Keeping the 4Runner, but help me choose a rock crawler

[Bumbo]

If you could keep the 4Runner and buy another vehicle specially for rock crawling type of activities, with both front and rear solid axle, what would you pick?

I have considered a 3rd Gen, a Samurai, Jeep, but looking to keep my options open at this point.

I am more concerned about the platform as a whole since I would most likely get some axle work done so factory lockers and things are not a concerns.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Do you want to drive it to your crawl spots or tow it?

Your 4Runner would be pretty good as a drive it there and back type rig as long as you take it easy or throw $10k at it.

But if you want to tow it there, you should go all-out with a full tube buggy.

 

[Bumbo]

I have the means to tow it with my Siverado less the trailer... but I prefer things that I could drive on the street, even if that means the occasional fix it ticket.

4Runner has more of a desert makeover, plus I don't really enjoy it as much on the rocks. I want to maintain it IFS as I like the way it drives in our local deserts... it's more or less our desert cruiser. I may or may not continue to build it in the future with things like long travel, but for now, I like where its at.

Just looking for something different, lots of flex.

 

[Rodtheviking]

A "bobbed" 3rd gen or 70's to early 80's Jeep Wagoneer.

 

[nevada]

a dedicated rock crawler, and driving on the streets don't play well together. to get a rig that really work well on the rocks, it will be a handful on the street.

of course it CAN be done, but typically costs many tens of thousands of dollars. or, you end up compromising on both off road and street performance.


as to which rig? its really hard to beat a factory solid axle Toyota. it takes very little to get them working VERY WELL.

 

[bombventure]

Samurai’s are cool and they are small enough to go a lot of places others can’t, but I’ve heard they can be a pain finding parts and they’re expensive if you do. A co-worker of mine has 2 of them and that’s what he’s told me.

I think a cheap/beat up 3rd gen or Jeep would be the route I’d go if I was wanting a rock crawler, that way I wouldn’t mind if I was to damage the body.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Drunner97]

2nd gen runner SAS with a 3.4 swap.

1st gen runner or pick up with SFA

Those are would what I'd be looking to do. The 2nd gen would be a project and I'd be doing it myself.

 

[Inv4drZm]

One with a factory solid front axle will go a long ways $ wise.

To swap a front axle to a 3rd gen, while the perfect platform to do so, will cost lots of money and time.

I myself thinks a manual in the rocks sounds like no fun at all, I would look for an automatic or if I had to, swap the Toyota 3.4 drivetrain into an older pickup.

 

[Johnny4runner]

Considering cost and rock crawling potential, it's hard to beat a Jeep Wrangler. There are tons of affordable parts, and pretty good deals on used TJs and YJs that are already built. First gen 4Runners are great, but are becoming rare and expensive with the solid front axle. Samurais are great too, but smaller and not as well supported in the aftermarket. You would probably want to upgrade the axles right off the bat with a Samurai.

Doing a SAS on a first gen, or any other vehicle, starts costing a lot of money that could be better spent on other parts, so I would not consider that unless you are into doing to the SAS work yourself.

Something to consider too if you are looking for a second vehicle to open up additional trails for you is the size. A 3rd gen, wagoneer, 4-door jeep, etc., even if fully built, are going to have a hard time going where a 2-door jeep can go just based on size.

BTW my brother and I have a 97 Jeep TJ for basically the same reason as you. It stays up in the mountain, close to the trails. It's pretty rough around the edges but great for flogging on trails and will go pretty much anywhere. Not just technical trails (like Fordyce, Rubicon, etc.) but exploring overgrown trails that beat up the exterior. The kids love taking off the top in the summer also.

Best, J4R

 

[2018SilverRunner]

I personally would find an older Tacoma and solid axle swap it. It can be done pretty cheap using all Toyota parts. Still has awesome flex and drivable on the street as long as the build isn't to crazy.

 

[RedSled]

2017 Polaris RZR XP 1000 SE Rock Crawling Review - UTV Guide

 

[Bumbo]

a dedicated rock crawler, and driving on the streets don't play well together. to get a rig that really work well on the rocks, it will be a handful on the street.

of course it CAN be done, but typically costs many tens of thousands of dollars. or, you end up compromising on both off road and street performance.


as to which rig? its really hard to beat a factory solid axle Toyota. it takes very little to get them working VERY WELL.

Of course, I still have other cars and trucks to drive on the street, but there are still places I go or situation where I would want to enjoy it without the tow truck and trailer... I don't live far from places like Anza Borrego

That said, Anza Borrego is closed to OHV, so to drive something like an ATV or Razor / UTV there is not possible.

Really I don't care about the street performance, I just need to be able to drive it on the street... not a stranger of going out to these trails with other people who have a max speed of 55 MPH on a good day.

