Expedition Vehicle 874Runner???

[Hogan]

Do you think this would make a good Expedition vehicle. Right now it's my trail ride and trailer queen. I would like to get it back to more streetable, but I don't have much $$$$$ to spend on it. It's got 4" lift with longer than stock springs on 36 Super Swampers. I'm looking for some cheep ideas to lower it with out much work. Thanks

 

[80t0ylc]

Nice trail rig, but let's talk sense. It had to cost some "$$$$$" to get it where it's at, right? Now you want to make it an expedition rig and avoid spending "$$$$$"? I never owned a 4runner, but I hear that stock, they're lacking the sturdiness & room that you need for an expedition rig. Yours is beefed up for being a trail rig, which is only part of what is needed for an expedition rig. You need dependability, & also need good storage, and compliance with all regulations to make it street legal and this may be the most expensive part if it's been modified, being that it's currently a trailer queen/trail rig. You'll want an aux fuel tank and aux lighting both front and rear. Navigation aids (GPS) and radios (CB, Ham or otherwise) will be very useful. One other thing, the amount of people & gear you carry, plus the length of trip both in miles and time, greatly determine the worthiness of your expedition vehicle. Expeditions come in all sizes. Food for thought - Good luck with what you decide!

 

[justbecause]

it can be done

find a guy who wants to jack his 4runner and trade... hell he should pay you something for what you have...

knock the tires down to an easy to find 31" tire that way if you have a blow out on the street you can easily find a replacement tire off the shelf

i have seen a guy with a 4" OME kit on his 1st gen and 31 mts they looked good (didnt seem to small like i would think they would )

start a rear swing tire/cooler/jerry can carrier build a box for the back (el cheapo plywood)

i would love to have an 85 for an expo rig, if you want to go nuts you can box the frame do a VW diesel swap (lots of sites sell conversion kits for this) you have a small nimble rig thats easy on fuel

 

[Hogan]

Thank's Zrheard, that's a great looking drawing and pic. I definitely need to go to smaller tires, which means changing my lift. Which will get me to a good starting point for adding the nicetlies for overlanding. Now all I need to do is motivate myself. I'm starting to look for some parts. Although I did have someone offer me a trade my, 4Runner for their 80. That might be a quicker route. I'm still mulling that over.

 

[justbecause]

Thank's Zrheard, that's a great looking drawing and pic. I definitely need to go to smaller tires, which means changing my lift. Which will get me to a good starting point for adding the nicetlies for overlanding. Now all I need to do is motivate myself. I'm starting to look for some parts. Although I did have someone offer me a trade my, 4Runner for their 80. That might be a quicker route. I'm still mulling that over.

i would go over that 80 w/a fine tooth comb, then id take it to a mechanic and have them go over it...
i love 1st gen runners and 80s but hands down lb for lb a cruiser beats a runner....
if that 80 is solid i dont think the 4runner has much ground to stand on.... unless you need MPGs and smaller size... my .02 id take an 80 over 4runner 7 or 8 times outa 10 good luck, keep me posted i love watching other people spend money it lets me dream...

 

[GRM]

I don't think I can classify my mini-truck as an expedition rig, but it sees 12-15k miles a year, including driving on the rubicon, dusy ershim, mojave road, pismo beach, borrego springs and the 405. It may be setup for hard trails, but its reliable enough to drive there, run the trail and drive home. I have no concern taking it through the middle of the desert, carrying all my gear in the bed.

Plus its 2,000 lbs lighter than an 80 series. It works for me.

As to your question: Throw some all terrain radials on it, and drive it. You should have a good idea whats wrong with the truck after putting 2-3k miles on it.

Your truck may be a great expedition rig, or it may not. My '85 4runner was so beat from being a trailer queen, that after a year of hard work I decided to start over with my '86 pickup.

 

[NorCalBorn]

Your truck may be a great expedition rig, or it may not. My '85 4runner was so beat from being a trailer queen, that after a year of hard work I decided to start over with my '86 pickup.

O/T..I like the pickup better. Came out sweet!!

 

[Wheelingnoob]

I lowered my SAS 93 4runner by installing OME front springs for a 85 4runner. I used the heavies (V6 ARB bumper and winch) it lowered my truck 2" over the 3" TG SAS springs. Ride is much better and I have 33's on it now cant be happier.

The only real down side I see to the 4runner is space and like others have said the Land Cruisers are build like tanks.

 

[Hogan]

I'm not too worried about space yet. I'm thinking roof rack on top of my can bac. The only problem with my can bac is no windows for the rear passangers. Un less it's warm enough to roll the sides up.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

I'm not too worried about space yet. I'm thinking roof rack on top of my can bac. The only problem with my can bac is no windows for the rear passangers. Un less it's warm enough to roll the sides up.

Be careful putting to much on the roof, my 4runner became very unstable with relatively little on the roof. I now have a low profile pod if I need it. You're 4runner with out the steel roof should be better but its still something to watch out for.

Also watch the total GVRW mine is very close to its 5400lb max when loaded for two.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I'm not too worried about space yet. I'm thinking roof rack on top of my can bac. The only problem with my can bac is no windows for the rear passangers. Un less it's warm enough to roll the sides up.

If you can avoid getting into the whole "Gear" aspect of Overlanding you won't need that much space. Try to keep a backpacking mentality and you will probably be fine.