2003 Prerunner innate off-road capabilities

Good tires and a brain will get you through a lot. Throw a good set of ATs or MTs on it and have fun, upgrade as you see fit down the road

 

1) tires
2) rear locker
3) suspension and slight lift


I have a pre runner with stock rear locker and LOVE it. It’s surprisingly capable in many situations. And any time ive gotten stuck in 2wd it’s gotten me out 100% of the time (knock on wood)

Also down the road, enjoy the fact you can lift the crap outta the front with some heavy beefy long travel suspension and not worry about cv’s or a front dif.

When the time comes my next purchase will without a doubt be ~ 2015 Pre runner with rear locker, also enjoy the fact they’re $8k cheaper and plenty of them out there

e/ then again i recall Toyota not putting rear lockers in any 4 cyl trucks, trd or not.. if u end up going ARB locker just be mindful of that

 

Just as another opinion - I drive an open diff 5 speed 4 cylinder prerunner and have made it to plenty of places out in BLM lands and national parks with nothing but take-off stock suspension parts and tires from other trucks. Just keep your momentum and pilot your truck well and by having ground clearance of a stock truck your truck will get you to many places.

Winch is not the preferred method of recovery in a desert environment. Having one is good if you’re pulling a friend, but a pull strap is usually all you’ll need. Self recovery in the desert with a winch isn’t going to work without a huge rock or digging a hole.