Project Mall Runner

[ScottyB]

just crossed 4,000 miles and went in for its first dealer oil change.  manual wants you running 0W-20 but allows for a 30 weight for towing, heavy loads, high temps and what not...so Quaker State Ultra Durable 5W-30 went in ($17 for a 5qt jug at wally world, score).  no plans to go back to a 20. 

already took a rock strike on the windshield, out of absolutely nowhere.  seems to be very common with these trucks due to the upright windscreen.  learned my lesson from the xterra about procrastinating on a small crack and having it turn into a huge crack, so off to safelite for a spot of epoxy before the temp swings make the crack grow.


got another roof rack spar and a wind fairing fitting from LFD Offroad again for 3 total.  we got a terrible howling resonance at 50, and 70mph with only 2 rack spars on the roof and no air management.  this solved the issue.  put it to work doing vaguely truckish things:


bro!  you parkin here bro?  mind if i join bro?  yeah dude 4runner mafia amirite bro?


first legit roadtrip was over to Atlanta for Thanksgiving, super easy drive and almost hit the advertised 20mpg highway MPG if it wasn't for the city's famous parking lots they call highways.  you definitely feel the truck roots above 65mph, steering gets a bit wandery, bumpy, and pushed around by the wind.  don't love the seats.  but it certainly doesn't lack for power and its quiet and mostly composed.  still a very nice place to be, overall.  its happy place seems to be around a 72mph cruise.

joined some local overlanding/4WD groups and looking forward to seeing what it can do in stock form, come warmer months.