How capable is a non-lifted T4R?

[el_kab0ng]

Other than the native 4WD system and MT/AT tires, how capable is a non-lifted T4R? I would assume VERY capable in most conditions, but wanted to get the conversation started here to see where everyone's head was at with it.

From my personal experience, my TE has done everything I've asked of it so far with just the 4WD and stock tires, but I also acknowledge that my off-roading has been limited to occasionally crappy roads and flat/level driving off trail.

I could see myself ultimately getting MT/ATs (maybe some K02s), but have no intention of lifting my KDSS enabled ride as I don't completely see the value in doing so if I never plan to rock climb or get crazy with crossing rivers and what not.

 

[mwray8909]

I ran stock tires even and made it through some questionable areas without a problem.

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[1engineer]

2010 Toyota 4Runner Rubicon Trail First Drive

 

[el_kab0ng]

Great article. Always glad to read about stuff like that, but it often points back to the 'why bother lifting?' question if it's so capable without it.

 

[1engineer]

Great article. Always glad to read about stuff like that, but it often points back to the 'why bother lifting?' question if it's so capable without it.

Not everyone can pick a good line or has a spotter lol.

 

[KidVermicious]

but it often points back to the 'why bother lifting?' question if it's so capable without it.

Because a small percentage of those who lift their 4Runners actually need the additional clearance they get. Most everybody else is just playing dress up with their trucks and trying to look cool.

If you don't need to lift, don't. Down the road if your adventures get you to the point where you're dragging belly on a regular basis and your rear diff has more rock dings than a camel has fleas, you can always revisit your decision.

 

[mwray8909]

Because a small percentage of those who lift their 4Runners actually need the additional clearance they get. Most everybody else is just playing dress up with their trucks and trying to look cool.

If you don't need to lift, don't. Down the road if your adventures get you to the point where you're dragging belly on a regular basis and your rear diff has more rock dings than a camel has fleas, you can always revisit your decision.

I agree with most of that i was rubbing belly a lot so I lifted mine. But the only way you can really gain clearance for the rear diff is through larger tires. And I guess for larger tires a lift can be needed. So I agree with your main point.

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[PWD4R]

I am lifted 3" in my third gen and still hit skids all weekend... depends where you go. Rock ledges means you need some inches. You can angle it all you want but you can't maneuver around our LCA and LCA mount with just "experience". Sometimes you just have to be a little higher.


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[mythinline]

I spent last weekend at Overland Expo at Biltmore Estate and was VERY pleased with the capabilities of the stock Trail model. I (and the instructors) had to work hard to get it stuck, so we could play with the diff lock.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

I gave my new 4Runner a pretty good workout on some very rough, rocky trails in Nevada and the Mojave desert, and was satisfied with its performance sans lift. It was not noticeably worse than any of my previous SUVs in that regard.

 

[el_kab0ng]

I spent last weekend at Overland Expo at Biltmore Estate and was VERY pleased with the capabilities of the stock Trail model. I (and the instructors) had to work hard to get it stuck, so we could play with the diff lock.

Stock tires as well or did you have special purpose ones installed prior?

 

[mckennar]

With 265/70/16 Bridgestone Duelers on my stock height 3rd Gen, I made it everywhere my driving ability (lack thereof) would allow me to go around Big Bear when we lived in CA, and through the Ozarks here in Arkansas/Missouri.

Stock, out of the box, these things are really frigging capable. Much more capable than I am as a driver.

 

[e60ral]

i took mine on the trail at the expo event, the factory tires would have done fine. if you went when it was wet you would be sticking to the ruts probably in a couple spots with factory tires, but not an issue. factory tires limit your grip some, sure, but i think the bigger reason to upgrade tires is to get something that is a little tougher. When i did the 4WD-101 class and then hit a couple trails at Uwharrie I was really worried about the sidewalls on the aired-down factory tires over rocks and roots.

I've been in way worse than the land rover trail at expo east on factory tires (those are factory tires in my profile pic)

 

[Ron4RNevada]

If the rock is 2 inches too high:
Move the rock -or- Drive around it -or- stack smaller rock next to it -or- find another line.

A stocker will go 99% of the places that a lifted; crawl control; locked diff rig will go -

Ray Dunakin and I tend to wander the same territory. Better tires are the only rquirement.

 

[mnofpeace]

I dont have a lot of true off road experience...some, very fun, with mud and such...

But for this question i hang my hat on one specific experience: The Blizzard of 2016. the DC area got 18-24 inches of snow, and as the storm was winding down, i was up out of my unplowed neighborhood, up the almost impassible hill in order to get to any surface streets (half a mile at around 35 degrees incline), and out and around while passing a few stuck half ton pickup truck-plows, many stuck X-overs, and just chugging away for about 3 hours of explore and enjoy winter wonderland. I never even had a hint of getting stuck.

this thing rocks...pun intended.

 

[Net4n6]

If the rock is 2 inches too high:
Move the rock -or- Drive around it -or- stack smaller rock next to it -or- find another line.

A stocker will go 99% of the places that a lifted; crawl control; locked diff rig will go -

Ray Dunakin and I tend to wander the same territory. Better tires are the only rquirement.

I agree with Ron 100% but the lifted one 100 times cooler:dancin:

 

[el_kab0ng]

Well, at least I found out today that the 2016 TE with stock tires can hit a downed speed limit sign in the middle of the road at speed and only lose one tire to a puncture. :ybrick: It didn't blow out, fortunately, and I was able to get to my destination (which I was close to when it happened) before airing down.

The buddy I was meeting for lunch was kind enough to help me change it out to expedite the process. He was surprised by the amount of travel the suspension had before the jack finally got the tire to lift. I'm not sure if this is as a result of the KDSS (which I thought was hydraulically actuated, requiring electricity to run the pumps) or just the normal suspension travel, but either way it was an interesting experience.

 

[PWD4R]

If the rock is 2 inches too high:
Move the rock -or- Drive around it -or- stack smaller rock next to it -or- find another line.

A stocker will go 99% of the places that a lifted; crawl control; locked diff rig will go -

Ray Dunakin and I tend to wander the same territory. Better tires are the only rquirement.

Totally agree. You can get anyone almost anywhere with enough stacking of rocks (been there done that) but it's definitely more convenient to not be that burden and just lift your shit. Lol

 

[e60ral]

Well, at least I found out today that the 2016 TE with stock tires can hit a downed speed limit sign in the middle of the road at speed and only lose one tire to a puncture. :ybrick: It didn't blow out, fortunately, and I was able to get to my destination (which I was close to when it happened) before airing down.

The buddy I was meeting for lunch was kind enough to help me change it out to expedite the process. He was surprised by the amount of travel the suspension had before the jack finally got the tire to lift. I'm not sure if this is as a result of the KDSS (which I thought was hydraulically actuated, requiring electricity to run the pumps) or just the normal suspension travel, but either way it was an interesting experience.

KDSS does not have a pump, but you have more flex when its off which it would be when you are jacking

 

[jrm]

Removing the running boards

and running a taller tire (255/75/17) will gain you enough clearance for most stuff. It also helps to invest in some recovery equipment b/c you just never know.