New member from San Diego

Hi all,

TL: DR-

I’m back in a 4Runner. Previous one was a supercharged 1999 SR5.
@steelevo gave me a tip that led to a great deal on a preference ordered ORP.
Preference Ordered on 1/23/2023, picked up on 5/24/2023
Flew to Minot, ND to pick it up and drove 2000 miles back to San Diego over 4 days.

NOTE: HUGE thanks to @steelevo. He helped a stranger on the internet get a great deal, answered all my questions and helped with any details I was unsure about. All around good guy. Plus he has Siberian Huskies so we’re automatically husky-connected.

Details for those interested:

Figured since I’m officially a 4Runner owner (again), I’d make the formal introduction and share some pics from my road trip back home after picking up the vehicle.

My last 4Runner was a 1999 supercharged 2wd SR5. Had it for about 4 years before moving on to something else. Was a great vehicle and the dealer-installed TRD supercharger was a great addition. The only maintenance I had to do was replace the nose drive at about 60,000. Traded it in with about 100,000 miles.

I’ve been backpacking for the last 6 years and my wife’s Crosstrek gets me to most places but it was time for me to get something to get me deeper into the mountains. I started looking at 4Runners again about 3 years ago… right in the middle of the price insanity. I was determined to wait until prices came back down, but I kept watching the forums for the current news. I did not want to wait for the release of the 6th Gen, though.

Thanks to a tip from forum member @steelevo, I was able to preference order a 4Runner ORP and ended up getting exactly what I wanted- A 2023 Nautical Blue Off-Road Premium with no options. No KDSS, no moonroof, no MTM and no dealer or port installed options. All for a savings that ended up paying for a nice 2000 mile road trip, plus a little left over.

The dealer is located in Minot, North Dakota. I am located in San Diego, CA. Preference Order placed on January 23, picked up the 4Runner on 5/24. After getting the text that the 4Runner was on the truck on its way to the dealer, I bought a plane ticket to be there a day after it was delivered. This would get me up there and back before the Memorial Day weekend traffic. I have a commitment I need to be here for this weekend so the timing worked out well.

Landed in Minot, ND and the sales person picked me up from the airport. Final details at the dealer were finished and, even with some chatting, I was on the road in about 30 minutes. On the way back, I went through 8 states and visited two national parks: Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

As expected, the 4Runner had no issues. Drove a variety of roads: freeway, city streets and paved and even a couple dirt mountain roads. The 4Runner is now parked in its spot in our garage waiting to be detailed and modded.

On to the pics….

Picked up:

 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park- Medora, ND- well worth visiting if you are in the area. Great wildlife viewing. No crowds. Medora is a neat, little town.

Theodore Roosevelt's Ranch and re-located cabin:






Lots of Bison








Views from Buck Hill

 

Driving buddy:



Mammoth Hot Springs:



Driving into Yellowstone:



Bison Crossing-





Old Faithful

 

More sites from Yellowstone







Back home....

 

Why is Husky Mike called "Husky" Mike you ask?

My hiking buddies:

Mika:


Max:

 

Amazing journey Mike! And we will be forever husky-connected. I still can’t believe how much you did in a few days on the road trip. Glad to hear that you made it back home safely.

 

Welcome home!

 

Welcome

 

Welcome. Great looking buds you go there

 

Welcome

 

Welcome! That's great story and bad ass journey. Great pics! I am also from San Diego, I drove to L.A. last week to get my ORP in red. I was looking for that blue but almost impossible in that trim locally. I almost flew out to get mine but found what I wanted last minute. Just got new wheels and working on the rest of upgrades for a Overland build.

 

Barcelona Red was my 2nd choice. Great color.

 

Great story and sweet ride! Welcome from North County, SD.
-Ed

 

Welcome from the center of the bourbon universe. Great pics of a great trip.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!