When is a vehicle too big for off-roading?

I am waiting for Elon Musk to make $10,000 homes

 

I didn't think he was working on housing.

 

I thought at one point he was also making solar powered "shingles". They changed color and texture - saw them on a cabin like 10 uears ago and they looked like moss. Was excited at the time but maybe it died out like the Boring company

 

https://youtu.be/jU-fyc-jTOc?si=QAdIm5Atz3jHmAGy

 

I want one of those attached to a pontoon boat.

 

It is all about that extra solid axle. When today I say Jeep, I assume others have IFS. Otherwise the 80 series is one heck of a Jeep fighter.

 

I was looking at the 80's back in 2004. I wanted to get one after my '94 4Runner was paid off (bought used in '01 or '02). But, then there was that '03 V8 4Runner sitting there begging me to test drive it. It ended up being a great vehicle for me, but I still kinda want an 80 series.

 

Did you ever think of a solid axle swap for your current 4Runner? How challenging is it, and can you end up with a reliable truck or it's going to turn into a money pit?

 

It's not worth the money, IMO. The 4Runner is a really great compromise of comfort, practicality, and off-road capability. I think I'd just get a different vehicle if I really wanted a rock crawler.

 

Serious question…if 37s required suspension travel to be restricted by bumpstops, would ifs vs solid axle matter?

 

I'd bet that it's still going to have more travel and articulation than IFS. Those jeep lift kits probably add more down travel to compensate for the loss of up travel.

 

Nope it won't matter then. But a live axle will still have slightly more flex imho.

 

... and more strength too. 37s ain't no joke when it comes to weight.

 

I'd say that it still does. Even with bump-stops, I'll bet that a Wrangler has a ton more front travel than we do.

 

Not sure about our axles, but the Dana 44 can handle 37s even in extreme wheeling. And the Rubicon has Dana 44s on both ends

 

I would be careful though, Dana 44 can be ok with 37 but not when you are stupid

 

This is what is great about the Rubicon, as opposed to the TRD PRO. They come with some real advantages over the lower trims. That's why I tell people to build from a lower trim with the 4Runner, if they plan serious modifications.

Edit: the PRO is great as is. I just think it's a bad choice for heavy modification.

 

Our front ends seem to be pretty stout. From what I see on the Tacoma forum, the steering rack might be the first thing to really suffer with big tires. I'd also expect ball joints and CV's to wear prematurely.

I think you can get extra beefy aftermarket CV axles.

 

Rubicon means something, unfortunately TRD Pro doesn't. Fancy sound system, some shocks and cosmetics don't mean a lot. Hopefully Toyota changes that with 6th gen.

 

I see that some trims of the new Tacos are getting sway bar disconnects, and the hybrid drivetrain out of the LC250. Hopefully the 4Runner gets some good options as well.

 

Barebone SR5 is the way to go. You can mod the heck out of it like big lift, big tires, steel bumpers, and even ARB air lockers. It will still be cheaper than TRD Pro

 

I’d imagine it’s also a source of frustration for those buying a jeep without doing their homework, then realizing that they have light duty axles. I don’t know that I would’ve known to check differences. They’re pretty substantial!

 

No seasoned Jeeper will buy a Wrangler Sports for 37s lol, unless for mall crawling show off

 

That was part of my thought process. Plus, I wanted KDSS. In hindsight, I might go with an SR5 if I did it again.

 

Why in the world would you get 37s to run in the desert

 

I'm getting old, I test drove the KDSS, and I fell in love

 

I remember considering this when I went through that phase this spring.

I wonder what the 30's could realistically handle, if driven conservatively. My idea was to stick with a 33-35" tire.

 

kinda off topic..

The Dana seem pretty stout. Had a Dana 60 narrowed for my 1970 duster back in my drag racing days.
Overkill for my bracket, but I did not have any drive train worries.

 

33s. At least, that was the case for the YJs. Obviously the JK and JL are a bit heavier

 

One of the guys at an off-road shop I have worked with runs Dana 60's on his Bronco, IIRC. He showed me a ring gear out of the 60 next to the ring gear out of a 30, and the difference was huge!