Anyone overlanding with stock suspension height?
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sf4rnr
New member
Don't lift it. Armor it and learn how to drive it. You'll know when to lift when you dream of going further and further in your travel plans with the confidence you've gained. Driving it one week in Moab and two weeks in death valley amored and stock suspension helped a lot. I knew at 15000 miles stock, on a spur trail on chloride cliffs that I now needed a lift. I could see and walked the line I wanted, but couldn't drive it. I turned around happy. And then I got that lift.
TheJokingExplorer
New member
The stock 4 is very capable. I am stock suspension with RCI skids and C4Fab sliders. Eventually the stock suspension will need replacing but I have often thought about just picking up a PRO take off set or just replace with stock again. Ideally I would only want about 1-2 inches of lift and will most likely stay with stock size tires or go with 255/75/17's. I lean towards reliability.
Going with a lift for me would open up a huge can of worms...bigger tires, re-gear, front locker, etc., etc.
Going with a lift for me would open up a huge can of worms...bigger tires, re-gear, front locker, etc., etc.
themuffinman619
New member
borfoo3
New member
I see it this way with regards to overlanding or offroading in general with the T4R:
MUST HAVE: Just do these
1- Front skid plate. Stock one is a joke. Boom on radiator = end of the journey and lots of $$$. I'm happy with just the TRD aluminum one which is holding wayy better than the flimsy steel one.
NICE TO HAVE: will make the biggest impact per $ for you
1- Better tires to aid loose surface traction and add durability vs stock dunlops
2- lift (for ground clearance). Even on spacers, more clearance = more capability = less potential to damage anything down there
EVERYTHING ELSE: based on need/ want/ taste/ preference
Suspension,
lights,
coolers,
armor,
roof trays...etc.
MUST HAVE: Just do these
1- Front skid plate. Stock one is a joke. Boom on radiator = end of the journey and lots of $$$. I'm happy with just the TRD aluminum one which is holding wayy better than the flimsy steel one.
NICE TO HAVE: will make the biggest impact per $ for you
1- Better tires to aid loose surface traction and add durability vs stock dunlops
2- lift (for ground clearance). Even on spacers, more clearance = more capability = less potential to damage anything down there
EVERYTHING ELSE: based on need/ want/ taste/ preference
Suspension,
lights,
coolers,
armor,
roof trays...etc.
STX4Runner
New member
I like these.
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Salvo Jimmy
Member
Jetboy
New member
Ever see a lifted Land Cruiser in Africa? They're very few and far between. Lift and bigger tires offers access to more difficult trails, but rarely to anywhere you want to go car camping. I would also vote for some tires better than stock. Choice depending on terrain. In the southwest I'd skip the loud mud tires unless you actually encounter mud frequently. The highway portion is usually more of the trip than the dirt part. In the north west - I'd probably be thinking jungle trekkers.
For most "overland" type of use - a winch is a lot more useful than a lift. IMO that's mod #1. After that - small lift with softer shocks can make life on the dirt a lot nicer. It usually doesn't mean it'll get you further. It will let you go faster and more comfortably. Are you in a hurry?
The other reason that a 1-2" lift and larger tires makes a difference is because all of the trial obstacles you'll encounter are usually made by stock vehicles. Unmaintained roads tend to deteriorate to the level of the typical vehicle going through. So if there's ruts in the muddy road - odds are they're from a stockish vehicle. Having just 1" more clearance than the vehicle who made them means you can usually cruise right through.
good luck
northcoast
New member
Whoa, did the early 5th gens have the 2.7L option, or was that a mistake in the article?
STX4Runner
New member
They had a 4 cyl option for 2010 only. Made less power (shocking) and got barely better MPG. No one bought them and they engine option was dropped.
00Sebby
Senior Member
Tires, limited-slip diff, reasonable ground clearance and you can go lots of places. This car has taken me on all kinds of roads including many forest service and BLM roads from Tennessee to Colorado and other western states. Great in snow and other slick stuff. Big rocks, not so much, so I just drive around those. Only mod is slightly oversized, aggressive tread tires. The other sports car/Miata people would always give me the "you need to lower it, etc." advice but if I did that I would not be able to go on all of roads I like to drive on. Also, small tent, clothes, fly-fishing gear, and basic needs do fit in the trunk.
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In theory it is the new term for going from point A to point B, preferably on an unpaved surface that might include some camping. But in reality for many it is kinda like 'tactical' and 'prepping', a fad and excuse to buy stuff you don't really need, to look like you're doing stuff you don't do.
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00Sebby
Senior Member
Here is the "official" definition: Overlanding is self-reliant overland travel to remote destinations where the journey is the principal goal. Typically, but not exclusively, it is accomplished with mechanized off-road capable transport (from bicycles to trucks) where the principal form of lodging is camping, often lasting for extended lengths of time (months to years) and spanning international boundaries.
For most of us, it is a term applied to when we drive 20 miles or more on dirt roads in our "rigs" with all the stuff strapped onto the outsides. Bonus, if we actually camp somewhere. I think many people get the terms "off-roading", "camping", and "overlanding" confused.
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00Sebby
Senior Member
The overlanding thing is real for some though. A couple of years ago, I was driving on the levees of the Mississippi River in west Tennessee and came across this thing set up on a river bank. When I looked up their website they have basically made a career of overlanding and have been all over the world.
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gringo8251
New member
If you've ever seen the VW crowd that offroad and overland in the Westfalias of all types, you'll realize how capable a stock 4Runner is. Hooking up with a local offroad club or taking a class will go a long way.
e60ral
Banned
I had a lowered 5 series, got down plenty of roads that were rougher than I should have. The plastic underbody tray was held together with zip ties and bailing wire by the end. Highway miles were definitely more comfortable.
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nb rob
New member
I saw a similar Mercedes at home depot of couple years ago and I chatted with the couple for quite a while. They were from Germany, and they retired and travelled all over. It was amazing. It looked like a little home inside. More doileys than I thought, and zero digital camo. They never mentioned instagram once.
