Does anyone add it all up? I did....

No worries at all man. My needs are different from your needs. I don't wheel that hard. Truth is, 90% of the time, big red (that's what I call her), will be a pavement princess. Hence the need for no offroad lights or heavy duty tow straps, traction boards or air compressor. When/If that changes, I will update to meet the needs.

I do have a fire extinguisher, jumpers, a small tool kit & first aid kit but I haven't mounted it yet.

P.S. I just started this list! LOL, give me time, the list will grow...a lot.

 

I have a running list. For next person and in case i ever get in an accident, i can give it to insurance.

 

I do have to apologize, I see now that you are in Texas. Here in the cold PNW, we have different priorities, what with 3-5 months of snow, more in the passes.

BTW" Mine's "The Blue Beast". My green FJ40 was "The Mud Sloth" (sloths have an alga that gives them green fur).

 

I live in "Flat Land Country", there are hardly any hills and if it snows/sleets, the entire state shuts down. My biggest concern is the truck overheating or the a/c going out from all the 109 degree days we have in this state.

Our summer season can easily last 6 months. No joke, it starts in May and goes on until October (plus a random 95 degree day in November & December).

But hey, my truck crawls really fuckin' hard in them mall parking lots!

 

A couple of suggestions:

1) Get some front recovery points for if you do need to get yanked out offroad. I’ve used the Apex Overland ones, and by used, I mean they got used. The tie down points on the vehicle aren’t rated for recovery. They can be a little pricy, but worth it.

2) For rear recovery, get a hitch mounted recovery point - don’t use just a hitch pin. These aren’t very expensive, but are much safer. A hitch pin can experience failure in one of two places, and then you have a problem, whereas a hitch mounted point is effectively a double shear recovery point (you need two points of failure).

Obviously you don’t want to ever use a trailer hitch ball, or any part of that assembly that slides in to your receiver, for recovery purposes. It can be fatal, and there are plenty of videos that show the aftermath.

As was mentioned, definitely look into a new tow strap and either some 3/4” metal shackles or some soft shackles. Kinetic recovery rope is also an option, but definitely requires research to use safely.

I mention these things because this can be the difference between literal life and death (or disfigurement) and nobody intentionally gets stuck.

 

I stopped keeping track after the first year or so. All I really know is that I've probably spent way more on fuel since I got it than mods.

I look at it as an entertainment expense. Some people spend money on cable TV, going to movies, going on cruises, etc. I piss away all my money on 4runner parts, gas, booze, and camping fees.

 

Good information right here!

Agreed about kinetic ropes. They seem like the bee's knees at first. And, they definitely have their purpose. But, I look at them as the very last resort for recovery now.

 

I decided to forego even buying a kinetic rope until I've had real training.

Also, one of my main takeaways from watching recovery videos, including overviews of some gone wrong, is that many situations can be improved or eliminated by more and better digging.

 

I do not add it up. The 5th amendment exists for a reason LOL

 

I could have used a gigantic pump to drain the water out of a mud pit recently…got stuck when I turned around at the pit and went back through a segment that was clearly easier in than out!

 

There was a fatal incident last year in a mud pit for which I've probably seen only a tiny fraction of what was posted. The towing vehicle attempted a kinetic recovery using a ball hitch, which sheared off and flew through the windshield of the stuck vehicle, killing its driver. A later photo, taken after the accident but before the vehicle was retrieved, showed it buried up to the axles in mud. Maybe they made some attempt at digging, but it kept filling back in. I don't know if they tried traction boards or anything like that. Anyway, I'm staying away from mud pits. (On two legs, I've been a few inches past knee deep in quicksand, which was no fun at all).

 

Same with vehicles.

If anyone says they know how much they spent but don't save receipts they don't really know. Its always more than you think.

The one thing I don't do is credit card mods. If you ain't got the cash for it you ain't got the money for it.

 

Amen, brother!!

 

BOAT= Break Out Another Thousand

 

Do we count all the things I saw here on the Forum, bought, and later changed my mind and are syill sitting in the garage?

 

Yes. I've done that too many times.

Or sell it for a loss.

 

Question: What are two of the happiest day's of a mans life?

Answer: When he buys a boat. When he SELLS that boat.

 

My wife found my visa bills and added up all the things I bought for the runner. I'm still sleeping it off in the dog house......

 

The best boat is your buddies boat.

 

I'm always surprised at how few people do this. I keep all my maintenance records, receipts, everything. I also note mileages and dates for major events like oil changes, new parts, etc. Glad to hear I'm not alone!

 

Lol! Same..

I am on my 3rd roof basket and 3rd sleeping platform. And, I bought the Bajarack hatch ladder and it said in my garage for 3 years and I sold it finally this spring.

 

I'm so old school that I actually log all my maintenance in the "Maintenance" section at the back of the owners' manual lol

 

^+1

 

I never understood this until I sold my first car. It really helps solidify a sale when you have the track record to prove you took care of your vehicle.

 

Credit Cards?

 

If you gotta hide purchaes from your other half you got bigger issues.

 

Here's how deep the OCD goes . . . links are to a file store / photo album with receipts and pics from service. I've had to get a lawyer over a car warranty issue in the past and learned some lessons. The good record keeping ended a $60k headache, despite it taking almost two years.

Jason

 

This is exactly the reason. When we traded our Tacoma in, we had our book of notes and folder of receipts. We had negotiated the trade value prior to going in and with all the papers we had they told us "we don't even need to go see it, it's clearly gonna be fine". I'll keep every major receipt I can now.

 

I'm at $12,045 in add ons:

PPF XPel
Window Tint
RCI Rock Sliders
RCI Engine Skid
RCI Filler Skid
Diode Dynamics SS3 Fogs
C4 Lo Pro
DD SS30 Light Bar + Harness
Light Bar Switch Button
Smitty X20 Winch
Powdercoat of C4
Dobinsons IMS Suspension w/UCA
Suspension install labor
Alignment
Dr. KDSS Bracket
LFD Crossbars
Black Sequential Side Turn Sig
Center Console Lid Cover
Center Console Tray
Radio Screen Protector
Canvas Back Cargo Linger and Dog Hammock
Tire Chains
Black Hood Scoop
Blackout Decal Overlays
Silicone Rear Lic. Plate Holder
Fairlead, Kinetic Rope, Red Ring
LED Reverse Bulbs
Jesben Dimming Light Sensor
Door Tray Org.
Metal Oil Filter Housing
AVS Window Vent Shades
Interior LED Bulbs
Glove Box Organizer
Black Gear Shift Knob
Meso Door Handle Covers
Rear Lic. Plate LED Lights
Rear Drawer/Sleeping Platform Materials

This does not include engine oil/filters, engine/cabin air filters, rustoleum paint for sliders/valences or the A/T tires. I am almost at 15,000 miles in 18 months ownership. If the plan wasn't to drive this for 20-25 years this would be a lot different