Off Road Capability

[ufmech]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking to buy a 4Runner and am currently looking at the 4th Gen sport editions and SR5's... I have done the search on the differences between the two and read all about them on the forum. My question though is more related to either edition being capable off-road. I have owned two Jeep Wranglers and a 4Runner Limited Edition. I went from a very rugged truck with the Wrangler, to a very luxury SUV with the Limited. I want to find a happy medium and pick up either a Sport or SR5, and I'm leaning more towards the Sport but am having trouble finding them since they seem pretty popular... The SR5's are all over the place and from a strictly off-roading aspect is there really much of a difference between the SR5 and Sport? I don't think the X-REAS is gonna do much for me off-road... Any advice or tips are appreciated and looking forward to getting back into a 4Runner!

Thanks...

 

[gaterose]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking to buy a 4Runner and am currently looking at the 4th Gen sport editions and SR5's... I have done the search on the differences between the two and read all about them on the forum. My question though is more related to either edition being capable off-road. I have owned two Jeep Wranglers and a 4Runner Limited Edition. I went from a very rugged truck with the Wrangler, to a very luxury SUV with the Limited. I want to find a happy medium and pick up either a Sport or SR5, and I'm leaning more towards the Sport but am having trouble finding them since they seem pretty popular... The SR5's are all over the place and from a strictly off-roading aspect is there really much of a difference between the SR5 and Sport? I don't think the X-REAS is gonna do much for me off-road... Any advice or tips are appreciated and looking forward to getting back into a 4Runner!

Thanks...

XREAS will not really help you off road, especially if you plan to lift which will eliminate the XREAS most likely. From an off-roading aspect there is not much difference between the sport, sr5, and limited. The only 4th gen that is better off road is the elusive '09 trail edition. The limited gets leather, but I don't think anything else about it is really 'luxury'

The sport has bigger brake rotors up front and I'm fairly certain that's the only functional difference besides some minor cosmetic changes and the hood scoop. If you get an 06-09 you'll also get a tubular rack and side steps, but neither is superior to the rack and steps on the sr5/limited for off road purposes. In fact most who off road a lot eventually replace the steps with sliders and often put a bigger rack on.

Not sure if you're aware but the V8 is full time 4WD with selectable low while the V6 is a regular electronic shifting part time.

 

[ufmech]

For off-roading is the V8 all-time AWD preferable, or is the V6 part-time the better option? I would go with the V6 but just wondering...

 

[gaterose]

For off-roading is the V8 all-time AWD preferable, or is the V6 part-time the better option? I would go with the V6 but just wondering...

There are some debates if you search and want a few technical (and lots of opinionated) answers to that question. I believe the general consensus is that the one you have is superior to the other one.

 

[ufmech]

Yea that's typically the general consensus on anything in life. Anyways, thanks for the info. Looking forward to getting back into a 4Runner.

 

[WXman]

The main thing that holds the Limited back is the running boards. If you take those off and replace with some real rock sliders you'd be in great shape. I have been in some hilly, muddy terrain that my 4R walked right out of when it was on crappy HT tires. Now that I've got taller MT tires this thing is a beast. Not quite to the level of a Wrangler (which is what I traded for this 4R) but just about as close as it gets.

I prefer the Limited because you get all the creature comforts without sacrificing any offroad capability. The V8 is the only way to go. V6 is less torque, has potential head gasket failures, seems to have ignition system issues commonly, and drinks gas just as bad. V8 or bust.

 

[JB.]

For off-roading is the V8 all-time AWD preferable, or is the V6 part-time the better option? I would go with the V6 but just wondering...

The drive systems are virtually identical except that the V6 can run in 2wd, so consider the engine the only difference.

The only significant difference offroad I would see is the V8 giving a little more engine braking in 1st low, although the cast iron block in the V8 would also seem to impart an extra layer of protection against overheating. V8 also comes stock with an external transmission cooler.

 

[TFJ-4runner]

The only difference I can see having any point mentioning are the engines and whether or not you are running bags in the rear. The 09 has a rear locker which I would get if it's an option. Avoid X-REAS because if you are planing to modify the suspension it is better off in the trash where it will end up anyways. The V8 is better off road and I say this because of torque. Torque is your friend even more so off road and the V8 will be the better performer. The capability of the 4runner really doesn't differ much package wise but I would ask how much you are willing to have to maintain like leather versus cloth.

 

[ufmech]

So it sounds like going with the Sport just for the hood scoop and the X-REAS is a waste of time and money. Going with an SR5, with a V8 is the way to go. Save money and get a fully capable off-road beast!

 

[Synister]

All the 4th gen trim level's and engine options are pretty much equal off road. The biggest hindrance to the 4th gen in general is ground clearance, all of which suffer equally. Pick your trim, pick your motor, slap a lift on it and you won't really notice which badge is on the side...unless you own a Trail Edition :dance:

 

[M1911]

For off-roading is the V8 all-time AWD preferable, or is the V6 part-time the better option? I would go with the V6 but just wondering...

Neither.

They are identical offroad.

The only difference between the V6 and V8 systems are that the V6 system has a 2WD mode. That is it. Theoretically, that might allow the V6 to have better fuel economy - in practice, there doesn't seem to be much difference.

Both systems have a lockable limited-slip, Torsen center diff. That allows both systems to run on dry pavement in AWD. When you lock the center diff offroad, it behaves just like a part-time 4WD system - the front and rear driveshafts are locked together and turn at the same speed.

Both the V6 and V8 have low and high ranges.

So the only difference is that the V6 can be driven in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive, while the V8 is always in all-wheel-drive.

 

[M1911]

There are some debates if you search and want a few technical (and lots of opinionated) answers to that question. I believe the general consensus is that the one you have is superior to the other one.

Anyone who thinks there is a difference offroad between the V6 4WD system and the V8 4WD system simply doesn't understand the systems. Once you shift the V6 out of rear-wheel-drive, it behaves exactly the same as the V8s system, because outside of the V6s' rear-wheel-drive mode, they are identical.