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.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Poser knows what’s up. Do what he says.

However to save money, just get a VIAIR compressor vs onboard air and for deflators I much prefer these: https://over-sand.com/

As far as gear/sleeping there are a billion variations - just google 4Runner overlanding to give you ideas.

I personally can’t stand stock 4Runner suspension, too much brake dive and body roll. Depending on mileage and use, you may want to factor in suspension sooner than later.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I just pull the valve cores when airing down. m18 compressor does a damn fine job and I can move it rig to rig. Very happy with it.

 

[missjordan]

We ditched the UTV life about 4 years ago and got a ford bronco and here are things that work for us to consider

We haven’t found a good solution for fuel yet since our vehicle has these odd anti theft devices for fuel siphoning that really prevent us from using gas cans, so we really make sure just to stay fueled up everytime we return to base camp. But Rotopax may seem like a good compromise and lots of aftermarket companies make mounts for the 3rd windows or spare tire mounts. We bring a drum and it keeps us in the hills for multiple days at a time so we’re not running to town so often for fuel,

You may want to consider a lift if you have an interest in running chains. We do a combination of airing down and chains in the winter. Bringing a compressor is a must whether you decide on a build in one under the hood or bringing one with you.

Storage for all your gear definitely is the Achilles heel as it seems like you never have enough room or it gets messy in a hurry. We bought a 1/2 roof rack on the top with a tool box for all the recovery equipment, tools. Chains go in the back in another box. We plan on ditching that set up and going with a full roof rack and might mount gun cases up there to save on space in the cab. Last, we built a basic wood platform to keep the dips even for sleeping and it works well. Hope this helps


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[willfrye027]

Echoing above, ability to air down and back up is the number 1 upgrade I would do.

My DD and hunting vehicle is a ‘06 tacoma..I was thinking about putting $$ into a suspension but got an ARB compressor and honestly don’t think I’ll ever need to. In addition to better traction the ride is way smoother. Instead of rattling teeth around I am driving a good 10-15mph faster on washboard stuff and doing it comfortably

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Do yourself a favor and get a roof rack. I use a big sled on my jeep rack to haul quarters and heads. When not in use I just flip the sled over.

 

[eddielasvegas]

What are you folks airing down to? 15 lbs?

Here's what I for for my '01 T4R tranny fluid. I change my engine oil at 5k. Every 2nd or 3rd OC, I drain the tranny oil from the pan (~4.3 qts.) and replace with new. My tranny fluid looks like new since it's practically replaced every three drain and fills.

I second what @Poser said about the greasing your propeller shaft Zerk fittings. Mine has eight and I grease them every couple years.

Here's another tip I forgot to mention: Engage your 4WD once every month or two and drive a mile or two.

And if your really want to get chest deep in all things T4R, join HERE.


Good luck.


Eddie



P.S. My T4R has 200k miles and is barely broken in so I fully expect my son to inherit it when I shuffle off this mortal coil.

 

[Steve300xcw]

What are you folks airing down to? 15 lbs?

was down to 10psi the other day in my tacoma

 

[woods89]

I had an 04, wrecked it, and now have an 06. Mine doesn't have a lot done to it, and works just fine. I did build a open top box out of plywood and painted it with bedliner paint that goes in the back so I can put a whole animal ( or firewood,etc) inside.

Carrying fuel is one issue that SUVs bring to the table. When I rolled my 04 I had a can of premix fuel in the back for my chainsaw, and after that experience I decided I didn't want any fuel inside anymore. The other side is that fuel on the outside is also vulnerable in an accident, whether up top, on a side window, or a hitch carrier. This is one thing that pickups do have an advantage in, as long as the fuel can be secured in the bed.

Long story short, fuel cans on a side window or a roof rack are putting you at more of a fire risk in a rollover.

 

[Skerhunter]

I’ve used a gx460 (better 4Runner ) on a few out of state hunts now. Using it to sleep in takes up a lot of space, but is doable. I only sleep in it my way out and back for that reason (tent at base camp or back pack hunt). Solo your fine but for elk hunting cooler storage space for more than one hunter is a bit of an issue. Below is what I do and what I would change.

