New 3rd gen driver, off-road basics

R

randallwade

New member
Hello All, new user and new T4R driver. Picked up a 2002 LTD 4WD a few months ago. I am an avid hiker and nature photographer living in northern Colorado. My main motivation is to access trail heads at the end of 4WD trails, but nothing too difficult. Not mechanically inclined or interested in doing much on my own, and don't have a lot to put into it. But, would like some advice on a few key mods or accessory items that would be helpful to my off-road performance and/or safety. My only thoughts at this point are either removing the factory running boards or replacing them with rock rails, and purchasing a hi-lift jack. I tried to do a search, but didn't come up with what I was looking for, so if you want to point me to another thread, that would be great as well. Any advice appreciated
 
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Good tires, a full size spare, good jack (if you don't want to do rock sliders and a hi-lift, check out exhaust jacks. The stock bottle jack works fine as long as you're on reasonably stable ground), and solid preventive maintenance is all that is needed. :)
 
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These 4Runners are awesome off-road as stock, there's not a whole lot needed.

Removing the running boards is easy to do and will keep you from messing them up if you need higher clearance on the sides. I think it's 6 bolts total. If you look under the running boards it's not bad if you have a basic socket wrench.

Our 4Runners come with a bottle jack located under the rear seats for changing spares if it ever comes to that. At home I just have a standard 3-ton garage jack and stands that gets it plenty high enough.
 
Thanks for the replies so far. jgue467, yes it is 4WD, I will edit the post to reflect that. I didn't really find what I am asking about on the reference section that is where I was looking prior to posting. I am a bit leery of the bottle jack, as I had to change a flat on my old Jeep Liberty at about 12,000 feet with one and it was quite unpleasant (and dangerous)!
 
randallwade said:
Thanks for the replies so far. jgue467, yes it is 4WD, I will edit the post to reflect that. I didn't really find what I am asking about on the reference section that is where I was looking prior to posting. I am a bit leery of the bottle jack, as I had to change a flat on my old Jeep Liberty at about 12,000 feet with one and it was quite unpleasant (and dangerous)!
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High lifts are not known for being particularly stable either. That, and there is no good jacking location on a stock 4Runner. The ARB X-jack is about $200, which is kinda steep for a jack, but would work great on a stock Runner. Off brands are about $100. Either way, much cheaper than rock sliders and a hi-lift.
 
white_n_slow said:
High lifts are not known for being particularly stable either. That, and there is no good jacking location on a stock 4Runner. The ARB X-jack is about $200, which is kinda steep for a jack, but would work great on a stock Runner. Off brands are about $100. Either way, much cheaper than rock sliders and a hi-lift.
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Thanks for sharing! I've never seen the X-jack, definitely looks useful.
 
white_n_slow said:
High lifts are not known for being particularly stable either. That, and there is no good jacking location on a stock 4Runner. The ARB X-jack is about $200, which is kinda steep for a jack, but would work great on a stock Runner. Off brands are about $100. Either way, much cheaper than rock sliders and a hi-lift.
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These say they are ideal for sand, mud and snow. Probably not my trouble areas. I will be getting into more rocky terrain here in CO
 
white_n_slow said:
Good tires, a full size spare, good jack (if you don't want to do rock sliders and a hi-lift, check out exhaust jacks. The stock bottle jack works fine as long as you're on reasonably stable ground), and solid preventive maintenance is all that is needed. :)
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^^ what he said.

Also :welcome:
 
You kinda don't need anything but some good common sense. Take off the running boards and maybe take off the rear tow hitch. I went out with about 10 vehicles, all newer and more expensive, mostly Tacomas and some 3rd gen 4Runners. Everyone else had aggressive mud tires AND a suspension lift; many had winches, bumpers, skid plates, etc., etc. My 4Runner was the only stock vehicle; many of the guys had bumper sets that cost more than my whole truck. At the beginning of the trip, many of them (most?) thought I would be in trouble and slowing everyone down. All they wanted to know was if I have tow points. In 4 days of steep climbing, I got one little nudge, but I could have gotten out myself (it was just dicey because my e-brake doesn't work). All of the guys damaged their trucks (to some degree) and some even needed to use winches. At the end of the trip, several guys told me they have never seen anyone cover terrain that difficult with a stock vehicle of any type. I'm not a veteran at offroad driving. These little 4Runners are amazing machines!
 
Someone here posted an old 4x4 video that mad made by Toyota I believe, it was probably from the 80s since I seem to remember an FJ60 being in it. I think it was filmed in Australia... Anyway awesome video for the basic fundamentals

Found it...

http://youtu.be/Xz0hN05GyLQ
 
Yeah, when Toyota makes a 4WD video they don't mess around; start off with the porn music right away!
 
The most important things to know when offroading are to not drive over something sideways (you will roll over) and momentum is good sometimes, but sometimes it is not. Just don't do anything too crazy. Always have a backup plan.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
Just FYI ...

That link is old and meant to be extinct.

The correct updated link is found within the sticky on the main page.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...faq-tutorials-documentation-reference-v2.html


:bat:
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Good to know! I have actually never found the updated version. Do you think the site admins could update the front page here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/ ? If you click on the Tutorial and Documentation Reference it still links to the old one.

Sorry for the thread jack.
 
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