March 2005 T4ROTM - JB.

[Fro-Runner]

I want to know if you ever became stuck during this offroad trip. How do you rate the stock tires performance during the trip? How did the stock ground clearence perform...was it adequate? Which do you think is the best lift for the trail you just tackled...... 1",2", or 3" inches?

Oh BTW, your pics look marvelous!

 

[PioneerMeta4]

That's awesome...I always thought to be t4rotm, you had to have insane mods like Luxury or somethin to be it. You gave hope to me that one day i'll be t4rotm. Nothing wrong with Stock!

The picture of the 'blue' snow as your headlight 'fire' up the trail. That's my favorite pic...its my wallpaper right now. You totally deserve the award with those kind of pics!

 

[JB.]

Thanks again, guys (and I mean that in the most gender encompassing sort of way) :bigok:

I'm almost positive that Toyota's Sales and Marketing department would love to use some of those pics in their print advertising campaigns.

Ain't that a pleasant thought. Might take a flyer and inquire.

...by the way hurry up and buy those bfg's! costco has them for 160 a tire right now.

Are ya goin? Pick me up 5 with a bag of baby carrots and a take-n-bake combo. We'll settle up after you get back. Seriously, thanks for the tip. I'll check it out, but I've gotta figure out a way to burn the rubber off the ones I've got. Damn ATRAC! :

I want to know if you ever became stuck during this offroad trip. How do you rate the stock tires performance during the trip? How did the stock ground clearence perform...was it adequate? Which do you think is the best lift for the trail you just tackled...... 1",2", or 3" inches?

Stuck: Yeah, in the snow, overnight.

Tires: Don't have anything to compare 'em to. My first 4X4.
Even though I got stuck and humbled, I went a lot of places I couldn't have dreamed of going in my 2WD, open-differential truck.

Clearance: It was mostly adequate. I had to turn back a couple of times but in both cases I would've needed more than a couple extra inches. I'll have to see how much I can overcome with increased skill. When I feel I'm good I'll decide about any lifts.

 

[fastlif306]

nice pics.

 

[Kdubz]

Awesome pics. Where did you do the offroading in the snow?

 

[JB.]

Awesome pics. Where did you do the offroading in the snow?

Lee Canyon. State Hwy 156 about 30 miles NW of Vegas.

 

[Toyota4Runner]

Awesome pictures and I love the color.

You mentioned that you were gonna get the V6, what changed your mind?
I am trying to decide myself.

 

[JB.]

You mentioned that you were gonna get the V6, what changed your mind? I am trying to decide myself.

I only started considering the V6 in early January. It was ironic because I had waited 5 months so I could get the '05 V8.
Until I started shopping in late December, I had no idea of the limitation of choice available to me (given the limitation of wanting to get something pretty soon). I decided only 4WD, XREAS, and a desirable color - in that order - were essential and that I'd pick up the first reasonable deal that met those criteria. I'm very happy with the V8. I'm sure I'd be very happy with the V6, as well, especially as I earmarked $1200 for something I wanted and reminded myself it was the "V6 bonus".

With due respect to the many here more qualified to evaluate than I, here's a list of what I'd be considering were I buying today. A couple of things would require investigation.

Advantages.


V6
Conveniently located oil filter.

$1200 savings

2WD option - I've heard tale of compression braking being more stable on long, fast, loose downhills in 2wd, and of steering, in general, being a bit snappier. The former I don't know about. The latter I didn't notice on a quick test.

mileage

lighter - I wonder if the V8s are sprung any differently in front to handle the 200 extra pounds.

V8

Torque

Towing

Full time 4WD - it's often nice to not worry about being in or out.

History of reliability

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Congratulations on T4ROTM and welcome to the club!

Great pics.