Is it possible to make a 2wd truly offroad capable?
- Thread starter JAC
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CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
1) SAS swap in a 2wd would be of little value. independant front suspensions' (IFS) weakness is the lack of articulation (negatively impacting front wheel traction) and weakness of the driveline stuff. A 2wd can afford the slight loss of articulation in the front and has no driveline components to worry about. In fact due to the loss of ride quality a SAS would be step backwards on a 2wd IMHO.
2) An ARB rear locker, lift, some good tires combined with a good winch would make a 2wd pretty incredible for a 2wd
Bottomline is it would be cool but it still wouldn't have low range or 4wd.Would I consider going down that road? It would depend on where I lived and what I wanted to do with it...
Several guys here have pretty cool off-roading 2wd T4Rs. The taxguy and momo75 have posted some pretty cool pics...
:cheers:
MikesToy
Banned
Hmmmm.... how will i put it? I say no one can stop you going thru trails and some rocks. You can have any suspension, lift, and mud tires you want. The main thing is that you still have a 2wd which only your rear tires would push or pull you through. When you're out there, hope you don't get stuck in mud or dirt. That's just me. :snacker:
JAC
New member
I am just curios cuz I was talking to some one and I mentioned that I would love to have a 1st or 2nd gen even 3rd 4wd T4R to go offroading. And he told me that my problem will be fixed with some good tires and a SAS....So I wanted to ask u guys to make sure. I am not trying to take my 4runner offroading...but I am interested in getting and offroad rig. 1st or 2nd gen.
Thai
Elite Member
If you really want to have an off-road capable 4runner, then you save up your money, sell your current 2wd 4runner, and buy a 4wd 4runner. I would NOT waste money on your current 4runner to make it off-road capable...waste of money IMHO. I rather just wait, save money, and get what i want...rather than upgrade something that is inherently limited in capability.
First of all, there are different types of 'off-roading'. You can ask 5 different people what off-roading is and you'll probably get 5 different answers.
Off roading in southern California might mean running through the desert with sand dunes and gravel/rudded roads. (Think of Baja...lots of 2wd vehicles in that race...)
Off roading in northern/central California might mean mountain trails which mean unpaved roads and driving over rock/boulder trails. (Rubicon trail)
And they like pure rock climbing in Utah (Moab).
Here in the south, it might mean playing in the mud or going up a muddy/rocky mountain trail.
I went to Hollister OHV in central California with my 2000 Jeep Cherokee 4WD (unlifted), but it has a rear limited slip and (at that time) BFG KO's at stock size...I was able to tackle about 75% of the trails in just 2wd...
So, it comes down to what you want to do with your rig...In my opinion, the most important first thing to consider...tires...that is your 'interface' between your vehicle and the road (or off-road)...
Off roading in southern California might mean running through the desert with sand dunes and gravel/rudded roads. (Think of Baja...lots of 2wd vehicles in that race...)
Off roading in northern/central California might mean mountain trails which mean unpaved roads and driving over rock/boulder trails. (Rubicon trail)
And they like pure rock climbing in Utah (Moab).
Here in the south, it might mean playing in the mud or going up a muddy/rocky mountain trail.
I went to Hollister OHV in central California with my 2000 Jeep Cherokee 4WD (unlifted), but it has a rear limited slip and (at that time) BFG KO's at stock size...I was able to tackle about 75% of the trails in just 2wd...
So, it comes down to what you want to do with your rig...In my opinion, the most important first thing to consider...tires...that is your 'interface' between your vehicle and the road (or off-road)...
JAC
New member
Wow you are right!...nice input!....and very interesting
kellogg
New member
So true....Here in socal most of the trucks that look "off road capable" are 2wd long travel pre runners. Its kind of the culture down here that hitting 80 through a desert wash is cooler than climbing a steep trail. To each his own. It all depends on what you want to do.
43242code1
New member
I live in socal an hour south of pismo. I have had my 4runner for a year now and have not "needed" 4wd yet. I use "needed" loosly because I have only failed at a climb one time, my first time, and probably did it wrong from the get go.