Current set up
- tools/recovery gear etc gets buried below folded down seats (stuff you probably don’t need to ever access).
-boots/tripod/optics/pack/rifle rides in passenger seat.
-sleeping platform (makes it level across folded down seats) with thick memory foam pad cut to size (rolled up when not needed).
-sleeping bag and pillow compressed down when not in use.
-2 Plano totes - one is for hunting one is for camping stuff. (Stack these on passenger side when sleeping in it)
-duffle bag with clothes
- 70qt cooler with food/drinks on ice (must unload off sleeping platform and store outside when sleeping).
-compressor/jump pack/charging station
-random camp chair
- swing out rear hitch carrier - holds 150qt cooler (room for extra gas can if needed) water/dry food storage for easy access.
- doubles as a table
-Once it’s needed for meat storage I just unload it and toss stuff in the back. Clearance hasn’t been an issue to so far.
-I’m lacking on cooler space for a large bull, so I don’t take this on my extended elk hunts.

Things I have considered:
-Most mobile camp set up - I would add a roof top tent. However I wouldn’t do this unless you can remove it easily for daily driving.
-Best base camp set up would be one of the overlanding trailers to hold gear/sleep in. Preferably with a storage space up front for coolers/fuel. One huge pro for this is it can be used with any suv/truck either a hitch.
-To improve storage I would add drawers to the back and cut back on the need for totes.
-I would get a swing out for a rear tire carrier/extra fuel if needed. Getting the spare out on the gx sucks. Extra fuel tank storage would be nice.

Things I’m not sold on:
-I don’t think I would use a roof rack for much. Storing gear up there would be a PIA to access/secure at times and getting a cooler of elk meat up there solo ain’t happening.
-off-road mods like bumper/winch/sliders. Most areas I have hunted in Wyoming/colorado/montana it’s just not needed. Obviously there are exceptions.

 

[coya]

You'll be amazed how much usable space you can create by removing the second row seat bottoms before a solo trip. They're too easy to remove/install as needed.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Also beware.. Some of the guys on here will have you packing more shit in that 4runner than your 2500 was rated to haul

 

[coya]

Sleeping on top of a drawer system next to 2 105's is where I settled with no plans to change. Perfect rig for a solo hunter

 

[Maverick1]

@Jakeb - regarding the cargo carrier - get a one piece rack with a 2” rise/lift on the main beam. The one piece rack eliminates annoying squeaks and rattles. The 2” rise provides enough ground clearance to not mess with your departure angles. And the cargo carrier can be sized to easily hold a full size 150 quarter cooler, enough to haul frozen meat in on the trip home.

 

[Steve300xcw]

When I rolled my 04 I had a can of premix fuel in the back for my chainsaw, and after that experience I decided I didn't want any fuel inside anymore.

Eye opening isnt it. I rolled a bronco years back and between rifles flying outta windows and the factory jack ripping outta the wall an ping ponging around...Made a guy think about what all was in there

 

[Jon Boy]

I have a 21 4Runner. By far my most favorite rig to hunt out of. The ride is so freaking smooth I never even considered airing down the tires.

I messed around quite a bit with trying to build it out and honestly I just settled on folding the seats down and laying out my sleeping pad with a nice set of pillows. Fits a cooler and one of those yellow top totes perfectly along the side that make a nice night stand. You’ll get your system dialed after a few night.

 

[30338]

Borrowed my wife's 4runner. Daughter shot a nice whitetail buck. We quartered him and put him in a 100 quart cooler in back covered with ice. Had a 5 hour drive home. Got home and found out we forgot to plug the cooler. It stunk for about 6 months.

I think I would buy a soft bag for the roof and have it stored in back. Then I'd pack a 120 quart cooler with clothes and gear on the way out to elk hunt. If you get one, quarter, debone, ice elk in cooler. Put all the stuff that was in the cooler in the soft bag and go on roof if needed.

We have a 2018 and 2022 4runner. Both got Bilstein 6112 and 5100 shocks on all corners. Makes a nice improvement over factory in my opinion. Good luck. They typically never go down.