Did We Make This Toyota 4Runner Unstoppable? First Dirt After $$$ THOUSANDS Of Off-Road Mods!

Thank you to the following sponsors for supporting this series:
C4 Fabrications (bumpers, rails, skid plates) - c4fabrication.com/?rfsn=74335...
Sherpa Equipment (roof rack) - sherpaec.com/products/crestone
Fox Factory (Fox Shocks) - www.ridefox.com/subhome.php?m...
BDS (lift) - bds-suspension.com/
Warn Winch - www.warn.com/zeon-10s-winch-8...
AEV (Wheels) - www.aev-conversions.com/produ...
BFG Goodrich (KO2 Tires) - www.bfgoodrichtires.com/auto/...
Perry Parts (bumpstops) - www.perryparts.com/
And a special thank you to RiderJustice, riderjustice.com/overlanding/
( www.alltfl.com ) Watch more videos from TFL Studios! In this video, we show the process of building a bone-stock Toyota 4Runner SR5 into a seriously capable off-road rig. Here's how it all came together!
The Fast Lane Truck ( / tfltruck )
The Fast Lane Car ( / tflcar )
TFLoffroad ( / tfloffroad )
TFLbike (kzbin.info/door/lbike )
TFLnow ( / tflnow )
TFLclassics ( / tflclassics )
TFLtalk ( / tfltalk )
TFL Podcasts:
TFL Talkin' Cars Podcast ( redcircle.com/shows/tfltalk-c... )
TFL Talkin' Trucks Podcast ( redcircle.com/shows/tfl-talki... )

[@JeremyHoutgoogleplus]

I was hoping for more action shots for the amount of work that went into this. Let’s see some wheel lift or something

[@RobertJWoods]

That is something for Roman to call the shots on.

[@jimmy-buffett]

There's a good chance that we'll have this 4Runner in Ouray in a few weeks for the Rocky Mountain Toyota RoundUp. If so, we'll be posting a follow-up video.

[@amatureskater15]

@@RobertJWoods great.

[@jrking2698]

This is the most interesting way of measuring ground clearance…. From the top bar of the rock sliders? Do you measure the height of your children at their chin?😂

[@XiaoWang-lc8rd]

I measure my height from ground to tip of my penis, about 2 inches

[@FBobby]

You caught that too? I'm new to all this but i'm smart enough to know you measure from the lowest point.

[@jessemorgan7007]

Sr5's are very capable when built right. ATRAC is very underrated

[@stevenk5800]

I’d like to see more videos of the SR5 going on trail. I have an SR5 with a similar setup, I take it off road and really want to test it’s capabilities. But more videos of SR5’s off roading would be great!!!

[@jimmy-buffett]

There's a very good chance that we'll have this truck in Ouray in a few weeks for the Rocky Mountain Toyota RoundUp. Thanks for watching!

[@CaneinBatonRouge]

I have a 2022 SR5 with sliders, front low pro bumper and winch with light bar, upgraded factory size tires, and steel skids. Waiting to put the money together for the rear bumper and roof rack, but that's at least another year out. Always nice to see some SR5 action. Hope to make next years roundup in Colorado.

[@WayNorthDrones]

Very cool series, thanks you for sharing guys!

[@project_poor_runner]

SR5 gang!!! They’re way more capable than most folks think. ATRC and airing down helps a ton

[@buckhorncortez]

How do you know what "most folks think" or is this just more Internet hyperbolic speculation?

[@DonJulio510]

@@buckhorncorteztrd pro or trd off road are usually what people talk about the most.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Fantastic job James. See ya on the trails soon!

[@anthonyb755]

Love the build and the explanations, thank you!

[@LionRunner]

5380 lbs is definitely not bad. As said on the last video my TRD Pro with all skids from A-arm to rear diff (most Aluminum) and HREW sliders weigh 5000lbs. Vs my Limited with 7 seats no aftermarket skids or sliders weigh 5060lbs. Only aftermarket is Ironman suspension and Standard Load 285/70s. On a side note I love SR5 / Limited has 1165lbs carry capacity vs TRDs have 800ish (835 on my buddy's KDSS and 880 on my non KDSS).

