Prerunner and Off-road, what's possible

Just sold my Jeep and went back to a Tacoma. I had a 2001 and this time got an 2003. I have to say I had the TRD package before but never took the truck off the pavement except maybe in a few fields.

In 2006 I bought a Jeep, built it up and off-roaded it hard. Went a lot of places and really worked that Jeep out. However we moved to a large city and the built of Jeep was just too much for here.

I didn't go with the 4x4 because the 1st thing I started doing when thinking about buying another tuck was looking at building it up again. Which was the reason the Jeep found a new home. So I had to stop myself by getting the Prerunner.

So for all those guys out there who do take these off the pavement what really am I looking at here? I've been to Moab so references there will work.

I guess the question really is what will the locker help push you over or get you unstuck from? On my Jeep I had front and rear lockers and it wasn't kidding around when those were engaged. I know this will be far less only having 1 axle pushing.

Anyway tell me your war stories or show some picks. I'd be interested in getting a feel for what's possible.

 

You can get to Moab, then hike up the trail....

Check this out:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/of...off-road-trail-ratings-legend-difficulty.html

You sound like you're pretty seasoned with a 4x4. Think about all those situations where your front axle got you through. And think about all the others where you didn't notice the front axle saving the day.

Thus, fire roads, pole-line roads (if legal, just saw a post where the poster got a big ticket) and the trails as described above.

2wd trucks are good for higher speed unimproved roads without rock crawling and mud-bogging.

 

Totally agree. There are a lot of places the front axle didn't make a lick of difference. Then there were times especially when the grade is steep that it's really wanted/needed.

Some ways I miss the option of 4x4 but I also know myself, I'd be modding it right now if I could. I really need to keep this one street happy.

 

nice pics

 

hey derek what load range are your tires???

 

Thanks!

I just went out and checked for you. Load range D.

 

thanks derek lol i was just wondering because discount tire was having a difficult time balancing my bfg at they are load range e 10 ply

 

Those things are definitely beastly.

 

haha yea i wanted the extra weight for winter so my truck wouldnt be so light

 

it really depends on conditions, driver skills, tires, etc.

i had a 2003 prerunner with locking diff. i was able to take it out on what most consider moderate 4x4 trails. you just gotta be real careful if there are large rocks and holes. getting out and planning paths it important. and for dusty, sandy roads, just watch where you're going. i got stuck once (the other vehicle in the group was a land crusher so he pulled me out) ... but it was my buddys fault i got stick in the first place. we were climbing uphill in sierra nevadas. and for some reason, he stopped, killed my momentum and i got stuck in some soft dirt on an uphill. so he had to pull me out. but if you can pick spots on where to slow down and stop, you can make it thru to a lot of places in 4x2. i would not even have tried that track if i was alone. i've only gone it alone on what is considered easy trails, usually forest service roads and the like.

get out, have fun, be careful, and pack out what you take in....

 

i got a buddy whos got a 04 prerunner on 3body 3susp. sitin on 34x10.5x15 super swampers and it goes just about anywear...you just got to know how to drive. i watched him go threw a hole last nite after a boy in a chevy 1500 sitin on 37s got stuck and pulled out. that truck will bogg like no other but the driver makes a big diffrence also.