 

[nevada]

Of course, I still have other cars and trucks to drive on the street, but there are still places I go or situation where I would want to enjoy it without the tow truck and trailer... I don't live far from places like Anza Borrego

That said, Anza Borrego is closed to OHV, so to drive something like an ATV or Razor / UTV there is not possible.

Really I don't care about the street performance, I just need to be able to drive it on the street... not a stranger of going out to these trails with other people who have a max speed of 55 MPH on a good day.

my vote is still for a sfa Toyota. one with a 3.4 swap would be sweet. but properly set up, the 22re will do just fine.
extended cab, or a 4runner. though the 4runners are getting much more scarce..

 

[Drunner97]

Of course, I still have other cars and trucks to drive on the street, but there are still places I go or situation where I would want to enjoy it without the tow truck and trailer... I don't live far from places like Anza Borrego

That said, Anza Borrego is closed to OHV, so to drive something like an ATV or Razor / UTV there is not possible.

Really I don't care about the street performance, I just need to be able to drive it on the street... not a stranger of going out to these trails with other people who have a max speed of 55 MPH on a good day.

In all reality the rock crawling for you is going to be quite a drive. Johnson Valley, Big Bear, Calico. Or if you want the other challenges, Rubicon and Dushy Ershim. You're going to want something that's comfortable to drive and capable of driving uphill to get there (big bear, Cajon, 62, Sierras, etc) I have a hard enough time maintaining some of these with 4.88s and the 4.0 because of how heavy my 4runner is now, I couldn't imagine trying to do it in anything less than a v6 with SFA and 37-40s.

 

[jrm]

a 3rd Gen, a Samurai, Jeep...Wha????

50 series LC ftw...

 

[Bumbo]

[MENTION=123332]Drunner97[/MENTION] I haven’t owned a “proper” rock crawler, so I appreciate the insight, and I understand where you are going with that.

If I continue to explore new areas then absolutely I would need to drive it for extended distances… but if I ever get to that stage, I would most likely just throw it on a trailer and take it to where it needs to go if it’s not local.

That still doesn’t mean I don’t want it registered with the DMV for road use. It’s nice being able to drive it to a local shop for something vs needing to grab a truck, trailer, and then load it all up to move it a few miles.

At this stage I am still just gathering ideas, but I know a properly built truck is going to be hell on the road. All I know is a geared SFA with lockers is something I want, but what it goes in is still up for debate.

 

[Drunner97]

[MENTION=123332]Drunner97[/MENTION] I haven’t owned a “proper” rock crawler, so I appreciate the insight, and I understand where you are going with that.

If I continue to explore new areas then absolutely I would need to drive it for extended distances… but if I ever get to that stage, I would most likely just throw it on a trailer and take it to where it needs to go if it’s not local.

That still doesn’t mean I don’t want it registered with the DMV for road use. It’s nice being able to drive it to a local shop for something vs needing to grab a truck, trailer, and then load it all up to move it a few miles.

At this stage I am still just gathering ideas, but I know a properly built truck is going to be hell on the road. All I know is a geared SFA with lockers is something I want, but what it goes in is still up for debate.

Honestly, you can do pretty much everything in Big Bear, Johnson Valley (sans the KOH crawling trails), and Calico (except gatekeeper) on 35s IFS and front/rear lockers. SFA definitely makes these trails easier though.

 

[duffdog]

[MENTION=123332]Drunner97[/MENTION] I haven’t owned a “proper” rock crawler, so I appreciate the insight, and I understand where you are going with that.

If I continue to explore new areas then absolutely I would need to drive it for extended distances… but if I ever get to that stage, I would most likely just throw it on a trailer and take it to where it needs to go if it’s not local.

That still doesn’t mean I don’t want it registered with the DMV for road use. It’s nice being able to drive it to a local shop for something vs needing to grab a truck, trailer, and then load it all up to move it a few miles.

At this stage I am still just gathering ideas, but I know a properly built truck is going to be hell on the road. All I know is a geared SFA with lockers is something I want, but what it goes in is still up for debate.

I'm going to say you could throw some 60's with lockers on a 4th gen v8 and call it good. All the power I want, all the flex I want without driving a rattling no-hp crawler that IS GOING to fall apart at some point. I'm mostly finished with the barely put together discount trucks that have something break literally every time it goes on Fordyce or the Rubicon.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I have heard multiple times that a crawlbox or lower t-case can help with crawling tremendously. Breaks way less parts and gives you more control. I would do that before going solid front axle on our 4Runners. 35's or 37's would be good for IFS, and 37's minimum for SFA clearance.

 

[duffdog]

I have heard multiple times that a crawlbox or lower t-case can help with crawling tremendously. Breaks way less parts and gives you more control. I would do that before going solid front axle on our 4Runners. 35's or 37's would be good for IFS, and 37's minimum for SFA clearance.

What crawl box? I haven't seen or heard of a single product that works with the 4th gen t4r.