Taking the trail to the next level.

[jca21]

Well i've been doin some thinking and would like some input.

The trail edition seems like a very reliable and trail ready rig but im not quite sure how it will handle real world trail riding. the picture that titanpat posted of the exposed fuel pump really got to me and was wondering what other things could there be that could cause a failure off road? i'd imagine water exposure to that fuel pump would just as be bad as a tree branch ripping it off.

so i'd like your guys help in putting together a list of mods to make the trail a 110% wheeler.

so far i've been thinking about the following.

suspension lift
nerf bars
winch bumper (whenever someone releases one)
matching rear bumper with tow points
snorkel
diff breather mod
bigger tires


thats about all i could think of for now. i know the FJ has a water fording depth of 27.5 inches but what do you think the stock trail could handle?


just tossin some ideas around :hungry:

 

[harper7]

Well i've been doin some thinking and would like some input.

The trail edition seems like a very reliable and trail ready rig but im not quite sure how it will handle real world trail riding. the picture that titanpat posted of the exposed fuel pump really got to me and was wondering what other things could there be that could cause a failure off road? i'd imagine water exposure to that fuel pump would just as be bad as a tree branch ripping it off.

so i'd like your guys help in putting together a list of mods to make the trail a 110% wheeler.

so far i've been thinking about the following.

suspension lift
nerf bars
winch bumper (whenever someone releases one)
matching rear bumper with tow points
snorkel
diff breather mod
bigger tires


thats about all i could think of for now. i know the FJ has a water fording depth of 27.5 inches but what do you think the stock trail could handle?


just tossin some ideas around :hungry:

Gotta love your enthusiasm!!:reddance:
I hope you have patience!
I'm having a hard time even getting OEM parts . In JAPAN,on backorder, same old story. I'd hate to get in a wreck in one now as it takes a month just to get simple bumper parts. They are not in stock in North America yet.

Suspension lift and tires are the only things available for the 5th's right now and probably will be for awhile.

No real verdict(guniea pig) yet on how high you can even lift a TE with KDSS yet.Not much info out on it yet, like how much wheel articulation does it take before the sway bar releases. You don't want it to release on the road going around a curve.

Believe me as I have been e-mailing every aftermarket 4x4 company that has ever made anything for the 4th gen. bugging them as I have the money to buy.Same story.....NADA!!E-mail them too, to bug them about it.Please!!

So everything is going to have to be made custom for awhile. I'm going to see a local fab guy about making rock sliders next week.It's alot more involved then you think as they have to be able to support the weight of the truck unlike running boards.

As far as the fuel pump ,it is water proof. Same frame,same engine, fuel pump ,ect as the FJ's.....different body.

Good Luck and I'm right there with you on moddin:driving:

 

[jca21]

Gotta love your enthusiasm!!:reddance:
I hope you have patience!
I'm having a hard time even getting OEM parts . In JAPAN,on backorder, same old story. I'd hate to get in a wreck in one now as it takes a month just to get simple bumper parts. They are not in stock in North America yet.

Suspension lift and tires are the only things available for the 5th's right now and probably will be for awhile.

No real verdict(guniea pig) yet on how high you can even lift a TE with KDSS yet.Not much info out on it yet, like how much wheel articulation does it take before the sway bar releases. You don't want it to release on the road going around a curve.

Believe me as I have been e-mailing every aftermarket 4x4 company that has ever made anything for the 4th gen. bugging them as I have the money to buy.Same story.....NADA!!E-mail them too, to bug them about it.Please!!

So everything is going to have to be made custom for awhile. I'm going to see a local fab guy about making rock sliders next week.It's alot more involved then you think as they have to be able to support the weight of the truck unlike running boards.

As far as the fuel pump ,it is water proof. Same frame,same engine, fuel pump ,ect as the FJ's.....different body.

Good Luck and I'm right there with you on moddin:driving:

damn straight, can't wait till i can get my mits on some aftermarket parts. :cowboy:

my trail arrives in a week and so far i plan on throwing on a yakima roof cargo basket, look into getting some piaa lights mounted and get some tint done

 

[eskimochaos]

Bumpers wont be out for months possibly years if ever.

Its going to be a PITA to design a bumper around that front plastic.

 

[EdinAthens]

"I'm going to see a local fab guy about making rock sliders next week."


If it helps to convince the guy to build, I'm interested in adding a set to my 4R.

 

[4Funnr]

Gotta love your enthusiasm!!:reddance:
I hope you have patience!
I'm having a hard time even getting OEM parts . In JAPAN,on backorder, same old story. I'd hate to get in a wreck in one now as it takes a month just to get simple bumper parts. They are not in stock in North America yet.

