What Breaks Offroad on 4th Gens?

[earthpower1]

I'm preparing for a trip to the Doll House in Canyonlands in March. So, self supported a long way from pavement. What are the things most likely to break that I should have parts for and be able to fix on the trail?

05 Limited, V6, Toytec/Boss 3/2 lift, 255/80/17's, sliders, front skid.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Might not be a bad idea to carry a cheap CV along with you in case you break one. Rear lower links could bend, but instead of carrying a stock spare I would just upgrade them. Spare tie rods, they can bend on occasion. Spare lug nuts maybe?

Carry as much of the tools you need to work on any part of your truck, better to have too many than not enough. Random multitools/ misc. bits/ excuse to buy a cordless impact gun.

If you had 34s or 35s I would carry an extra 3rd member (Or have a buddy with a trailer on speed dial) but your tires are lighter and smaller so you shouldn't have an issue there.

Recovery gear would help if you had a winch, or a traveling buddy with a winch. Ratchet straps might come in handy too.

Really not much could break, I would focus more on what you need for "camping type" supplies and cargo storage drawers, etc. Interior and camping amenities.

 

[AuSeeker]

The one thing I always have in my backup gear is a new serpentine belt even though serpentine belts don't go bad or break nearly as often as the old school V-belts that I grew up with did, old habits are hard to break, if your's hasn't been replaced recently add it to your list!

A 12 volt air compressor is also always in my ride for airing up the tires after deflating them for going offroad

I also agree with the front axle when going off road.

 

[Brian3676]

Front CV axle for sure

 

[sr3tlaw]

Front CV axle for sure

Damn CV axle is the death of this vehicle. I have my ICON lift stage 1 kit at a perfect lift but CV Axle just wont comply. I heard something about dropping the transfer case though to help.

But yeah, when I'm wheeling = CV/drive axle are going to break.

Bring Excedrin for when this happens also

 

[Brian3676]

Damn CV axle is the death of this vehicle. I have my ICON lift stage 1 kit at a perfect lift but CV Axle just wont comply. I heard something about dropping the transfer case though to help.

But yeah, when I'm wheeling = CV/drive axle are going to break.

Bring Excedrin for when this happens also

I have the diff drop in mine. My CV angles are great, almost factory even. I have snapped 2 CVs so far. When going straight they seem to be fine, but turn the wheel and give it some gas and they break easier than a spaghetti noodle.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I have the diff drop in mine. My CV angles are great, almost factory even. I have snapped 2 CVs so far. When going straight they seem to be fine, but turn the wheel and give it some gas and they break easier than a spaghetti noodle.

Factory Toyota CV's? I must be lucky then.

 

[RonJR]

I'm preparing for a trip to the Doll House in Canyonlands in March. So, self supported a long way from pavement. What are the things most likely to break that I should have parts for and be able to fix on the trail?

05 Limited, V6, Toytec/Boss 3/2 lift, 255/80/17's, sliders, front skid.

The Dollhouse road is rough and slow, but not really all that bad. I'd rate it about 4 or maybe low 5 on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst. If you drive with reasonable care, you shouldn't break anything on a 4th gen 4runner. Just take it easy when climbing ledges, and you shouldn't have to worry about the CV's.

A friend and I went in there spring of 2016 with an '06 and a '94 4runner. Zero problems, just a fantastic trip. Lockers are helpful in a few spots, but my guess is ATRAC will get the job done.

The thing about CV's is to jack up the vehicle and check that they don't bind at full droop. That's when breakage is most likely.

 

[Brian3676]

Factory Toyota CV's? I must be lucky then.

Yup. Both were OEM

 

[dagen]

I'm preparing for a trip to the Doll House in Canyonlands in March. So, self supported a long way from pavement. What are the things most likely to break that I should have parts for and be able to fix on the trail?

05 Limited, V6, Toytec/Boss 3/2 lift, 255/80/17's, sliders, front skid.

Only thing I have broken on my 4Runner is an aftermarket CV axle out in Anza Borrego. Outside of that I have had zero issues. I don't go really hardcore, but I also don't take it super light either.

The Toyota OEM CV's are costly but hold up 10x better.

 

[earthpower1]

The Dollhouse road is rough and slow...

A friend and I went in there spring of 2016 with an '06 and a '94 ...

Thanks for the first hand info.
This is really a backpacking trip, with several potential trailhead. What was your favorite or not to miss trails?

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[RonJR]

Thanks for the first hand info.
This is really a backpacking trip, with several potential trailhead. What was your favorite or not to miss trails?

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We camped at the Maze Overlook for two nights and backpacked one night (2 days) down into the Maze itself. That was awesome. Got to see the famous Harvest Scene petroglyph. The trail down is a bit tricky; requires good route finding skills, 30 feet of rope to lower packs, and being comfortable with some exposure.

