What gen is the best for off-roading?

[foskco87]

Might I also add that I wish i had the oppertunity to try a lifted/modified 4th gen as to possibly change my views. With a lift and good tires I think they would be much more capable, similar to previous generations (maybe even better with the added traction features), when i ride in my buddies 05 we are just so paranoid about high centering when offroading. again just my thoughts.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

It's too bad Toyota doesn't offer a similar manual/diff lock package in the 4Runners they offer in the FJs since the FJs are equally capable as any other stock gen Runner.

 

[Thai]

It's too bad Toyota doesn't offer a similar manual/diff lock package in the 4Runners they offer in the FJs since the FJs are equally capable as any other stock gen Runner.

Possibly, even more so because the FJ comes with the very effective A-TRAC and rear locker, which is equivalent to having a rear locker and a front limited-slip differential. No other 4runner of any generation has these type of traction systems.

Otherwise, i agree with RonM...3rd gen with rear locker.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

Personly I think the 4th gen (06-present) are the best. Not really sure about the 4wd models. I have a 06 Silver SR5 with the 1GRFE V-6. It's 2wd and can off-road and mud with the best of the jeeps. I haven't gotten stuck yet. My friends 2001 Limited 4Runner 3.4L is two wheel drive too, but he has alot less power. Now if it were like rock climbing I think the 2 gen would be best due to the fact its light, has decent power and parts are cheap. I know a guy in my town that bought a 1st gen that was at a pick-and-pull for $400 and dropped a 2004 4.7L V-8 for like $900 then added a 5 inch lift. He takes it mudding and its his daily driver.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

I know 4th gen started in 03. hit wrong key

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Personly I think the 4th gen (06-present) are the best. Not really sure about the 4wd models. I have a 06 Silver SR5 with the 1GRFE V-6. It's 2wd and can off-road and mud with the best of the jeeps. I haven't gotten stuck yet.

What Jeeps? A Patriot or a Compass?

What do you consider 4wheeling since even on our easy trails here in Colorado 2wd will be hard pressed to even get to some of the trailheads.

My stock (ok,1" bigger tires) 3rd gen with the diff lock will out wheel any 2wd 4Runner period.

4th gens are nice but in stock vs stock the 3rd gens take the cake with the optional rear diff lock.

Now if modded any gen can be made into a badass off roaing machine but showroom stock 3rd gens have a nice balance of true off road capablity but still maintain comfort and looks for around town.

Do this in a stock 4th gen let alone a 2wd one.
Yes,I was nervous since this obstacle has always been a bypass for me til last month.

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[Thai]

Do this in a stock 4th gen let alone a 2wd one.
Yes,I was nervous since this obstacle has always been a bypass for me til last month.

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Why do you think that a stock 4th gen won't make up that obstacle?? Honest question.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Low front overhang is the biggest issue and the lack of a locker might hinder it a bit plus I've seen one try it and the front approach angle is the diff and was the problem and even I just barely made it and I have a considerable better approach with no lift.

I'd love to get a few 4th gens and just a few other members no matter what they drive to join me in a fall Denver T4R.org run and maybe some other brave stock 4th gen owners might be able to prove me wrong.

 

[Thai]

Low front overhang is the biggest issue and the lack of a locker might hinder it a bit plus I've seen one try it and the front approach angle is the diff and was the problem and even I just barely made it and I have a considerable better approach with no lift.

I'd love to get a few 4th gens and just a few other members no matter what they drive to join me in a fall Denver T4R.org run and maybe some other brave stock 4th gen owners might be able to prove me wrong.

From my experience with 4th gens off-road, i think that clearance would be a problem like you said...but, your 3rd gen 4runner in the video did suffer some frontal bruising too, right?

I think that a 4th gen can make that obstacle if he/she is willing to suffer some bruising on the front bumper. The difference is that the 4th gen will make it up the obstacle in a more shake-n-bake fashion. ATRAC should help the 4th gen up and over, but it will require some persistent "goosing" of the gas pedal and more vibration and shake from the vehicle as the ATRAC transfers power back and forth between the tires.

