Honest advice to new 4Runner buyers who go offroad

False. I'd buy a lower trim and build it. Why pay for extra stuff just to throw it away?

Or, I might be trailering an 80 series, or old Willys to the trail instead of a 4Runner.

 

I’m sure you have heard me say this before, but i am an old desert rat from way back, and have learned some hard lessons. One thing that finally penetrates my thick skull is don’t fuck up your ride home.

 

Having a dedicated trail rig would certainly open the door for more shenanigans.

One of the guys in our crew made us stickers that say something like "Remember, idiot, you have to drive this home!"

This is also why I understand why some folks buy UTV's that cost almost as much as our 4Runners. They're incredibly capable stock. And, if it breaks, you just need to get it on the trailer and you can take it home and fix it.

 

Thank you for agreeing with me over something And I hope you read all the stuff I now type here.

See, in Pacific Northwest we have got a bunch of ORV parks, fun place where you can play depending on your rig's capability. Problem is they have "gatekeepers" on the entrance. There must have been a period of time when dumb people took their minivans or mighty Subarus inside and then they got stuck, and they ended up in a bad situation, like their mighty Subaru lifted all its four wheels, and they started calling 911 for help. So the state must have had enough of that nonsense. So now they have put big rocks and boulders that test your flex and angles. It basically tells you that if you can't get through this, you have no business inside. From experience I have learned the only way to get inside is that you have to put tires on big rocks. And to do that, you at least need a Viper cut to give you a chance. You usually see these crazy Jeeps on 37s and 40s with mad flex that get through. Our truck is super capable, I don't mind lifting a wheel or two, but I fear that I will tear my bumpers clean off. So sorry, the stock 4Runners will only get you to the entrance of the ORV parks, not a foot beyond.

 

Atrac is essentially a locker. It just uses brakes as its locking mechanism.

 

Give me steel bumpers and I am confident I will follow this thing to the ORV park

 

Not as effective as a real locker, sad truth.

 

I am not saying to not drive your Runner off road, i take mine out, but i also try not to get to deep into the shit, but sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you. Common sense, and trust you gut.

i have had many 4-wheel drive trucks, also dirt bikes, three wheelers, quads. So much fun. Glamis Dunes is the shit, i mean dunes that will blow your mind.

 

Sounds like you got the wrong vehicle - if you just want crazy offroad fun like that you probaly need a dedicated vehicle. One reason I got rid of my bike, it turned into an expensive toy that was only fun in the mountains.

Every mod we make to the 4runner to make it "more offroad capable" takes it a step away from the engineering marvel it was designed to be in the first place

 

ORV parks are only one form of off-roading. And, the one I visit most has all different levels of trails, some of which can be done in a stock Taco or 4Runner. Others require armor, and there are some side trails and some obstacles that I'd never even attempt.

Other places I go to aren't parks. You wander into the woods and learn to use your judgment, and your recovery gear. Sometimes you have to back out of a trail. It's all part of the fun.

Having modifications makes things easier. Having armor is definitely important to play in the rocks.

But, you absolutely do not need to modify these things just to go off-road.

 

And works pretty damn good.

 

While wheeling in some situations, you can't afford the drama that A-Trac does. You need a locker and control. I love A-Trac, don't get me wrong, I have used the locker only twice or thrice so far.

 

I have A-Trac also.

I've also been very impressed with it, especially since my locker quit and I haven't fixed it.

But, a locker is still a real advantage, IMO. I can live without MTS and CC.

 

Oh contrair.....

Take a look at this video when you have some extra time. It's long and he's not the most exciting speaker but he makes some excellent points as to why Atrac is better than a mechanical locker.


https://youtu.be/JEBcA2heq_s?si=XWUbYnVi4PaHWuOO

 

I am just saying that 4Runner is highly limited not due to its 4x4 system, but because of its angles. Improve that, and it can be a great offroad rig. If you fall for the TRD Pro and TRD Offroad marketing, you will have a rude awakening and will return home with your bumpers missing.

 

Will do

 

Nah. You need wheel spin for atrac to operate… so you have to force tremendous wheel spin first.

A locked rear axle provides traction within the first revolution

 

Just add steel bumpers and KO2s to an SR5 with A-Trac, and it will take you further than a stock TRD Pro could dream of.

 

Yup, that's why I said drama lol

 

Aside from a wrangler, the 4runner probably has some of the best angles available. Nobody else is putting those types of angles on the front facia anymore - most look like a limited with even lower air dams. I wouldn't consider it "highly limited' compared to any other unmodified production vehicle by any stretch of the imagination.

And I'm struggling to make sense of your TRD marketing babble - you already said you'd buy KDSS if you had to do it all over again

 

KDSS had nothing to do with my decision to offroad, just like 90% of the KDSS owners. What do you mean some of the best angles available? You call 33 degrees and 26 degrees some of the best?

 

Freaking Ram Power Wagon has better approach and departure angles than the 4Runner lol

 

Name some vehicles with better approach, break-over and departure angles.

No Jeeps.

Go!

 

You're right, I have no idea what I'm talking about. I should have just spouted out some nonsense that wasn't completely thought out

 

A small amount of wheel spin, not a tremendous amount. Atrac also has the advantage of engaging all 4 tires.

I'd venture to guess you get more wheel spin using only a mechanical rear locker.

 

FWIW, the Power Wagon's approach and departure are 35 and 26. Certainly a huge difference from our lousy 33/26.

 

Ram 2500 Power Wagon, Ford Raptor, Ford Bronco, Defender.

 

Possibly. But, what about a rear locker and A-Trac combined?

You're correct, though, that very little wheel spin is needed to make A-TRAC work. I have been extremely impressed with it this past year.

 

A 2500 has better angles than a lil SUV. Bro, come on! That thing can freaking haul the 4Runner

 

Lol.

Power wagon - 35/26 - almost identical to ours

Raptor- 33/25 - actually worse than ours

I'll give you the other 2.