Stock 4Runner + Stock Height Off-Roading?

[levee-11]

Hello,
First post. I was wondering how capable a mostly stock 4Runner is. I'm going on my first off-road trip here soon, and it's not a difficult trail, but I was just wondering for the future, what can I expect with stock height, and everything. Looking forward to hearing back from you guys.

 

[jgue467]

A 4Runner can do a whole lot off-roading right out of the box!

I mean it's got well over 11 inches of ground clearance, narrowish body, medium wheelsbase = tightish turning ability = Great off-roading experiences right out of the box.

Just slap some decent off-roading/on-roading tires like say (biased here) Michelin LTX AT/2s, you'll love quite highways and the ability to handle any moderate off-road situation including sand, gravel, mud and so forth.

Luck and enjoy the Runner! :cowboy:

 

[OrRunner]

These trucks are quite capable offroad in stock form, a decent set of tires in 265/70/16 or 265/75/16 will get you most places. The limiting factor at that point becomes ground clearance in the center of the vehicle and the rear differential. A suspension lift can help with clearance beneath the engine/transmission, a body lift and tires can increase clearance beneath the rear diff.

Make sure you are familiar with how to operate the 4wd on your truck- if you have the multimode transfer case you will most likely want to use the awd setting (4wd on, center diff unlocked) for most terrain. If you find yourself slipping and experience limited traction locking the center diff or rear diff locker (if equipped) may be necessary, and on extremely steep terrain such as long uphills/downhill 4lo can be excellent. On long, steep downhills I like to use 4lo and put it in 1st... it's a poor man's crawl control.

 

[Reinout]

[MENTION=455530]levee-11[/MENTION] There's really not a whole lot in Washington that I'd be afraid to tackle with stock height. I'd be more worried about the tires and how well they work.
[MENTION=217828]OrRunner[/MENTION] said it well: use the 4wd option if you have it.

When in doubt: stop! Step back and assess the trail before continuing.

 

[levee-11]

Alright. Thanks! Tires are nice. I put mud/snow 265 75 r16’s on there and they are by no means “off road” tires but they are good tread and will certainly do. I have 4wd and works great.

 

[phattyduck]

Disconnect the front swaybar and strap it up out of the way for the best 'stock' performance. Leave the rear connected, it doesn't limit flex with stock suspension. Looks like you already have the running boards removed, so that's covered.

-Charlie

 

[rightyouareken]

I haven't done anything even remotely extreme, but the first place I run into issues on my stock height (and probably sagging a bit) 02 is the departure angle at the rear receiver hitch/bumper/mudflaps. I don't think I've come close to hitting anywhere else yet, but I do drag my tail coming through large-ish washouts or off ledges or the like. All in all, it's a pretty safe place to use as a "canary in a coal mine" on where the stock limits start to get reached.

What trail are you going out on?

 

[Jidaran]

make sure you got the stock skid plates still on there. a fair number of used 4runners are sold without them.

 

[WeakSauz]

Pretty dang good, I'd say

Turn up the volume at the end for funny commentary

YouTube

 

[patkelly4370]

Very interested in this thread. Just got my first vehicle that will be my "daily driver" with intentions of exploring trails.
2017 SR5 with a small lift and larger tires. No practical experience off roading.
Monday I went from this

To this


Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[3bears]

^^^^ wrong place..go to different forum for your year

 

[3bears]

as a retired Oregon park ranger who liked to cruise back roads I think a lot pf of places in Oregon and Washington are good for stock height 4runners..back forest service roads, etc. But anyplace can have roads that push the limits...been there done that.just depends on what you want to do.
not like it made a lot of difference, but I put on the 99 talls, and swapped in an e-locker...that with my e rated ko2's I had few worries on most back roads.
But I have seen some really snarly roads in those states, that my slight lift would have done little for me.
If your going places few have been, take a buddy...second vehicle...one of them with a winch
going way out..good gps communication too as Ive been many places with no cell coverage but garmin gps got
hold of people

but you have some great forum members that live near you..so maybe tag up with them and take a cruise to learn the ropes

 

[G_Raw]

I drive a 99 stock everything and don't have any issues. I've been driving it since it came of the lot. I bottomed out my passenger side step once. Got stuck once. Don't go looking for trouble you'll be fine...then modify based of your needs.