When is a vehicle too big for off-roading?

Full steel is great if you beat the shit out of it and need that type of armour. I have all aluminium because it's lighter and these things are bloated pigs already.

It all comes down to a cost/benefit scenario. I have armour just in case, same as the winch. But I don't necessarily "need" that. I definitely don't need steel. I'm also east coast, not west coast, so my wants and needs are different depending on geographic location and usage. Rust is a problem in my area more than large rocks, so aluminium to lighten the weight where applicable is justified.

I just see a lot of posts as absolutes, whereas the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.

The most armored, heavy, articulation badass vehicle probably fits the top 1% of offroaders - not the masses

Edit - if you ever drive in mud, you will find lighter is usually better

 

I kind of regret all the mods that I've done so far. Before anything else, I should have had full steel bumpers, front and rear. That would be my advice to anyone who wants to modify their 4R. Full Steel bumpers, and still skid plates, try that first and see what happens. Let things scratch you, who cares

 

The extra weight of steel would be useful if you were running a lot of things like a roof top tent and a rear tire carrier, and were also doing a lot of off camber stuff.

But if not, then aluminum might make more sense depending on what you do off road.

 

Haha I was thinking this. It may be because of the RCI skids, but I barely have 8" under my front skid, I whack it all the time. I have a coworker with a first gen CRV that always parks behind me, when viewed from the side I swear that little CRV has the same, if not more, underbody clearance.

I'd love to know where Toyota measured to get that number. I wish auto reviewers would actually measure these things.

People were getting all worked up after the Land Cruiser 250 launch because it only had 8.6", but it's not like we have any more.

 

When I was planning my initial purchase, I consulted my most experienced off-roading buddies, mostly in the rocky desert Southwest regarding what they considered to be the most beneficial mods and accessories. Neither steel bumpers nor aftermarket skids made a single top five list. Number one on every list was tires, with beefy compressor, clearing tools, and recovery gear were most of the entries, along with a couple creature comforts. In response to my follow-up questions, they basically said "get good tires and learn how to drive".

 

That's how I felt when I parked next to this chihuahua that Jeep claims has 10.8 inches. Clearly my RCI skid was sitting higher than its front diff, and I am 10.2 after mods. This is a lie that is common among all these manufacturers, they get away with it because no reviewer gets under them for an exact measurement. Most certainly 4Runner is 8.6, and Rubicon 9.8. The extra one inch is a lie.

 

Obviously those guys don't mess around in the rocks.

I agree that tires and recovery gear are the best things to start with. Aside from that, armor has been the biggest game changer for me.

 

Maxed out my flex during moderate wheeling. Not bad. Our truck is the best for what it is. Gave me a comfy ride to Idaho and did good on the trail, I am satisfied.

 

Doesn't look maxed out to me. Here's where my rear tire ends up when I flex it.

 

Don't think i can take this off road. But atlast i have a garage in the back for a small 4x4. lol

 

Do you live in that or just for travelling?

I'd love to have a 5th wheel and travel the country!

 

I’m surprised the road still exists after that drives through!

 

You can travel the country in the 4Runner, sleep in the back. Me and my wife had a good night's sleep. No heat needed when you have a warm woman by your side

 

I do a majority of my traveling alone in my 4Runner ideally so i can go anywhere without limitation. But the kids and grandkids need a home base. It may end up being my home to live out of in a few years.

This is usually how i travel:

 

The stupid pile had to be pulled out by an F-250. Our 5th gen would have conquered that snow with A-Trac.

 

I read an article about this the other day - was wondering if it would show up on the forum.

Those tires don't look very aggressive. Also, what I saw was a video and the driver didn't look like they knew what they were doing. If they had backed up and kept a little momentum he would have gotten over that small hump

 

Boy, it looks uglier every time I see one. I sure hope these monstrosities don't start showing up where I play. Fortunately, one of the places doesn't allow full size vehicles.

Agreed. I'm sure a 4runner would have struggled on OEM tires as well.

 

Haha! I only have a 10K, but I have 3 snatch blocks.

 

The G Wagon with street tires was keeping up with a Wrangler with ko2s, and that was on a trail with full of snow. Great capability makes up for bad tires sometimes. This Cyberfailure is crap.

 

3 snatch blocks - holy schnikes!

2 more and you can pull yourself out backwards. I only have one and it's also a solid, heavy beast

 

Those are street tires.

Throw on the OEM 4Runner tires and see how well those work.

 

I should be able to pull myself backwards with 3, provided I'm surrounded by trees.



Mine are also heavy AF.

 

No need for the 4Runner, my Grand Cherokee on street tires can handle that snow.

 

The long fake Jeep got high centered.

https://fb.watch/o-z0YSE_1b/?mibextid=Nif5oz

 

It is just crazy that some people think that they have four wheel drive so they can go anywhere. It doesn't work like that. He doesn't have a winch, he doesn't have a traction board, no shovel, I doubt those tires are aired down, what do these guys think? No vehicle is safe from getting stuck or getting trail damage. Matt is making money off of people's stupidity, good for him.
Even a jack would have been helpful in this situation.

 

Looks like my 4runner would have stuck there too. Maybe should have just picked a better route?

Also, there are plenty more rocks laying around on the ground. I think I could have gotten it out with some patience and testicular fortitude

 

A lot could have been done to get unstuck from there. But the guy apparently has a lot of money

 

More money than common sense. Another driver of inflation

 

Long wheel base sucks, except this