Off-road capability?

Street cred

Out here, literally 98% of all 5th Gen 4Runners have black wheels with A/T tires....most of them K02s.

Over half of them have Gobi rear hatch ladders, and roof rack. Hell, all of them have a roof rack just not ladders.

And almost every single one is driven by a woman; nothing wrong with a woman driving it but it's really become the new 'soccer mom' car.

 

You stated having a Tacoma for years.

If you worked on that, then you know it's identical to a 4R (1st Gen Tacoma that is).

Many parts interchange and really, you can just buy and bolt on 4x4 parts.

If going J shift with manual hubs, you won't even need an ECU.

You can even use the same spindles as all 4x4 and 4x2 4Runners, and all 6 Lug 1st Gen Tacomas (both 4x4 and Prerunner) use the same wheel bearings, spindles, etc.

Just need to press out the axle hub and swap it for the right one you need.

As for the transmission, if you got an automatic, you swap out the output shaft.

The rest is just gathering and installing parts like the drive shaft, transfer case, front differential, etc.

 

A winch is definitely a valuable tool, when used appropriately, but it's way too soon for the OP.

Hell, I wheel with a ton of guys (and some have years more experience) and none of us use or own a winch. There was one time where we used a snatch strap on my Tacoma....I was in a precarious situation where any sudden movement while in my driver seat, could've caused my truck to flip to it's side. Was interesting because I was locked into my seat due to the safety feature in the seatbelt. So I sat and waited while my buddy situated himself and got me unstuck.

Take technical trails, learn to take the best line, and you learn in time how to take an obstacle the best way.

Good thing the OP isn't new to driving off road. A stock rig in the right hands will surprise a shit ton of people, even the person driving it.

 

Don't kid yourself. The 3rd gen was driven by plenty of soccer moms in it's day.

When I bought my 4th gen, I considered it a soccer mom vehicle, until I looked underneath. Even now, they're still fully boxed frames with overbuilt suspension parts.

I do see plenty of Instagram built 5th gens, though.

I think you just see more 3rd gens on trails where you are because people are mors willing to take an old vehicle on the trails. That doesn't make it more capable.

Personally, I bought mine for what it's built for. A capable 4×4 that's comfortable on the highway as well.

I travel alone occasionally, which is a good reason to have a winch, IMO. Experience helps with knowing how and when to use one, but common sense does, too.

And, I agree that these things don't require modifications to hit the trails. Good tires and armor are probably all most people will ever really need.

 

I was going to send the OP that link myself. I saw that email this morning.

 

Thanks. Much appreciated! Feel free to send ads or links. Here is specs I'm looking for:

1998-2002 4runner

• SR5 4x4
• 6 cylinder engine
• Automatic transmission
• Less than 200,000 miles
• Cloth interior
• Stock (little to no modifications)
  
• No sunroof
• No fender flares
• All or partial service records (the more the better)
• Located in California

Please let me know what you have, or if you know someone who might be interested in selling. I am a serious buyer ready with cash. I am prompt, courteous and will not waste the sellers time.

 

Re airing down tires on the Sequoia. Check your glasses.

I aired him up with my Viair compressor at the end of the trail ride. He was around 20psi on his 33 inch Falkens. Which is what I run my 33 inch tires at off road. Would 15psi helped him? Maybe.

I've run these trails in both my 2019 5th gen 4Runner with rear locker and my 2006 Nissan Frontier 4x4 which doesn't have a locker. It's much easier with a locker. Less tire spin, less needing to punch it to get over obstacles. Less chances of breaking something. Sure you can take the detours around obstacles, but what fun is that?

If you're buying new or used and a factory locker is available, for a couple grand more - f'in get it.

4 wheeling is a learning process. Buy some basic recovery gear. Watch some videos on how to use that recovery gear. Buy a book or two on off roading and read them. Join a club, makes some new friends, hit some trails with those friends. Learn how your vehicle works off road and where it needs improvement.

Confidence comes with experience. Getting stuck and being able to self recover yourself or get a quick tug from a friend, is part of the fun of gaining / building experience.

Re Winches. I've used mine on myself and others.
Being able to help others out is a fantastic reason to own a winch plus ample recovery gear. Do educate yourself on how to safely use a winch. There lots of ways of killing people with a winch.

I also carry and use a chainsaw frequently. Another dangerous item.

 

20psi?

That's pretty high for a trail; we run 15psi or lower (at your discretion). I'll normally run 10-12psi to avoid even going 4L or sometimes even 4H at all; huge difference in road manners too.

As for the locker? I'm trying to tell the OP to consider a 2000 and older (specifically 1999-00) so he can try to find one that's locked. That and you get the added bonus of real cupholders. I would never suggest not getting a locker.

Chainsaw is a huge plus depending where you're at; fortunately I go with buddies that carry them. Though I've been eyeballing that M18 Milwaukee Fuel chainsaw seeing as how I have a bunch of Fuel tools

 

They don't but they are available aftermarket reasonably.
Examples:
https://www.1stgenoffroad.com/store/c29/SEQUOIA-LOCKERS#/
I'd splurge and get the Eaton E-Locker.


By the way, what is your budget on purchasing this vehicle?

 

Buddy of mine has a Lowe's Kobalt Battery Operated chainsaw.
I saw his and bought a Milwaukee M18 - it's nice! Works fast.

