what off-road capacity do I need?

[1engineer]

For all those who use the adage "Get one with a rear locker because it's better to have it and not need it..." it compares to "I carry around three 16 lb bowling balls in my vehicle because, even though I haven't bowled since 1992, me and my two buddies might eventually go bowling. It's better to have them and not need them..."

I go off road more than most and I haven't needed a rear locker in 20 years. Even then it was iffy. I had a '12 TE with the locker. I engaged it every so often just to exercise it. Never needed it. ATRAC is pretty good for what it does. Just sayin'.

 

[Jetboy]

FWIW - I needed a rear locker recently on one of the ranch roads. I could not get out of this hole without engaging the locker. It was one of those rare situations where atrac couldn't quite get me what I needed and deliver the traction in the right way to get moving. Locked up - out I drove. I also have a winch that I rarely use - but it's pretty nice to know it's there when I need it. Between the two - I'd probably rather have the winch first along with ATRAC, than the rear locker.

Considering I was able to drive out of this with a basically stock 4runner. I think the OP would be just find with an SR5 for the usual fishing trails.

 

[MudPie]

For all those who use the adage "Get one with a rear locker because it's better to have it and not need it..." it compares to "I carry around three 16 lb bowling balls in my vehicle because, even though I haven't bowled since 1992, me and my two buddies might eventually go bowling. It's better to have them and not need them..."

Not really... but you're entitled to your opinion.

I also have an AR15. Not that I need it, but if I did... Just sayin'.

 

[1engineer]

Not really... but you're entitled to your opinion.

I also have an AR15. Not that I need it, but if I did... Just sayin'.

It's exactly the same thing. What's fascinating is, after reading thousands of posts about the 4Runner here, the way people justify their purchases and choices. The best one I have read so far is a guy justified his Rigid light bar by stating it would help him reduce the chances of hitting a deer at night lol. Never mind half of deer strikes occur in the daylight (I live in the highest deer strike area of the world) and most deer strikes at night occur in a split second as the deer bolt from the tree line. A bazillion candlepower won't help in that situation but hey, this guy was convinced.

For some, a locker is very important insurance, especially in a situation like [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION] posted above. For the average person who goes off road in average places an average number of times the locker is useless hardware. Bottom line is people who buy things (your AR15, my bowling balls lol, that guy's light bar) convince themselves that they NEED that thing and try to convince others that they need that thing too. Truth be known very few here even come close to using the 4Runner's full capabilities in stock form, much less the options like a locker.

 

[4Rager]

Below is an example of where you typically would need a locker, but in our case A-TRAC would haven't got you out of this too. My opinion is if you mostly seen yourself in situations where the open diff is the problem not traction(like below), then go with and SR5 and A-TRAC will be fine. But as others have mentioned, for things like mud where you want both wheels scrambling for every bit of traction, a locker is an undeniable advantage.

In this example all the vehicle weight is on the back right and front left tire. Even in 4lo it wasn't going anywhere, since the open diff sends power to the wheels barely touching the ground.

Locked the rear and it walked right up. I guarantee A-TRAC would have been just fine too. In fact, a locked 2wd probably would have made it up that. And to mirror what others have said in this thread, a better line would have got up that with open diffs, I was simply testing my new lift in these photos. Just another example of why A-TRAC is an awesome feature and why so many people don't need the Trail and e-locker.

 

[MudPie]

For some, a locker is very important insurance, especially in a situation like [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION] posted above.

My point exactly.

 

[A.Wilson013]

For all those who use the adage "Get one with a rear locker because it's better to have it and not need it..." it compares to "I carry around three 16 lb bowling balls in my vehicle because, even though I haven't bowled since 1992, me and my two buddies might eventually go bowling. It's better to have them and not need them..."

I go off road more than most and I haven't needed a rear locker in 20 years. Even then it was iffy. I had a '12 TE with the locker. I engaged it every so often just to exercise it. Never needed it. ATRAC is pretty good for what it does. Just sayin'.

I go off road more than most and I probably engage my locker at least once on 50% or more of my off road adventures, this past weekend included. Now, have I ever engaged it in a shallow stream, crossing a field, or on a fire trail where OP suggets he'll be spending his time? Negative. I'm with you there.

OP- I think that with an SR5 equipped with a good AT tire and a good head on your shoulders, you'll be able to hunt/fish wherever you'd like.

If you're hunting anything bigger than birds, I'd re-evaluate and look for something with a bed. Antelope, deer, and elk make a hell of a mess in a 4Runner. Even with a weather tech cargo liner, a tarp, and bagged quarters I had to replace the carpet in my 1st gen after a single hunting season.

Maybe a HUGE cooler would work.

 

[jwkilgore]

If you're hunting anything bigger than birds, I'd re-evaluate and look for something with a bed. Antelope, deer, and elk make a hell of a mess in a 4Runner. Even with a weather tech cargo liner, a tarp, and bagged quarters I had to replace the carpet in my 1st gen after a single hunting season.

Maybe a HUGE cooler would work.

Or a hitch-mounted cargo carrier.

 

[Jetboy]

I should add that I didn't "need" a rear locker. There's another perfectly good road around to the other side of the area I was going to. I go there purely for fun. If I wanted I could have just gone through the gate and driven around in the field too. Compared to previous generations with no traction support like ATRAC the difference it makes is pretty amazing. You pretty much have to go looking for trouble. A 5th gen sr5 will drive circles around an open diff. 3rd gen. I might even take a 5th gen over a 3rd with rear locker and open front depending on conditions.

 

[Dalko43]

What state are we talking about here OP?

I live in NY, and the most extreme, legal roads/areas you can drive would be doable with a SR5.

SR5 will suffice for for 95% of the situations you will encounter, even out west. And considering that your end goal is to get to a suitable parking spot to then get out and hunt, I don't see the SR5 as a compromise or step down from the Trail in this situation.

Trail does give you a locking diff. Someone else mentioned wider wheels too, though I'm not sure on that myself. Locking diff is great and definitely gives you some added confidence for some of the more technical driving you might encounter. But then again, picking the right approach and using a little more gas can probably get the SR5 over similar terrain.

To sum it up, I've seen Crazy subaru owners take their low-clearance, AWD, no low-range Outbacks up some ridiculous jeep trails....granted they're crazy and likely see some serious repair bills, but the SR5 is more than capable of getting through most of the terrain you will or might even potentially see.

 

[Knight-Errant]

You should get a trail because...trail! You want to drive on trails right? Sounds solid, dependable, honest. Sounds like a Robert Frost poem...two roads diverging in the woods, taking the path less traveled. Trail for sure! They're usually driven by rugged individuals and are full of outdoor equipment.

The SR in SR5 stands for Safe Roads only...I'm pretty sure the "5" means 4 tires and a spare (they really want to emphasize the safety for families). See! You can't take it in the rough stuff! They're usually filled with babies and diapers.

"Limited Edition" was put out in collaboration with "The Limited". "The Limited" is a store that sells overpriced clothes to women. That is why you'll often see the "Limited Edition" at malls and in affluent suburban areas. They're usually filed with bags of women's clothes recently purchased, or bags of women's clothes on their way to be returned...women eh?....

The "TRD PRO" edition stands for "TOTALLY RADICAL DUDE! PIZZA RALLY OFF-ROAD" It is marketed to people who talk like surfers and really like to eat pizza off road. It is a niche market...I don't get it...but whatever. They're usually filled with pizza, redbull, and desert dust/sand. It is also marketed to the ninja turtles.

:becky: :behindsofa:

 

[CatskillsRunner]

You only need a locker if you are like [MENTION=47340]Titanpat57[/MENTION] and have to cheat all the time.

 

[Titanpat57]

You only need a locker if you are like [MENTION=47340]Titanpat57[/MENTION] and have to cheat all the time.

At the end of the day...gets my fat as up the hill little sister...lol

 

[Knight-Errant]

....seriously though, they're all extremely capable vehicles. Any one will be a solid choice.

 

[Quentin]

KDSS was what sealed the Trail for me.

I'm lying. It was the fake scoop. [emoji16]

 

[FordyceCreek]

That guy did more with a stock 4Runner in the 20 minute video than most will ever attempt. Very good video showing 4Runner capability stock out of the box.

Yikes, that looks like graded dirt road driving to me.

 

[1engineer]

Yikes, that looks like graded dirt road driving to me.

You must have skipped around instead of watching the whole thing and it was with stock tires. A lot was dirt roads but there were nuggets of decent off roading.

 

[cjacob316]

My vote is get what you want/like, either trim will be sufficient. I can imagine an important feature when hunting in a colder climate may be heated seats, so that may be a priority to you over a locker.

 

[Cheers!]

You will catch bigger bucks, and bigger fish if you get a 2016 Land Cruiser

 

[Antman]

At the end of the day...gets my fat as up the hill TO VISIT YOUR little sister...lol

Fixed it for ya Pat.op2: