Tested a 2012 TE on very difficult trails today in Va

[mook21]

Went to the Cove near Winchester, Va today for the second time, but first in my 2012 4Runner TE. Very slight mods: Firestone Destination A/T 275's (ran at 20 psi on the trail), Blistein's in front on .85 setting and BudBilt bump out sliders. Met up with some other locals who all had extremely modified Jeep wranglers and one with a 4 door Rubicon with 3" lift. I wanted to just try the sliders and have some fun on the access trail, which they rate at a 3 or 4 (scale of 10). When we met up with the guys, they started down a trail that looked pretty difficult...and turned out to be a real challenge- WOW. It was called "Wahoo" and turns out it was a 7! With my skills and the vehicle set up, I put this at the top end of what my 4Runner in its current state (and I) can do without risking severe damage. Half of the trail ran down a rocky creek bed, went over numerous logs, up and down steep hills. It required spotters to navigate some of the rock shelves and rocky areas. I had probably 3-4" less clearance than any other vehicle but the 4Runner held its own! In fact, only got hung up on 1 big, diagonal log, and eventually rocked off it using sliders. Only had one bad "hit" when I came off a shelf too fast... hit the back passenger side rear bumper skirt on the bottom and popped the plastic out and also damaged the black flaring around the rear wheel (broke the tabs holding it on, so need to figure out how to re-attach). There are some crazy trails there and this was more than I wanted, but the TE helped me through. Hope the photos show at least a little of the fun from today!

 

[mform]

If you dont mind, pls provide some feedback on the Firestone Destination A/T 275's. I doubt if a lift is in the cards for my TE, so probably going the tweener route on stock tires vs. 285s. If they can handle what you just threw at them - plus do well in snow - then it seems like a no brainer.

thanks

 

[adam2562]

Looks fun!! I'll be going there for the Big Dogs event at the end of april. Hopefully i can get a lift and tires on before i do!

 

[jam23r1]

Went to the Cove near Winchester, Va today for the second time, but first in my 2012 4Runner TE. Very slight mods: Firestone Destination A/T 275's (ran at 20 psi on the trail), Blistein's in front on .85 setting and BudBilt bump out sliders. Met up with some other locals who all had extremely modified Jeep wranglers and one with a 4 door Rubicon with 3" lift. I wanted to just try the sliders and have some fun on the access trail, which they rate at a 3 or 4 (scale of 10). When we met up with the guys, they started down a trail that looked pretty difficult...and turned out to be a real challenge- WOW. It was called "Wahoo" and turns out it was a 7! With my skills and the vehicle set up, I put this at the top end of what my 4Runner in its current state (and I) can do without risking severe damage. Half of the trail ran down a rocky creek bed, went over numerous logs, up and down steep hills. It required spotters to navigate some of the rock shelves and rocky areas. I had probably 3-4" less clearance than any other vehicle but the 4Runner held its own! In fact, only got hung up on 1 big, diagonal log, and eventually rocked off it using sliders. Only had one bad "hit" when I came off a shelf too fast... hit the back passenger side rear bumper skirt on the bottom and popped the plastic out and also damaged the black flaring around the rear wheel (broke the tabs holding it on, so need to figure out how to re-attach). There are some crazy trails there and this was more than I wanted, but the TE helped me through. Hope the photos show at least a little of the fun from today!

ware is this in va?????????????????

 

[Titanpat57]

Went to the Cove near Winchester, Va today for the second time, but first in my 2012 4Runner TE. Very slight mods: Firestone Destination A/T 275's (ran at 20 psi on the trail), Blistein's in front on .85 setting and BudBilt bump out sliders. Met up with some other locals who all had extremely modified Jeep wranglers and one with a 4 door Rubicon with 3" lift. I wanted to just try the sliders and have some fun on the access trail, which they rate at a 3 or 4 (scale of 10). When we met up with the guys, they started down a trail that looked pretty difficult...and turned out to be a real challenge- WOW. It was called "Wahoo" and turns out it was a 7! With my skills and the vehicle set up, I put this at the top end of what my 4Runner in its current state (and I) can do without risking severe damage. Half of the trail ran down a rocky creek bed, went over numerous logs, up and down steep hills. It required spotters to navigate some of the rock shelves and rocky areas. I had probably 3-4" less clearance than any other vehicle but the 4Runner held its own! In fact, only got hung up on 1 big, diagonal log, and eventually rocked off it using sliders. Only had one bad "hit" when I came off a shelf too fast... hit the back passenger side rear bumper skirt on the bottom and popped the plastic out and also damaged the black flaring around the rear wheel (broke the tabs holding it on, so need to figure out how to re-attach). There are some crazy trails there and this was more than I wanted, but the TE helped me through. Hope the photos show at least a little of the fun from today!

ware is this in va?????????????????

Son....

 

[jam23r1]

Son....

wow i missed that

 

[Titanpat57]

wow i missed that

it's ok man..

you're still my hero.....:usa2:

 

[limamike]

ware is this in va?????????????????

Serious question here: Do you misspell like this on purpose?

 

[mook21]

response to Firestone tire question

Being in northern Va, and driving up to Timberline in WV and the Deep Creek area of western Md in the winter, I can say that these are very good tires in the snow... not as good as dedicated snow tires, but still very good with the T4R's 4WD system. As for off road capabilities, I had NO problems with mud or rocks... Only time I had a challenge was on logs, wanted to spin on log crossings. Did OK though when I had to drive straight down a tree with the passenger side front tire, till it slid off. Great on the highway, low noise.Hope this helps!

 

[mook21]

Big Dog event in April

If you are going and do not have a lift, you will be ok for a good amount of the runs. As you can see from my photos, I did one of the tougher ones without a true lift, just the Blisteins. I WAS very nervous and very aware of the 2 exposed parts of the underside: Where the exhaust crosses from driver to passenger side and hags down and the muffler. Like I said, it did damage the rear bumper covering some, but it mostly snapped back in place, only the black around the rear wheel actually broke. With a 2" lift, it'll be good to go on everything up through the 7's (see Big Dog page for descriptions).. not sure about 7C or 7D but the people there will have good info. I live in Winchester, so if you ever want to go wheeling, let me know!

 

[jam23r1]

Serious question here: Do you misspell like this on purpose?

no, i just dont proof read and type so fast.