How do you rate the 4R as an off road all terrain vehicle ?

Just wondering where you feel it rank's , Donlop At 20's aside......LOL in stock form with say a good set of AT tire's.

It seems to me that considering what the 4R is ,. in this day of soccer mom , mall crusin SUV's , that it would rate pretty high up there. There just not many SUV's out there built for some off road excursion's....no not rock crawling.

I personally have been off road quite a few time's and it has been impressive to me so far.

The only thing I don't like is that you can't turn off the electronic crap like VSC , ect.....I don't mind having it at all , but just wish I had more control of those feature's

It is not the best all terrain vehicle on the market (Jeep Wrangler, FJ Cruiser, Mercedes G, Hummer H1 etc.), but it is definitely up there. As for its class, the 4Runner is probably the best you can get. It is one of the only midsize SUV's to have the body on frame construction.

I agree that in its class it's one of the best. The Fords and GMs of the world suck, the new Pathfinder gets mixed reviews, the new Montero sucks, the Toureg is just weird. The only real competitor as I see it (in its class, again) in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is perhaps marginally better off road from what I've read (as opposed to experienced).

In the grand scheme of things, however, two other classes of vehicle would appear to be better the T4R off road - one group is the serious offroaders listed above (Wrangler, FJ, G-wagon, Land Rover Defender, H1 etc.) and one is the higher-end luxury vehicles ($50K plus) that are very capable but probably never go off road that much -- the Landcruiser/Lexus LX, Lexus GX, Range Rover, Land Rover LR3).

My big gripe with the current T4R are those humungous bumpers front and rear, but especially front. The freakin truck looks bloated with them and they seriously cut down the approach angles. I know it's all about crash safety yada yada yada but almost every other manufacturer manages to make an SUV these days with smaller bumpers. The Jeep GC looks positively svelte. Why are they so bulbous on the 4runner???!

Yup, i agree with Mark and pipspeak. It is probably the best in it's class as an all-around off-roader. FJC is probably a bit better stock...but FJC is more of a Wrangler fighter than a midsize SUV. FJC is nearly as big as 4runner outside, but inside room is poorly utilized (big outside, small inside).

Although the Jeep GC may be slightly better off-road due to ELSD, you guys have to remember that getting home from nowhere is just as important as getting there. Reliability is a big concern with any American SUVs. Ford and GM have totally gotten out of making off-road capable SUVs. Nissan Pathfinder has lost it's ways since 2 generations ago.

Of all the vehicles out there, the closest competitor is the Hummer H3. Although it is more of a FJC competitor, it is priced very similar to 4runner. It is probably one SUV that can easily beat 4runner off-road in stock form. However, there is a major weakness of H3...and it's the front diff. There is a slow growing number of H3's suffering from blown front differential with off-roading.

Here is the link:

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16944&highlight=breakdown+moab

Wow...first it was the tie rod breaking on H2's and early front diff failures on H2's...and now front diff exploding on H3's! Hummer just can't make a good front suspension system.

The Xterra is a good truck. However, i am not fond of it's design. Leaf springs suck...and i hear that Xterras (the current gen) bottoms out easily. Little wheel articulation...but it does come with a rear locker which makes up for lack of wheel articulation. Cheap as hell inside and not as comfortable over rough terrain. I would take 4runner over it anyday. Here is a good thread to compare the two: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9509

My opinion.

Here are related threads to help you with your question:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17727&highlight=4runner+offroad

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9775&highlight=4runner+offroad

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11894&highlight=4runner+offroad

Hope this helps.

I was wondering if someone was going to mention the Xterra. I wish the 4Runner had a rear locker like the Xterra. I wonder if the 4Runner electronics make up for the lack of a rear locker?

As for the new Grand Cherokee, well, it lacks ground clearance from what I've seen. I think it would be much better with nothing more than a 2-3 inch lift.

I believe that ARB has a rear locker for 4runner...but it's kinda expensive for parts & labor.

Thai said:

Wow...first it was the tie rod breaking on H2's and early front diff failures on H2's...and now front diff exploding on H3's! Hummer just can't make a good front suspension system.

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You forgot about the auto-inflation problems in the civilian versions of the H1 too Thai... Many first time buyers of the H1 were unpleasantly surprised to find that when they broke one inflator hose to one wheel, all four tires went flat (military H1's did not have that flaw, but also weighed in nearly 1000 lbs heavier). Hummer only makes a great Military vehicle, but they do have impressive showrooms!

Thai said:

The Xterra is a good truck. However, i am not fond of it's design. Leaf springs suck...

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Aren't the H3's on lrear eaf springs as well?



ARB does have a rear locker. Probably $1500-2000 installed? But if you need it, the price is worth it. While shopping, I really like the rear locker on the Tacoma. But I'll take my full-time 4WD and V8 and add a locker if I need to. Can't add those to a Tacoma.

Bluto said:

Aren't the H3's on lrear eaf springs as well?
ARB does have a rear locker. Probably $1500-2000 installed? But if you need it, the price is worth it. While shopping, I really like the rear locker on the Tacoma. But I'll take my full-time 4WD and V8 and add a locker if I need to. Can't add those to a Tacoma.

