Off-roading Tips

[patkelly4370]

Thank you for this thread.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Schnalan]

Just recently got my 4Runner. Thanks for putting this together!

 

[cbniles25]

thanks for sharing

 

[cbniles25]

Absolutely agree with slowing down! Much better way to take in all of the views

 

[cbniles25]

Warn Winches are costly, but I have never been disappointed in mine

 

[whazupyou]

Looking to get some new Shocks for my 94 4runner whats good?

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[RonJR]

Check ToytecLifts.com. Not necessarily the cheapest, but they know Toyota's and what works for offroad. They'll probably steer you to OME shocks, which are good moderately priced offroad shocks.

 

[tx_shooter]

Looking to get some new Shocks for my 94 4runner whats good?

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

+1 for ToyTec but check out their Aluma series shocks. I ran the ToyTec shocks for a five years before finally stepping up to Kings. The ToyTec shocks were fine for what I was doing.

 

[suuny]

Thanks for all the tips, I have some questions as well, I sifted thru lot of posts but decided to post here

Today, took my 5th Gen 4runner (2021 SR5 Premium) for off-roading this weekend, I am in northeast with lots of snow and ice in Connecticut. Not much great trails here, but I took a mediocre trail (According to my standards for those off-roading must have been probably easy ones). I got stuck in two places while I was trying to get out of slippery ice & snow in a sharp bend, along with a steep slope it struggled to climb I had to do a lot of maneuvers at that point tons of questions started to rush to my mind am I doing the right things sort questions

I was in 4L- D2, D3 and I could see my RPM meter hitting the red-zone as I was slowly inching up the slippery icy slope
a. By doing that am I going to damage anything at that high (8000) rpm during 4L what are the limits of engine rpm speeds to be aware of …?
b. I was constantly shifting between drive & reverse fast just to keep the momentum is there anything I should keep in mind or is it ok..?
c. Also I had to shift between 4L and 4H in order to keep the momentum I needed in some places to be in 4H and to 4L
d. Finally I notice when I come to main road and turn to H2 I hear some sort of very slight rubbing noise, Its probably I feel its coming from engaging and disengaging 4WD this is not the first time I am hearing, I heard this noise even early on now I have ~1600 miles I probably heard It earlier I don’t remember exactly around what miles, any thoughts here..?
e. When I park in the garage I smell some sort of heat smell, definitely not burnt smell, I can smell something is hot and I used to get the smell when I have normal drives, is that normal I did not encounter those when I had my 4thgen but its was a 2WD (when I was in houston area) Should I check that out or is it normal new engine and gears smell due to heat..?
f. any recommendation for those scratches from tree branches and bushes mine is getting bad I have a Black Rig.

Any feedback would be appreciated specially those questions are constantly lingering in my mind

 

[Direwolf82]

Thanks for all the tips, I have some questions as well, I sifted thru lot of posts but decided to post here



Today, took my 5th Gen 4runner (2021 SR5 Premium) for off-roading this weekend, I am in northeast with lots of snow and ice in Connecticut. Not much great trails here, but I took a mediocre trail (According to my standards for those off-roading must have been probably easy ones). I got stuck in two places while I was trying to get out of slippery ice & snow in a sharp bend, along with a steep slope it struggled to climb I had to do a lot of maneuvers at that point tons of questions started to rush to my mind am I doing the right things sort questions



I was in 4L- D2, D3 and I could see my RPM meter hitting the red-zone as I was slowly inching up the slippery icy slope

a. By doing that am I going to damage anything at that high (8000) rpm during 4L what are the limits of engine rpm speeds to be aware of …?

b. I was constantly shifting between drive & reverse fast just to keep the momentum is there anything I should keep in mind or is it ok..?

c. Also I had to shift between 4L and 4H in order to keep the momentum I needed in some places to be in 4H and to 4L

d. Finally I notice when I come to main road and turn to H2 I hear some sort of very slight rubbing noise, Its probably I feel its coming from engaging and disengaging 4WD this is not the first time I am hearing, I heard this noise even early on now I have ~1600 miles I probably heard It earlier I don’t remember exactly around what miles, any thoughts here..?

e. When I park in the garage I smell some sort of heat smell, definitely not burnt smell, I can smell something is hot and I used to get the smell when I have normal drives, is that normal I did not encounter those when I had my 4thgen but its was a 2WD (when I was in houston area) Should I check that out or is it normal new engine and gears smell due to heat..?

f. any recommendation for those scratches from tree branches and bushes mine is getting bad I have a Black Rig.



