Gatnos' 2020 TRD Off-Road Premium Build & Adventure Thread "Carolina"

New tag looks great Gatnos - Carolina's looking even better!

 

What an epic trip, and stunning photos. What I'd give for 30 days like that. Thanks for sharing, Justin.

 

I guessing I may have missed what kind of lift/ suspension you may have.
Thanks

 

I totally agree! Well stated about Justin's writing and photos...really enjoyed it from New Hampshire!

 

damn just read this whole thread in one sitting. great photos and writeup!! keep up the good work, dude!

 

I hope you get the opportunity to do so sometime.

Thank you. You've got a beautiful piece of country up there, New Hampshire, I would very much like to return and spend more time there.

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed.

 

I'm running stock suspension at the moment. Just KDSS and factory lift. Haven't felt the need to upgrade quite yet.

 

Hello everyone,

It has been awhile since I've given any update, mostly owed to the fact there is not much to update. I decided to end my "gap year" from school, and in January, I once again relocated, this time leaving North Carolina and heading to Maryland. The exciting prospect of new places to explore toward the northeast was met with much less time to explore. Most of my time is spent with schoolwork, studying, building my resume and chasing that diploma. However, I have still been able to have a few adventures on the side. The desire to explore never rests.


Complete setup, November 2021 in Hendersonville, NC

In terms of upgrades, not much has happened. Since I no longer work full time, I do not have the cash to spend on parts. Plus, I am pretty satisfied with my build thus far. At the end of last summer, my GOBI ladder arrived. I also ordered new legs from RhinoRack to reinstall the roof platform that took flight during my travels near the Alabama Hills. It will not be coming off again. I also ordered the rear rail kit from RhinoRack for the top of the platform, to resemble the utilitarian look of the TRD Pro rack, but also to add some more tie-down points. Overall, I am very pleased with the look of the vehicle, particularly from the rear.

A very picturesque fall in North Carolina was spent preparing for my return to school this spring. I spent a good amount of time of the mid-winter months in Florida, before making the move to Baltimore in January.


Sunrise in New Smyrna Beach, FL, January 2022

For the first few weeks of the spring, I had the chance to explore some areas around eastern Maryland and southeastern Pennsylvania. I had never been a real fan of the area when I was here in 2019, but mostly because my only impression of the area was rooted in my time in Baltimore, with no real way of leaving the city. I soon discovered the real charm of the region, although I haven't had much opportunity to explore recently due to academic commitments.


Pennsylvania Monument at Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, PA, March 2022

I hope everyone else had a safe and happy fall and winter, and are enjoying this transition into spring. If anyone local has any recommendations to explore in the Maryland/Delaware/Pennsylvania/Virginia/West Virginia areas, let me know. I would also love to hear how everyone is doing and what you all have been up to. Take care!

 

im in philly and get to do some off roading in the nj pine barrens on occassion. if you are on facebook there are a couple of groups to join that go out pretty regularly.