Going to start wheeling, but very nervous.

[Runn4est]

As we near the summer, I was able to get my wife on board with getting into wheeling (technically, the Runner is her DD). I have sliders on order, and I am going to get those on before our first outing at Rausch Creek in June where we are planning on doing the 4x4 101 class.

I already know that not many people really understand what a 4Runner is, and how capable they are, but she is getting a lot of negative feedback from people in her family, telling her that we'll do thousands of dollars in damage under the vehicle, and it's really not a great idea to do that. Now she is starting to get cold feet and it's rubbing off on me because I'm going to be the one that screws the pooch if anybody does.

We are not trying to get into anything extreme but we want to have fun. Something to remind us why we have a 4Runner and not a Highlander. Realistically, KO2s in 265 and Sliders with no lift, are we going to be capable enough for a day at Rausch? Thanks.

 

[ST1FLER]

tell your inlaws to STFU and get out there an enjoy the vehicle YOU are paying for

 

[GrantK]

Your first class will be very tame. Probably so much so that most 2WD cars could handle it with a little care. Just take your time and enjoy. Sure, you'll be nervous the first time, but that's expected since you don't know what to expect from either the class or your truck. But, hey, that's what the class is for.

If you both have fun with the 1st class, try the second, then the 3rd and so on, until you reach a class or personal level where you feel you could do harm to your truck. Then you can go and have fun doing that level of wheeling with friends and not damage your truck.

Even if you stop after the 1st class you'll both know a lot more about what your truck can do and make you a better winter/dirt road driver.

 

[Engineer]

You are starting out right by taking a 4x4 101 class, that should help set both your minds at ease. You will be amazed at how quickly you will become comfy with the capabilities and understand what you should and shouldn't do.

Also if you are even vaguely competent and are not crazy rolling the 4runner shouldn't happen which is in my mind the one of 2 main ways to cause a high amount of damage to a 4runner while out and about. The other being water, stay away from deep water , we drive trucks not submarines. Yes it is awesome to see some of the photos of guys going through hood deep water but you better be prepared for the consequences if you get stuck, hydrolock the motor or cause electrical issues.

"........that we'll do thousands of dollars in damage under the vehicle" I bet if you ask them for details they will shut up in a hurry. Its either rare events or blown way out proportion. There is always a risk but its managable

Last comment, depending on where you go off road and what type of trails/area you will be in you may have to accept some minor damage. This could be as minor as pin striping that can be buffed out or as major as Dents in sheetmetal (obviously can be worse but assuming reasonable caution is taken).

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Roach Creek has plenty of "easy" trails. Go have fun with it, bring it back and then ask the in laws to point out the damage to you.

 

[Sleeter]

You will be fine, take it from me I just went to Rousch today. Rousch s a great place to learn and meet like minded people. The trails are marked like a ski area green is easy (think stock), blues are more technical ( stock 4Runner will do fine), blacks have significant drops and boulders that will be difficult but not impossible to travers w/o spotter and a built rig.

Let me know if your headed up to Rousch and I'll try to meet up.

 

[Boyds4Runner]

I did two of the 101 classes at Rausch Creek: one with the truck 2 months old and the second with the truck at 8 months old.

First trip was in 8" of fresh snow on the trails so it was an easy introduction.

Second class was in June (Off-road consulting gave a discount for the Feb. 2015 101 attendants since the snow limited our ability to do much else other than drive on snow covered trails). We did much more cool stuff in the June 101 class. None of which did any damage. Yes there were a few scrapes underneath and there is trail rash on the paint. one of the three steel hangers for the factory running board on the passenger side got bent but still totally functional and no one can tell other than me unless they know to look for it.

Both 101 classes were with just the rear-axle and eLocker breather relocation mod and nothing else that would help in off-roading.

Take it slow, listen to the instructor and observe the vehicle ahead of you to figure out where best to place your wheels. It's also pretty cool to see all of the articulation that happens on the vehicle in front.

Have fun with it, be smart about it and if you don't like something or a particular path pick another one, after all it's your ride home so no one is going to laugh at you for trying to preserve it!

Heck, just by getting into the Rausch Creek parking lot you are already taking it farther than most folks that buy 4x4's:dancin:

 

[jrandom]

Of course, some people choose to learn new things with something a little less nice :

 

[wfo9]

You probably have nothing to worry about in a 101 type class.

If you do plan to continue though... you really will want a lift. Stock they drag all over the place (especially an LE) and that is where almost all of your minor damage will come from. First casualty will be your front air dam.... Next after the lift, you will want to put on a real gas tank skid.

 

[Boyds4Runner]

You probably have nothing to worry about in a 101 type class.

If you do plan to continue though... you really will want a lift. Stock they drag all over the place (especially an LE) and that is where almost all of your minor damage will come from. First casualty will be your front air dam.... Next after the lift, you will want to put on a real gas tank skid.

I forgot about this ^^ The rider in front of me in the June 2015 class had a 2015 LE with factory tires and everything. He got through it all with a few slips here and there due to the mainly highway tires but you already took care of that with the KO2's.

Also at the very end of the day as we were driving back up to the parking lot/staging area there is a SURPRISE rut where he ripped off the front air dam. He laughed about how he made it through the whole place with no damage and then at the end, in the parking lot he rips off the front air dam. I hit the same dip but took it square on the TRD skid.

Kyle Buchter was our instructor through both 101's that I took as well as the 201. He won't lead you wrong and you will get hooked!

