Offroad Capability

054Runner1

054Runner1

New member
Hey everyone, as you can tell by my signature I have a 2005 V6 SR5 4x2. I have the crappy stock tires on it(the dunlop grandtrek) I am experienced in offroading and decided to take my 4runner off road in the mud the other day! Well I ended up getting stuck crossing a ditch(I guess the tires just have no offroad traction).Now I know these tires suck and I only have 2wheel drive, but I don't think I should have gotten stuck. The ditch was maybe 1 foot deep. After all that, I have to say I was kinda dissapointed with the capabilities of my 4Runner, I don't believe my experience was the problem, Has anyone else found the offroad capabilities somewhat lacking even for a 4x2?? Or has anyone else with these tires had the same results??? Also, I have gone offroading in the wet sand and on some sand dunes with these tires and not had even a small problem
 
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maybe you should do the old farm truck thing. Really rediculously large knobby tires in the back and normal street tires in the front. Like these below. :D
 

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Well I see you saw my post, Here but I was impressed with what the stock 2wd could do, it is no Jeep Wrangler, but i still went thru kinda deep mud, and i have also been in pretty deep sand, and I only got stuck once when the trac cut out the power to the wheels i have since seen on this forum how to get around that, and cant wait to try it out. I also always made sure i had momentum going before i went anywhere I might get stuck. Just try to keep consistent power going the whole time. Mine has the michelin cross terrains in the stock size, but I doubt that would make much of a difference.

IDK, maybe RunnerUp and GatorGreg were secretly laughing to themselves, but I was impressed and had fun.
 
I don't know why I got stuck, but Im gonna go again pretty soon with my 4Runner and my dads 4x4 GMC Yukon in case I get stuck and need to get pulled out!!!
 
Pirate VI said:
IDK, maybe RunnerUp and GatorGreg were secretly laughing to themselves, but I was impressed and had fun.
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:lmao:

j/k Pirate :D The 2WD 4Runner still has the advantages of decent ground clearance and approach/departure angles and solid truck frame that other 4WD T4Rs have, and with decent tires and a skilled driver it should be able to have a lot of fun offroad. My first quasi SUV back in the 20th century was a 2WD 1st gen CR-V. Let me tell you I had a great time taking that little CR-V off-road once I put on some decent tires. It was extremely nimble and small (I used to take it on ATV trails) and it had a decent 8.1" of ground clearance. Yeah I'd get stuck on occassion, but that's what a tow strap is for. I remember going off road with one of Thai's friends who had a 2WD Limited 3rd gen T4R who got stuck in sand at the Ocala Nat'l Forest and someone with a 4WD CR-V had to pull him out :D With 2WD you learn to watch your momentum closely and try not to get cornered in a position where you lose it, especially on sand.
 
Well Even though its 2wd, I don't think that was the biggest reason why, I think the tires were the more likely reason. Take a look at Pirate VI's Runner, Its 2wd and he did way more than I did. I have even done some offroading in wet sand with my runner and its handled pretty well. I think these tires just plane suck in mud, its not suprising since they are dunlop tires. I personally hate Dunlop. But when I bought the vehicle I bought so many extra warranties and extra's. I didn't see the need for changing the tires. I purchased a replacement tire plan for the life of my vehicle. So the next time I get tires im getting BFG All Terrians or something of that calibur. So I will take it offroad with those bad boys and see what happens!!!
 
The BFG's with deff. help a lot.

No substitue for 4x4 though , but there are advantages you have too.
 
Bridgestone duelers are nice...i dont think think id buy an suv w/o 4wd...seems sorta pointless. Only time i ever got stuck was in 15" of snow in a field with michelin all-seasons. I just recently got the same tires...i like them a lot. not even any slippage goin up super steep inclines! I just hate how long the wheelbase is and i always drag the rear bumper/mud flap/hitch and running boards.
 
2wd vs 4wd? Would you take a knife to a gunfight?:p

My truck is pretty much stock and 2wd won't go where we wheel. 2wd with a diff lock might get closer.
 
I know 2wd can never compare to 4wd, I wish I had the 4wd, but i think the 2wd can handle more than people think.... I think.
 
Pirate VI said:
I know 2wd can never compare to 4wd, I wish I had the 4wd, but i think the 2wd can handle more than people think.... I think.
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You're absolutely right. First, a 2WD 4runner gets more than half the traction of 4WD because the traction is on the axle with the good articulation. In many off road situations, it would be more like 2 wheels against 3 than 2 wheels against 4. Second, having fewer mechanical tools can tend to force a higher level of driving skill. You would be awed by where a professional driver could take your vehicle.
 
first off, the traction in the rear is just fine and dandy, but there is only so much articulation can do for you. if you flex, it is always taking weight off of one tire, and with the open diff our lovely 4runners have, you may as well have 1 wheel drive. 4x4 has the weight of the motor and most of the transmission plus steering parts etc over a set of drive wheels that, because of the weight on them, will stay on the ground a whole lot longer than the rear tires will. in essence, 2wd vs 4wd is like 1wd vs 3wd.

if you want a 2x4 to go somewhere, you cant be afraid to beat on it. momentum and spinning tires will get you where you need to be, especially with the 4r's traction control system.
 
Irony is the fact that there's plenty of folks on this board that have shod a perfectly fine 4wd truck with 22" rims and will never see anything beyond a gravel driveway if even that. :p
 
i think it funny some of the "extremely hard" offroad trips these guys go on are like dirt roads with really big dips in them and a rock or two.
 
ObeseFieldMouse said:
i think it funny some of the "extremely hard" offroad trips these guys go on are like dirt roads with really big dips in them and a rock or two.
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:p :p

Yeah,I've had Subis on harder trails than what some consider off roading.
 
IMO, anyone who takes their truck off dry smooth pavement is cool by me. Everyone starts their off-roading adventure from baby steps...so, as long as you take it off-road (over any terrain) is OK by me.
 
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