Hunting in a 4Runner

[Jakeb]

Just picked up a 19 4Runner trd orp. Coming from a 2500 with tons of room and suspension not made for forest service roads. Starting to get a few things on it ready to hunt next fall. Planning to leave it mostly factory, I don’t think I will lift it or anything. It currently has some cheap a/t tires that will do for now. Going to pick up a roof rack, and considering a front bumper with a winch. I have one of those huge pelican gun cases that’s basically so big I hate using it I’ll probably screw to the roof rack for storage.

Going to sleep in the back, will make some sort of platform. I’m short to so that will help.

Looking at options to carry an elk back across the country and I would also like to be able to store a few extra gallons of gas for just incase.

May get one of those armadillo fuel bags. They seem easier to store than any of the can options I’ve seen.

I’ve seen a few adds for those large cooler bags in, some reviews say they will leak on you. They seem like the easiest option.

Cargo carriers just seem like a pain going down forest service roads with. Also seems easy to have something stolen while traveling.

Also 100% will need to get something for apple car play.

 

[Poser]

The thing that will make the single biggest difference in the ride on rough roads, be them chunky or just miles of grated FS roads, is the ability to efficiently air down and air back up. Twin compressor that can handle at least 2 tires at the same time with a preset/auto shutoff is indispensable. You also need a tire deflator unless you hate yourself and want to do the job manually (you;ll only do that once....). Airing down is a greater advantage than a lift or high end suspension. I'd take good tires at 20 psi with stock suspension over King suspension at highway psi.

Next up on that 4Runner: Change every fluid on it. Differentials and transfer case are super easy to DIY. Unless there are records that show these have been maintained, assume they have never been changed (few people do this) and put them on a 30,000 mile maintenance schedule. Same goes for your coolant, power steering and brake fluids.

Next up: grease the propeller shafts every 30k. You could reasonably bet money this hasn't been done since the vehicle left the plant. 30k maintenance, 15k if you are offroad a lot. Easy to DIY with a grease gun.

Transmission fluid. This can be a critical area of neglect because of the mfg claim of "lifetime fluid".

"Lifetime" = 6 years/60k.

If this hasn't been done for mileage and that 2019 is over 100k already, do not do a flush. Drain and fill only and then stay on top of it every 60k. Toyota hasn't updated the transmission design in 4runners since 2003 for good reason: these transmissions are bullet proof if you simply change the fluid every 6 years/60k. This one is a little more complicated to DIY as you need a OBD scanner to read the transmission temperature. A. drain and fill at a shop is about $150-$200. A flush will run $300-$400, but again, I would not do a flush unless you know for certain that the transmission fluid has been changed on the mileage/age schedule.

And then by age alone, I'd go ahead and change the spark plugs, PCV valve and clean the throttle body and mass airflow sensor. Spark plugs are a little bit of trouble on the 5th gens, but not terrible by any stretch for modern vehicles, but there is some disassembly required. The pcv valve, throttle body and MAF are super easy, especially when doing spark plugs.

Do that maintenance + 5k oil changes, and you'll take that vehicle to 300k+ if you want.

 

[justinspicher]

Anything you add to the rig (room rack, bumper) will add weight and decrease power and fuel mileage.

I know you’re traveling out of state, but I’d consider being as minimal as possible.

That pelican case can be used for recovery gear and slid under your sleeping platform. A cooler can be moved/left outside at night when sleeping. Put your pack in the front seat and have a small tote for extra gear that goes in the passenger seat.

This is what I’d do if it were me, and I was traveling to hunt.