4wheeling has been apart of my life for quite some time. Remember going out with Dad in the old Jeep Willy’s (1958 wagon) back in high school. After a handful of vehicles, I finally got a 1st generation 4runner (1987) from a co-worker at Kuni Lexus in 2002. This helped get my wheeling passion going to the next level. After learning about and joining the Rising Sun 4×4 club of Colorado ( a Denver based Toyota club), I became more active in the group and as I learned more about Toyotas, found myself wanting a 3rd generation 4runner more and more. Financially, I wasn’t at a place to upgrade, So I kept my 1st generation going as best I could and seemed to take on a life of it’s own the 15 years that I owned it)
Ol’ Skelator. My 1987 Toyota 4runner turned truggy after getting rear ended. Hole in the Wall country, WY. Outlaws Run 2009.
In the fall of 2017, I finally was able upgrade to a 3rd gen 4runner, after finding out a friend/employee from Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers was selling his 1999 3rd gen 4runner. I drove down to Delta, CO one day (and back home) to check it out. I wrote a check after to buy it. The 3rd gen 4runner was pretty well set up when I bought it, having a ARB ft bumper (painted to match the cladding), mild OME lift, tires and a TRD Super Charger.
Picking up the 4runner from Proffitt’s. My pal Treeroot’s FZJ80 Land Cruiser is on the right.
Out exploring while getting the 4runner home from Delta. Fall colors on Kebler Pass-2017
It’s been fun making progress on building up the 4runner the way I want it. Finally in a spot in my life that I’m able to afford doing these things:). When I started building the 3rd gen 4runner, I wasn’t out to reinvent the build up of the rig, I just wanted it to work and get me out and home. Since buying the 4runner, I have added :
2018:
285″ BFG All Terrain KO’2 tires
Rear drawer system and sleeping platform
Installed my ARB Fridge (still flattered as hell that the club bought me that)
Argentine Pass, CO. Summer 2018.
A fine, foggy sunrise in the Upper Missouri River Breaks/Charles M Russell Wildlife refuge, MT. Outlaws Run 2018.
2019:
Sliders from Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers
Eazi-Awn 1600 series Roof Rack from Equipt Expedition Outfitters.
Working our way through some deep early winter snow in the Black Hills, SD. Outlaws Run 2019.
Exploring old mining roads on the North side of the San Rafael Swell, UT. December 2019.
2021:
ARB dual air compressor
Winter views in South Park, CO. February 2021.
In the Upper Meadows with Rosedale and Mt. Evan’s Wilderness in the distance. Indian Creek Park Ranch, CO, February 2021.
2023:
Rear Bumper Build by Envision Fabrication
A smokey evening at the property. May 2023.
Fun to be making progress on this rig!