It's hard to justify the cost of buying a 4wd, insurance and registration, plus any damage you may incur, IMHO.
My opinion may change when el niño floods us after all the fires have burned our hills and mountains bare :/
It's hard to justify the cost of buying a 4wd, insurance and registration, plus any damage you may incur, IMHO.
My opinion may change when el niño floods us after all the fires have burned our hills and mountains bare :/
racedirt1
New member
That is some good info., unforturnately she is in Indiana so not a lot of "off-road" options that would be suitable for 2wd. Sure Badlands ORP has some sand dunes, but not a lot. Nothing stopping you from lifting and getting some more aggressive tires even it is basically just for looks.
JAC
New member
Yes I am in Indiana but I have plans of moving to Texas in a few years. I am not going to do nothing major to this 4runner just a little lift and new wheels and tires...
I am just curious about this ..cos my son will get this truck in a couple of years and I know that he will want to do some offroading .....so just wanted some info from people that really know about it. My youngest already asking for a muscle Tundra...lol..everytime we pass by TOYOTA he just stares at those huge muscle trucks.
JAC,
CJ3Flyr, jwyshrek & 43242code1 all make a good point.
I've went off-roading only once in my lifetime & loved it.
createbmx says he tries to run 2WD as much as he can to see what his vehicle is capable of doing.
I included a Thread down below for you to view. I'm surprise what 2WD can do.
However...I agree w/ Thai. If I did it all over again, I would still do 4WD. There's no comparison because sooner or later, you would come to a dead end. I got the 4WD so I wouldn't have to get out & install chains during the winter season.
Here's a story for you...I was once watching tv & one team was modding a FWD rice rocket (forgot what) vs an AWD Eagle Talon w/ less hp. The owner of the Talon said he didn't have to do as much mods to gain hp, because w/ AWD, he has more traction.
Better to have 4WD & not need than need it & not have it.
crazydubman's PreRunner Build
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7706
via crazydubman
CJ3Flyr, jwyshrek & 43242code1 all make a good point.
I've went off-roading only once in my lifetime & loved it.
createbmx says he tries to run 2WD as much as he can to see what his vehicle is capable of doing.
I included a Thread down below for you to view. I'm surprise what 2WD can do.
However...I agree w/ Thai. If I did it all over again, I would still do 4WD. There's no comparison because sooner or later, you would come to a dead end. I got the 4WD so I wouldn't have to get out & install chains during the winter season.
Here's a story for you...I was once watching tv & one team was modding a FWD rice rocket (forgot what) vs an AWD Eagle Talon w/ less hp. The owner of the Talon said he didn't have to do as much mods to gain hp, because w/ AWD, he has more traction.
Better to have 4WD & not need than need it & not have it.
crazydubman's PreRunner Build
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7706
via crazydubman
Uneek
Super Moderator
JAC
New member
Thanks for that link... very interesting and that guys 4runner looks great!...
JAC
New member
his looks very nice too...thanks for the link
2003Can4runner
New member
All great answers. My opinion:
To "make" a 2WD 4runner truly capable would require quite a few mods. Tires, lift, suspension, locker? etc. If your going to spend that kind of money you would be WAY better off selling your truck and buying a similar truck with 4WD. Doing all the mentioned upgrades would cost quite a bit of money. You might as well sell yours and buy one for a couple thousand more that's a true 4WD. You'll be much happier. A stock 4WD vehicle is infinitely more capable than a very upgraded 2WD.
To "make" a 2WD 4runner truly capable would require quite a few mods. Tires, lift, suspension, locker? etc. If your going to spend that kind of money you would be WAY better off selling your truck and buying a similar truck with 4WD. Doing all the mentioned upgrades would cost quite a bit of money. You might as well sell yours and buy one for a couple thousand more that's a true 4WD. You'll be much happier. A stock 4WD vehicle is infinitely more capable than a very upgraded 2WD.
