Capabilities in Clay

[Geländemann]

Hello,
I'm currently a Ford owner, but I'm entertaining a switch to an 03/04 4Runner. I know the 4Runner is very competent offroad, but, here in Georgia, clay is tricky business. If I did get a 4Runner I'd probably end up with 33"ish MTs and a lift to fit them.
I'm wondering how well a 4Runner with MTs would fare in soft bottom clay and 4-7" deep hard bottom clay. Also, I have a picture of a pretty crazy slope I've been looking at:

It's about 40-50 degree upward slope with a side slope of 5-10 degrees. The surface is hard packed (when dry) clay.
If anyone's interested, this is actually at Durhamtown, GA's new (less than 5 month old) 4x4 truck park. Durhamtown a big offroad playland for dirtbikes, ATVs, UTVs, 4x4s, etc near Union Point, GA. $20 entry fee for the truck park. Their old 4x4 park just got closed up because of the taxes they were having to pay, but this new park is pretty intense. Unforunately, they don't have maps of their new park up, but they keep saying they are going to have some soon. The 4x4 park also isn't too crowded these days, but the rest of Durhamtown is crazy on weekends with people using dirtbikes and ATVs. Don't worry though, the areas are separate.

Thanks for any replies.

 

[Hawkdog21]

I am originally from GA, and every 4runner I have had has been great in the clay. The light weight was what saved me many times. I have been with 4wd pickups on 35s, and they got stuck, literally in place on perfectly flat level ground that was all clay, it blew everyones mind that the truck was stuck. Just make sure that whatever MTs you get are great at self cleaning at wheel speed, your worst enemy against clay are tires that turn into drag slicks after two minutes.

 

[galactic_04]

If you do get the 4runner, get one with the rear diff locker. You'll need that for what you do. The 4runner would do great for you. The rear axle is way overbuilt (has been since the 70's) so you won't have to worry about breaking that. To fit the 33's (285/75), plan on doing a 2.5/3.5" lift with a small body lift. Even with the lift the 4runner still have a nice ride and plenty of power.

I do agree with the above statement. Get real good-cleaning tires! It'll make all the difference in the world what tires you have on there.

 

[eskimochaos]

If you do get the 4runner, get one with the rear diff locker. You'll need that for what you do. The 4runner would do great for you. The rear axle is way overbuilt (has been since the 70's) so you won't have to worry about breaking that. To fit the 33's (285/75), plan on doing a 2.5/3.5" lift with a small body lift. Even with the lift the 4runner still have a nice ride and plenty of power.

I do agree with the above statement. Get real good-cleaning tires! It'll make all the difference in the world what tires you have on there.

The rear diff in the 4R is far from over-built. Many of them have failed while out on the trail. It might have been over-built for the light truck it was intended for but the torque of the V8 + big tires is no match for the tiny rear end.

 

[Geländemann]

I'd probably end up with a V6 anyway, and I usually take it pretty light on the gas. I've seen a lot of photos of the Toytec 3/2, I've been on their site a bit and it looks nice, and I'd probably throw in wheel spacers for safety. Could I get away with an OME with spacers or some negative offset wheels?
Speaking of that - aren't wheels for 4Runners kind of hard to come by? Any good negative offset wheels that fit?

I'd love a locker, but I don't think I'm up for investing in an ARB or E-Locker. Any other suggestions?

I was thinking Firestone MTs, BFG KM2s or GY Duratracs - sound good? I have some Grabbers on my Ford right now, and I've had them clog up on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, I can't fit anything else, but that's part of why I want to get rid of it.

BTW - nice looking 2010 Hawkdog, I saw a white 5th Gen. Trail edition with a CB in a parking lot last month - looked sharp.
And, that's coming from somebody who’s been pretty loyal to Ford; however, the interior quality on my 08 is crap and the 2011 Explorer is a CUV. Not to mention, Ford now only makes trucks with solid axles, so I'm jumping ship.

 

[Hawkdog21]

I'd probably end up with a V6 anyway, and I usually take it pretty light on the gas. I've seen a lot of photos of the Toytec 3/2, I've been on their site a bit and it looks nice, and I'd probably throw in wheel spacers for safety. Could I get away with an OME with spacers or some negative offset wheels?
Speaking of that - aren't wheels for 4Runners kind of hard to come by? Any good negative offset wheels that fit?

I'd love a locker, but I don't think I'm up for investing in an ARB or E-Locker. Any other suggestions?

I was thinking Firestone MTs, BFG KM2s or GY Duratracs - sound good? I have some Grabbers on my Ford right now, and I've had them clog up on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, I can't fit anything else, but that's part of why I want to get rid of it.

BTW - nice looking 2010 Hawkdog, I saw a white 5th Gen. Trail edition with a CB in a parking lot last month - looked sharp.
And, that's coming from somebody who’s been pretty loyal to Ford; however, the interior quality on my 08 is crap and the 2011 Explorer is a CUV. Not to mention, Ford now only makes trucks with solid axles, so I'm jumping ship.

First off I would recommend the BFG KM2s, I have had 3 sets in different sizes and they have never failed me in mud/clay. Also, you will most likely not need wheel spacers, Every time I have running 285s I have not used wheel spacers. You are also fine putting 285s on factory wheels. Toytec 3/2 lift is a great package so you won't go wrong with that.

BTW - nice looking 2010 Hawkdog, I saw a white 5th Gen. Trail edition with a CB in a parking lot last month - looked sharp.

They do not make the Trail Edition in white, im guessing it was the light silver maybe?

 

[galactic_04]

The rear diff in the 4R is far from over-built.

I guess this could be true with the V8... I've never tried that combo. I've driven the Toyota 8 inch behind a Vortec V6 and never had an issue with a welded diff. Honestly, you can get one with a locker from the factory, so I'd go that route if you want the diff locker. I believe it is an e-locker, but could be wrong. Either way, for a road truck, I'd go with something that's unlockable.

 

[Geländemann]

They do not make the Trail Edition in white, im guessing it was the light silver maybe?

I guess so. It looked pretty white to me, and it had the TE wheels, black grille and black fender flares. Maybe it was the sun.

EDIT - What about that incline everybody? Would it be something for a heavily modded 4Runner, a stock 4Runner or a crawling rig?

 

[gm350reratliff]

The rear diff in the 4R is far from over-built. Many of them have failed while out on the trail. It might have been over-built for the light truck it was intended for but the torque of the V8 + big tires is no match for the tiny rear end.

True, maybe not "over-built" but it is stronger than a 10 bolt gm and the ford 8.8 and maybe just as strong as a ford 9inch. I haven't seen any axles that are truly bulletproof. You can even break a 2.5 ton rockwell if you try hard enough. Point is, the toyota axle should be fine for his needs with 33s.