Your rear locker helped you up the obstacle smoothly...ATRAC cannot match that for sure. However, i think that with a good persistent driver (who is willing to suffer some cosmetic damage), a 4th gen can do it too, but it won't be pretty.

But, yeah, this is all in theory (based on what i have seen in the past)...i would love to see a direct comparo between your 4runner and a 4th gen.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

A 4th gen will actually sustain noticeable physical damage to it's bumper since mine was a decent smack but the unpainted valences flex pretty well compared the bumpers (which most are painted) on a 4th gens. It'll be more than just a bruising.

Hey,see if anybody would be even willing to try that obstacle in their stock (bigger tires ok) 4th gen then lets go up there (Slaughterhouse near Bailey) and I'll get a vid.

Good thing I don't have a painted bumper and any lower approach angle would've caught the rock solidly but I guess physically a 4th gen could make it but at a cost.

 

[sn0wrunner]

I've done this trail many times and I think you'd have to be an idiot to do that in a stock 4th gen. They are just to "pretty" and new to do any intermediate Colorado wheeling with. And slaughterhouse definitely has some tough spots.

Maybe it's just me but if i owned a nice stock 4th gen or any newer vehicle, i would definitely not be doing any obstacles that would do damage to it.

 

[808BMW]

How far away was that tree on your pass rear?
I would've angled it more on the approach (space allowing)
I think it would be stupid to try in a stock 4th gen (especially 2wd) but I would wait for a 3" lift and 285's to do that, regardless if it was 3rd gen or 4th

 

[3eb]

Are we really wasting our time wondering if a 2wd and a 4wd can compete off road? Really? Come on..

This thread is going to go on forever and ever. I must contribute I suppose.

Lets see.. In my opinion and experince from driving our vehicles and mine..Stock for stock..3rd gen with opt. locking rear.

Modified.. First Gen with solid front and rear with both locked up hands down. Plus its only a two door so a better wheel base and removable top helps with turning and obstacles.

Stock--The 4th gen is too low and on the trail gets high centered too often. Not sure if its the wheel base or what.

And if you want to talk about taking in some body damage to complete a trail.. please ..any gen with 4 doors and cant take the top off..bring it on

 

[sn0wrunner]

you can take the top off any 4runner with the right tools...

 

[3eb]

uh...cool ride.. but have you actually seen what a first gen looks like with the top off?? That thing would get so tore up trying to follow me.. omg..all that money.. wasted..such a shame.

 

[sn0wrunner]

have you actually seen what a first gen looks like with the top off??

No... I cant see your avitar :bonk:

And I would love to see you try to follow that thing.

 

[3eb]

way to not understand sarcasm and i have no lift or after market crap.. just welded rear and 32 inch tires..i would give it hell!! oh.. and new motor finally yay !!! and like wise..i would like to see that thing try to follow me. its just too big and turning radius sucks. i cant do any of the trails around here with my top on. and i know that thing would not have a prayer following me in the mud..but its obviously built for rocks in the wide open..so is there really a point in all this because like i said this can go on forever.

 

[sn0wrunner]

Indeed. If i put that much money into a rig I would not want to be taking it on any trails that would F**k up the paint or anything like that. But then again if they have the money... who knows what they'd be willing to do with it.

 

[3eb]

very nice point.

 

[K_Labs]

Yea I would say the best offroad gen would have to be 1st or 2nd because who gives a crap if you tear it up. I know that if I had a nicer 3rd or 4th gen I wouldn't even dream of offroading it. The 2nd gen I just hit stuff and don't even think twice. I would just assume that no1 here is going to take their 30k dollar 4th gen and try to jump some huge gaps or sink their rig in a huge mudbog to see if they could get out. While some of the 1st and 2nd gens going for as little as 1k wouldn't even think twice.

But you guys have to realize they might have the same name but they aren't even in the same class as the 4th gens. The only thing I know is that they can come with a V8 my 3.slow couldn't keep up with that. As far as reliability the 4th gen would most likely be able to take the most abuse because it is the newest. Then again I have no experience in a 4th gen.