So I've got a 94 3.slow 4runner. My plans are to complete it into a decent expedition-style rig. Something that can be used for creature comforts while doing primitive camping, something capable and reliable.

So far here's what's on it:
Warn bumper w/ Hella 500s
Warn m8000 winch
OME 3-4" lift kit
Radio Shack CB w/4' firestik
31" BFG A/T's
Partial herculining on doors, full on rear gate
Dual battery setup w/custom SS bat box in rear (just need to finish wiring it up)
5.29s
lockrite front (nothing in front with new SAS until $$ arrives)

Here's what is going to be installed:
T-G 4" SAS kit (I'll be removing a leaf I think)
Rear coil spacers (temporary fix until rear leaf conversion sometime this decade)

What else I think I need:
More Hella 500's
Loadwarrior rack
good quality inverter
rock lights (but this is iffy due to the mud here in FL, tough to clean 'em!
sliders

What else would you guys suggest for a decent trail rig? I'm not considering an engine swap until the 3.slow gives out totally. I've got to replace some seals on it but I think it's okay.

 

Fab a rear tire carrier that will also hold fuel cans?

 

dual batteries, some type of platform for a sleeping area, or rooftop trailer top tent like eezi awn or overland. need lots and lots of gas cans (depending on how far you travel) water cans, some type of showering system. all those lights arent all that necessary. if you get lights get some real lights like lightforce or hella rallys. hella 500s are nice but you need more spread for expedition travel. and lower cutting beams.

im doing the same thing to my truck, but i plan on buying a m101 trailer and outfitting it with bike rack, 9 can holder on the front tongue, rack bars for overland tent, water compressor for shower built on. and side step grill for the grilling.

 

I do have dual batteries right now, so that's not an issue.

As far as a platform, FL has horrible bugs. a platform is a great idea but you can't sleep with windows closed here, and the bugs are an issue so we'll do the tent thing.

As for a trailer, I've got a line on a trailer I could get for $125, but I don't have the $$ to register it and no real place to store it right now.

Good suggestion on the hella Rallyes. Definitely need a more spread beam.

Also, on the shower thing, there's a $97 unit at wal mart that has a 5-gal collapsable tank, batt. powered high pressure pump, and propane powered instant heating system (I'm buyin it, SO pimp!)

Definitely want the rear spare tire carrier. Also have a line on an 11-12gal fuel cell w/pump that I would merely set the fill line so I could extend it into the fill for the stock tank (so that the stock tank doesnt' ahve to be modified)

 

Are you on ExpeditionPortal.com?

They're big fans of 'fridgerators. Don't forget sand ladders, tire chains, air compressor, Hi-Lift and auxiliary fuel tank.

 

Yeah look me up over there, same user name


Aaron

 

Uhhh ok

 

Hang a mosquito bar from the ceiling (grab handles?)

I added picture "D" rings to the screws in the trim in my Gen1 (I know - Gen2 doesnt have that) and hang netting from it.

 

aux fuel tank

 

I've been looking into long ranger but cant find a damn dealer. They have one to fit the 2nd gen or so it seems and I can make it fit the 3rd. Its an extra 130liters, so a mild 34 gallons of extra fuel. The tank is badass and I want one.

Aaron

 

that sounds pretty damn good for sure............but I've also got a line on a 12 or 15 gallon fuel cell w/pump from a buddy. I can mount that on the underside where the spare tire was, fab up some 1/4" plate as a skid plate, and use the tank that way. I wouldn't want to hack into the stock fuel tank to run the fuel in that way, so what I'd do is wire a switch in the cab to turn on the pump, and simply run a line to the stock fuel filler location and fill the stock tank that way.

Either way, since posting this, I've completed the SAS (albeit need to get the front driveshaft made), replaced the warn bumper with an Allpro bumper, and lifted the rear a little bit. The dual battery setup is almost complete as well.

 

Have you thought about a roof top tent?
The last issue of Overland Journal has an excellent article written by BajaTaco on roof top tents.

Wayne has one on his FJ, I am thinking about one too.
https://www.yotatech.com/50600868-post167.html

 

Oh not my favorite subject, did someone say roof tent?








Oh yeah RTT are badass, little pricey but badass. I bought mine from the FL LR president for $300. Now before you say hell of a deal, the floor was rotten and the other side had been replaced quite crapily. I removed the fabric and rebuilt the whole thing, then re water proofed the canvas and after the week long test replaced the cover with a comparable material. It turned out awesome and my wife and I love it.

Aaron

 

oh god Aaron and his freaking roof tent. as soon as the two words even appear in the same sentence he gets hyped up.
Loving the pic of ur brother in the wheel well!
Serously though, that roof tent is BA and you should look into it Mike

 

This is a Hannibal by the way, not to easy to come by in the us except through atlantic british. I have the 1.2m model. Eezi awn makes a similar tent. Though they are an investment make sure you use it every weekend. Cause otherwise well you just won't use it. Being in FL we use ours in the fall and early spring.

Aaron

 

Yeah, I want the same crank 'em up style like Wayne has.
A little pricy at $2.2K or so, but they are very nice.

Yours is nice.

 

I just can't justify $2k on a rooftop tent! I could buy a used pop-up for that much and modify it with tall leaves and off road tires :\

but those things ARE really awesome.