Newsflash: stock TE great offroad

[jcoleman]

Finally got a real chance to get the tires dirty on the TE today. I've had the truck for a while now, but life/work had prevented me from getting the 'Runner to some appropriately mild trails.

I'm going to gush a little bit here: This truck blew me away today.

It's exactly what I've been looking for to put the fun and simplicity back in wheeling, instead of the dedicated rock crawler + tow rig and trailer routine which off roading has become for me in the last decade.

Clearance was decent and gearing/control are good. Crawl control and Terrain select are nearly useless gimmicks (imo), but ATRAC (with some occasional pinch hitting by the rear locker) puts a perma-grin on my face. My only deviation from stock are the BFG K02's, which worked great as well, particularly given how wet it was. The truck stuck every line I chose to risk.

In a group dominated today by JKU/JKUR's on 35's, the TE was the little stocker "that could." With some rock rails, I could get into some real trouble with this truck.

I know none of this is news, but I had to share. Can't wait for the next opportunity to put this thing in 4-Low!

 

[Doc_Fry]

Though I agree this should get interesting opcorn:

 

[GRN285]

How did you like the tires? Comparing What previous tires did you have?

I, like you had, haven't had a chance to get off road yet and am anxious to see how they perform. I'm assuming they would be a tad better than my previous
Ko's on my Tacoma.

 

[Intruder]

FJCs, Tacomas, LCs, 4Runners, and even Tundras are all very capable right out of the box. They'll do far more than what most drivers will ever push them to.

 

[jcoleman]

How did you like the tires? Comparing What previous tires did you have?

The K02's replaced the OE Dunlops. I didn't bother to try those on trail.

The K02's performed well today. Obviously very much an all terrain, with all that entails, good and bad, but there were no traction issues today on wet rock or red clay. I've put roughly 5K daily driver miles on them and besides the slight performance hit due mostly to weight, I'm satisfied.

 

[wfo9]

Yep, it is decent after you get rid of the ridiculous tires that come on it.

I know it is just tires, but it is the single biggest improvement you can make over stock. I estimate a 50% improvement in capability with proper tires (I just make that number up, but I think it could be argued to be legit). The stock tires are not really off-road worthy.

I think you hit the nail on the head about CRAWL, MTS... gimmicks for sure. Although, some folks have found a few specific situations where crawl is actually useful (Deep snow). ATRAC is a winner for sure. Combine it with a rear locker and you are real close to a fully locked capability. In fact, I would say you could do the same as fully locked, it is just not nearly as pretty.

After you get tires on the thing, the next big issue is approach and departure angles (clearance in general). Those could be so much better from the factory.... but they are good enough for mild trails. Clearly not good enough for the Rubicon... as I have heard some claim.

 

[bimrunner]

After you get tires on the thing, the next big issue is approach and departure angles (clearance in general). Those could be so much better from the factory.... but they are good enough for mild trails. Clearly not good enough for the Rubicon... as I have heard some claim.

If you didn't plan to keep the 4Runner and were ok with massive amounts of carnage, had a group of recovery vehicles and an extraction plan in place, you might get part of the way through the con. Having done it and see many of the heeps on 35, 37 and 40 inch tires replacing axles and finally paying $$$$ for unimogs to come save them, I'd love to watch a group take a stock runner in there and see how much trouble they could handle. Was really disappointed in the post a few days back about the loony guys who were going to test the stock trail on the con. Lol even a stock wrangler driven by an experienced person, would have a fair bit of carnage. It's a fab trail and I highly recommend it! Just know, I'm not quite done getting my 4runner ready for it... Close though! Really close.

 

[ATL4R]

If you didn't plan to keep the 4Runner and were ok with massive amounts of carnage, had a group of recovery vehicles and an extraction plan in place, you might get part of the way through the con. Having done it and see many of the heeps on 35, 37 and 40 inch tires replacing axles and finally paying $$$$ for unimogs to come save them, I'd love to watch a group take a stock runner in there and see how much trouble they could handle. Was really disappointed in the post a few days back about the loony guys who were going to test the stock trail on the con. Lol even a stock wrangler driven by an experienced person, would have a fair bit of carnage. It's a fab trail and I highly recommend it! Just know, I'm not quite done getting my 4runner ready for it... Close though! Really close.

