Cowboy Denny

Today ordered by Rigid Ultraswing which includes Ultratable. Need to order a Rear Camera Relocation Kit and Rigid doesn't have any for the 4Runner so looking at possibly doing the C4 Fab kit

So its been a bit since my last update. Some stuff I don't care for and others I love so let me update you since I've been across country and to several offroad events. First major change was adding the Dobinson Suspension Kit. Honestly I feel this was the best purchase I made. The ride is incredible and I love the stance and my 4Runner performs awesome on or off pavement. Without a doubt I would go back to Dobinson for this exact same kit. Cooper Tires would I buy them again? Not sure. They haven't been as bad as the Goodyear Tires I had that started cupping for no good reason which Goodyear did not stand behind on there warranty so they are dead to me. I love BF Goodrich KO2's but they aren't the same with newer models. I don't have an answer but I feel as though I would not go back to Cooper Tires but can not give an exact reason why. I think its they are not naturally balanced like other tires I've had so there is a vibration when driving my 4Runner at or above 80mph. Next was the CaliRaised Roof Rack which includes the lightbar across the front and cube lights on either side. Quality of Cali Raised roof rack seems to be there so nothing against Cali Raised. I originally purchased the roof rack to accomplish two goals which is 1. give me a light bar for that night driving and 2. plan was to add a roof top tent. Well plans change. The lightbar is so dang bright that if I'm offroading with anyone, I can not turn it on. Its just too bright and same goes for the cube lights on the side. Figured I'd use them when camping but its too bright. Easier to just carry a portable light. Also downfall of having all these lights on your roof is you have this wire that runs up the edge of your windshield from engine compartment to the roof rack. Doesn't look horrible but not exactly sexy either. If I did this again I would not get a roof rack. I just don't use it. Front Bumper with winch, lightbar and AuxBeam. Absolutely would do this again. Its awesome and love the look of my 4Runner with the bumper upgrade. I have used the winch to test but never needed it since I do have a 4Runner. I run the amber Driving Light on the bumper all the time since it just makes my 4Runner look more bad ass. AuxBeam its super easy to turn any of my lights on and off with a push of a button. So what about the MorrFlate 4 tire air compressor. I have used this alot and very happy with it. When I need it, the thing just works. I have nothing negative to say about it since it just works as you want it to and yes I would recommend. Element Fire Extinquisher I would get again and again and again. They take up less space than a traditional Fire Extinguisher and they work a ton better. They don't expire as quick as a traditional and so you are more likely to have a working method of putting out fires with you by just carrying an Element with you. Easy to carry. BuiltRight HitchHolder seemed like a good idea. Its heavy duty but nothing keeps the hitch from rattling or working itself loose. I would not purchase this again and honestly I took it out and put it on my shelf to collect dust until my next Garage Sale.

Ground tents are often overlooked in the overlanding world, where rooftop systems get most of the attention. But for many adventurers, a well-designed ground tent is not just a viable option—it’s the perfect one. Below is a complete article-style breakdown (with visuals and product comparisons) explaining why. Ground tents are often overlooked in the overlanding world, where rooftop systems get most of the attention. But for many adventurers, a well-designed ground tent is not just a viable option—it’s the perfect one. Below is a complete article-style breakdown (with visuals and product comparisons) explaining why. Overlanding is about freedom, mobility, and self-reliance. While rooftop tents (RTTs) have become popular, ground tents remain a foundational choice—and for good reason. 1. Freedom From Your VehicleOne of the biggest advantages of ground tents is independence. With a rooftop tent, your sleeping setup is tied to your vehicle. If you want to explore trails, grab supplies, or scout terrain, you must pack everything down first. Ground tents allow you to: Set up a basecamp Leave your gear behind securely Freely explore with your vehicle This flexibility is a major advantage for longer trips or multi-day stays. 2. Cost-Effective Without Sacrificing PerformanceCompared to rooftop tents (often $1,000–$4,000+), ground tents are significantly more affordable while still offering durability and weather resistance. Even high-end overland ground tents typically cost: $300–$1,200 vs. thousands for RTTs That cost difference allows you to invest in: Better sleep systems Cooking gear Recovery equipment 3. No Impact on Vehicle PerformanceRoof tents add weight, wind drag, and raise your center of gravity. Ground tents eliminate those issues entirely. Benefits include: Better fuel economy Safer off-road handling No height clearance issues (garages, trails) 4. More Space and ComfortGround tents often provide: Larger floor space Higher ceilings Room for cots, storage, and even standing For families or longer trips, this added livability is a major advantage. 5. Setup Is No Longer a HassleModern overland ground tents—especially hub-style designs—can be deployed in seconds. For example:  Gazelle T4 Hub Tent uses a pop-up hub system for near-instant setup  Overlandish Basecamp Hub Tent offers quick deployment with rugged materials This eliminates one of the traditional downsides of ground tents. Ground Tent Drawbacks (Honest Perspective)Ground tents aren’t perfect. Key limitations include: Exposure to mud, water, and uneven terrain More interaction with bugs and wildlife Requires finding a suitable campsite surface However, many overlanders mitigate these with: Ground tarps or mats Elevated cots Smart site selection Overlandish vs Gazelle Tents (Head-to-Head Comparison)To understand how ground tents vary, let’s compare two popular overlanding brands: Overlandish (premium rugged builds) and Gazelle (fast-deploy hub tents). Featured ModelsOverlandish Basecamp TentGazelle T4 Overland Hub Tent Product Comparison TableAttribute  Overlandish Basecamp V2 Tent  Gazelle T4 Overland Edition Hub Tent Setup Speed Moderate (traditional or semi-rigid setup) Extremely fast (hub pop-up design) Durability Heavy-duty, expedition-grade materials Durable but lighter-weight Weather Resistance Excellent (built for harsh environments) Very good (3-season capable) Weight & Portability Heavier, bulkier (weighs roughly 62 lbs) Lighter, easier to transport (weighs roughly 34 lbs) Packed Dimensions 15" x 15" x 59" long 8" x 8" x 66.5" to 68" Interior Space Spacious, basecamp-oriented Spacious with vertical walls Best Use Case Long-term camps, rugged expeditions Quick stops, frequent moves Price Range Premium (~$1,000+) Mid-range (~$400–$600) Pros and Cons SummaryOverlandish TentsPros Built for extreme durability Ideal for long-term basecamp setups Premium materials and construction Cons Heavier and less portable Slower setup Higher price point Gazelle TentsPros Lightning-fast setup (hub design) Easy to transport and store Great balance of durability and cost Cons Not as rugged as expedition-grade tents Bulkier when folded compared to backpacking tents Slightly less weather resistance in extreme conditions Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?Choose Overlandish if your trips involve: Extended stays Harsh environments A dedicated basecamp setup Choose Gazelle if you prioritize: Speed and convenience Frequent movement between camps Simplicity and reliability Bottom LineGround tents remain one of the smartest choices in overlanding because they offer freedom, affordability, and versatility. While rooftop tents look appealing, many experienced overlanders still rely on ground setups for their practicality and adaptability. If your goal is to explore without limits, a high-quality ground tent might not just be the better option—it could be the best one.

