Making a Limited Off-Road-Worthy

[scragglejaw]

I bought a Limited based on appearances but am now interested in exploring a little off-roading for the first time. I want to have my cake and eat it too, I guess.

1. Can the TE's plastic bottom trim be added to the Limited (to protect from rocks and things)?

2. What other aspects of the TE might I consider adding to the Limited to make it more off-road worthy?


I was thinking paint-protection film and mudflaps?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Adding paint protection or mudflaps isn't going to help offroad.

Lift, tires, slider is where I'd start.

 

[B'klyn_Mike]

Do a search for posts by 7HARPER (aka HARPER7) for an idea of what can be done to a LTD. And yes, his vehicle is a LIMITED! :wink2:

Mike :artist:

 

[MaylonTRD]

I bought a Limited based on appearances but am now interested in exploring a little off-roading for the first time. I want to have my cake and eat it too, I guess.

1. Can the TE's plastic bottom trim be added to the Limited (to protect from rocks and things)?

2. What other aspects of the TE might I consider adding to the Limited to make it more off-road worthy?


I was thinking paint-protection film and mudflaps?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...my-first-2010-mod-see-if-you-even-notice.html

 

[7harper]

Lift, tires, slider is where I'd start.

:iagree:

There are 30 plastic trim parts,over 100 fasteners and 4 custom brackets that had to be changed to convert to TE body.Don't know the exact cost of parts,guessing around $2500 plus paint work .I have all the part numbers and would love help someone local for free but would be way too hard to explain online. Any body shop could do it.

I would love to see/help someone do a Blizzard Pearl with black leather to see the black/white contrast.I may trade mine in on a BP and keep all my TE parts to convert in a few years when they give us the V8 4.6L/6 speed option .
:naughty:

 

[BrianLSU]

I bought a Limited based on appearances but am now interested in exploring a little off-roading for the first time. I want to have my cake and eat it too, I guess.

1. Can the TE's plastic bottom trim be added to the Limited (to protect from rocks and things)?

2. What other aspects of the TE might I consider adding to the Limited to make it more off-road worthy?


I was thinking paint-protection film and mudflaps?

Your 4Runner is ready to go offroad right now. If you have the stock tires, you will want to upgrade those first. If you plan on hitting some rocks or moderate to medium trails, you will want to lift it. Use the Toytec lift for the front and rear some are doing on this forum. If Harper did it on a Limited then it can be used with the XREAS suspension. Anything more will cost serious $$$$.

 

[BrianLSU]

:iagree:

There are 30 plastic trim parts,over 100 fasteners and 4 custom brackets that had to be changed to convert to TE body.Don't know the exact cost of parts,guessing around $2500 plus paint work .I have all the part numbers and would love help someone local for free but would be way too hard to explain online. Any body shop could do it.

I would love to see/help someone do a Blizzard Pearl with black leather to see the black/white contrast.I may trade mine in on a BP and keep all my TE parts to convert in a few years when they give us the V8 4.6L/6 speed option .
:naughty:

I think it might be time for an intervention...

 

[scragglejaw]

Your 4Runner is ready to go offroad right now. If you have the stock tires, you will want to upgrade those first. If you plan on hitting some rocks or moderate to medium trails, you will want to lift it. Use the Toytec lift for the front and rear some are doing on this forum. If Harper did it on a Limited then it can be used with the XREAS suspension. Anything more will cost serious $$$$.

Thanks. I'm mostly worried about dinging up the paint. Also, I've read that the angle of approach is better on the TE. Is there any way to change that or is it actually the same on the Limited? Lastly, if the Limited is ready to go offroad now, is the difference between the TE basically looks then? As you can tell, I'm a real rookie.

 

[scragglejaw]

I think it might be time for an intervention...

I'm not sure I follow you.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Thanks. I'm mostly worried about dinging up the paint. Also, I've read that the angle of approach is better on the TE. Is there any way to change that or is it actually the same on the Limited? Lastly, if the Limited is ready to go offroad now, is the difference between the TE basically looks then? As you can tell, I'm a real rookie.

If your just going out there for your first time to get your feet wet, I highly doubt approach angles will be anything to worry about.

The Trail Edition's biggest feature is the locking rear differential.

 

[BrianLSU]

Thanks. I'm mostly worried about dinging up the paint. Also, I've read that the angle of approach is better on the TE. Is there any way to change that or is it actually the same on the Limited? Lastly, if the Limited is ready to go offroad now, is the difference between the TE basically looks then? As you can tell, I'm a real rookie.

