Make my 4Runner keep up with my FJ

[Sfsr]

Hi everyone. Brand new to the forum. About 6 months ago I bought a 13 FJ and have been loving it off road. It is too much fun. Just bought a 13 4Runner SR5 and want to take it out with the FJ.

So, I have two questions.

1. How will the stock 4Runner fare compared to the FJ when we get it out there. My biggest concern is going to be simple geometry. The longer wheelbase and further extensions in front and back worry me.

2. What should I do to make the 4Runner go everywhere the stock FJ can go to. I imagine a lift kit and bigger tires but I really have no idea what I am talking about

I appreciate any feedback you guys can give and look forward to being involved in your forum.

 

[ZJumper]

Way to many variables at this point.

1. What type of terrain are you looking to wheel in?

2. Driving style and experience in this type of terrain?

3. What's your repair and/or mod budget look like?

 

[Intruder]

I go everywhere in my 4Runner that my friends in their FJCs go. The only real difference is that sometimes it's easier for them to do certain obstacles because of their shorter wheelbase and other times it's easier for me because of the longer wheelbase. Sometimes the approach, breakover, and departure angles make a difference but in those cases you just have to tackle things a bit differently, like taking an obstacle at an angle instead of head on. They're both very capable trucks even in stock configuration with tires being one of the most effective upgrades.

 

[Sfsr]

1. I live in Phoenix. So lots of desert trails, rocks, small waterfalls, hill climbs. We also go up to Colorado so that is much more muddy and forested obviously.

2. My experience is little. I've been out with the FJ 8 or 9 times in the months we've had it. Have had lots of fun but would definitely put my skill level at beginner.

3. My budget. Well I am not looking to spend money just to spend it but I would spend up to 4k if that is what it would get it done.

 

[KidVermicious]

How are you defining "offroad", exactly, and what features like locker/LSD does the FJ have that the 4Runner doesn't? Need more info!

All other things being equal, there aren't many places an FJ will go that a 4Runner can't, and that mostly comes down to whether the larger 4Runner will fit. And if you're a novice wheeler, then you're probably not pushing either of those trucks to the limits of their stock capability anyway, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[Sfsr]

I go everywhere in my 4Runner that my friends in their FJCs go. The only real difference is that sometimes it's easier for them to do certain obstacles because of their shorter wheelbase and other times it's easier for me because of the longer wheelbase

This is great to know. Is this something that is true now after your mods, or was it true even stock?

 

[1engineer]

Just buy some good AT tires and make a few hundred runs off road. You will learn on your own what you need over time. Just remember: An experienced off roader can take a Prius where most people can't or won't take their 4Runners or FJ Cruisers.

 

[Sfsr]

what features like locker/LSD does the FJ have that the 4Runner doesn't?.

The FJ has a locking real diff which I have only used once when I had one of the back wheels in the air. And even in that case I'm sure it could have gotten out without it but I just wanted to use it
It has the crawl system, but honestly it weirds me out and I prefer not using it.

As for your comment about not pushing the vehicles to the limits I have no doubt you are right. But I hope I do some day and want the 4Runner to be just as capable.

 

[Intruder]

This is great to know. Is this something that is true now after your mods, or was it true even stock?

This was true even stock except for tires. Most of the guys I wheel with are pretty far from stock and much more heavily modified than me. Other than armour the only mods I have that make any difference off road are suspension and bigger tires. Everyone else I head out with also has front and rear bumpers and winches, and a few even have long travel. The long travel guys and the Land Cruisers on 37s are the only ones I have trouble keeping up with.

Just buy some good AT tires and make a few hundred runs off road. You will learn on your own what you need over time. Just remember: An experienced off roader can take a Prius where most people can't or won't take their 4Runners or FJ Cruisers.

My friend brought his wife's stock 4th gen out to a trail one day (without telling her). The only difference with a truck off the lot was he put decent AT tires on it. This guy was trained by Bill Burke and has been wheeling for years including multiple trips on some of the harder trails around. He managed to climb a rock wall that lots of guys in modified trucks can't or won't climb. The driver's knowledge and experience definitely makes the biggest difference.

 

[KidVermicious]

The FJ has a locking real diff which I have only used once when I had one of the back wheels in the air. And even in that case I'm sure it could have gotten out without it but I just wanted to use it
It has the crawl system, but honestly it weirds me out and I prefer not using it.

As for your comment about not pushing the vehicles to the limits I have no doubt you are right. But I hope I do some day and want the 4Runner to be just as capable.

