First time in a 4x4 Park/Track. Damage to be expected?

[propain]

Was talking to a friend who drives a rubicon, he invited me to a place out in PA (Rausch Creek Off-Road Park) which has like 3000 acres of 4x4'ing, and was wondering, how much damage can i expect to happen to the truck?

I ask only because on his third run, it cost him like $6000 to replace the rear axle/diff, etc. Something happend and it cost him big money. I love to run shit over, but im not looking to pay out my rear to replace broken parts etc everytime i go 4x4'ing.

I dont know if the TRD suspension is strong enough to handle the courses, thats the reason for concern. Being that im a newbie at rocks/trails with a truck, i guess i will be forced to take the baby course, eventually id like to climb/crawl uphill/downhill over rocks without fliping the truck over :smokin:

What should i protect first? Get full skid plates for the bottom of the truck?

:dizzy:

 

[RedSled]

I think getting some experience should be your first concern, that helps cut down on damage for newbs, after that then you can go on the badass trails and tear some shit up.

 

[Unner]

Don't be stupid, if you aren't sure get a spotter or get out and look, expect scratches, and take it slow. That's my advice. You can do alot stock, my only suggestion is better tires if the TRD Pro's come with the same garbage tires as the rest of the new 4Runners, I'm not sure.

I went out to an offroad park in my 01 4x4 when it was stock and I had no real damage. My only "off-road" mod at the time was my sliders, but they never got used. I got a couple scratches (nothing bad), and dented my stock gas tank skid. Put 10k miles on it since then with no issues. Now it's lifted and armored and I can't wait to see what it'll do now.

Not sure what your buddy was doing but it sounds either like user error or just Jeep reliability...

 

[KidVermicious]

You should not expect serious body damage unless you want body damage. Your truck is capable of tackling some pretty hard lines cleanly. On the other hand, it sounds like you aren't, so yes drive the baby course and take the easy lines. There's no shame in it, you're new and everybody is new once. Go with your buddy, get your feet wet, have fun.

Sliders and skids are always a good idea, if you think wheeling is something you want to get into.

 

[Tooltime19]

You shouldnt expect any damage if you use your head! Remember just because its a 4x4 doesnt mean its a desert Trophy Truck with 900 hp and 26" of wheel travel. If you drive it like that then you are going to break shit. And people who do drive it like that and break shit then claim it on their insurance are the morons who are responsible for our insurance rates going up. Drive smart and have fun. Build it right. Take your time. Buy quality parts and dont drive it like a race truck.

 

[techno]

Rausch Creek has tons of trails with more than ample clearance all round. If you get scratched up, it will be because you were driving with your eyes closed
Unless you drive like you just stole it, i wouldn't expect any damage on the easy trails, with the only exception being running boards if you have them.

 

[Vrrooom]

I've been to Rausch many times and the have trails with varying difficulty. Stock 4runners won't break anything unless you do something stupid, like drive through areas where you're clearance isn't enough and you don't have a spotter or drive too fast, Or drive into a tree, etc.

Use common sense and take it slow and aside from some branches and brush giving you might scratches you should be fine.

 

[michaelj]

I have never been to a 4x4 park, but there is one about 3 hours away from me I want to check out soon. I have heard, like others have said, that there are trails of varying difficulty. I'd say stick to what you are comfortable with and you will be fine. Don't know all the technical differences between my 99 and your 16, but my nearly stock 99 does just fine on a lot of trails.

 

[propain]

Thanks for the insight, it helps alot.

I've done snow removal for over 20yrs, ran bobcats and 30ft tall frontloaders, heavy machinery, etc. I've raced AMA Motocross for over 10yrs, I am familiar with different terrains, but this is my first Toyota truck and I really do not know how tuff these trucks are and what they are capable of. We will head over to Rausch in 2 months or so....cant wait.

My TRD came with those black sidesteps, i need to remove them and was thinking of adding either rocky supersliders, or the nfabs. I'm leaning towards Rocky. What I'd like the truck to do eventually is rock crawl up/down steep inclines, like from top/bottom of mountains, etc :becky:

2016 TRD Tires are the Nitto Grapplers AT. Size, dunno, i'd have to look.

:lookout:

 

[mace.]