Two different machines. Both the Trail and 4X4 Limited are ready for off-road out of the box, aside from the weak tires. You can do moderate trails and get to decent outback locations in the Limited while the Trail version is made with a greater emphasis on heavy duty off-roading, Moab and Rubicon. Now, the actual differences between the two vs. how much it offers can be argued, but the general consensus is, if you do 80 - 90% road and 20 - 10% moderate trails, the Limited and SR5's are fine. If you want the best offered for off-roading, the Trail is the best in the 4Runner lineup.

Also, if you're worried about digging up paint, you don't need the Trail version. Paint dings are very minor badges of glory when truly off-roading. I've seen, in action, brand new vehicles with 4' gouges and ripped out belly pans when trail riding and the owners just shrug it off. These people are TRUE 4X4 enthusiasts.

I'm not sure I follow you.

I was hazing Harper.

 

[maine runner]

I was thinking paint-protection film

If you are concerned with potential damage, stay on the asphalt.

 

[V8 AWD 4EVR]

"I may trade mine in on a BP and keep all my TE parts to convert in a few years when they give us the V8 4.6L/6 speed option ."

&Harper, the fact that you still hold out hope of the V8 4.6L/6 speed proves you are a crazy fool, in a good way.

Toyota really should hire you to design this vehicle. I wonder who in the hell they have doing it now?!

V8

 

[TNPshooter]

Offroad Limited

All I did on my Limited was upgrade the tires and I fairly regularly do some pretty hardcore offroading on my hunting leases. Granted, I'm not driving over giant boulders, but I do drive on washed out logging trails with hair raising inclines and downhills.

Like others said, just start with the tires...

 

[fxoffroad]

I think it might be time for an intervention...

:lol::lol:

 

[7harper]

Originally Posted by BrianLSU
I think it might be time for an intervention...

:lol::lol:

You would have to catch me first besides the Insanity Plea got me out last time.
If it doesn't fit ,you must aquit!
:flipoff: :hiding: :moon: eace:

To the OP scragglejaw and to stay on topic...Definitely start out with some All Terrain tires .

 

[reese2]

We almost got the Limited, but went for the Trail as it had Nav and cloth seats. (I have an 80 lb. GSD so we also got seat covers.) I've been doing off-road stuff with 4Runners for many years and never had any upgrades other than decent all-terain tires. I thought my Trail Edition could go over most mounds of dirt but found one on a forest service road/trail that was tough. Went up and down very steeply. Have a noticeable scrape/dent in the skid plate under the gas tank and ripped off the center support for the running boards (after market) on each side. Have to bend them back in shape to reinstall. My wife has threatened to inspect it after each off-road trip to look for scratches, but so far she hasn't done so. I kept a hedge trimmer with me last weekend and spent a lot of time trimming the briar stubs and limbs that might scratch it. Fortunately, she will never look underneath and see the condition of the skid plate.

 

[Okki]

I have a limited and wanted some more off road ruggedness as well and here's where I'm at:

- Installed Shrockworks rockrails (Ask Jim to include bolt-on gussets on all 4 corners!) This requires the removal of the OEM rocker panels.

- Ordered TE rocker panels, and you will need the fender over-molding and mudguards as well. You will spend about $680 on this 6 plastic parts!

- Paint the TE plastic to match the Limited paintwork and install.

Next on my list is to extend the breathers to a central location in the stock airbox. right now the rear axel vents right at the axel which reduces water height that you can safely transverse.

Okki :keyboard:

 

[SCIENCE39]

I have a limited and wanted some more off road ruggedness as well and here's where I'm at:

- Installed Shrockworks rockrails (Ask Jim to include bolt-on gussets on all 4 corners!) This requires the removal of the OEM rocker panels.

- Ordered TE rocker panels, and you will need the fender over-molding and mudguards as well. You will spend about $680 on this 6 plastic parts!

- Paint the TE plastic to match the Limited paintwork and install.

Next on my list is to extend the breathers to a central location in the stock airbox. right now the rear axel vents right at the axel which reduces water height that you can safely transverse.

Okki :keyboard:

Good stuff Okki. Love to see a pic when you are done. What tire/rim set up are you going with?

 

[Okki]

Got some pics here....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/69396-shrockworks-sliders-limited.html#post608458

Not doing anything with tires etc until the stock ones run out... the next "major" thing will be a Baja Rack.. Once I get the TE plastic parts in and painted I'll post some "final" pics.

Okki