 

[zidaro]

First!!
don't be afraid, this supposed to be a blast! Have Fun, take it easy, enjoy the scenery and the trail
Second!!
speed is not your friend? Go slow over anything rough atleast until you learn your rig and its(and your) capabilities. That said- you have an amazing 4x4, very capable. use the high tech gizmos it has cuz they work. Infact, that brings me to three-
Three!!
Go slow! In your head. Not many of us are Robby Gordons, nor are we driving a Trophy Truck or Rock Buggy. So don't be that guy. Thats how you get way over your head, hurt someone or yourself- and god and inlaws forbid, start denting up your Runner.
Four!
Expect to scratch, dent, or break something. Were pushing our vehicles and our selves, its going to happen, hopefully you can keep your cool and stay safe, then fix or live with the results- IT IS part of the Game

OMG!!!!! Welcome, its sooooooo fun

 

[Jhalko]

You probably have nothing to worry about in a 101 type class.

If you do plan to continue though... you really will want a lift. Stock they drag all over the place (especially an LE) and that is where almost all of your minor damage will come from. First casualty will be your front air dam.... Next after the lift, you will want to put on a real gas tank skid.

This^ I would spend the money now on a new gas tank skid assuming the Limited still comes with the cheap half coverage one that mine did. Honestly with the moderate lift I have I didn't rip off the air dam or rear bumper even in moderate stuff, clearly I wasn't trying hard enough though.

 

[BobsTrail]

[MENTION=124959]Runn4est[/MENTION] -- The replies to your post are among the best I have seen on this forum. Read them a few more times and have your wife be a co-driver if she is willing.

You will be surprised at how well a 4Runner does.

 

[wanderMT]

Go for it!!! You only live once and you don't know how long that will be.

That Toyota is a piece of metal and plastic - it is not your first born!!!

 

[DannyLlama]

I'm not familiar with the area you are going..

I took my LE all stock to a local place and did fine.. Like you, I was nervous. But I just took easy to moderate trails and it wasn't bad.

I will tell you this. Try to go without your wife at first, take her when she gets comfortable. If your nervous she will naturally get nervous. If your more confident, it will help the situation. My wife didn't go until the 5th time.

4R's are very capable trucks, but they are only as capable as their drivers. Know your limits and don't push more than what your comfortable with. Listen to your guy, there's science behind that.

Have fun and post photos.

 

[Runn4est]

Thanks all for the words of advice and encouragement. It's good to hear from first hand experience that it is likely easily, but cautiously, manageable for our ride. I appreciate the honesty too, and not just dismissing any little trail rash.

I definitely plan on going about the ride cautiously and don't aim for being the next YouTube viral sensation. I expect that my wife will still cringe and maybe be mad about a little scrape, but I think I can manage that as long as we are able to drive home in one piece. Would an extra coat of wax help the pinstriping?

I figured the skirting would be in the line of fire most, and I was hoping to remove the bottom portion, but it looks like it's all one piece of molded plastic now? Looks like only the piece that covers the hooks is removable.

Thanks again, and I'll let you guys that hangout at Rausch know when we go up.

 

[williamlv282]

As we near the summer, I was able to get my wife on board with getting into wheeling (technically, the Runner is her DD). I have sliders on order, and I am going to get those on before our first outing at Rausch Creek in June where we are planning on doing the 4x4 101 class.

I already know that not many people really understand what a 4Runner is, and how capable they are, but she is getting a lot of negative feedback from people in her family, telling her that we'll do thousands of dollars in damage under the vehicle, and it's really not a great idea to do that. Now she is starting to get cold feet and it's rubbing off on me because I'm going to be the one that screws the pooch if anybody does.

We are not trying to get into anything extreme but we want to have fun. Something to remind us why we have a 4Runner and not a Highlander. Realistically, KO2s in 265 and Sliders with no lift, are we going to be capable enough for a day at Rausch? Thanks.

You'll be fine. Keep to safe speeds, watch your downhill descents and don't try to climb any boulders. Who gives a shit what anyone else thinks? Honestly, don't ask other people for permission, it's always easier to ask for forgiveness. Not that you'd need to... it's your truck.
Maybe check out some youtube videos about 4runners and off-roading. Every major video review includes a bit of light off-roading.

 

[4r2014]

 

[Land_Shark]

As we near the summer, I was able to get my wife on board with getting into wheeling (technically, the Runner is her DD). I have sliders on order, and I am going to get those on before our first outing at Rausch Creek in June where we are planning on doing the 4x4 101 class.

I already know that not many people really understand what a 4Runner is, and how capable they are, but she is getting a lot of negative feedback from people in her family, telling her that we'll do thousands of dollars in damage under the vehicle, and it's really not a great idea to do that. Now she is starting to get cold feet and it's rubbing off on me because I'm going to be the one that screws the pooch if anybody does.

We are not trying to get into anything extreme but we want to have fun. Something to remind us why we have a 4Runner and not a Highlander. Realistically, KO2s in 265 and Sliders with no lift, are we going to be capable enough for a day at Rausch? Thanks.

I've wheeled at Rausch Creek twice now (see my videos in my build thread in my signature) and have incurred $0 in damage to my undercarriage. I don't think you'll have any issues. Doing the 4x4 101 class is a good call too - she'll see just how fun and easy it is.

 

[Land_Shark]

I'm not familiar with the area you are going..

I took my LE all stock to a local place and did fine.. Like you, I was nervous. But I just took easy to moderate trails and it wasn't bad.

I will tell you this. Try to go without your wife at first, take her when she gets comfortable. If your nervous she will naturally get nervous. If your more confident, it will help the situation. My wife didn't go until the 5th time.

4R's are very capable trucks, but they are only as capable as their drivers. Know your limits and don't push more than what your comfortable with. Listen to your guy, there's science behind that.

Have fun and post photos.

^ This is also really good advice. The more comfortable and confident you are, the more at ease she will be. Just speak in deep/low tones and tell her "everything's okay baby, I got this..."