New guy

Hey guys, I’m finally getting around to writing my introductory post despite crawling the forums for a couple months now.

I got a ‘23 ORP base in late June and have been loving it. It’s the only new vehicle I’ve ever owned, and what a treat it is to have it be a 4Runner also!

I don’t have KDSS or even the MTM, and tbh I get a little jealous that I don’t have either. However, I think that I’ve gotten better about just appreciating what I have and how fortunate I am to have a new car at all. There’s nothing I can’t do without those features and it’s a darn good vehicle. I have a lot to be happy about!

It came with a Megawarrior rack installed, but I’ve since added an ARB awning and my neat little mountain grille badge on the front for a splash of color. I also got a twin compressor strapped down in the back for airing down and back up again. Also, a Luno air mattress and Bam Beds sleeping platform.

Otherwise, mods I’ve done are:
-Pro/Heritage grille (then back again because I didn’t ever love it)
-disabled seatbelt chime
-anytime camera kit

I really like off-roading, but I have a lot more fun with the adventure of being able to explore more than the idea of doing some serious off-roading like rock crawling. So long as I can get to my destination then I’m fine.

I live in Traverse City, MI, and my favorite place to have gone thus far was definitely the Upper Peninsula, though the trip was very brief. I’m new to Michigan, so I still have a lot to see. Anyone from around here, please give me some suggestions!

happy to be here and looking forward to many adventures to come!

Obligatory picture of my machine:

 

Welcome to the forum

 

welcome

 

welcome

 

Welcome from Arizona!
Nice intro!

 

Welcome!

Awesome choice of color & trim

 

Thank you!

 

Thanks I appreciate that!

 

Welcome.

 

Welcome and congrats on your first ever new vehicle.
Traverse City brings back memories of my younger years. Our family used to have a cottage on Spider Lake. Many fantastic memories from there. The family also used to have tree farms in many places in Michigan, but Christmas trees were grown in Alba, and Kalkaska.
I have not been to the area since the early 80s, but Sleeping Bear Dunes was an interesting place. Not sure if you can wheel in the area around the dunes.

 

Welcome to the family.

 

That’s the best looking 4Runner I have ever seen, just love the color and trim! Welcome to the forum!

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

Thank you! And wow small world. My girlfriend grew up on spider lake and her parents still live in the same house. It’s such a beautiful area. Very happy to be up here. This will be my first year for a real Christmas tree! Wasn’t as much of a thing down in Oklahoma or Texas. I’m told we’re doing it wrong if it’s not a real tree.

Sleeping bear dunes is stunning. You can’t drive on the dunes there anymore, but apparently you can down at Silver Lake. Tried to go the other weekend, but you need a dune flag. Long story short, the shop I tried to go to down there which sells them along with the mounts has gone fully online and hadn’t updated their website or address on Google to reflect that. So that’s a trip for another weekend.

 

Haha good looking 4Runner in your profile pic! Thank you for the warm welcome

 

Welcome from the center of the bourbon universe.

 

Hey how do you like the bambed platform. I’m considering it but unsure given the cost.

thanks

 

It’s actually really great. I was hesitant given the cost, but it’s well made, and the bit of room you have underneath provides enough room for my tire table, some tarps, and hatchet. Could put some straps underneath or something too. Aside from that, the handle cut outs make are great for tying stuff down to. I use it for firewood, my luno mattress when rolled up, and my arb compressor.