[@scottdunn1371]

I added RSG sliders and BFG KO2’s to my TRD OR. You can go lots of places with just that. I now have a 3” lift too but a stock 4runner will handle most moderate trails.

[@WW-wf8tu]

I bought a 2018 4R TRD OR. Had an elaborate plan of modifications for it. Been over 5 years now and the only thing I did to it was put on rock sliders for added protection, it has gone everywhere I used to go and further from vehicles that were 3" lifted on M/T tires. (my tires are still stock) It is not "unstoppable" but it is far more capable than people give it credit for in stock form.

[@jayluikart487]

You’re totally right, I’d say most of CO trails can be done with that.

[@StubProductions]

Why don’t you test it on TFL course again?

[@TFLoffroad]

FYI: The TFL Tumbleweed course was impassable because it was totally overgrown. David and Andre spent this week doing course maintenance so we can run it again.

[@StubProductions]

@@TFLoffroad Awesome!! That will be a great before and after!

[@DuaneCaldwell]

Nice work, James!

[@nlken7175]

4Runner might be old but it's dam good.

[@cyeeDaRealGoat]

Its not old! Its still a little cute baby

[@samjohnson9894]

The 80 series is old AND better than a 4runner.

[@HarryKuloh]

​@@samjohnson9894so you claim.

[@trailrunnah8886]

​@@HarryKulohI drove a 80 series around San Diego for 2 weeks last month, I liked everything about it other than the fuel mileage better than my 5th gen 4Runner. And as far as off-roading, they're not even in the same class.

[@CraigSmith568]

Nice build. I was surprised by the weight of all the stuff you added. Definitely looks nice though.

[@Alex.outbound]

I ran Switzerland yesterday and watched a stock gx460 take on this exact spot. Dude dented the heck out of his factory “skid plates”

[@FunkMasterJunk]

Lol, "Might not know how to winch out of mud, but this I know."

[@jimmy-buffett]

Yeah, got goofed on by a bunch of buddies about the mud episode ha

[@andrewtanasescu7205]

@@jimmy-buffett My ears perked up when I heard that in the video. Good on ya for taking it in stride.

[@wannabeangler]

Why didn't you air down? There was no clawing the rocks with the tires as compared to how you can benefit when aired down.

[@Knightro_the_Jeep]

I was thinking the same thing

[@gandtoley]

Thought he would have known to that.

[@MrGrantSDavis]

they were aired down to 20 psi

[@ron8975]

@@MrGrantSDavis That's dirt road pressure.....

[@cshader2488]

probably wanted the extra clearance over the traction

[@WyWander_yt]

Nice! Might have to try that trail. Beautiful spot. Does your budget # include mechanic labor?

[@IAmTheGuy1477]

Only a OG TFL fan know what’s also at the Switzerland trail 😢 . . . . . . ❤️❤️Gold Mine Hill ❤️❤️

[@SuperSnakePlissken]

Great video! I have a Tundra TRD Pro double cab and I cannot tell you how many people tell me A-trac is crap and that a Tundra is bad off road. WRONG! A-Trac is fantastic and I've driven hundreds of miles off road and never once gotten stuck that A-Trac didn't get me out of. Having that V8 and the capability of a Tundra has made it the absolute best Overland vehicle that I have ever had, and I had a 4Runner before and with respect to this fine gentlemen I felt the 4Runner was just gutless.

[@matthewschiebout7384]

Tundra sucks majorly "off-road" compared to a Jeep Rubicon, all depends on what you're talking about. Simply silly to compare the two... A Ford Raptor R is much better, all around, than all 1/2 pickups, it just costs twice as much...

[@SuperSnakePlissken]

@@matthewschiebout7384 Who compared it to a Jeep Rubicon? Nobody but you. You can't compare a truck to a Jeep duh. GFY.

[@9663mu]

Didn’t know Nathan had a brother 😊

[@ron8975]

Imagine how well it would do if the front suspension actually moved...

[@CACressida]

Its not going to move with a sway bar connected to a lifted IFS.

