A Van Down by the River

We all remember getting that first brand new bicycle as a kid. Mine was a Huffy Clean Machine. Bright orange, banana seat, and a sissy bar that reached towards the heavens and the Gods. After we got our new two-wheeled ticket to freedom put together we took it for a quick trip. Then it began, the add-ons. Playing cards clipped to the spokes for that clickity-clack sound as we applied human locomotion to the chain and sprocket. The next thing was bigger tires, a must-have. These made our new stingray look badass. Then a few more add-ons: bigger hand grips, a bigger sissy bar for better wheelies, tassels that hung with majestic beauty from the ends of the handlebars, and then of course a new rattle can applied paint job (black because everyone knows only pussies ride orange bikes). 

The best thing about my new 4Runner TRD Off-Road is its infinite possibilities to make it the perfect overland vehicle for me. I know everyone has an opinion on how you can make it the best, cheapest, most rugged, least rough, high-end, badass, slick, smooth, on, and on.

My goal with this SUV/overland vehicle is to customize it to fit my lifestyle as closely as possible.

Let’s first talk about what an overland lifestyle is. Basically, if you were a guy who lives in his van down by the river 10 years ago you were a loser.  Today you are an overlander.  A bold, live your life by your rules adventurer. Parents now cringe at this change.

“If you keep skipping school and hanging out with those friends, you will end up living in a van down by the river.” Nowadays that’s a compliment. 

“What’s Johnny doing these days?”  Asked friends of Johnny’s parents.

Johnny’s parent’s reply can go one of two ways:

Option A.  “Well Johnny pissed his education away and lost his job and now lives in his van down by the river.”

Option B.  “The traditional higher education system was not for Johnny.  He’s more of a free thinker.  He worked for a while but found the typical 9 to 5 was too confining (he couldn’t wake up on time so he was fired) so he struck out boldly on his own.  He travels, films, and interviews for one of the world’s largest media companies, but he is not at liberty to say who (YouTube).  He does not take any money from them yet (not enough subscribers to his channel to be monetized). Johnny has all his own equipment (a GoPro he got for his birthday 3 years ago).”  

So you see us over-landers, I mean explorers, I mean adventure types, we live life with the wind blowing through our hair. Although, I’m Bald Bigfoot so the wind basically hits my forehead and bounces off. We convert any vehicle we have into living quarters on wheels. You have seen us but don’t recognize us.  We are the Jeep, Sprinter, cargo vans, and jacked-up SUVs you see parked at beaches and national forests. With the invention of the rooftop tent, we are now the pullover anywhere and pop the top nomads.

Back to the new TRD Off-Road 2021 Toyota 4Runner.  It is an awesome vehicle. Don’t get me wrong, the Jeep Rubicon was amazing.  It took me places I had only dreamed of.  But after 124,000 incredible, breathtaking, rough miles it was time to make a change.  The 4Runner gives me a reliable engine and more room inside.  I have the rooftop tent mounted and the back winch on. The quick connections from the battery to the back for power are all set and ready.  I have many more upgrades planned as I can afford them: bumpers, a lift, tires and wheels, skid plates, air compressor, air bags, and snorkel.  Oh ya and a fresh set of dreams to chase; mountains, rivers, glaciers, sunrises, and sunsets wherever they may be.

Stay tuned for what comes next for Bald Bigfoot.

Please leave your comments on what you want to see next from BBF or send a letter to this address: The Bald Guy who lives in a 4Runner down by the river.