Took my first gen out 4x4 for the first time today

Took my new-to-me '04 out to Rohwer Flats outside of LA today with my dad, got lost (literally) once the trails got submerged in the fog and clouds. Ended up driving 30 miles through the Angeles Forest to the other side of the mountain range, letting out near the Bouquet Canyon Reservoir.

Was my first time using 4 wheel drive and there were some pretty gnarly spots I must say, but the old girl took it like a champ and I made it out without getting stuck once Even went down a couple trails marked "most difficult" toward the end, and going down them was pretty terrifying as a noob, I learned a lot about trusting 4lo to do it's job lol.

It was a ton of fun and I'm definitely hooked, can't wait to explore more

Anyhow here are some pics...

 

Oh, I almost forgot...I finally figured out what the switch in the attached photo does, it turns on a Flex a Lite fan system right behind the radiator (see other pic).

I figured this out after my engine started overheating while in 4 wheel drive for a few minutes. I turned the cooling system after letting it cool down for about 10 mintues, and the engine stayed in its regular temp range. Is it normal for 4x4 to cause overheating? My truck is supercharged if that's relevant...

Once I kept the cooling system (fans) running the whole time we were off-roading, the engine temp stayed normal. If I shut off the fans, after about 15 minutes the temp gauge starts to climb....

 

I'm pretty sure the heating comes from the fact that is a supercharged engine. I had a 3.4 before and did not need those fan, just the stock one, although it was not supercharged.

Again, what a beautiful machine you have here!

 

From what I can see it looks like your stock fan is gone and replaced with those dual fans. If they are not set to come on at a certain temp then yes it would overheat. I am guessing a stock fan would do a decent job at keep your sc engine cool, but those are likely better (as long as you turn them on)

 

Nice, always good coming home in the same truck you left with...

 

Ahhh okay that makes sense, thanks!

It doesn't come on by itself, I have to switch it on. I've kept it off while driving around town all week and temp stays normal, but as soon as I'm in 4Hi or Lo for a few minutes it starts to overheat. I'll just keep it on full tine, sounds like it's better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

Your thermal switch is probably bad if so equiped & yeah, you are most likely offroading at a slower speed & not enough air flow thru radiator..

 

There's nothing like hitting the trail, I'm sure you'll be hooked! Keep in mind, if you don't off road alot its good to find a dirt road or field and run the truck in 4x4 every now and then to keep everything lubed up in your transfer case. Good looking truck BTW.

 

Definitely hooked, I had a 2wd Prerunner years ago that I loved to take offroading, but being a 2wd it obviously had its limitations.

Without 4x4 I would have certainly been stranded out in the middle of nowhere today. Now I just need some sliders (almost banged up my body panels a few times crossing some deep ruts), maybe an inch or two of lift...

 

And so the modding begins....
Once you start, you can't stop!
You've been warned...

 

Here's my build link if you want any ideas...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/burnetts-98-extra-cab-build.419929/

 

What I find nuts is a trail marked as to it's difficulty. You won't see anything marked like that in my neck of the woods.

 

Thats because your moving slower off road. Less air going through rad. You can keep it off while on the road to get a slight increase in mpg.

 

It's a designated OHV park for off road vehicles, they're common out here in southern california, off roading on an unmarked trail out here can land you a hefty fine and get areas closed down for public use.

 

I work in the woods for a living, so my off roading is to various forestry operations, the tricky ones are the silviculture sites that are being tended to 15 years post harvest. I only wish they were rated so I knew what I would be getting into before I get there.

 

Definitely appears the stock fan has been removed and replaced with those aftermarket electric fans. If it was mine I'd look into wiring in a thermal switch so they kick on and off by themselves, that way you don't run the risk of forgetting to turn them on and cause engine damage.

 

Sounds like a good idea, I'd hate for the engine to overheat and get damaged because something as simple as turning on a fan was neglected. I'll look into wiring up a thermal switch, is it a relatively easy DIY project? I'm no mechanic or electrician, but more than willing to learn. But I should probably start with something easy

 

hahaha, no way man, I've been wanting to get out on the trails in a first gen 4x4 ever since I lamented over selling my first gen Prerunner 10 years ago.

She was built to wheel!

 

I agree! No need to beat the you know what out of it, but some off roading won't hurt it.

 

Oh she gets taken care of alright, I stopped plenty of times along the trail yesterday to get out and break branches off that would have otherwise resulted in pinstripes. Not on this baby.