So what started off as a "good deal" turned out to be a money pit like everything I purchase. The vehicle is a 2009 Toyota Rav4 with only a 131k miles which is far less than anyone else had for less than $5000 It appeared pretty clean car with some imperfections like minor scratches and some small dents in body but no rust anywhere. Tires are an offbrand with decent tread. Not licensed so only able to drive around subdivision and not get it up to speed which is where it all fell apart. First stop was the dealership to have them do an inspection and opened pandoras box. Quote to fix found issues was over $8000 (most expensive fix is probably the rear differential seals leaking like crazy) Paid a little of $5300 for other stuff and not everything.... Brought it home and ordered a driveshaft from 1aauto which was $1000 cheaper than dealership was charging (not including labor). Installed driveshaft and the manual and every website said torque the front bolts to 26ftlbs which snapped the bolts off.. stopped after two. Could not extract the snapped bolts so had to pay $80 to have it towed to Muffler Man which charged me $600 to fix that and install a muffler. Now the check engine light comes on if car sits for more than a day and so I decided to purchase a OBDII scanner from Autozone (on sale for $128) and found its the O2 sensor even though I paid Toyota to replace it last time (which was stupid because they are so easy to change). In an effort to see if its just stuck in the ECU I took the negative battery cable off for 30minutes and put it back on to see if that fixes the reoccuring O2 P1058 error message. TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors).. all 4 are not connected to the ECU (issue existed before I unhooked battery). I verified tire pressure is 44psi on all four tires and yet stupid light is on. Need to figure out where the reset/relearn button is. They say its down by the OBDII port or on the dash or in the glove box.. so far haven't found it yet but thats for another day. I did check into some name brand tires and found a set of 4 balanced and installed for $300 which is a steal but his tires are fine for now.. maybe before winter. We purchased the vehicle with one broken key with a bunch of tape to hold it together. Ordered a new cut key from Toms Key $100 and then realized its a smart key so you need the programmer otherwise the vehicle won't start. So thats another $154 with a $70 deposit... now we wait. What's left to do... program a new primary and spare key fix leaking rear differential clean or replace headlights (very cloudy) replace headunit with carplay compatible (GPS, Spotify, etc)

Focus: Maximum power and efficiency using the TNGA-F global truck platform. Engines: 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder (i-Force) or a 2.4L hybrid (i-Force Max). Features: Rear coil spring suspension for improved ride comfort, available 14-inch touchscreen, and new Trailhunter off-road trim. Changes: Increased torque and towing capacity, but early models may have limited availability and potential first-year software issues.

Focus: Modernization, comfort, and advanced off-road technology. Engines: 2.7L 4-cylinder or a 3.5L Atkinson-cycle V6. Tech: Added Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and improved safety tech (standard on newer models). Updates: 2020 facelift, standardizing more features across trims.