Buying a T4R, dumb (mostly offroading) questions...

[endus]

I've been reading through the forum trying to get some more information on the 4th gen t4r. I bought a Jeep grand Cherokee with the intention of doing some offroading about 6 months ago. Drove it through the summer, loved it, but the thing is in the shop more than it's on the road. I KNEW not to ever buy mopar (or american for that matter) but I did it anyway. My Maxima is almost 10 years old and runs like a top...so...back to Japanese I go.

In any case, I had a few questions. Some are dumb and some are just stuff I wasn't totally clear on from reading posts. For the record I'm planning on an 08 Sport.

- Tow Hooks: Does the truck come with tow hooks installed? By this I mean real tow hooks and not the tie downs.

- Sand: Does anyone offroad their 4g on the beach? I drive on the sand out in Cape Cod and I am interested in how the truck does in sand. The factory tires are way beyond spec for the permit, but I am curious if people have tried it in 4g's. The Jeep was good after stuffing 255/65/17 tires but I got stuck turning around a couple times.

- Wheels: I have been looking around at wheel possibilities and I have not found much that fits. Specifically I'm looking for black round-hole steelies, or teflon coated steelie looking wheels.

Skid Plates and sliders: Any available? I saw some weld-in sliders but I was thinking more bolt on...I'm a little nervous having someone weld to the frame since I don't have an offroading shop that I trust right now.

Large Drivers: I have found that most trucks in this class are uncomfortable for me (I'm 6'2"). The reason is that I need to rest my knee against the center console. My dad's tacoma is undrivable for long trips because of the lack of a place to rest my knee. In the 4th gen t4r I can rest my knee, but it's a little awkward and I was wondering how it will be on long trips. Anyone else use this driving position and have any input?

Lifts: My most probably course of action is to keep the truck for a couple years and then lift it with that SICK coilover/new control arm setup I saw posted on here, but I am curious if people lifted on pucks like the 2/3's have ball joint and other alignment issues.

Bull bar: Does anyone actually own one of these, and can I get one in black? The only pics I've seen are marketing pics. I know there's another black bull bar out there but there's something about the way it fits around the lights that I don't like.
http://www.burtmanindustries.com/images/prodimages/4run_jaos_bullb_03_up.jpg


V8: What about the V6 versus the V8 for offroading. I've driven both. The V6 seemed very nice and powerful but the V8 is....well.....a v8. I bought the Cherokee because it had an 8 and I looooove the power in the 8. There's a possibility I might eventually tow a car with this truck, but just in terms of offroading does anyone think it makes a difference? Does either one of the engines come with a timing belt or are the both chains? Looking at the fuel numbers, it doesn't seem like THAT huge a gap between the two engines...Im learning towards the 8... :biggrin2:

Thanks much for any info you can provide. I'm really sorry if some of these have been explicitly covered. I did look for info before posting but some of this stuff wasn't really clear to me.

 

[T?@\7]

No tow hooks. Lame yes!

sand: the 4R does not get stuck in sand. 99% of my offroading is sand, beach and woods. I look for places that could be interesting and I dont ever even have to use the locker or put it in 4lo, that is unless there is an incline......where a little momentum goes a long way. But hell yeah man, I LOVE playing in sand, never been close to stuck and my stock tires are dead.

wheels: some folk have something like what u want, look around more i guess.

skids/sliders: more and more choices are becoming available and i probably dont know them all; Hanna Quality, Demello, Shrockworks, ARB, Bud Built, All Pro...... they sell either or both.. I cant wait to get some!

lrg drivers: im also 6'2 and the only issue i have is the low roofline fo the runner. It doesnt bother me much, but i have to kind of duck down to look at stoplights. WeLL, that is until i refined the art of looking in the hood reflection :-D but yeah, i dunno man, you should take a long test drive.

lifts: people use spacer lifts, which i guess is basically a puck..? there are 3/2 kits, 2/1 kits, and just 1" kits for the front... I dont have any experience with these but lots of guys on here do.

bullbar: you should email jason burtman himself, he's got tons of shit and is very easy to deal with! That white runner has always looked good to me, tho im not too much a fan of those bars...

v6 v8: that always turns into a pissing and fire throwing contest... I really like the full time all wheel drive of the v8, which i wasnt even aware of when i irst bought the truck (derrrrr). That and the sound are my two fav things.

Good luck and GREAT CHOICE! My truck is nearing its 3rd birthday and I LOVE THE SHIT OUT OF IT! you will have fun!


Ray

 

[SportRunner]

Tow Hooks - No it doesn't come with tow hooks but just the loops but these are not needed since it never gets stuck

Sand - These things handle awesome in the sand even with the stock tires. I air-down to about 15-20psi and just float threw it, I usually go out to the sand dunes and even go flying up and down hills no problem...

Wheels - As far as wheels I haven't really looked at any becuase I like my stock sport ones, but I know there are plenty out there....maybe check out http://www.4wheelparts.com/ ... just remember that the Sport has larger disc brakes so you might have to go 17" or bigger I don't know if 16" will give you enough clearance....

