3rd Gen 4Runner on Turkey Claw Trail: The Hammers at Johnson Valley

Back in January we were in Johnson Valley to scope out some camping spots for the upcoming King of the Hammers race, and had a spur of the moment decision to run through Turkey Claw. It's is a short but fun trail that starts like the rest, in a canyon and then up a rock garden. Shortly after starting, it began to get dark and made it difficult to see what we were navigating underneath our trucks. We both got stuck once or twice, and my gas tank took a huge dent to it in the process. Good times. Enjoy!

[@kapturethelight6221]

Awesome video, always love seeing your stuff. The picture in picture was badass.

[@Opt.Offroad]

KaptureTheLight thanks man! It was the only way to make the GoPro shots interesting haha

[@sarahgibson1204]

So good.

[@dustbuggy]

You always need pics for the gram 😉😂 ashlynn does the same thing to Spence when we go offroading!

[@thebushchechen]

Yesssss :) runner life

[@grosenberger]

Sweet editing. I know how hard that can be

[@Opt.Offroad]

Ron Swanson thanks! def time consuming, but it’s always nice making the videos more watchable 👍🏼

[@madandinzane]

Looks like a good time...even on short notice :) Yeah, starting at 5pm during winter is basically "Night time". None of The Hammers are a joke. Not even Turkey Claw. Hope you found a good spot to camp bc it was cold as hell this year!

[@Opt.Offroad]

Yeah it was, windy too! We got a spot back in the hills away from Hammertown, and since it was just the wife and me for the race we slept in the truck on our sleeping platform 👌🏼

[@madandinzane]

@@Opt.Offroad That's the way to do it! I was fortunate enough to buy a 1986 4Runner in 1996. I've built 3 since. All to different levels. Sleeping in the back is a given haha! Good luck wheelin' and hope to cross paths with you one day.

[@deanweller5789]

Bit of a deep question, but curious if you would stay long travel over a solid axle swap for wheeling and maintenance difference? Im trying to decide which route to go, and so far i'm leaning toward the JD fabrication arms or your setup. could you steer me rite lol. your rig is amazing btw! love the content

[@DirtGarage]

Nice vid! Did you find a solution for the gas tank? Relocated? Or just replaced and armored?

[@Opt.Offroad]

Dirt Garage thanks man. I just ran the tank that way for a while, then the fuel pump failed on me. Of course it had to fail while we were in Death Valley haha... so we borrowed a Jeep and drove to the nearest junk yard and pulled one to swap. Will def be relocating eventually

[@FreedomFanatik]

Dope rig man. Watching your videos always makes me want to take out my 3rd gen out to the desert. If you don’t mind me asking, what roof rack do you have?

[@Opt.Offroad]

Raul Dorado thanks, it’s a custom rack we had made for a group buy. A guy down in Mexico made them so we call them TJ Racks

[@dubGgs]

If you don't mind me asking what kind of set up are you rocking? Just got my hands on a 2001 looking for help and ideas for upgrades on the suspension UCA's etc. I know it varies on what type of stuff im hitting, looking to make it as capable as possible with out going full on extended uppers and lower etc. any tips or advice would be awesome!

[@Opt.Offroad]

dubGgs shoot me a message on IG or FB and I can get you pointed in the right direction 👍 like you said it really just depends on how much you’re willing to spend and what your expectations are... lots of options out there

[@RockLander818]

Hey man which LT? BTF? Nice rig and great video !

[@Opt.Offroad]

Yep BTF 🤙

[@chaserussell9457]

What is the bag called you have on the back?

[@samgoble1785]

Chase Russell it’s called a trasharoo, its for garbage so you can pack it on the outside of your car instead of the inside

[@chaserussell9457]

Sam Goble thank you!!

[@lunamaria1048]

I wanted to see the rig, not your dash cam view :/