Ok, so once you get a better feel for the trucks and what they can do, that locking rear diff will make a huge difference in how you tackle obstacles. Keep wheeling them both, and as you get better you're going to hit a wall with the 4Runner where it will take speed and brute force to make obstacles that the FJ can crawl with ease. Speed and brute force are what break things. Once you get to that point you'll know it, and then you can decide whether to install a locking rear differential in the 4Runner to keep them equal, or just learn to pick better lines with the 4Runner.

Other than that, I think the FJ might have a little better clearance at the rocker panels, and better approach and departure angles, all shortcomings on the 4Runner that can be fixed with the judicious application of bumpers, skids, and sliders. Obviously the FJ has a smaller wheelbase - that's going to make tight turning obstacles easier, but the 4Runner with its longer wheelbase will have the edge on ledges and hill climbs.

And the 4Runner will absolutely whoop up on the FJ when it comes to camping out of the truck for more than a night or two , trust me on that. My 1st gen has about the cargo space of the FJ, and I've learned to pack light.

 

[Sfsr]

Really appreciate the feedback guys. It seems like tires are my best bet for a starting point. I am trying to search the forum for recommendations but I am having trouble with the search tool. It seems to always search the entire forum not just the 5th gen sub. Do you have any tips on how to search here?

 

[HawgWild]

Really appreciate the feedback guys. It seems like tires are my best bet for a starting point. I am trying to search the forum for recommendations but I am having trouble with the search tool. It seems to always search the entire forum not just the 5th gen sub. Do you have any tips on how to search here?

Up top, you click Search then click Advanced Search. There will be a box where you can select which specific areas you wish to search.

 

[Sfsr]

How about searching for "how to search"


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-t...far-more-accurately-than-standard-method.html

That worked nicely

 

[1engineer]

Really appreciate the feedback guys. It seems like tires are my best bet for a starting point. I am trying to search the forum for recommendations but I am having trouble with the search tool. It seems to always search the entire forum not just the 5th gen sub. Do you have any tips on how to search here?

Here is a review I did for Cooper AT3's. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/114342-tires.html Many tires, from the Goodyear Duratrac to the Michelin LTXMS2, will be a good choice and all have been reviewed here. You basically have to ask yourself what YOUR needs will be. I chose the Coopers because I drive a lot of highway miles. Sometimes I will have to drive 500 miles and then go off road for several miles to test a specific piece of equipment, so I needed a good highway and off road tire. Anyway, just keep reading and I'm sure you will come up with something.

 

[Sfsr]

Here is a review I did for Cooper AT3's. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/114342-tires.html Many tires, from the Goodyear Duratrac to the Michelin LTXMS2, will be a good choice and all have been reviewed here. You basically have to ask yourself what YOUR needs will be. I chose the Coopers because I drive a lot of highway miles. Sometimes I will have to drive 500 miles and then go off road for several miles to test a specific piece of equipment, so I needed a good highway and off road tire. Anyway, just keep reading and I'm sure you will come up with something.

I've read over your post, and lots of others on here. It may be ignorant of me, but I feel like I want bigger tires (285) than stock to get a bit more clearance and I plan on lifting it at some point once I know what I am talking about, so I think they will work better than the stock 265s when it is lifted

I am considering these as a variation of your suggestion:
Cooper Discoverer ATP tires - Reviews, ratings and specs in the Lufkin Area - Discount Tire

It seems from other posts that with a liner mod they should fit fine and not rub:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/87546-will-285-s-fit-black-wheel-question.html#post759604

Is this a decent plan? or am I missing some basic info and you are all laughing at me now?

 

[ZJumper]

1. I live in Phoenix. So lots of desert trails, rocks, small waterfalls, hill climbs. We also go up to Colorado so that is much more muddy and forested obviously. .

I've done quite a bit of wheeling in the AZ area...mainly from Tucson down south to the Mexican border while coyote hunting--usually in the Tumacacori Area and Santa Rita Moutains. During these trips, I'm normally in a 4x4 rental vehicle (no I don't trash them) and I'd say the biggest limiting factor is tires. I've been in some pretty difficult areas in some sketchy situations. Highway tires are less than stellar in the AZ terrain. The best vehicle I've wheeled/hunted out of was a stock-out-of-the-box Hummer H3 with BFG AT/KO tires on it.

2. My experience is little. I've been out with the FJ 8 or 9 times in the months we've had it. Have had lots of fun but would definitely put my skill level at beginner. .