Any feedback would be appreciated specially those questions are constantly lingering in my mind

I'll take a stab at a couple of those questions.
I grew up in southwest CT, beautiful state.
A. I wouldn't say your hurting anything short-term but your probably not helping the situation. When going uphill we would always try to go in with enough momentum to make it to the top and try not to spin tires, that's an easy way to lose control and go sideways. Even when your not moving forward spinning tires can just slide you downhill, whatever direction that is. Best recommendation would be a good set of tires and easy on the throttle. My dad could get the old suburban in 2WD up the driveway and around the ninety degree corner at the top of the hill when I was a kid, assume he still can but either way the right momentum was key and he always has some decent all terrains on it.
B. I assume you were rocking it back and forth? When you have to do it you have to do it, don't hit the gas until it's fully in gear to avoid beating up the trans. Or dig out around the tires a bit and try, again easy on the throttle at first. Give it a bit more if you have to. Try letting the traction control have a good go at it? I haven't driven mine enough in the snow but on one stream crossing with a 14 inch vertical drop in and out with 6 inches of fresh snow on top of compacted snow I just hit in 4L and the traction control crawled me right up, no bumping or momentum needed.
D. Not sure about the new models but I'm supposed to be in neutral to change high/low. I think it's easier on components anyways, not sure if that's the case with yours or not but your going to hear something when going into our or out of 4 wheel or high/low. Just make sure it's consistent sounding and doesn't change.
E. If you were bouncing off the rev limiter that will definitely heat everything up as much as possible as will banging the tranny forward to back repeatedly. That will create a lot of heat in the torque converter. Check your fluids, don't forget to smell them.
F. I'm going to raptor line mine, from what I've seen it's tough and can be sprayed fairly smoothly or rough, maybe not a full semi gloss but some sheen to flat depending on application techniques.
Or just buff and wax, you'd be surprised what a good guy with an orbital polisher can do to scratches plus it's way easier and cheaper than doing any kind of liner. My paint is so bad a good buff wouldn't touch it, plus I'm over having a white truck it's time to go green.
Enjoy the northeast, hard to find public wheeling but there are some good places around, some abandoned roads and stuff like that.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[suuny]

I'll take a stab at a couple of those questions.
I grew up in southwest CT, beautiful state.
A. I wouldn't say your hurting anything short-term but your probably not helping the situation. When going uphill we would always try to go in with enough momentum to make it to the top and try not to spin tires, that's an easy way to lose control and go sideways. Even when your not moving forward spinning tires can just slide you downhill, whatever direction that is. Best recommendation would be a good set of tires and easy on the throttle. My dad could get the old suburban in 2WD up the driveway and around the ninety degree corner at the top of the hill when I was a kid, assume he still can but either way the right momentum was key and he always has some decent all terrains on it.
B. I assume you were rocking it back and forth? When you have to do it you have to do it, don't hit the gas until it's fully in gear to avoid beating up the trans. Or dig out around the tires a bit and try, again easy on the throttle at first. Give it a bit more if you have to. Try letting the traction control have a good go at it? I haven't driven mine enough in the snow but on one stream crossing with a 14 inch vertical drop in and out with 6 inches of fresh snow on top of compacted snow I just hit in 4L and the traction control crawled me right up, no bumping or momentum needed.
D. Not sure about the new models but I'm supposed to be in neutral to change high/low. I think it's easier on components anyways, not sure if that's the case with yours or not but your going to hear something when going into our or out of 4 wheel or high/low. Just make sure it's consistent sounding and doesn't change.
E. If you were bouncing off the rev limiter that will definitely heat everything up as much as possible as will banging the tranny forward to back repeatedly. That will create a lot of heat in the torque converter. Check your fluids, don't forget to smell them.
F. I'm going to raptor line mine, from what I've seen it's tough and can be sprayed fairly smoothly or rough, maybe not a full semi gloss but some sheen to flat depending on application techniques.
Or just buff and wax, you'd be surprised what a good guy with an orbital polisher can do to scratches plus it's way easier and cheaper than doing any kind of liner. My paint is so bad a good buff wouldn't touch it, plus I'm over having a white truck it's time to go green.
Enjoy the northeast, hard to find public wheeling but there are some good places around, some abandoned roads and stuff like that.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Thanks much, Yeah still the same in 2021 you have to be in neutral to change to 4L

 

[Longhorn425]

Made a quick tip from the trail the other month.