Suspension lift and tires are the only things available for the 5th's right now and probably will be for awhile.

No real verdict(guniea pig) yet on how high you can even lift a TE with KDSS yet.Not much info out on it yet, like how much wheel articulation does it take before the sway bar releases. You don't want it to release on the road going around a curve.

Believe me as I have been e-mailing every aftermarket 4x4 company that has ever made anything for the 4th gen. bugging them as I have the money to buy.Same story.....NADA!!E-mail them too, to bug them about it.Please!!

So everything is going to have to be made custom for awhile. I'm going to see a local fab guy about making rock sliders next week.It's alot more involved then you think as they have to be able to support the weight of the truck unlike running boards.

As far as the fuel pump ,it is water proof. Same frame,same engine, fuel pump ,ect as the FJ's.....different body.

Good Luck and I'm right there with you on moddin:driving:

Was thinking about your rig the other day. Would it not have been more durable for you to buy a Trail Edition and drop the direct fit Torsen center dif into it? We know it fits in the new 4runner and we also know it was put in with a rear locker in the uncommon 2009 Trail.

 

[eskimochaos]

"I'm going to see a local fab guy about making rock sliders next week."


If it helps to convince the guy to build, I'm interested in adding a set to my 4R.

Why the color writing? 4th gen sliders dont work?

 

[harper7]

Was thinking about your rig the other day. Would it not have been more durable for you to buy a Trail Edition and drop the direct fit Torsen center dif into it? We know it fits in the new 4runner and we also know it was put in with a rear locker in the uncommon 2009 Trail.

No telling how much it would cost to put a Torsen Center diff in a Trail Ed.and get it to work right with all the electronic 4x4 wizardry that the TE has. We are talkin big bucks,probably at least 4 or 5 grand plus labor for a Torsen Center locking diff from Toyota.

Besides ,I worked a deal to get all the ABS plastic external pieces that differentiate the looks of a Limited from a TE as part of my deal with the sales manager for free. Of course my Limited won't have all the offroad electronics that a TE has but I can buy a ARB rear air locker as mod in the future for less then $1000.

I truely love the looks of the Trail Edition, but the lack of the Torsen to me at least was a deal breaker as I like to put it in 4 wheel Hi and leave it if the roads are bad.I'll even put it in 4HI if it's storming and the roads are slick/covered with lots of water. I also paid the same price for my loaded Limited as they wanted for the loaded TE.

 

[harper7]

Why the color writing?

Probably because he didn't know how to shorten a quote,but I got his point.I will let you know what I find out EdinAthens

4th gen sliders dont work?

Maybe a good idea eskimo , buy some sliders for a 4th and modify them to fit.Shrockworks is like 4 hrs from me down in Houston so maybe I'll call them.

 

[4Funnr]

No telling how much it would cost to put a Torsen Center diff in a Trail Ed.and get it to work right with all the electronic 4x4 wizardry that the TE has. We are talkin big bucks,probably at least 4 or 5 grand plus labor for a Torsen Center locking diff from Toyota.

Besides ,I worked a deal to get all the ABS plastic external pieces that differentiate the looks of a Limited from a TE as part of my deal with the sales manager for free. Of course my Limited won't have all the offroad electronics that a TE has but I can buy a ARB rear air locker as mod in the future for less then $1000.

I truely love the looks of the Trail Edition, but the lack of the Torsen to me at least was a deal breaker as I like to put it in 4 wheel Hi and leave it if the roads are bad.I'll even put it in 4HI if it's storming and the roads are slick/covered with lots of water. I also paid the same price for my loaded Limited as they wanted for the loaded TE.

I forgot about the techno-gizmos. That would probably have complicated things quite a bit.

I was just reading The Four-Wheeler's Bible and they didn't say a whole lot about driveline-bind in parttime 4WD systems. They said it's possible to break components when traction is too great but they also pointed out that it's possible with an open center diff too.

I wonder sometimes if we are over thinking the PT 4WD issue in our cars.

 

[harper7]

I forgot about the techno-gizmos. That would probably have complicated things quite a bit.

I was just reading The Four-Wheeler's Bible and they didn't say a whole lot about driveline-bind in parttime 4WD systems. They said it's possible to break components when traction is too great but they also pointed out that it's possible with an open center diff too.

I wonder sometimes if we are over thinking the PT 4WD issue in our cars.

It's a personal preference that's why I said "deal breaker to me at least" I've had several of each,full time and part time.I prefer full time,especially with the Torsen .Google "Torsen Type III"to read what it is.
It's an amazing piece of machinery invented by a guy from Cleveland of all places named Vern Gleason 50 + years ago .It's probably the only thing American in a 4Runner.Family run business and success story as alot of auto makers use them.

