How tough is it?

[mountainbiker42]

I've been taking my 4runner off road more and more lately and each time I get a little more daring. My jeep friend says I'm too careful. How tough is the drivetrain on a stock 4runner? I worry about breaking an axle shaft, blowing a diff, or breaking anything after the transmission. I just installed BFG KM2's and when I'm flexed hard going up something and the tire slips and comes back down it grabs pretty hard. I'd like to know from you ya'lls experience how strong these components are. I worry the most when on rocks due to increased traction.

Open diffs
1" BL
no drivetrain upgrades

 

[Difflock]

Pull your sway bars off, ready to rock buddy. If your really worried redo the suspension, tie rods, ball joints and all that stuff. You can get a cheap 12 piece kit on ebay from detroit axle for like 200 bucks for everything youd need. Which is what I did, but other than that. Id say let er rip


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[mountainbiker42]

Pull your sway bars off, ready to rock buddy. If your really worried redo the suspension, tie rods, ball joints and all that stuff. You can get a cheap 12 piece kit on ebay from detroit axle for like 200 bucks for everything youd need. Which is what I did, but other than that. Id say let er rip


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thanks for the reply. I usually remove the front sway for wheeling, never bothered with the rear. maybe I should. I've redone the whole front end but haven't touched any rear link bushings. glad to hear someone say "let er rip"- ha. it's more fun when you're not so concerned. I'd like to do a suspension lift someday and maybe get a softer ride if that's even possible

 

[Difflock]

thanks for the reply. I usually remove the front sway for wheeling, never bothered with the rear. maybe I should. I've redone the whole front end but haven't touched any rear link bushings. glad to hear someone say "let er rip"- ha. it's more fun when you're not so concerned. I'd like to do a suspension lift someday and maybe get a softer ride if that's even possible

Moog makes pretty soft springs I know, but yeah. 4runners are beautiful piece of engineering. Ive seen a bone stock one do some pretty crazy stuff, but with age stuff will need replacing, bushings, engine accessories. But if you take care of it, it will definitely take care of you. If you did the front end you should have absolutely nothing to worry about dog


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[kolelt]

Nothing wrong with being carefull. Yeah ofcourse you can beat the piss out of it to get up something or through. But more chance that you'll break something. The IFS is definitely the biggest weak link compared to a jeeps solid axle in my opinion.

 

[AssBurns]

I wouldn't be too worried about to drivetrain besides CV axles. If you are wheeling you should always carry a spare and the tools to replace it. If you drive smart, you won't break CV axles. Especially if you don't have big tires (33's or 35's). Diff's are pretty strong for what most of us do. I've busted one, but that was from being extra stupid. Spend some money on a locker and cruise through stuff easy peasy. It'll keep you from trying hard and pushing your vehicle too hard. Or it will give you more confidence and you will end up taking it on harder and harder trails.

 

[Unner]

Pull your sway bars off, ready to rock buddy. If your really worried redo the suspension, tie rods, ball joints and all that stuff. You can get a cheap 12 piece kit on ebay from detroit axle for like 200 bucks for everything youd need. Which is what I did, but other than that. Id say let er rip


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Please don't use that kit, especially for lower ball joint. Aftermarket parts are inferior to OEM suspension components like that. The only thing ripping with that kit will be your lower ball joint, in half...

Nothing wrong with being carefull. Yeah ofcourse you can beat the piss out of it to get up something or through. But more chance that you'll break something. The IFS is definitely the biggest weak link compared to a jeeps solid axle in my opinion.

You're right. With a Jeep the entire vehicle is the weak link.

I wouldn't be too worried about to drivetrain besides CV axles. If you are wheeling you should always carry a spare and the tools to replace it. If you drive smart, you won't break CV axles. Especially if you don't have big tires (33's or 35's). Diff's are pretty strong for what most of us do. I've busted one, but that was from being extra stupid. Spend some money on a locker and cruise through stuff easy peasy. It'll keep you from trying hard and pushing your vehicle too hard. Or it will give you more confidence and you will end up taking it on harder and harder trails.

Yeah if you drive smart you probably won't break anything. Avoid wheel spin and shock loading the drive train hard if you're spinning and come down onto a rock or something where the spinning stops immediately. In most cases you can also say, "OK, I've had enough." and turn around, winch, or get a pull. No shame in that. I'd rather do that then break my truck.

 

[mountainbiker42]

thanks for the input guys. rocks seem awfully hard on a stock drivetrain. things can go south quick it seems. I'll have fun on the easier stuff and drive my truck home in one peice. I like riding trails in the woods more than climbing rocks anyways. I had some cooper at3's that would spin easily, but man these BFG KM2s grip hard so I gotta watch it.