I failed, what to blame?

Ooooooooooooooooo!!!! I like those stripes!!!

loving the updates OP!! Living vicariously through you!!

 

I ran about 15 before realizing the tires really were holding me back (stock Dunfloppers)

 

Yep. Been there. In the woods with just my dog and my daughter (6 y/o at the time), stock Dunlops. Pushed all the buttons, and it somehow pulled itself out. That 1,000% validated my decision to buy my 4Runner.

12 months, a bunch of trail scratches, and 20,000 miles later. I don't regret a thing. I'm still on my stock Dunlops too!!!

 

I don't see that you failed.. All I can see is you will become a better driver at trails. You take it stock and learn what exactly your vehicle can do. When you upgrade it you will know what exactly is needed. Like how to pick the line, a-trac vs lockers or little bit of left foot braking is all it needs, etc..

 

Getting proper stuck happens. Part of the fun of going off road. I could've winched or used my traction boards but hooking up my recovery rope to a friend is/was much faster.

 

It’s been my experience those jeeps can be handy things to have around lol.

Although I kinda view them like boats…it’s good to own a jeep, but it’s better to have friends that own jeeps

 

You didn't have a light bar or a snorkel, duh.

 

Wow guys you have been getting stuck in your hulked 4Runners. I was in stock, I feel good. Thanks

 

Let's face it, Wrangler Rubicon is the ultimate offroader in production. But I will never buy one, because they break
Plus, my KDSS 4Runner is sooooo comfy on the road. And in stock form I blend in with the traffic, I get no attention.

 

You didn't have your Gobi Stealth Rack, Molle Panels, RTT, rear drawer system, dual batteries with solar charger, 270 degree batwing awning, solar shower, high-lift jack, Skottle, Max Trax, automatic ass wiper, or dometic fridge installed yet.

Get those installed and there's nothing that next parking lot can throw at you that cannot be overcome...

 

It is my daily driver. I won't feel comfortable and cool with all those stuff on my 4R. I want to blend in with traffic. I will do all that once my 4Runner is 5-10 years old and I have some eco box as daily driver as gas prices will keep going up.

 

Yeah, FJ is jeep rival. But FJ is no more
Though Toyota is coming out with something called TrailHunter.

 

Unfortunately, looking uncool is the price we pay to wheel, bro. But, alas, it’s a price Im willing to pay, especially the next time molle panels go on special.

I could also use some nerdy baja design amber lights to mount on my geeky Warn bumper.

 

You know 4Runner MPG is already horrible, and it will get even more horrible if I hulk it up. So far with conservative driving, I am managing to get the 23 miles per gallon on the highway

 

So this body shop is asking me $400 to fix the scratches on the bumper and on the right door. Is the price fair enough?

 

Got these from Toyota, **** you body shops!

Hey you pros, any advice on how to use these?

 

Tires and it looks like you're dragging the rear.

 

If it the scratches go down to the metal, use touch up paint. If not, leave them, they are part of the history of your 4Runner, and they will serve to remind you of that history. Those scars have been earned in honor.

Also, 400 bucks will almost buy you a slider. Granted, you need two of them, but you get my point.

 

FJ40? Or FJ Cruiser?

FJ40 Landcruiser will definitely give Wrangler a run for the money.

FJ Cruiser - don't be silly. They're no more capable than a 4Runner. A Wrangler will walk all over either one on the trails.

There's no such thing as equally modded. A modded FJ will still have IFS and struggle to fit 35's. A modded Wrangler will easily fit 37's, or even 40's.

Add in approach, breakover, and departure angles, and the Wrangler looks even better.

 

Wrangler Rubicon stock has over 12 inches of ground clearance if I am correct. The thing is still the King. No Wrangler killer is in production right now. Even the Bronco is like FJ Cruiser. Wish Wrangler was well built and trouble free. It is still the no. 1 in resale value though, followed by Tacoma, Tundra and 4Runner.

 

FJ40 could rival Jeep.

But, FJ Cruiser cannot rival Jeep any more than a 4runner.

 

Slightly better angles than the 4Runner but yes, Wrangler is still the King.

 

Schnikey!!! Cali raised Molle panels are on sale!

 

What he said. It looks like the spare may have been holding the rear end up. A modest 2.5" lift & good tires will get you almost anywhere you want to go in that rig, provided you take the right lines....which are often times one of the most important factors (the right lines) BTW, your stock wheels will accommodate 285s fine.

 

Man, you are wasting NO TIME with the 4runner. Glad you got it out to test your limits, and you know, like others have mentioned before, about paying to play.

First thing you need is getting rid of the stock tyres... They are absolute garbage. You notice the difference right away when you change them for some beefy, high traction tyres.

I will warn you, once it starts, you can't stop. This is my 4th 4Runner, and I think i've spent the most on this one in mods, than I had the other three. Once I was "done", I was telling myself, "I'll keep the Predator Steps. No sliders Sean, no sliders." Plus, I have to justify to my CFO, aka my partner, why I would like to spend $1300 on sliders. LOL. "Actually, it protects the bottom side of the truck in case i want to go over anything... Plus, it keeps cars from dinging your door..." "Approved."

But man, have fun with your truck, but do it safely. After all, you only live once, and why purchase the vehicle just to sit in a garage.

Cheers,

Sean

 

That's one of the reasons I got a rear bumper: because I kept dragging my spare on the rocks.

 

Yes, but as one other poster said, they break. I've owned numerous Jeeps and still own a TJ my son drives..and it's a money pit. I'd much rather have a 4x4 that I trust that's "good" at off roading over having a 4x4 that is a beast off road, but I'm worried it will leave me stranded at any moment.

 

Bad news, this isn't the site for that

 

Oh I will play this game!

Gobi Stealth Rack - don't want to wait 2 years
Molle Panels - friend bought me a set mainly to protect windows
RTT - fell out of it twice, sold it
rear drawer system - I got long arms
dual batteries with solar charger - bought offbrand and put a jackery sticker on it for street cred, but I do like to steal power from the sun
270 degree batwing awning - afraid of bats
solar shower - don't take showers
high-lift jack - I can't find it. I think I sold it with the RTT
Skottle - had one, learned I suck at cooking, gave to friend
Max Trax - Amazon knocks off cause my safety does have a price
automatic ass wiper - hands down send me a link!
dometic fridge - had it, sold it, then Covid made them cost 3x more, so bought cheap knock off cause I can't afford it now...

 

Roman Mica from TFL drove a Wrangler Rubicon from CO to WA and after some 4 wheeling, the sway bar failed He was taking to it a Jeep dealer to get it fixed. Jeeps could be a headache, it will be a bad daily driver for me.