I worry about loosing a bead at lower psi's. But will go lower depending on what we are doing that day.

 

Not too sure yet. I’m looking at used 4Runners and Tacoma’s but man they are so dang expensive with a ton of miles on them. Got the wife the trd pro and now my Nissan Titan is at 200k and making some odd noises. Trying to find something overlanding worthy on the used market that will also be my DD.

 

I really would not go off-roading by myself without a winch anymore. Mine saved me one time when my front CV axle broke in the deep sand. I was able to get myself out and home in 2wd. I also used my winch together with my buddies winch (we didn't have a snatch block, so I carry one now) when he got stupid next to the river LOL.
OP, I hope you're good at mechanical repairs if you plan to go this route. Getting broken parts replaced by a shop would be EXPENSIVE.

 

That's why you replace your cv axle while on the trail

I venture alone as often as I do with others; fun either way.

Self-recovery can be physically exhausting depending on the situation, but you come back with a story to tell.

 

Nice!

I hear the battery doesn't run down as quickly as say, the Fuel leaf blower (which I own too). That thing sucks down 5.0AH like no one's business, but so do my angle grinders.

I never worry about popping off a bead.

What instilled that confidence was consistently running down to 8-10psi on my Tacoma. Difference was, I had a Powertank CO2 setup that lived on my truck whether I went off-road or not. Just kept it on 24/7 everywhere I went. Anyway, not having popped a bead, I decided to take the same approach with the 4R. Except this time I run a Viair 400P.

 

To think, these are just some of the pictures I have on my phone. There are many instances in which I wish someone was either there, or others were available to snap pictures, or that I simply had them with me.

 

I am good at mechanical repairs. However, if I do not have the proper tools (not worth buying expensive, job specific tools to use them once) or it is better done on a lift, I will work hard, save the money and let a professional handle it. Luckily, I have friends and family members who are also excellent mechanics, so they don't rip me off on vehicle service.

 

I can see both sides of the argument. Sometimes learning the right way is too expensive. I have a friend that just went on the OOAT, were barely 3 minutes into a 4-day trek and his rear bumper was gone lol.....

Albeit, skipping the lift initially will force you to learn lines and max capability at an accelerated rate. And the most important of skills, SLOW THE FEEZY DOWN.....I'm all for Hard Knocks education, but its subjective.

 

My intro into wheeling was 3rd gen 4Runners, 1st gen Pathfinders, and 1994 Monteros going up Pico Duarte in the Dominican Republic. All three kept up with Land Rovers and Land Cruiser's.

How? Two things: Experienced drivers, and really good tires. 12" deep of rain forest mud and everyone hung around (and nobody went off the 3,000 foot cliffs).

Once you start wheeling in one, you will be pleasantly surprised at what your rig can handle even just with a tire upgrade.

See homeboy's pictures above. 3rd Gen's are quite possibly the GOAT of entry-level Japanese 4x4's IMHO.

 

Pin this lol. Quote of the day.

As far as the lockers conversation, lockers are necessary for rock crawling, and really evil "Gatekeepers". Otherwise, for us humble locker-less SR5 people, you see tons of hater juice spill from the cup of Jeep owners when they witness the magic of A-trac.

 

My Grandpa's advice was "Initially, buy the cheapest tools you can find. If you use them so much they break, replace them with the most expensive, highest quality tool you can afford."

 

Sound advice. I own inexpensive and expensive tools. I say this with respect, the purpose of my thread was 3rd gen off-road capability, not advice on trail repairs or tool purchases.

 

"If you need a machine and don't buy it, then you will ultimately find that you have paid for it and don't have it" ~ Henry Ford

 

Now this is wisdom. Great stuff.

 

Nothing wrong with being a “soccer mom” and not wanting to drive a van. I’d much rather be a bad ass mom with a lifted 4R and teach my kids how to drive in off road conditions. My current 5th gen will be my kids first car in a few years.

How else am I supposed to drive my kids to the mountains and explore? #notallsoccermomsarethesame

 

You're right, the same applies for men & women as well with their Jeeps.

Accessorizing a vehicle to make it look tough to go off-road with, but not actually go off road, is becoming more and more trendy though.

For the record, there is nothing wrong with that. People should do whatever makes them happy.

However, this thread is more about the capability of a vehicle, and accessories were mentioned.

I still say, take a bag of recovery tools, including a shovel, and see what these things are really capable of. It doesn't take much to get far.

 

Yup agree. My 4R did great in feet of snow with all stock parts. For most people a stock 4R is plenty enough.

However, the stock jeep we had to pull out, well that’s another conversation

 

I pulled out a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2 weeks ago with my poor old, near-300k mile 3rd Gen



Even had them follow behind me hence the above pictures where I'm leading down the trail.

Here's after I helped get it unstuck. You'll see my 4R just on the other side of it.

 

Haha love it! Yup had to pull out a Gladiator stuck on the side of the road in about a 1/2 foot of snow.

I had a wrangler for my first car I bought on my own. It was terrible in the snow. Learned quick it wasn’t the car for me and sold it after 3 months of having it here in the PNW during winter.

 

Oof

Yeah that PNW weather ain't a joke; I've visited out there but now limit my travel up north to Oregon. I do love Tillamook and the coast that's for sure.

Yeah those Gladiators are even worse; they're so freaking long they high-center easily too.

 

You're looking for something above $12K: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...ORE&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=d290