huge section is closed south and east of Rico. I usually hang out in the Rio Grande NF area just to the east of that, but if there are fires that close it may be a bit yucky.

 

There are some closures for sure, but I think we will manage. Last I heard most of the area we will be traveling is still open, but we may have to make a few detoures to get to those trails. We will make it fun regardless. I have a buddy from Memphis that is the acting trail leader. He has been many times (used to live out there), so I’ve been letting him do all the planning.