Stock except tire and sliders running rubicon trail. Surprisingly little damage.

2010 Toyota 4Runner Rubicon Trail First Drive

 

[1engineer]

If you didn't plan to keep the 4Runner and were ok with massive amounts of carnage, had a group of recovery vehicles and an extraction plan in place, you might get part of the way through the con. Having done it and see many of the heeps on 35, 37 and 40 inch tires replacing axles and finally paying $$$$ for unimogs to come save them, I'd love to watch a group take a stock runner in there and see how much trouble they could handle. Was really disappointed in the post a few days back about the loony guys who were going to test the stock trail on the con. Lol even a stock wrangler driven by an experienced person, would have a fair bit of carnage. It's a fab trail and I highly recommend it! Just know, I'm not quite done getting my 4runner ready for it... Close though! Really close.

5th Gen stock 4Runner TE (sliders added only) ran the Rubicon back in 2009! This is one of the reasons I came back to the 4Runner!
He had a small team and an experienced guide lol and the damage he did was minimal compared to the price of tires, lift, UCA's, armor, winch, etc.

Sometimes man puts too much faith in machines and technology instead of old fashioned ingenuity and talent lol. Back in the day I ran modded Chevy trucks. Sometimes I would spend half a day to conquer an obstacle, drive several miles of tough trails, only to see a 1979 Olds Cutlass sitting out there. They had ran the same trails as me! Here is a video proving the vehicle is NOT the most important part of going off road:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHvXi_HejnI

 

[Jhalko]

Sometimes man puts too much faith in machines and technology instead of old fashioned ingenuity and talent lol. Back in the day I ran modded Chevy trucks. Sometimes I would spend half a day to conquer an obstacle, drive several miles of tough trails, only to see a 1979 Olds Cutlass sitting out there. They had ran the same trails as me! Here is a video proving the vehicle is NOT the most important part of going off road:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHvXi_HejnI

I drove two Colorado winters and did numerous easy to moderate DRY trails here on the stock tires. people make it out like new tires are the end all be all, yeah the more extreme situations you are in the more they help but 50% improvement? Really?

To OP, your truck looks awesome.

 

[jcoleman]

To OP, your truck looks awesome.

Thanks! All credit there goes to Toyota:thumb:

Visions of lift, bumpers, sliders, etc. are dancing in my head--all of which would look awesome and increase the performance envelope, but I'm trying to resist the urge and enjoy it for what it is--a capable, stock, reliable, quiet, relatively efficient daily driver.

 

[RickC5]

FWIW, I totally agree that a stock TE is a great off-roader. However, ours has KDSS, which means our front skid plate is a bit lower than a non-KDSS T4R. Of course, this results in a lot of rock smacking here on our Western Colorado/Eastern Utah trails. Amazing what an inch or so less clearance will do. Anyway, after installing a 2.5" Dynastar leveling lift kit, I now have 10" of clearance in front instead of 7.5"--a VAST improvement. No more rock encounters. Love it!

Oh yeah, we installed Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs the day after we bought the truck.

 

[jcoleman]

FWIW, I totally agree that a stock TE is a great off-roader. However, ours has KDSS, which means our front skid plate is a bit lower than a non-KDSS T4R. Of course, this results in a lot of rock smacking here on our Western Colorado/Eastern Utah trails. Amazing what an inch or so less clearance will do. Anyway, after installing a 2.5" Dynastar leveling lift kit, I now have 10" of clearance in front instead of 7.5"--a VAST improvement. No more rock encounters. Love it!

Oh yeah, we installed Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs the day after we bought the truck.

I've got KDSS also. The truck as a whole has a LOT less ground clearance than I'm used to. I kissed the front skid a couple times and rubbed the gas tank skid once. Again, this was a pretty easy trail, but a good match for the truck as it currently sits.

 

[wfo9]

I drove two Colorado winters and did numerous easy to moderate DRY trails here on the stock tires. people make it out like new tires are the end all be all, yeah the more extreme situations you are in the more they help but 50% improvement? Really?