[@DUNEATV]

Buy a Jeep if you want front end travel

[@trailrunnah8886]

That IFS life!

[@TedEischeid1960]

Imagine how it does getting to the trail? Makes the 95% on road travel extremely comfortable. A Swiss Army knife for sure.

[@JohnDoe-ud2cc]

The more lift you run on those, the less drop travel you get.

[@Queensizemusic]

That depends on the the type of suspension (length of springs and shocks) you install on her.

[@jeremetriusoclaire6949]

Length of springs and shocks is limited by control arm length. Firmer springs and longer travel shocks do nothing with regards to increasing total wheel travel by themselves. One of the only ways to get more trvael is longer control arms. As is this build only reduces droop It’s amazing just how little the front suspension moved on this build

[@JohnDoe-ud2cc]

@@jeremetriusoclaire6949 exactly, thank you. People don’t understand that your control arms only move so far. It doesn’t matter what springs or if any springs are in it at all. If your control arms only have 10 inches of total travel, ideally you want ride hight in the middle travel at 5 inches. This would give you 5 inches in each direction and help it from lifting a tire for best articulation and traction. If you lift 3 inches, it increases spring rate and now ride hight is only 2” of droop and now 8” of compression. It will ride worse, have less travel, wear tires do to positive camber, and be more likely to tripod and lift tires giving less traction. The added spring rate will make it stiffer and the weight of the vehicle will not compress that shock fully, so it intern actually losses compression up stoke, unless you land hard like jumping. But I’ve seen the struts bottom out like this before the bump stops hit and it destroys the strut. Also now your axles, rack, and tie rods are not in a level plane with each other. So now with this lift the axles are in a hard bind, and your going to get bump steering.

[@Queensizemusic]

@@jeremetriusoclaire6949 um, isn’t that all addressed when you place a long travel suspension on your truck? I would think they would have addressed that when they mapped out their suspension. I don’t have to worry about my travel. I have an 80 series that has a ton of travel, but I don’t have IFS.

[@trailrunnah8886]

​​@@Queensizemusicn actual long travel on a IFS Toyota is big bucks. Marlin crawler offers one, I think it's close to 10k. A aftermarket shock like a Bilstein may have a little bit more extension travel than the stock ones, but that'll get you an inch if that. Definitely not "long travel". Like was said, basically for every inch you lift, lose an inch of down travel. Lifting one of these is like walking around on your tiptoes and telling people that you grew 3 inches. Having an 80 is the right answer if you want to have an off-road Toyota. I drove one recently and I'm in love.

[@JRs-guitars]

$13,000 lmao!!! Owner got stiffed 🤣🤣🤣

[@sliqindustries4782]

7 out 10 obstacle? that’s like a 1 out here in California

[@kjmdrumz3]

In Commiefornia that obstacle probably identifies as a Twix bar.

[@sliqindustries4782]

@@kjmdrumz3 lmao yeah there is a lot here i don’t like but the off road is on point

[@peterloconte9519]

Beautiful build! What are the wheels and tire set up and brands

[@thegiant573]

The only thing that relates to ground clearance under the vehicle is the size of the tires. You can have a 20in suspension lift but if you still run 265 tires that = 0 difference in ground clearance from stock.

[@theoutdoordad7395]

Very confused because when you read the door sticker on 5th gen 4Runners it typically says the payload is 880 not 1600, what am I missing here?

[@desert4seat]

I like this Guy!

[@campfiresolutions]

Guys, can you PLEASE do a video on the 4runner Limited? I have not seen any video showing the pros/cons or capabilities of this platform. It would seem that having full-time all wheel drive along with high and low range plus A-track would be a huge advantage but, again there is very little real world videos showing what this vehicle is capable of. Keep up the great work and thanks!

[@trailrunnah8886]

Fulltime 4wd doesn't help out off-road, but it's a better choice if you do a lot of onroad driving in adverse weather conditions. It's a great vehicle to put the wife in, since you don't need to worry about shifting in and out of 4WD as road conditions change.

