What gen is the best for off-roading?

[fourwd1]

For a hardcore strictly off-road rig it would have to be a pre IFS 1st gen.

Solid axles are easiest to lift and install lockers in. It's also the smallest, has metal bumpers and, hell, the ROOF comes OFF......essential for good offroading

This guy hit the nail on the head.

And you don't have to rely on aftermarket bolt-on stuff, you can fab your own.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

1st gen all the way for moddability.

 

[DB208508]

I've owned only the first and second gens, and I would have to say the 1st gen s got my vote, I beat the living snot out of the 22r with no problem. Tried the same stuff with my 3.0 I had b/4 my T4R and didn't even compare durability wise...

 

[Brando182]

1985 was the last year for the solid axle front. 1985 and below are hands down the best for offroading. so many aftermarket options as far as gears/lockers etc.

IFS = not good for anything more than moderate trail riding.

 

[fourwd1]

IFS = not good for anything more than moderate trail riding.

That's BS. IFS will do amazing things if you're willing to push it.
I've wheeled with 3 friends that have wheeled the heck out of their IFS trucks in the rocks with IFS. Some suspension, tires, lockers, armor (same stuff you'd do for a solid axle truck) and you can do it with IFS. Just carry some spare front axles just in case. IFS CVs, like solid axle Birfs, are the weak spot.

Solid axle trucks are tougher and more buildable initially, but you can always SAS an IFS truck and even the playing field.

 

[ron86toy]

I can show you how I voted
my 86 with SAS

 

[T4RYota2134]

I own a 2nd Gen with "6 lift and 35's. Though I have not done a SAS to it yet, its wheels very nice, except for the 3.Slow, other wise it would be a nice power plant and capable off-road vehicle.

 

[trd_4runnin]

I voted for the last option. While I've had my 3rd gen offroad, I've never had any of the other 3 offroad. I've driven a 2nd gen once, and my moms 07 Sport a few times, but thats it.

I will say the reasons I picked the 3rd gen are:

1. It was in my budget ..almost

2. Stunning good looks! (hey, I wanna look good stuck)

3. Factory locker option

4. I would have cried and shit when I scratched up a 4th gen.

5. Best factory powerplant options in my budget.

 

[mightykwin]

All I can say is that as I have gone wheeling, I do all I can with what I have and then build it up more. The more I do the more I can wheel. I started with a stock '86 which did ok but in So. Utah I live in rocks and IFS just doesn't offer the flex that a solid axle does. I can now climb just about anything but I am far from stock.
So for the type of wheeling I do I would have to vote for anything with a solid axle.

 

[Pirate VI]

... and, hell, the ROOF comes OFF......essential for good offroading

haha, I like this one too, the best thing about my jeep is that it has no top... and 90% of the time no doors, I even fold the windshield down from time to time, offroading (like a woman) is much better topless!

 

[04 sc V8]

1st gen, pre IFS all the way! Or any other with a SAS.

 

[neliconcept]

the driver can make each one do better then another imo. its about the driver!

but if i had to pic, in stock form a 3rd gen with stock locker would be able to get further..

1rst gen 84-85 with solid axle has the buildable status with longfields, geared cases, and a lot of other options for articulation and bigger tire options.

my 3rd gen however is well built and has made some gnarly lines, so im happy with it and will continue to use its effectiveness on the trail.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

In modded form money is the only limitation but there is a huge after market for 1st gens and they are nice and small.

In stock form my diff lock equipped 3rd gen does pretty good with just bigger tires and it's comfortable as a daily driver.

 

[krkrunr]

1st Gen

I prefer the 1st gens simply because they are easier to work on when something breaks on/off the road.

 

[3eb]

your all insane.. none of you could follow me in my 4runner..the top being off, the slightly smaller wheel base and the lighter weight would destroy you all.

 

[foskco87]

I drive a 2nd gen stock with 31's and it has never let me down or gotten me stuck, even when I go wheelin on my own. I dont beat the living shit out of it but I dont go easy on it either. I would have to say IMO that 1st and 2nd gens are the best for wheeling. This being because they are smaller, shorter wheelbase, lighter, simpler, not as pretty. I would have to say the 3rd gen is up there too though as it is not much bigger and the locker would be nice too. The 4th gen would come dead last for me. I wouldnt buy one. It lacks exactly what was awesome about the other runners: the smallness with the high clearance and short wheelbase. With a 1st or 2nd gen I can go up quad trails and conquer things you wouldnt think were meant for a truck. I wouldnt even think about it with a 4th gen. Plus they only come in automatics? No fun. They were designed strictly for women. I have never seen one lifted or being wheeled where I come from (and i come from a redneck town in Canada where everyone and their moms has a 4x4). Not to mention they cost 40+ grand.... Really bumbed out that toyota went down that road with the 4runners. How can you not make manuals!? Ridiculous!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Maybe $40k up there but down here you can get a nice SE for low $30s which is cheaper than what my '99 cost in '98. Only the top tier Runners really have gotten more expensive.