To OP, your truck looks awesome.

Like I said, I just made that up off the top of my head, but I think it could be argued. The stock tires will not get you through what many would consider typical offroading terrain (what usually requires a jeep/short wheelbase 4x4...). Everyone's definition of offroading is different. I'm only familiar with jagged rocks, ledges where the stock tires either rip slip or go boom.

 

[bimrunner]

Stock except tire and sliders running rubicon trail. Surprisingly little damage.

2010 Toyota 4Runner Rubicon Trail First Drive

5th Gen stock 4Runner TE (sliders added only) ran the Rubicon back in 2009! This is one of the reasons I came back to the 4Runner!
He had a small team and an experienced guide lol and the damage he did was minimal compared to the price of tires, lift, UCA's, armor, winch, etc.

Sometimes man puts too much faith in machines and technology instead of old fashioned ingenuity and talent lol. Back in the day I ran modded Chevy trucks. Sometimes I would spend half a day to conquer an obstacle, drive several miles of tough trails, only to see a 1979 Olds Cutlass sitting out there. They had ran the same trails as me! Here is a video proving the vehicle is NOT the most important part of going off road:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHvXi_HejnI

I could have/should have been clearer that I personally would not be comfortable running the con stock (especially since I have a LE). I believe it can be done and never wondered that, but I would only go in a stock version with the mindset I indicated. I think I'm a decent driver, but there are way better drivers in the world and they took 3 days (I do it in an average of 2 days which means I go faster not necessarily smarter). I have mine built the way I do for my own peace of mind, not because I think it is absolute necessity. Again, I should have been clearer and probably was a dumb post. lol.

 

[Canon_Bob]

I too found the stock TE surprisingly capable right off the lot. As many have already mentioned, the tires are the only "real" mod that I needed (I went to Nitto Exograpplers in stock size). Someone above mentioned a 50% improvement, and I think I'd agree with that. Those stock Dunlops are really only good for the highway. Only other real mod I've done is the scuba mod due to the amount of water I drive through. I thought I'd have to do quite a bit more, but have found the stock trail skids to be sufficient for my requirements. Even though it's a bit lower than what I'm used to, I haven't had any serious clearance issues so no lift is in my future. I certainly don't push the envelope like many here do, but it is certainly capable of getting me into and out of the swamps here for my work. It's a very well designed vehicle (in stock configuration) for light to moderate off-road use. I wouldn't push the envelope too much in a stock 'Runner though. Lots of expensive body damage waiting to happen without sufficient armor to protect it.

 

[wfo9]

Sometimes man puts too much faith in machines and technology instead of old fashioned ingenuity and talent lol. Back in the day I ran modded Chevy trucks. Sometimes I would spend half a day to conquer an obstacle, drive several miles of tough trails, only to see a 1979 Olds Cutlass sitting out there. They had ran the same trails as me! Here is a video proving the vehicle is NOT the most important part of going off road:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHvXi_HejnI

Uhh, that video has nothing to do with offroading (at least my definition of it). I would love to see that car out on what I consider an real offroad trail.

 

[wfo9]

5th Gen stock 4Runner TE (sliders added only) ran the Rubicon back in 2009! This is one of the reasons I came back to the 4Runner!
He had a small team and an experienced guide lol and the damage he did was minimal compared to the price of tires, lift, UCA's, armor, winch, etc.

I would love to see the carnage from a stock trail running the Rubicon. I'm sure there is a guide or two who could do it without massive damage, but let's be real. Most people here would never have a chance of making it without ridiculous damage. In fact, they would never make it in a reasonable time frame.

Even a highly modified 4 runner doing it would be a major feat in my book.

 

[Jetboy]

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[Ron4RNevada]

Note all of the strategically stacked rocks in the above video; otherwise the 4Runner would have ended with grooved doors and quarter panels. The Rubicon is not very forgiving with 75 inch wide stock bodied trucks in the "sluices".

I have a neighbor who spent $12000 repairing his H2 Hummer after running the Rubicon. Traction is a minor problem on the trail - width is the big problem.