[@Nadirthebottomrock]

I have a 2011 Limited model. I bought it not knowing that it's not the desired one for off-road use. The people that think they're less capable than other 4runner models are puds. After ripping out the Xreas suspension, and going with the cheapest set up I could find, I'm happy. I went with a Rough Country 3inch lift with upper control arms. I even went with some of their 17" 85 series wheels, and wrapped them in Toyo at3's(285's) To add a little protection I removed the rocker panels to add some non branded rock slides. A Prinsu roof rack to complete the look. Soon I'll replace the rear bumper because from the factory it's a little chunky. The truth is, all of the guys I ride with have TRD off roads, or Jeep's, and I've yet to encounter any trails they run that I couldn't run myself. Zero regrets with the Limited model, and zero regrets with the Rough Country set up.

[@ismaelreyes302]

That spot on the trail is way harder in person I’ve seen many people not make it

[@jimmy-buffett]

That's why I love that obstacle, I do an "introduction to offroading" class every year to teach people the basics -- airing down, riding in groups, radios etc -- and that obstacle is where we spend most of our time. The goal is to show people how their traction technology works, when to use it (and for the trucks with multiple traction aids, which to use) and what it looks like outside of the vehicle when you're having traction issues. Except for the wall at Poughkeepsie and maybe the rocks on Hackett / Longwater, this obstacle is one of the harder ones I've seen in the state. Lots of longer wheelbase trucks scrape on that breakover spot.

[@davidheaton6206]

They should put MTS in SR5. It’s the same computer program just more or less wheel spin depending on terrain

[@bobcoats2708]

“This I know how to do” 😉

[@davidhunt9692]

uhhh okay. buuuuut heavy duty springs modifies a vehicles maximum payload. it's not as simple as 1600-700=900 left. You probably added a good 800 lbs of load available when you went full send it on the lift kit.

[@backwoodstherapy]

Nice truck. $16k is a lot of money but that shouldn't let that dissuade anyone from wheeling. A stock 4Runner with a leveling kit and a good set of Ridge Grapplers could hang out with these two guys with no other mods (although some rock rails to protect the body would be a good idea). Wheel what you got. You don't have to spend $16k to get out there. Some puck spacers in the front and some Facebook marketplace used All Terrains will get you further than you think.

[@keon8625]

I completely agree! Stock rigs with good tires will go much further than people expect, especially with A-Trac/BLD. That build has a lot of unnecessary and costly parts for just wheeling such as the roof rack or expensive rims.

[@sapperROSS]

Spacer lifts are trash and ride like trash. Don't buy them unless you're staying on the pavement

[@keon8625]

@@sapperROSS I have a spacer lift on my Jeep - which I know is very, very different than a spacer lift for an IFS vehicle, but with a raised track bar and shock geometry corrected, it has worked great for my needs and I do not notice much more harshness than when it was stock.

[@backwoodstherapy]

@@keon8625 I also have a spacer lift on my jeep - I'm planning on upgrading to a real suspension lift in a couple years, but let's be honest: people like to crap on spacers, but for 99% of weekend warriors, they're fine.

[@cshader2488]

Atrac is amazing

[@oneboomer1729]

I am wondering why there was no acknowledgment of the shop where all these parts were installed? I know they have a KZbin channel as well.

[@jimmy-buffett]

C4 Fabrication in Sturgis did the armor / bumper, the Sherpa guys came up to Sturgis and installed the roof rack. Lift, wheels and tires were done at Runnin 4 Tacos in Denver. That was all in the 2nd video.

[@NightNurseMike]

My trail premium had mid tier bilsteins and ko2’s in stock size and it was a beast. Totally able to have fun off-road in it. got good mpg on the way as well. Drove it a few years and sold it with double the miles for 1,000 less than I sold it for. I could’ve bought a new one and put more parts on it but I’ve got an extra $30k compounding interest in my retirement account instead. If you want more off-road performance get a wrangler unlimited. It’ll do (stock) more than any 4Runner.

[@George_USMC]

James knows how to drive on some rocks!

[@lcatalla7292]

Hi, is that wheel negative offset?

[@tjtuck4520]

You know its horrible welds when you can see the waves of it in the video.