Overthinking the part time....You will be fine in 4HI on wet road unless you make a REAL sharp turn.Just wouldn't advise 4LO on the road. Oh,and it will let you know when it's binding by the noise and feedback from the steering wheel before it breaks anything usually.I've never broken one and I was pretty hard on stuff in my earlier years.Try it out in a parking lot.

 

[Uneek]

"I'm going to see a local fab guy about making rock sliders next week."


If it helps to convince the guy to build, I'm interested in adding a set to my 4R.

One of the reviews I read recently said there are threaded bolt holes in the frame rails for rock sliders. They tested a Trail Edition.

 

[Titanpat57]

Well i've been doin some thinking and would like some input.

The trail edition seems like a very reliable and trail ready rig but im not quite sure how it will handle real world trail riding. the picture that titanpat posted of the exposed fuel pump really got to me and was wondering what other things could there be that could cause a failure off road? i'd imagine water exposure to that fuel pump would just as be bad as a tree branch ripping it off.

so i'd like your guys help in putting together a list of mods to make the trail a 110% wheeler.

so far i've been thinking about the following.

suspension lift
nerf bars
winch bumper (whenever someone releases one)
matching rear bumper with tow points
snorkel
diff breather mod
bigger tires


thats about all i could think of for now. i know the FJ has a water fording depth of 27.5 inches but what do you think the stock trail could handle?


just tossin some ideas around :hungry:

Totally love where this is going...great thread jca21:wink2:

Mines a daily driver so there is no huge lift or tire changes in the near future. I have to find a compromise between the little I'll be off roading and having the truck be optimal, and not losing serious gas milage.

I do really enjoy self contained, light weight camping, so some "expo" type changes are definite. I'm working on a roof basket design to compliment the existing roof rails. I was also checking out inlaying some LED's in the rear spoiler, by may opt for the rack instead. A second battery install. Re-route the exhaust to the side making room for the second, passenger side rear towhook. The ARB type winch bumper would be awesome, then I could go through the deer instead of swerving around them, but I agree with eskimochaos...there's a whooooooole bunch of stuff in the way, and you better be pretty damn good with a sawzall or cut wheel. I'm also on the fence about "running boards or rock rails" dilemia...don't know which way to turn.

As far as compared to the FJ, my guess would be not huge differences as far as capabilities, seems the TE was heading that direction anyway.

I just need to get some time off work (3-4 day strech) to dig around this thing a bit more...and days that the Mrs. is NOT home...too many distractions when she's home. I work at a college and our busy time is when the students are gone on breaks...so they return on the 25th, I'm chomping at the bit to get some time off and get some small stuff done.

 

[jca21]

Totally love where this is going...great thread jca21:wink2:

Mines a daily driver so there is no huge lift or tire changes in the near future. I have to find a compromise between the little I'll be off roading and having the truck be optimal, and not losing serious gas milage.

I do really enjoy self contained, light weight camping, so some "expo" type changes are definite. I'm working on a roof basket design to compliment the existing roof rails. I was also checking out inlaying some LED's in the rear spoiler, by may opt for the rack instead. A second battery install. Re-route the exhaust to the side making room for the second, passenger side rear towhook. The ARB type winch bumper would be awesome, then I could go through the deer instead of swerving around them, but I agree with eskimochaos...there's a whooooooole bunch of stuff in the way, and you better be pretty damn good with a sawzall or cut wheel. I'm also on the fence about "running boards or rock rails" dilemia...don't know which way to turn.

As far as compared to the FJ, my guess would be not huge differences as far as capabilities, seems the TE was heading that direction anyway.

I just need to get some time off work (3-4 day strech) to dig around this thing a bit more...and days that the Mrs. is NOT home...too many distractions when she's home. I work at a college and our busy time is when the students are gone on breaks...so they return on the 25th, I'm chomping at the bit to get some time off and get some small stuff done.

mines also a daily driver but it'll definetly be getting some work done. the suspension lift and tires will come down the road but other things will receive some immediate attention

 

[GRIMACE]

mines also a daily driver but it'll definetly be getting some work done. the suspension lift and tires will come down the road but other things will receive some immediate attention

Not to get off topic, where are you planning to go off-road? Can I tag along?

 

[jca21]

Not to get off topic, where are you planning to go off-road? Can I tag along?

probably harrison, vedder, head out to the 'wack. maybe do some roads in squamish.


gotta get the truck first but sure!


i'm gonna go check out jones lake a few days after i get the truck to go put this thing through its paces in the snow and ice. :hungry: