What makes the 2nd gen. so offroad capable?

[2003Can4runner]

I tried posting this in the Classics forum but didn't get a response:
Ever since I could remember my Dad has always driven 4runners (hence why I've had a 3rd gen, and now a 4th), but I'm curious. Why is the 2nd gen. so capable? I believe it didn't have the option for a rear diff lock (or did it?). Did it have an LSD in the rear? It couldn't have just had open diffs could it?

 

[pat161]

Well, what exactly are you trying to say, the 2nd gen is very off road capable, but certainly no more so than a 3rd or 1st gen. Toyotas have great ground clearance, good break over, approach and departure angles, rock solid components that can take a beating, and come stock with large tires. Now we can also throw in lower gearing than most competitors, who else offers a 4.88 stock like the 2nd gen, and just a long history of developing trucks that are expected to get you there, and back, in some very harsh climates in places where help may be hundreds of miles away. In general you could say Toyota has historically over engineered their products, especially their trucks.

And no, 2nd gens were never offered with a factory locker.

 

[2003Can4runner]

Those are all very good points. I've always thought that the diffs were the most important part of an offroad vehicle. Did the 2nd gen. have open diffs?

Also, I didn't start this thread to make it seem like I thought the 2nd gen. was the most capable. 3rd gens were extremely capable with the locking rear diff. and the 4th gens have ATRAC. I was just curious as to how the 2nd gen. earned its reputation as being so capable without lockers or some sort of traction control?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I think some could have conventional LSD and the aftermarket offers a locker. The clearance is good too. Those few points deserve a "no s**t Sherlock".


What's not so obvious requires a look at: 1) Good ground clearance 2) The correct width for trails 3) Good turning radius and finally some characteristics that many overlook: 4) Twisty, good articulation and flexibility in the suspension. 5) Tractable power. Sometimes too much power and torque can cause the vehicle to lose traction.

The 2nd gen had fairly low gearing and weak engines with modest torque levels. Throttles responded slowly and predictably. When combined with a back axle that stayed on the ground the 2nd gen ended up doing pretty well with only a modest tire upgrade. The 2nd gens I have been in weren't great on pavement drivers, they didn't handle well. Power is an obvious issue too. The less obvious relationship is the tippy handling that was actually the reason the suspension kept the wheels stuck to the trail. This is why we want swaybar disconnects or we have systems like KDSS on the GX470.

While a short Defender is a solid axle in the front many of the characteristics that make the Defender legendary, even with open axles, are present in the early T4R's.

As the T4R evolved market pressure and newer technologies swapped some of the primitive but effective suspension characteristics for limited slip, ATRAC etc and better on pavement behaviour.

That's my thoughts on the 1st and 2nd gen off-road...
:cheers: