Offroading--> 3rd Gen or 4th Gen?

[2003Can4runner]

Whats better for offroading? I have a 2000 Limited and absolutely love it. I have read a few things on here about ATRAC and how amazing it is, so does that make the 4th gen runner better for offroad?

 

[AlexJet]

3rd Gen. has better clearance and bumpers. I'd say 3rd Gen. is better.

 

[Thai]

3rd Gen. has better clearance and bumpers. I'd say 3rd Gen. is better.

Only on the 3rd gens that came with rear locker or ATRAC. ATRAC was on 2001-02 3rd gens. I have heard that ATRAC in the 4th gen 4runners are more aggressive and quicker acting than 3rd gen's system.

 

[Northof49]

2000 or older 3rd gen.....it's narrower, higher, metal bumpers, optional rear locker, optional manual trans, easier to lift, no traction control gayness, etc

 

[pipspeak]

no traction control gayness

Traction and control? Gayness? I won't even go there!

 

[srpage]

I own a 4th Gen 4runner but I would vote for the 3rd Gen due to the smaller size and better stock ground clearance.

 

[2003Can4runner]

Mine has the Rear Locker but no traction control. what exactly makes the ATRAC so great? My dad had a 2003 and he thought it was terrible offroad cuz of the traction control..he got stuck soo many times in the snow, but that could have been due to the awful stock tires.

 

[Thai]

Mine has the Rear Locker but no traction control. what exactly makes the ATRAC so great? My dad had a 2003 and he thought it was terrible offroad cuz of the traction control..he got stuck soo many times in the snow, but that could have been due to the awful stock tires.

Yes, in all likelihood, your Dad 4runner's issues were tire-related.

ATRAC = 4-wheel traction control = Limited-slip differential on front and rear axles. It is not as efficient as a locker, but with ATRAC, you can move forward with only one (any) wheel with traction. The same cannot be said about your old 4runner with rear locker. For example, in your 4runner, if both of your rear tires and one front tire is in mud, then you cannot move forward. Your Dad's 4runner can get out.

The reason that ATRAC is not as efficient as a locker off-road is because it has to react to slippage...slippage has to occur before it comes on. Locker is more proactive...in that it acts before slippage comes on (if you remember to engage it).

Of course, if your Dad is really into off-roading and want the best of both worlds, then he should get ARB rear locker which should go well with ATRAC.

 

[AlexJet]

Sometimes, in the mud, to get out you need spin all 4 tires and A-TRAC start blocking power, so you stucked. I was stucked couple times exactly by this feature. My friends Rubicon with front+center+rear lockers moved out due to spinning all 4tires (we both run GoodYear MT/R and his Rubicon is not lifted). Another time I was surprized how easy (compare to my stock central lock and ATRAC) another 4th Gen with ARB front+rear locker passed by place I was stucked for 1/2 hour.
I'm not saying A-TRAC is bad. It's just all depends on conditions. As someone already mentioned, there some cases where A-TRAC will work better then lockers and there are some situations when lockers will keep you moving and A-TRAC wouldn

 

[2003Can4runner]

Sometimes, in the mud, to get out you need spin all 4 tires and A-TRAC start blocking power, so you stucked. I was stucked couple times exactly by this feature. My friends Rubicon with front+center+rear lockers moved out due to spinning all 4tires (we both run GoodYear MT/R and his Rubicon is not lifted). Another time I was surprized how easy (compare to my stock central lock and ATRAC) another 4th Gen with ARB front+rear locker passed by place I was stucked for 1/2 hour.
I'm not saying A-TRAC is bad. It's just all depends on conditions. As someone already mentioned, there some cases where A-TRAC will work better then lockers and there are some situations when lockers will keep you moving and A-TRAC wouldn

 

[RonMAIDEN]

'99 is the year that's regarded as the best modern gen off road Runner in stock trim due to it's highest ground clearance (early '00s shared the taller springs also) and of course the factory locker but with a few mods any year Runner can do well off road.
In '01 Toyota dropped the Runners an inch and lost the locker and 5 speeds.

 

[Thai]

'99 is the year that's regarded as the best modern gen off road Runner in stock trim due to it's highest ground clearance (early '00s shared the taller springs also) and of course the factory locker but with a few mods any year Runner can do well off road.
In '01 Toyota dropped the Runners an inch and lost the locker and 5 speeds.

Yes, 1999 4runners are probably the best stock. However, you can modify a later model 4runner to have the best of both worlds. You can install 1999 springs on 2001-2002 4runners and add ARB rear locker. This way, you have both ATRAC and locker along with the extra height. It is impossible to add ATRAC & VSC onto earlier 4runners (before 2001).

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I just wish the multi-mode auto was available outside the Limited models on the earlier 3rd gens since my mom's Limited in AWD mode is great and closely mimics the AWD system in my Eclipse.

 

[JosephD05]

that's exactly what i thought. The reason he got stuck is because he went in and couldnt' spin a tire to push himself through..the traction control just kept engaging causing him to spin a little bit and dig down a little more. he couldnt' just stomp on it to muscle his way through. there was on situation where the snow was literally 4 inches deep and he got stuck. He parked there and was spinning all 4 tires trying to get out. He must have done some serious damage to the transmission (it was leased...) because he just held it right to the floor for a few minutes. he said he buried the needle on the speedo and just held it there until it came out. He was PISSED. my brother in his peice of crap mazda B4000 went in after in 2 wheel drive and walked out without spinning a tire...it was kind of a funny sight.

WOW!
i CAN't imagine a 4th gen 4runner getting stuck in 4 inches of snow. That would be disgraceful. Do 2006 4 runners have ATRAC and is it possible to turn it off? My 2003 accord had had traction control and it did have a cut off switch.

 

[Thai]

WOW!
i CAN't imagine a 4th gen 4runner getting stuck in 4 inches of snow. That would be disgraceful. Do 2006 4 runners have ATRAC and is it possible to turn it off? My 2003 accord had had traction control and it did have a cut off switch.

Do you have 2wd or 4wd 4runner??

 

[JosephD05]

4wd

 

[Thai]

Yes, your 4runner has 4-wheel traction control (ATRAC). You canNOT shut it off. However, if you are off-roading, then i would lock center diff to shut off VSC (stability control). VSC is the main culprit in shutting down momentum.

 

[JosephD05]

Anyone else have a hard time getting around in a 4th gen 4 runner in the snow?

 

[Baba Booey]

Is the 4th Gen's more powerful engine (especially the V8) a big advantage over the 3rd Gen or doesn't power play a huge role off-road?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Is the 4th Gen's more powerful engine (especially the V8) a big advantage over the 3rd Gen or doesn't power play a huge role off-road?

In 4lo the 3rd gens have enough power to pull it's own weight and more off road in difficult terrain or up steep inclines but more ponies never hurts.
Helping pull someone out might benefit from the bigger 4th gen powerplants tho'.