Skid Plates + Sliders - Yup they make these but a lot are gonna be weld on because this is mostly custom fab. try this http://www.downeyoff-road.com/BodyComponents/SkidPlates.html

Large Drivers - I'm about 6'0 and 250 lbs and fit in this thing perfectly, I've had tacomas too and those were a little tighter but I love my 4runner as on long trips I don't know I can't get comfy in any car but its not bad...

Lifts - I bought the Daystar 2.5" spacer lift for now becuase I wasn't ready to part with my X-REAS yet and I'm very surprised to find out that my 4runner actually got a little softer and smoother than firmer like it should have so I'm really excited about that, and I have had no problems and can't forsee any becuase this is not that aggresive.... as far as coil-overs and new upper a-arms that would be awesome offroad take a look at these http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/03up4runnersaw.htm
that would be my dream set up but in the future I;m probably gonna go Old Man Emu...

V8 - I love my V8 as far as offroading both will be great but the V8 has so much power I can power up hills no problem and it sounds awesome. I tow a 6500lb toy hauler so I needed the V8 but even if I didn't tow I would still get it....my buddies are always surprised when they see the stuff I can do and tow no problem I've earned the respect of many Nissan Titan owners and F-350 diesel owners thats for sure...

Hope this helps a little - Kris

 

[TRBenj]

What they said.

With regards to tall drivers, I find it has less to do with your height than it does with the length of your legs vs. torso. Im 6' tall and have a ton (6") of headroom, even with the sunroof. I do have long legs though- and I find that my Sport Edition with the telescoping wheel makes for a very comfortable driving position. In other vehicles, I normally end up with my knees in the dash to get close enough to reach the steering wheel. Might want to consider a Sport or Limited if youre built like me- the SR5 does not get the telescoping wheel.

Bottom line, make sure you test drive whatever trim level youre considering!

 

[endus]

Thanks much for the input guys. The stuff about the sand sounds particularly encouraging. I want to do more offroading, but so far it's just been the beach and I loooove doing it, so that's a good thing.

I checked out 4wheelparts before for steelies but didn't find any with the t4r bolt pattern. I had found a post on here that said the bolt pattern is 6X139...is that correct? I don't see a lot for that bolt pattern.

Sounds good, though. I am pretty set on the 4runner but wanted to make sure I know what I am getting in to....

 

[nuch]

The only question I can give any input on is the tall driver. I am 6'5", 245 and I have no problem in my 04 SR5. The telescoping wheel would be nice, but not too necessary. I have driven it from NY to AR a few times without discomfort. Hope that helps a little.

Also, I have the v6 and didn't even think twice, until I had a friend with a Tundra and a Flowmaster....sounded quite awesome.

 

[T?@\7]

damn, u r a big dude!

 

[Falls]

I'm 6'2" 185 and am comfortable , always would like a little more int. room though. I have plenty of head room to , even with moonroof.

As for the V8 ............ no question , excellent . I debated too , but the wife said I know you to well , just get the V8 or you won't be happy .

Tow hooks , you could put in a rear shackle in the receiver mount . The loops seem pretty thick , and I have pulled stumps and bushes out with them , but not sure how they would hold up like pulling a car from a ditch ..... any one use them for this ?

It is an excellent on and off road vehicle vehicle , I do have a few thing's I HATE about it which gives me mixed emotions wiith the 4wd system.

PS , I would love a lift. 2+ inches . I'm already run bigger tires . 265.70.17's which it still the tire size I can run with a lift , just would like a bugger truck feel and more ground clearance .

 

[davefisher]

As far as using the factory loop for recovery of a vehicle, I would stay away from that.

Pick up a 2" receiver shackle from any off road shop or an online retailer for about $30. The Warn shackle I picked up is rated at 13,000lbs. Like I'd ever get anywhere near that. Haha :driving:

 

[endus]

(Thanks everyone)

As far as using the factory loop for recovery of a vehicle, I would stay away from that.

Pick up a 2" receiver shackle from any off road shop or an online retailer for about $30. The Warn shackle I picked up is rated at 13,000lbs. Like I'd ever get anywhere near that. Haha :driving:

Yea I have one of those I bought for the jeep. It bugs me a bit not to have any way to yank from the front, though. I can't claim that I have a really great reason for that, because I never had to use it on the jeep, but still...

Do any of the after market bull bars have hooks? I'm assuming the ARB does...?

 

[davefisher]

Yeah most of the ARB bumpers, though some don't actually come WITH the shackle mounted... have the fabrication mounts where all you'd have to do would be to buy the ring shackle and the bolt and stick it on. They are really cool!

 

[JB.]

It bugs me a bit not to have any way to yank from the front, though. I can't claim that I have a really great reason for that, because I never had to use it on the jeep, but still...

I'll agree those loops don't look up to the task to me, but plenty of people have used them for recovery with no problem, so you do have a way to yank from the front. With complete peace of mind? That's another story.

 

[T?@\7]

I like those loops, until they do me wrong. ive only been pulled from the front once, but anyway, yes the loops work for recovery. until i hear of a 4th gen having one fail, i WILL keep using them if needed.

 

[endus]

Good to know. I suppose I can probably live with the loops that are there...this is something to think about though.

 

[shootmymime]

sorry i just wanted to throw this in...


im 6'1" 145lbs