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  1. paddlenbike

    Longterm review of the 3rd Gen 4Runner

    Toyota indicated they plan to electrify all future models. The new Tundra is available in hybrid form, so I can't imagine why the 4Runner would not. Whether or not a PHEV version will be available is another question. Imagine enjoying the backcountry without listening to the engine.
  2. paddlenbike

    Longterm review of the 3rd Gen 4Runner

    Hey Matt! Wow, that photo brought back some memories--that was a LONG time ago! I am excited to see what Toyota does powertrain-wise with the 6th gen. If the RAV4 Prime and the new twin turbo V6 are any indication, it looks promising. I drove the RAV4 Prime and while the vehicle is too...
  3. paddlenbike

    Longterm review of the 3rd Gen 4Runner

    I've found you really don't need much to make these things capable. They are already stout, I just found I needed a little more ground clearance and rocker protection, and that's basically it. I'd drive it across the country tomorrow if I needed to. I did the timing belt, water pump, drive...
  4. paddlenbike

    Longterm review of the 3rd Gen 4Runner

    I purchased my 2000 Toyota 4Runner 17 years ago in 2005. It was bone-stock and came equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission and a factory rear locker. A few months later I added a 2.5" Tundra/OME lift, some rock sliders, upgraded tires on Sequoia wheels. I supercharged it in 2011. And...
  5. paddlenbike

    Vandit - A Build Thread - 2013 E-Series Camper Van/4x4 Build

    Amazing work. I am certainly partial to the RB50/european style layouts. -Ken
  6. paddlenbike

    Thoughts on using a 2 Wheel Drive Sprinter

    I've been driving Toyota 4x4s for the past twenty years and my 2WD Sprinter for the past four. We push the van pretty hard and it has taken us places I never thought a 2wd would go. In my experience, the height of a high roof Sprinter has held me back way more than the number of driving...
  7. paddlenbike

    Pics of your VAN! Post up!

    "Van down by the river"
  8. paddlenbike

    Sprinter "144 wheelbase for 4 people?

    My 144 is currently set up to sleep 3, but it's ready to accept the high-mount bed to sleep a total of 5. This is achieved with a sliding seat that converts to a bed (let's call this "bed 1"), as well as a low platform bed across the back (bed 2). The rear bed is currently for a 5-year old...
  9. paddlenbike

    Sprinter coach built RV in 4wd?

    The 4 cylinder diesel Sprinters average 24-26 MPG. The V6s are usually under 20, and most 4x4 V6s get 17 MPG. Unfortunately to get factory 4x4 it has to be paired with the V6. I'd love to see an aftermarket solution to pair the 4 cyl/7-speed with a good 4WD system. I'm not a fan of the...
  10. paddlenbike

    Factory 4WD/AWD on Ford Transit?

    Personally, I would love to see a 4Motion-style setup in a van. The Sprinter's 4x4 system is so bastardized that I just wouldn't have it. It can't even run down the road without a ton of noise and vibration even in 2WD. These vans are too big for rock crawling, so I think an AWD system that...
  11. paddlenbike

    Van heating thread

    I use an Espar D2 in my diesel van and couldn't be happier. I have no propane onboard and it's nice to have the system fueled straight from my vehicle's fuel tank. The fuel and electrical consumption is very low. When you activate the thermostat it runs in "boost mode" until it reaches the...
  12. paddlenbike

    Water system options for FWC Shell???

    Thanks, it works well for my needs. Some of the biggest advantages of the portable jugs are easy filling at just about any location including grocery store botter fillers, as well as the the ease of keeping the system clean. When I get home from a trip I pull the jugs from the van, turn them...
  13. paddlenbike

    best homemade van build forum, expo forum for van builds seems dead

    The van is sure a great tool for traveling comfortably with kids. I have really enjoyed the van build but I'm glad it's almost done.
  14. paddlenbike

    best homemade van build forum, expo forum for van builds seems dead

    Thank you. I partly attribute the nice final product to the extruded aluminum. Unlike wood, you cut it and bolt it together with angle brackets and you've got a 100% perfectly-square frame. This makes attaching drawer slides and drawer fronts a cake-walk. Had I done my cabinetry any other...
  15. paddlenbike

    best homemade van build forum, expo forum for van builds seems dead

    I find Sprinter forums to be a good place for high quality builds. If Sprinters are your thing, I have a youtube channel (ourkaravan) as well as a website https://ourkaravan.com. Plenty of info there to keep you busy for days on end.
  16. paddlenbike

    Real MPGs for your rig?

    2000 4Runner - 2.5" lift, 275/70R17 tires, TRD Supercharged, 5-speed manual gets 16.5 MPG city, 19 MPG highway 2016 Mercedes Sprinter high roof; full van build inside; 2.1L DOHC twin turbo 4 cyl diesel w/7-speed transmission = 24-29 MPG. Will actually pull low 30s at lower speeds on secondary...
  17. paddlenbike

    Pics of your VAN! Post up!

    Numbchux, I have the same big van/small garage problem:
  18. paddlenbike

    Just Another High-Roof Camper Van Build

    Started the process of de-blinging the exterior. The wheels had gawdy chrome emblems and the front grille has a chrome Mercedes emblem that is the size of a small pizza. Five coats of Plasti-dip matte black followed by two coats of Plasti-dip graphite Metallizer seems to take care of that...
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