Since you're professing to be in the beginner category--where we all started--stick with a stock vehicle. A stock vehicle will force you to become a better and more proficient driver. As your skills develop, the vehicle capabilities will become the limiting factor. When the vehicle is the limiting factor, upgrade as necessary...lift, bigger tires, skids etc. Just take it easy...don't force a situation. If you don't feel comfortable, take an alternate route.

I've seen quite a few people here in CA and in AZ that have kitted out rigs, with no idea how to drive them. I've witnessed people getting stuck on an obstacle that a skilled driver would be able to make in 2WD with some spinning, or in 4WD without breaking a sweat.

I recently helped a guy and his GF (in a tricked out Nissan XTerra) get their truck out of the sand--they were buried past the hubs. I was on the same trail in 2WD. Reason they got stuck: Driver error--continued judicious application of throttle not suitable for conditions--buried them. They had no recovery gear either...no snatch strap, shovel, axe etc. Here's the kicker--they had a winch installed and didn't know how to use it!!ound:

What I'm trying to get at here is don't think you need to have a super modified rig to go offroad in.

Some of the best drivers I've seen are guys with mildly modded rigs...small lifts, moderately sized tires (33"-35") that only use their lockers when absolutely needed.

3. My budget. Well I am not looking to spend money just to spend it but I would spend up to 4k if that is what it would get it done.

Tires and recovery gear first, then upgrade as necessary. If you can, do all the work yourself. You'll save some money and learn about your rig and how things work as you go.

 

[Okki]

I've read over your post, and lots of others on here. It may be ignorant of me, but I feel like I want bigger tires (285) than stock to get a bit more clearance and I plan on lifting it at some point once I know what I am talking about, so I think they will work better than the stock 265s when it is lifted

I am considering these as a variation of your suggestion:
Cooper Discoverer ATP tires - Reviews, ratings and specs in the Lufkin Area - Discount Tire

It seems from other posts that with a liner mod they should fit fine and not rub:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/87546-will-285-s-fit-black-wheel-question.html#post759604

Is this a decent plan? or am I missing some basic info and you are all laughing at me now?

I did the FJ Summit last year in my Limited with stock size tires (Cooper ATP's) on the 17 inch TRD rims. The larger tire size will not add THAT mush clearance once you are aired down at the trail (larger foot print though).

I would go with the 265's and both save a little bit of money, keep your speedo etc accurate and instead spend some money on better armor. I came out with a dented fuel tank skid.

Suspension tends to add up quickly, so having a better feel for what you need/want and what other weight you might be adding to the vehicle will help a lot in deciding what's right for you in that arena.

For both your vehicles make sure you have some communications gear (i.e. CB and or HAM) to communicate with others in your trail group.

Okki

 

[Sfsr]

I would go with the 265's and both save a little bit of money,
For both your vehicles make sure you have some communications gear (i.e. CB and or HAM) to communicate with others in your trail group. Okki

That's the thing - they are only $3 more

Cooper Discoverer ATP tires - Reviews, ratings and specs in the Anthem Area - Discount Tire

As for the CB - I've got a cobra installed in the FJ
Amazon.com: Cobra 75WXST 40-Channel CB Radio: Electronics

I think I might just buy a handheld portable for the 4Runner since it is less rugged inside with the nav and leather and all that.

 

[Okki]

I think I might just buy a handheld portable for the 4Runner since it is less rugged inside with the nav and leather and all that.

Cobra 75ST in a Limited :yo: Also has the mod to play over the speakers (that's the cable going into the AUX port).

if you go to the larger size, make sure you upgrade all 4 corners AND the spare. Regardless make sure the spare has the same outer diameter as your drive tires.

Okki

 

[KidVermicious]

I've read over your post, and lots of others on here. It may be ignorant of me, but I feel like I want bigger tires (285) than stock to get a bit more clearance and I plan on lifting it at some point once I know what I am talking about, so I think they will work better than the stock 265s when it is lifted

I am considering these as a variation of your suggestion:
Cooper Discoverer ATP tires - Reviews, ratings and specs in the Lufkin Area - Discount Tire

It seems from other posts that with a liner mod they should fit fine and not rub:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/87546-will-285-s-fit-black-wheel-question.html#post759604

Is this a decent plan? or am I missing some basic info and you are all laughing at me now?

I think 33s or 285/75s are the perfect size for a daily driver that sees trail time, but unless you're mudding, that little bit of extra clearance actually won't make a huge amount of difference. What you'll notice right away is a smoother ride in the rough stuff, and an easier time popping up on rocks and ledges and such. The clearance doesn't hurt, but it's the better approach angle and leverage of the bigger tire that makes the biggest difference, IMO anyway.