How hard can I push my 4Runner

[independent70]

Ive had my 4runner for about 2 months and have 1800 miles on it. Ive started to drive more aggresivley now and am wondering hwo hard I can push my 4runner? Is it really bad to floor it? go into the 5000 rpm range? Donuts in 2 wheel drive on dirt/gravel parking lots? And driving up on curbs to see the articulation of a stock 4runner? Im just trying not to hurt my 4runner but still have fun! I have a 3000+ mile road trip coming up in a couple weeks! So how do you guys drive your 4runners? Thanks joe p.

 

[Koz]

If you've made your first oil change, knock yourself out.

Koz

 

[slyangel9]

Contrary to popular opinion $5K, I couldn't wait after 1,700 (and first oil change). Engine still smooth @ 11K miles

 

[Northof49]

1,800 miles everything should be "broken in" enough to declare it open season

If it's any consolation, I was flooring mine wwaaaaaay before that :

 

[olliebear]

ou can push it as hard as your bank account allows

Not trying to be too facetious, but you can rev it up till the pistons seize. Hit curbs till the axles bend, and crash down on moguls till the undercarriage is wrapped around the gas tank, do donuts till the tires tear apart and rocks chip the paint off, drop into gear from Neutral to D at 5,000 rpm till the torque converter blows fluid out of the tailpipe.

All things in moderation and common sense and it should hold up. And as always, what is in moderation and common sense is up to you till something breaks. Then what is common sense and moderation is up to the service manager and the warranty claims manager......

I am pretty conservative. Did some dirt track and goat trail driving in visiting ghost towns nad old mining communities. Drive slow. Let the vehicle down gently. "Step over" obstacles so it does not crash into the undercarriage. place you tire genlty against the obstacle and move slowly up and over. Get out and check the over hang before driving over and rolling over......good 4x4 driving is not running the Baja 1000. It's slow, methodical, and careful.

I work too hard for my money to spend it replacing body panels and major components.....

 

[Koz]

Re: ou can push it as hard as your bank account allows

Not trying to be too facetious, but you can rev it up till the pistons seize. Hit curbs till the axles bend, and crash down on moguls till the undercarriage is wrapped around the gas tank, do donuts till the tires tear apart and rocks chip the paint off, drop into gear from Neutral to D at 5,000 rpm till the torque converter blows fluid out of the tailpipe.

All things in moderation and common sense and it should hold up. And as always, what is in moderation and common sense is up to you till something breaks. Then what is common sense and moderation is up to the service manager and the warranty claims manager......

I am pretty conservative. Did some dirt track and goat trail driving in visiting ghost towns nad old mining communities. Drive slow. Let the vehicle down gently. "Step over" obstacles so it does not crash into the undercarriage. place you tire genlty against the obstacle and move slowly up and over. Get out and check the over hang before driving over and rolling over......good 4x4 driving is not running the Baja 1000. It's slow, methodical, and careful.

I work too hard for my money to spend it replacing body panels and major components.....

GOOD advise!

Koz

 

[independent70]

I got my oil change dat 2100 miles at the toyota dealership.. I listened to you all and thought that not risking my car would be a better idea.. and i had a free coupon for an oil change so that helped me decide too... I am not sure what oil they used but I assume that it is a good oil and that it will be what the new truck needs... I havnt pushed it too hard yet execpt for a few short outbursts.. one today in the target parking lot where I raced an rsx and got destroyed... haha... but i hit probably 5000-5500 rpm and got the sulfur smell through the back window... Anyway.. I have 2 more questions... first... it was raining alot and really muddy and I saw a nice hill I couldnt resist and tried to go up it.. but about 3/4 of teh way up i lost traction
in 2 wheel and stopped... when I took my foot off the gas the 4runner rolled back a bit then it beeped and stopped with a jerk.. Is that traction control and is it normal? Also how long does it take for your alls 4wd to engage and does it make a clink when it does?

Second question, my 4runner has started to creak after i let off the brakes and when i go up on curbs and stuff.. never fast.. just flexxing the suspension... Is this normal? My momsa 4runner is really squeaky, like when you get in and out, in turns, over speed bumps... all the time.. But this one was shipped from CA to CT so we think something happened during shipping.. what are your guys opinions? Thanks alot, Joe P.

 

[Koz]

it was raining alot and really muddy and I saw a nice hill I couldnt resist and tried to go up it.. but about 3/4 of teh way up i lost traction in 2 wheel and stopped... when I took my foot off the gas the 4runner rolled back a bit then it beeped and stopped with a jerk.. Is that traction control and is it normal? Also how long does it take for your alls 4wd to engage and does it make a clink when it does?

Second question, my 4runner has started to creak after i let off the brakes and when i go up on curbs and stuff.. never fast.. just flexxing the suspension... Is this normal? My momsa 4runner is really squeaky, like when you get in and out, in turns, over speed bumps... all the time.. But this one was shipped from CA to CT so we think something happened during shipping.. what are your guys opinions? Thanks alot, Joe P.

All 4th gen Runners are equipped with "Hill Start Assist Control". This is exactly what happened to you. When you stop on a hill and take your foot off the brake, the system automatically kicks in and applies the brakes to help keep the vehicle from rolling back.

As far as the creaking, my truck doesn't do it and I haven't read of anyone having this problem.

Koz

 

[Boaz]

Donuts in 2 wheel drive on dirt/gravel parking lots?

How do you do donuts in 2wd? My VSC and Traction control kicks in making donuts impossible.....

So far the only way I have got the Runner to do donuts is this

Snow+4WD+DIFF LOCK+ Lots of throttle = Donuts

 

[Thai]

when I took my foot off the gas the 4runner rolled back a bit then it beeped and stopped with a jerk.. Is that traction control and is it normal? Also how long does it take for your alls 4wd to engage and does it make a clink when it does?

Second question, my 4runner has started to creak after i let off the brakes and when i go up on curbs and stuff.. never fast.. just flexxing the suspension... Is this normal?

1. Hill Assist Control.
2. 4wd engages at different rate (see http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=92). You should hear a tiny clunk/clink when it does engage. Remember, you are not in 4wd until the light is solid.
3. You may hear a slight creak when you flex your suspension to max. A frame will bend to some degree over an obstacle. That must have been one big curb that you went over.

 

[independent70]

Donuts- Very wide gravel dirt parking lot (Boat Launch with parking places for trailers so lots of space)
25-30 miles per hour
Turn hard, brake, and then accelerate with the back spun out.

Creaking suspenison- Is there anyway that I can make a recording of the sound? Thanks