Over at the Dollhouse, hiking into Water and Shot canyons is similar. We didn't do that, but reports I've read indicate it's similar to going down from the Maze Overlook. The Dollhouse has some good day hiking as well - going out to the confluence overlook is pretty cool. We also enjoyed going down to the river at Spanish Bottom from the Dollhouse.

We also day-hiked across the mesa to the Chocolate Drops from the Wall campground.

You can't really go wrong out there. Just so dramatic and remote.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Your rig will do fine- I did the Maze a few years ago in a Tacoma with the same suspension and tires. Only hit the exhaust where it crosses under the transmission.

Beefier and extended sway bar links are a good idea.

 

[theoutbackdream]

Zip ties, duct tape, a CV axle, a set of tools and a hammer is all you'll need.

 

[duffdog]

What breaks off road on a 4th gen 4runner...?

Hmm, lets see here:

Both front axles
Rear Differential ring gear
steering arms
shocks (all 4 all the way around)
driveline
rear bumper
front bumper
factory skid plates

depending on what you are wheeling over, you might break everything or nothing. No way to know. I was surprised to break both a front axle AND rear ring and pinion on the same day.

 

[DZNUTS]

What breaks off road on a 4th gen 4runner...?



Hmm, lets see here:



Both front axles

Rear Differential ring gear

steering arms

shocks (all 4 all the way around)

driveline

rear bumper

front bumper

factory skid plates



depending on what you are wheeling over, you might break everything or nothing. No way to know. I was surprised to break both a front axle AND rear ring and pinion on the same day.

You too??? My driver’s CV exploded and my pinion ate the ring gear at the same time.


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[RonJR]

It depends on how you view your vehicle. If you view it as transportation into some really cool backcountry, there's no reason to break anything on a 4runner on the Dollhouse road. If you view it more as an amusement park ride, yeah you'd probably better bring some parts and tools, or enjoy walking. Your choice...

Keep in mind that almost any properly geared offroad vehicle can supply enough torque to the CV axles to twist them off. It's up to the driver to prevent that from happening.

 

[tellurunner]

I'm preparing for a trip to the Doll House in Canyonlands in March. So, self supported a long way from pavement. What are the things most likely to break that I should have parts for and be able to fix on the trail?

05 Limited, V6, Toytec/Boss 3/2 lift, 255/80/17's, sliders, front skid.

I was out at the Dollhouse for a couple of nights back in September. As others have said, it's not that difficult a trail, just long, bumpy and remote. I find on trips like this that bolts like to rattle loose, so check/torque everything before you go and keep an eye/ear open to any unusual noises. I ended up bringing 10 gallons of extra fuel and used about 7 gallons to get back to Green River to fuel up.

The Dollhouse is a special place. Enjoy!

 

[duffdog]

It depends on how you view your vehicle. If you view it as transportation into some really cool backcountry, there's no reason to break anything on a 4runner on the Dollhouse road. If you view it more as an amusement park ride, yeah you'd probably better bring some parts and tools, or enjoy walking. Your choice...

Keep in mind that almost any properly geared offroad vehicle can supply enough torque to the CV axles to twist them off. It's up to the driver to prevent that from happening.

Most "off road" vehicles have solid axles instead of CV's. And this all depends on where you live. Your comment does not apply if you are trying to do the Rubicon. If you have a vehicle without a solid front axle, you simply can't go. You will just break your car, die, or both. If a persons idea of "off road" does not involve slamming their frame on hundreds of 4 foot rocks for 10 hours, then yeah, any car can be an "off road" vehicle. Bottom line is, the 4th gen 4runner is too heavy for the size of its running gear to be a true off road machine. It has to be upgraded to be any good. If you haven't broken anything, then you haven't done anything off road.

 

[clg4th]

Most "off road" vehicles have solid axles instead of CV's. And this all depends on where you live. Your comment does not apply if you are trying to do the Rubicon. If you have a vehicle without a solid front axle, you simply can't go. You will just break your car, die, or both. If a persons idea of "off road" does not involve slamming their frame on hundreds of 4 foot rocks for 10 hours, then yeah, any car can be an "off road" vehicle. Bottom line is, the 4th gen 4runner is too heavy for the size of its running gear to be a true off road machine. It has to be upgraded to be any good. If you haven't broken anything, then you haven't done anything off road.

I bet you're fun at parties.

Necessitating that off roading involves breaking something is akin to suggesting that you're only swimming if you're choking on water. There's more than one way to skin a cat, and there's plenty of driving out there which doesn't necessitate having a 100k rock crawling rig to classify as being "off road".