Help with getting into trail riding

Pbj ak

Pbj ak

10-4 keep’em comin
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I’m looking to get into riding some trails with my wife and kids. I have an 04 4 runner that I’d like to be able to take off road onto some light trails to get out of the house on a day trip here and there.

Are there any modifications that need to be done before hand? The 4 runner is a daily driver but I wouldn’t mind modifying it some but still want the wife to be able to drive it around town. So nothing extreme.

This is all new to me so any advise is welcome and I thank you in advance.
 
If you stick to the easy trails, you should be fine stock. If you think there is any chance of getting on the harder trails, I would like into a small lift, bigger tires, rock slider and undercarriage protection (skid plates)
 
Just my opinion/experience. A good set of all terrains on a stock rig will take you plenty far. A 'runner is already a good, relaible base.

My 2wd Ranger with good AT's does impressively well around here. If I want to beat on it by using momentum I could get WAY out there. But I like it so I don't lol.

I think people overthink what they "need" to go trail riding/exploring alot. Good tires and smart lines go a very long way.

Have a way to self recover (at least an actual TOW strap) a way to communicate and always have food, water and ways to keep warm just in case.


Upgrade as your desire/skill for more technical stuff is realized.
 
uwharrie is very doable in a stocker.

just don’t take the tough lines

have good tow points front and rear in case you need them. if you get stuck someone will LOVE to tow or winch you out of trouble.

if you want more: lockers (selectable for a DD) and winch will really let you push the limits and get you further than just lift and tires (won’t look as cool until you idle over stuff that people with 35’s and no lockers struggle with)
 
BowWow said:
The easier trails in a stock 4 runner should be fine.If its a daily driver you need......take it easy and don't abuse it with the hard stuff. Just my pinion.....stay out of the mud!
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Yeah, Don't do this! This was my son in his 05 4runner last year. There is still mud coming out of the under carriage when he washes it.

We have since replaced the suspension with a decent lift kit and 33" tires along with some other things.

If you are running an original suspension, I'd replace it with a small lift and step up to a little larger all terrain tires and then have fun. As said above, the 4runners are pretty capable as is with decent tires and the new suspension with make it ride much better on the road or off.
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Don't put mud terrain tires on your wifes vehicle unless you don't want to have a conversation while riding with her. This is my son's vehicle as of a couple months ago and you honestly can't have a conversation in it at highway speeds with those mud tires.

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Great advice above…. I’m planning some URE trips this summer. Like you, I don’t want to destroy my ride.

Lifts, tires, sliders are good add ons, but don’t overthink it for now. Go out and do some trail riding. Shift it into 4x4 and just enjoy yourself. Modifications will come as the need becomes apparent.

Someone mentioned tow points front and rear. No option here. Do this before going out to the woods.

Regarding the recovery strap - NO METAL HOOKS!! Looped ends and shackles are safest.

Also - never go alone unless you enjoy a ticked off wife, walking out in the dark and expensive tow truck bills.

Once I know my way around URE better, I’ll be happy to head out with you and anyone else that wants to go wander around the woods.
 
Man that was quick, thanks everyone for the response.

I was thinking about a little bigger tire. I doubt I’ll go with mud tires, probably as mentioned earlier, just an all terrain (whenever it’s time for new tires).
We needed new shocks recently and I had a set of bilstein 5100’s put on front and rear. I don’t think it raised the vehicle any but honestly I’m not really sure. They do ride better than the wore out set but then again I’m sure anything would have been an improvement.
As for the skid plates, wheels, and other mods, is there a place to look for used parts? I don’t really have the funds to go all out and was hoping to find a “cff bst” version of off-roading. The sad part is, after having trouble finding the shocks, it seems cv19 has had a bad effect on car parts availability. Hopefully people aren’t as proud of their used 4 runner parts as they are their custom/stippled glocks.
I can see this being almost as bad as a gun addiction.
 
That’sa sweet ride @Carolinatlc. There have been a few threads with members rides that I’ve drooled over in the past.

Here are a couple pictures of our 4 runner.

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I have very aggressive MTs on my wife's Wrangler and they make zero noise....the flat brick of a jeep moving through air is another story....go with the smallest lift you need if any at all....I had a Cherokee that stock would go places it had a hard time doing after a 3" lift and 31s
 
@Pbj ak

I wouldn’t do a thing to that truck until I knew what I wanted to do off-road aside from the front and rear tow points. If they hang up, I’d probably take off the side steps.

Otherwise, spending money on aftermarket stuff will only get you places that are beyond your skills and, sadly, result in broken parts.

Let your skills develop first; your interests and wants second; then pull the CC out last.
 
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RacerX said:
@Pbj ak

I wouldn’t do a thing to that truck until I knew what I wanted to do off-road aside from the front and rear tow points. If they hang up, I’d probably take off the side steps.

Otherwise, spending money on aftermarket stuff will only get you places that are beyond your skills and, sadly, result in broken parts.

Let your skills develop first; your interests and wants second; then pull the CC out last.
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10-4. Sounds about like how guns work.
 
RacerX said:
@Pbj ak

I wouldn’t do a thing to that truck until I knew what I wanted to do off-road aside from the front and rear tow points. If they hang up, I’d probably take off the side steps.

Otherwise, spending money on aftermarket stuff will only get you places that are beyond your skills and, sadly, result in broken parts.

Let your skills develop first; your interests and wants second; then pull the CC out last.
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Anyone want to get a "stockerish" trail ride at URE together? I'd love to bring the wife and kids out there. Have an older frontier I would ride in.
 
Someone mentioned tow points. Realize that tow points are not recovery points. Stock (4Runner) vehicles do not have any recovery points. Period. Never attempt to use tow points for recovery, unless you want a chunk of metal flying off of your vehicle that could kill someone.

Get an ARB recovery point or an aftermarket bumper that has them.
 
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And tires. Don’t think of going off-road with anything less than ATs. Also, lift kits do not provide ground clearance. Bigger tires do. A lift kit alone will not give you any more clearance. It will allow bigger tires, but not much bigger without a CMC or fender trimming unless you like rubbing. Go too big and you’re looking at a regear, especially if it’s an automatic.
 
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