 

[ksneubec]

I drive a 2nd gen stock with 31's and it has never let me down or gotten me stuck, even when I go wheelin on my own. I dont beat the living shit out of it but I dont go easy on it either. I would have to say IMO that 1st and 2nd gens are the best for wheeling. This being because they are smaller, shorter wheelbase, lighter, simpler, not as pretty. I would have to say the 3rd gen is up there too though as it is not much bigger and the locker would be nice too. The 4th gen would come dead last for me. I wouldnt buy one. It lacks exactly what was awesome about the other runners: the smallness with the high clearance and short wheelbase. With a 1st or 2nd gen I can go up quad trails and conquer things you wouldnt think were meant for a truck. I wouldnt even think about it with a 4th gen. Plus they only come in automatics? No fun. They were designed strictly for women. I have never seen one lifted or being wheeled where I come from (and i come from a redneck town in Canada where everyone and their moms has a 4x4). Not to mention they cost 40+ grand.... Really bumbed out that toyota went down that road with the 4runners. How can you not make manuals!? Ridiculous!

Just out of curiosity, how many 4th Gen's have you driven? Your comment about them being designed "only for women" shows that you have no idea what you are talking about, plus I would imagine it is supposed to be insulting somehow. I certainly won't argue that IMO as well, the 1st and 2nd gen's are better off-roaders than the 4th gen, but your comments show that you have no idea what you're talking about when it comes to the abilities of the 4th gen. You say yourself you've never seen one lifted or wheeled, so how can you make a judgement?

 

[foskco87]

Just out of curiosity, how many 4th Gen's have you driven? Your comment about them being designed "only for women" shows that you have no idea what you are talking about, plus I would imagine it is supposed to be insulting somehow. I certainly won't argue that IMO as well, the 1st and 2nd gen's are better off-roaders than the 4th gen, but your comments show that you have no idea what you're talking about when it comes to the abilities of the 4th gen. You say yourself you've never seen one lifted or wheeled, so how can you make a judgement?

Ive driven two, but the second one was only breifly, my best friend has an 05 sport which is the one I have driven mostly. Let me clear a couple things up here. I am talking stock, thats why I mentioned that I am not talking about lifted or modified, as I have no experience with one. Second, my comment about women was no to be offensive although looking at it it sort of is... I mean that because of its size/comfort/ automatic tranny it is more of a luxary/soccer mom/grocery getter than the previous ones. I do think it is a capable vehicle, especially when compared to other makes of similar class (IE new pathfinder), and the locking centre diff and Atrac are sweet options. I just dont like the bulkyness and lowness. And I refuse to own an automatic. this is all my own opinion, not fact. For all I know some 4th gen lovers think the earlier gens are inferior. Just personal opinion. If someone were to give me a 4th gen, I wouldnt be one to argue. I just wouldnt pay 35-40 grand for one. Specially if Im gonna beat on it.

 

[ksneubec]

Ive driven two, but the second one was only breifly, my best friend has an 05 sport which is the one I have driven mostly. Let me clear a couple things up here. I am talking stock, thats why I mentioned that I am not talking about lifted or modified, as I have no experience with one. Second, my comment about women was no to be offensive although looking at it it sort of is... I mean that because of its size/comfort/ automatic tranny it is more of a luxary/soccer mom/grocery getter than the previous ones. I do think it is a capable vehicle, especially when compared to other makes of similar class (IE new pathfinder), and the locking centre diff and Atrac are sweet options. I just dont like the bulkyness and lowness. And I refuse to own an automatic. this is all my own opinion, not fact. For all I know some 4th gen lovers think the earlier gens are inferior. Just personal opinion. If someone were to give me a 4th gen, I wouldnt be one to argue. I just wouldnt pay 35-40 grand for one. Specially if Im gonna beat on it.

Very well written, you definitely clarified your points.