I've been out there with someone that was in a TRD Pro. Definitely take the steps off first. Other than that, go slow, use common sense and you'll be fine. Spotting and keeping your speed down will keep you from slamming your underside. Don't race through the water holes and puddles as you may "find" some hidden rocks.

 

[propain]

I've been out there with someone that was in a TRD Pro. Definitely take the steps off first. Other than that, go slow, use common sense and you'll be fine. Spotting and keeping your speed down will keep you from slamming your underside. Don't race through the water holes and puddles as you may "find" some hidden rocks.

Not steps, but these... running boards.

This is my bish..

 

[mace.]

Not steps, but these... running boards.

This is my bish..

Yeah, those are what I meant. Take those off and that hitch step too. You'll drag that.

 

[mace.]

If you're on Facebook check out northeast 4Runner owners association

 

[propain]

mud flaps too?, can the rear flaps be removed without removing the tires?
I guess i can do all this myself. Prob just a few bolts for the running boards.

 

[mace.]

I always intend to take mine off but never do. They are pretty rugged so I wouldn't worry too much about them.

 

[mace.]

One thing I forgot to mention is that the trails ratings are an estimation. What may be an easy trail for a narrow, short wheelbase vehicle may be more difficult for something wider and longer. That said, just because you may be on a green don't let your attention wander. We got stock fjs and 4runners through two black trails without damage but still needed to carefully spot vehicles on a green because of the off camber articulation at the entrance.

 

[Tooltime19]

You already understand each vehicle has its limits from the things you raced and use for work. Just keep that concept in mind. Remember, air down, let the motor and the tires do all the work. Use only as much throttle as needed. When going down steep hills, always use 4-Low and 1st gear. This technique will not allow the vehicle speed to be too great and thus you losing control by going downhill too fast or your brakes from overheating. That tip right there is one of the very first things I teach people when I give instruction on driving techniques. AS your skill level increases, you can modify your downhill techniques in time. Those who fail to use 4-Low and a low gear when going down steep hills are the ones who end up on you tube under stupid people and off road fails. lol
Your suspension has its limits too! I teach people to pre-run potentially fun, fast trails at slower speeds a few times before going fast and crashing because you didnt know there was a big drop off around that corner and you were going too fast. You have a great durable and very capable rig in your hands. Enjoy the ride. Let us know how it goes, and welcome to the club!
:cheers:

 

[techno]

This thread has lots of pics of the park, if you want to get a feel for the terrain. This was the last time I visited RC.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/85423-post-your-rausch-creek-pictures-here.html

 

[Andy in Pa]

I am going to be there this Saturday (Feb 13th) with my 99 T4R. I was going to take my Jeep, but its going to be much too cold for wheeling something that has an open roof!! It doesn't sound like the snow is too bad there either. We will be doing easy trails if anyone from this site wants to tag along. This will be the first real time I have taken my T4R offroading at RC.

Look for the black lifted 3rd gen in the parking/staging area. I have been there 100's of times in my Jeep(s), so I now the place pretty well.

A.

 

[propain]

I am going to be there this Saturday (Feb 13th) with my 99 T4R. I was going to take my Jeep, but its going to be much too cold for wheeling something that has an open roof!! It doesn't sound like the snow is too bad there either. We will be doing easy trails if anyone from this site wants to tag along. This will be the first real time I have taken my T4R offroading at RC.

Look for the black lifted 3rd gen in the parking/staging area. I have been there 100's of times in my Jeep(s), so I now the place pretty well.

A.

Andy it's going to be like 0F degrees this weekend, we would meet you there, but we would like to camp there too, and its a little too cold for that. I think we will head there in a month or so..were going to camp there all weekend. I will msg you before we set a date and see if you want to meet up eventually.

Here is a stupid question, are there bears there on or around the trails? HEY BEAR!!!

Hehe....