Ran into some newbies who gave me a scare since they didn't use hand signals!

Road Rules / Off-roading Etiquette - YouTube

 

[Chief_Surf]

http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech...ng/sand_dri.htm

Summary-Sand Driving

Lower tire pressures to greatly improve traction and reduce track erosion

Drive smoothly with gear changes at high revs

Ensure wheels are pointing straight ahead when taking off

Avoid the soft sand at the base of dunes and gullies

Make turns as wide as possible

ONLY travel straight up or down dunes

Follow in others tire tracks to drive on compressed ground

Avoid braking by coasting to a stop

Do not floor the accelerator if you are bogging down

When bogged, try to reverse on your own tracks

Thoroughly hose down your vehicle after a beach trip

I just got a 2006 RWD V6. I'd like to go off in the desert or beach. Is there a specific type of lift kit I should be looking for, or is nearly every suspension system the same?

 

[Navick]

Hey there, fellow members of the Toyota-4runner forum!

I hope this post finds you all in high spirits and thirsting for off-road adventures. My name is Navick, and I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share a few off-roading tips that I've learned along the way.

I've always had a passion for exploring the great outdoors, and off-roading has become a way to connect with nature and challenge myself. Over the years, I've had the privilege of driving my trusty 4Runner through incredible terrains, from muddy trails to rocky mountainsides. Through these experiences, I've gained valuable insights that I believe will be useful to all of you fellow off-roaders.

1. Tire Pressure: Tire pressure is one of the most crucial aspects of off-roading. Lowering your tire pressure can significantly improve traction and maneuverability on rough terrains. However, it's essential to strike a balance and find the sweet spot that works for your vehicle and your specific conditions.

2. Recovery Gear: No matter how skilled you are, there's always a chance of getting stuck or encountering obstacles. That's why I always carry a recovery kit, including a snatch strap, shackles, and a shovel. Being prepared for these situations can save you from many headaches and potential damage to your vehicle.

3. Know Your Vehicle: Understanding your 4Runner's capabilities and limitations is key. Take the time to familiarize yourself with its features, such as the differential lock, crawl control, and hill descent control. Knowing how to utilize these tools effectively can make a difference when tackling challenging off-road scenarios.

Now that I've shared a few tips, I'd love to hear from you all. What off-roading challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them? Have you discovered any unique or unconventional techniques that have helped you navigate difficult terrain? Let's start a conversation and learn from each other's experiences!

To wrap things up, I am grateful to this fantastic community. The knowledge and camaraderie found here are invaluable, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. Remember, off-roading is not just about conquering obstacles; it's about respecting nature, staying safe, and having an amazing time along the way.

Keep exploring, keep pushing boundaries, and most importantly, keep sharing your adventures with the rest of us!

Cheers,
Navick

 

[DunrovinNC]

Braking Benefits and two feet, not one, looking ahead

I grew up in high school learning to auto-x in a Mazda 626 which prepared me for all kinds of driving. My family also had a CJ5 and I soon found techniques for auto-xing crossed over quite nicely for offroading. The big ones for me over the years.

Using both feet in your vehicle. One to brake, one for gas. Hugely helpful in auto-xing same in Offroading.

Look ahead one of the most used teaching skills for Auto-xers. Lot in the discussion about being aware of the low points on your vehicle, looking out your window for water crossings. All good advice and particularly for higher speed offroading looking ahead is critical! Your peripheral vision will take care of obstacles and things you need to be aware of close in front of your vehicle but at higher speeds people get into big trouble as they aren't looking far enough ahead for wash outs, large rocks in the roads, soft areas, etc. The faster you are driving the more looking ahead is important.

Not so much an auto-x technique but I learned it as soon as I started trailering things behind my 4 runner, trucks and driving a lot out West. Compression braking/downshifting to protect your brakes. On steep down hill descents whether on road or off, save your brakes and downshift.

 

[Rob_Adventure.Seek]

Something that helped me a lot early on... Core Off-Road Driving Techniques

I saw this thread and figured I’d drop something that might be useful, especially if you’re new to wheeling.

We put together a post that covers 5 core off-road driving techniques — simple, real stuff that’s saved my rig (and my friends’) more than once. No fluff, no pitch, just solid fundamentals. Figured it could help some folks in here too.

Here’s the link if you wanna check it out:
5 Core Off-Road Driving Techniques for New 4x4 Owners

Stay safe out there and have fun.