TeryT
New member
My wife & I took our 03 SE to an TTORA (Toyota Territory Off Road Association) this Saturday. The annual event it called AZ Rocks!, and was a full two days (we just did Saturday), with camping, etc. We did two trails, "Coke Ovens" & "Box Canyon." Upon returning, the GPS said 44 miles in about 8 hours. Weather was perfect.
These trails were rated in my book as a Class 7, meaning they can be traversed by a stock 4x4, but with difficulty. Our group of six were all Tacomas, except for us. The Tacos were all lifted, with larger tires, etc. All were TRD (rear-end locker), and one was a PreRunner (not a 4x4).
We were the lowest of the group. We had to be closely spotted (and sometimes assisted with a well placed helper rock) over several boulders & obstacles. The 4Runner actually impressed the group - it came out with only numerous scrapes to the underside, a slightly dented fuel tank skid plate & front plate. I thought I escaped without any body damage (outside of what we call "Arizona Pin Striping"), but afterwards we discovered a small scrape to the rear passenger vinyl fender flair. My wife said it was quite amazing that's all that happened!
I must really thank our knowledgable trail guide, Bob, for all the great help in directing us in the best line. My wife said, "This is just like having a professional escort - and we don't even have to pay for the service!"
While the Taco drivers said they were impressed with how well the stock 4Runner handled things, I came away with a real appreciation of the TRD Tacomas. Most of the event's drivers had Tacos, and I was surprised that there were only a very few 4Runners & Land Cruisers.
This 1st pix is our first traffic jam of the day - we were waiting on a Bronco group to clear an obstacle.
These trails were rated in my book as a Class 7, meaning they can be traversed by a stock 4x4, but with difficulty. Our group of six were all Tacomas, except for us. The Tacos were all lifted, with larger tires, etc. All were TRD (rear-end locker), and one was a PreRunner (not a 4x4).
We were the lowest of the group. We had to be closely spotted (and sometimes assisted with a well placed helper rock) over several boulders & obstacles. The 4Runner actually impressed the group - it came out with only numerous scrapes to the underside, a slightly dented fuel tank skid plate & front plate. I thought I escaped without any body damage (outside of what we call "Arizona Pin Striping"), but afterwards we discovered a small scrape to the rear passenger vinyl fender flair. My wife said it was quite amazing that's all that happened!
I must really thank our knowledgable trail guide, Bob, for all the great help in directing us in the best line. My wife said, "This is just like having a professional escort - and we don't even have to pay for the service!"
While the Taco drivers said they were impressed with how well the stock 4Runner handled things, I came away with a real appreciation of the TRD Tacomas. Most of the event's drivers had Tacos, and I was surprised that there were only a very few 4Runners & Land Cruisers.
This 1st pix is our first traffic jam of the day - we were waiting on a Bronco group to clear an obstacle.
