What gen is the best for off-roading?

[Wildrat]

I agree. When I first purchased my runner (2002) I was not into cars. Once cars became my life i thanked myself for putting a few extra dollars into a super clean one, and now have an amazing platform to build my dream over lander on. While all 4runner seem to be decent off the road, I believe that the 3rd gen is well balanced in every respect from off road to highway driving with give and take. Plus don't forget is has a bulletproof engine!

 

[Marcswhite4runner]

3rd gen in the Sahara Desert

All I know that this 3rd Gen from California went through the Sahara Desert with no issues at all! It handled rocky tracks in the Atlas Mountains, hot and cold weather, dusty roads in Senegal and all that.
3rd Gen is awesome!
https://overlandsite.com/overlanding/4runner-mods/

 

[Dan.3]

Each gen has its pros and cons. Best stock production 4wd of any manufacture goes to the FZJ80 land cruiser. No contest. Its just not only capable but RELIABLE. Best stock production 4runner is probably a tie between a 99 3rd gen and 5th gen. Best generation to modify is the 1st gen, no question. Armor is cheap, plentiful and very easy to mod with an engine swap or sas if 86 or earlier.

 

[Mark_BC]

Best year is 98. Because I don't like the electronic odometer with 99+. All the 99+ mods you can throw in a 98 pretty easily (center console, rear larger compartments). The climate controls are still mechanical and simple, no electronic BS to worry about. 01-02 has stupid brake boosters that fail and are impossible to repair, automatic transmissions that blow up. Plus no locking central diff and traction control in the axle diffs, or whatever they call it, instead of a rear locker.

True, 99+ had transmission temp gauges but I have a manual so I don't care.

98 - rear locker, locking center diff (would be nice to somehow put in a selectable open transfer case), center console mod, rear compartment mod, manual trans. Ideal. Oh wait, that's (almost) what I have...

 

[4x4run4x4fun]

I vote for 3rd gen 98 or 99, there are alot of options but the factory height is good with out needing to add lift they are capable of doing alot of trails.

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[4Runner fun]

1st Gens

I'm thinking all stock a first gen is going to be the best bet. IFS or Solid axle.
The post was "best for offroading"


Thinking all things equal by the time a 3rd gen or later gets the same age as a first gen, you'll have a hard time beating the simplicity of them. Even an early 3rd gen has antilock brakes, and a computer to control it. fortunately it's stand alone and not part of the ECU. the later the year the more to go wrong.
The pros are also the cons though.
they are small, light, and underpowered.
But all of that makes it work, they float over sand, mud, and rocks. low power helps not breaking parts.

I've done death valley, Mohave trail, and a good chunk of Big bear with my son at the wheel of a stock 1986. ( we did upgrade to 31" BFG AT's)
it was challenging but we had a blast.

edit, to 4th gen only.

 

[Scramble]

If we're talking stock, I'd have to go with the 2009 Trail Edition. It's the only edition ever to come stock with a center locking diff AND a rear locking diff. So it's like the solid axle of the first gen, but with the other benefits of the late 4th gen.

But good luck trying to find one!

What???? Thousands of 3rd gen have this. LOL Plus this thread is about offroading. A center lock does nothing for you off-road. It's marketing hype, all it does is make it AWD. Not 4lo or 4hi.

 

[nevada]

What???? Thousands of 3rd gen have this. LOL Plus this thread is about offroading. A center lock does nothing for you off-road. It's marketing hype, all it does is make it AWD. Not 4lo or 4hi.

you have that backwards. the CDL makes it NO longer awd. it solidly locks front to rear, like the old part time systems. for something with an awd case, a CDL is paramount for off road use.

 

[4x4run4x4fun]

Just got back from hunt trip, had lots of rain and some snow. The 3rd gen 98 4runner with 99 tall springs. This helped with all the deep ruts in the muddy roads. I have a cut off switch for the traction control, this was very effective combination with a full time rear locker. Some of the trails had burns to stop usage but the lift of 99 4runner limited stock tall springs could not be stopped. This is my only toyota I have jeeps and am very impressed. This 4runner has surprised me by going any where I have wanted to go.

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[Bumbo]

This is 100% my opinion… but in my mind this is what each generation is best at.

3rd – Rock Crawling
4th – Desert Running / Long Travel / V8
5th – Overland Style Travel / Trail Rig

 

[cltnlssn]

I think it really depends on what applications you're using it for. Having owned a 3rd gen and driving a 4th gen every day without a doubt I was much more likely to take the 3rd gen when ground clearance and approach or departure angles were an issue but I feel the 4th gen excels on what I do most which are the rutted, unkempt old forest service trails and logging trails out here in Washington. The power from the v8 has gotten it through everything I've needed it to and it's much better from a comfort standpoint as well.

 

[tkmarch2]

not gen 5

Bad standard suspension

 

[N8_TX]

1st Gen, enough said. Solid Axle, no electrical off road features. Mechanically locked and ready to go.

Partial bias because I own an 84.

 

[r6morrison]

If we are talking no traction aids or anything, bone stock, I'd say 1st gen with the solid axles. But, stock for stock, if you've got a new off roader, a 4th or 5th gen (in my opinion) would be best for them. With A-trac being so handy off road. a 3rd Gen with the stock rear locker is perfect for someone who has experience and isn't afraid of a few scratches. the 1st and 2nd gens are for the more experienced off roaders who know how to pick lines and use just enough momentum to not break anything.

But, what do I know, I'm a basic bro 5th gen owner with all the electronic goodies who just happens to want one of each generation

 

[RonJR]

My '06 is pretty capable on the trails, and a joy to drive on the highway getting there and back. But, I find the actual offroading experience to be more satisfying in the 2nd gen '94. The small size, the manual tranny and tcase, the superior ground clearance, the burly look of the big tires on the little 15" rims, all combine to just make it feel "right".

A stock 2nd gen with IFS and no lockers will get hung up on the most mild of terrain. Put in a locker, however, and it turns into a beast.

 

[anonymousgromers]

People may say otherwise but my old 1st gen 88 4runner was so nimble and small it could squeeze through anything was pretty good in mud and snow to

2004 toyota 4Runner limited 4WD 4.7L V8 | Gibson cat back exhaust

 

[Outinfront]

This is 100% my opinion… but in my mind this is what each generation is best at.

3rd – Rock Crawling
4th – Desert Running / Long Travel / V8
5th – Overland Style Travel / Trail Rig

I agree with this!

 

[dihraider]

Are there any trails around the Lake Irvine area? Preferably with streams, water crossings?

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[DigitalRJH]

So how is the 4runner for off-roading? I just got a 19 off road premium. I'm coming from a 3 inch lifted '93 Cherokee XJ and after that an '07 Hummer H3.

 

[Bumbo]

So how is the 4runner for off-roading? I just got a 19 off road premium. I'm coming from a 3 inch lifted '93 Cherokee XJ and after that an '07 Hummer H3.

Very good… even out of the box.

With basic bolt on mods, even better, lots of capability, but there comes a point where if you are trying to specialize or go hard, you just need deeper pockets.

Really just depends on what your goals are.