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You're right...i forgot...H3 has leafs too. ARB locker is probably stronger than most OEM lockers anyway...so, another bonus.

Here's my experience:

I've only owned one 4x4 before this and it was from when I was 16-19; it was a 1981 AMC Eagle. The 4wd never would engage and my mechanic couldn't fix it, so I got stuck more often than not.

I've since driven 4x4 rangers and the mazda version (got that one stuck in the sand), a jeep cherokee which was very compitant, and once rented a 4Runner...

The 4Runner I rented is the pict in my avatar. From the second we got in it at the rental place we loved it. My wife and I went up to Mammoth one new years and it was snowing like crazy. What you see in the avatar is from one night, about 8 hours worth. It totally buried the thing, road wasn't plowed.

I dug out the front with my 2 little brothers-in-law down until the front bumper was clear, we brushed off the hood and windshield so I could see (glad we propped the wipers up when we parked). Then I got in, fired it up, put it in 4wd-lo, locked the center diff, and just walked right out of it. No wheel spin, no rocking, just up and out, on the STOCK TIRES! My old Eagle once got stuck in like 3" of snow so I wasn't expecting to go anywhere.

Now I own one.

Ahhhhh....the old AMC Eagle , you know it was kind of a pc. of crap , but if you think , it's way ahead of it's time . Just not the right technology to back it up.

My freind had one with the oppisite problem and it was stuck in 4wd....lol. It did go through quite a bit of crap in 4wd. Everything thing on it was junk but it ran forever. It's been sold to a another friend , then another , then another , until honestly about 5 years ago it made it to it's final resting place. ( But it still ran )

I was not really asking a question about the 4R , just wondering what opinion's you had of it as an off road , strong utility vehicle. I was more leaning tword comparing it to vehicle's in it's class,not the H1,2 or 3 , or G class ect...

Here's my list

There was what turned into somewhat of a similar thread here a few months ago. At about the third or fourth post in, I posted an incomplete ranking of mid-sized SUVs based on off-road prowess from best to worst, in MY opinion only.

I still pretty much stand by this list, although there is much room for argument. I think my list is better than the Edmunds.com list that was in the Comparison forum a few weeks later.:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17255&highlight=sorento

Interesting read

Re: Here's my list

Baba Booey said:

There was what turned into somewhat of a similar thread here a few months ago.

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That makes me laugh. Someone with Freelander claiming Toyotas suck off road. IMO the Freelander is no better than a Honda CRV. A toy SUV, and an underpowered one at that.

I broadly agree with that list. One thing worth mentioning is that the T4R is one of the few mid-size SUVs that combines decent off-road performance with good on-road comfort. That certainly can't be said for the Xterra.

It is not the best all terrain vehicle on the market (Jeep Wrangler, >FJ Cruiser, Mercedes G, Hummer H1 etc.), but it is definitely up >there. As for its class, the 4Runner is probably the best you can >get. It is one of the only midsize SUV's to have the body on >frame construction.

I really have to disagree here. I live in S NV and take my Gen 4 off road a lot. I usually haul a converted longbed utility trailer with my gear inside. I've also pulled a 22' travel trailer to the east coast and back this summer. It's the best.

The H1 is way too wide for a normal trail, the G has scarey brakes and suspension, FJ has no power, and the Wrangler is too Spartan.

This 4Runner will probably be the last with a true frame; a necessary item for a good offroader in my book. Also, we're able to get a very torquey V-8 in a comparatively light package. I've added a cornfed lift and BFGs soon and that'll probably be about it. I've already added some gauges.

I'll probably keep this vehicle way past 100k and probably won't be able to effectively replace it when the time comes.

Bob

Mulepick said:

the G has scarey brakes and suspension, FJ has no power, Bob

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Huh?? Can you explain more? That's news to me!

Huh?? Can you explain more? That's news to me!

No offense meant.

Just going by my impression of driving my brother's. He pointed it out to me.

Re the Toy; it's only about 435 # lighter than my 4Runner but has only 278#' of torque versus my 306.

Bob

Thai , does not use brake's anyway...

Mulepick said:

Huh?? Can you explain more? That's news to me!

No offense meant.

Just going by my impression of driving my brother's. He pointed it out to me.

Re the Toy; it's only about 435 # lighter than my 4Runner but has only 278#' of torque versus my 306.

Bob

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Ok...so what did your brother point out?? Was it the brake pedal feel?? Was it the stopping distance?? Was the G's suspension not as rugged as the 4runner's in off-roading?? Was it not flexible enough as 4runner's?? Could it not tow as good??

As for 4runner vs. G-wagens off-road, please see this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18741. I would like to hear your comments in that thread.

As for FJC, do you really think that a difference in 28 lbs of torque will make a big difference in off-roading?? If the FJ has a manual tranny, then it's crawl ratio (thus, overall torque) is higher than a 4runner. In other words, you will likely not notice much difference once you factor in the weight (435 lbs is a significant amount) and other factors (manual vs. auto tranny).