[@josephdunkle1152]

SR5 4Runner is no joke

[@thiaguinhooitodois2211]

I refuse to add anymore weight to my SR5. It currently does 17mpg.

[@chasejustchase487]

Kinda hard to belive that vehicle has thousands of modifications. You sure it's not thousands in modifications as in thousands of dollars?

[@seanwatson3790]

Not to be that guy , but I know a Cherokee trailhawk that did that obstacle. Yes it does have a low range ( and I know that's not what you meant when you said a crossover can't do it ) but technically that is still a cross over lol. I know I could do that in my trailhawk too, albeit I know it's not stock

[@keon8625]

Cherokee Trailhawks are pretty impressive off-road. Throw on some sliders and disregard body damage, and it'll do you fine as long as you aren't rock crawling.

[@seanwatson3790]

@@keon8625 I've done wheeler lake in mine. Id call that at least decent rock crawling

[@keon8625]

@@seanwatson3790 Any mods?

[@SonOfTheWild]

how tall is 4Runner after all those mods?

[@krisw8597]

Yea u could have aired down,but on the other hand, glad you didn’t because it showed what the average person would do. Most people don’t always air down because they don’t have a air pump with them or the common Joe doesn’t know to. I think that the market has gone crazy with off road packages from the factory because they are just to expensive for sure. I like things simple if possible, it nice to buy a fully capable vehicle right out of the gate instead of adding on, but it’s just a lot of money. Interesting to see what some non factory mods will do. Good Job.

[@quintili1]

Literally every single person I wheel with airs down. If you don't have the ability to air down, stay on the pavement.

[@backwoodstherapy]

Just a leveling kit and some good RT tires will make a huuuuuge difference. And I'd be surprised if anyone with even a passing interest in offroading wouldn't know to air down. It was one of the first things I learned. You can get a Ryobi air compressor at home Depot with a big battery for less than $100 and it airs up my 35s on one charge. It takes a while, but with 32s it would certainly take less time.

[@tuckerhiggins4336]

I mean, an air pump is like $40 and you probably have an outlet in your vehicle for it

[@MrGrantSDavis]

We did air down to 20 psi

[@jimmy-buffett]

@@tuckerhiggins4336 if you buy a $40 air compressor to air up, you'll be borrowing somebody else's compressor by your 2nd / 3rd trip realizing that you wasted $40. I personally wouldn't buy anything cheaper than a Viair 300P for airing up.

[@nicknamean]

$14k worth of mods to show us what a $5k stock XJ can do 😂😂😂 good job y’all

[@nicholascooper1193]

They didn't really do any mods that make it better at offroading... just basic protection and recovery gear.

[@countschad]

How do uou compensate for the needke bearing stress caused by lifting the 4runner more than an inch?

[@CACressida]

You replace it with a bushing.

[@countschad]

@@CACressida You replace the needle bearings with bushings?

[@CACressida]

@@countschad yes. This mod is as old as the dinosaurs.

[@countschad]

@@CACressida My appologies, I know what bearings are, and I know what bushings are, but I did not know that they could be interchanged. Forgive my mechanical ignorance. Thanks for the info, even if I didn't understand it.

[@leehall5447]

You measured the sliders at the wrong spot dude

[@justinroy6278]

You said something a long the lines of, “any vehicle with a frame and a transfer case can make it up here.” Can you expand on the frame part? I don’t understand how a frame helps in a situation like that.

[@CACressida]

Durability. If you can't open diff it slowly, you gas and go it then hope for the best.

[@bobcoats2708]

Body on frame = less stress on the body during wheel articulation and they are often capable of more articulation. Unibody vehicles don’t do so well under such conditions.

[@justinroy6278]

@@bobcoats2708 so is it the frame that allows for the articulation or the style of suspension?

[@zackdemundo]

What’s the difference in price between a SR5 and a TRD Pro Off-Road ?

[@LionRunner]

Short answer is SR5 has electronic part time 4WD selector and basic offroad tech vs TRD Offroad has all the offroad tech and manual part time 4wd selector. TRD Pro is same as TRD Offroad but has Fox shocks and ticker aluminum front skid plate than thinner steel one SR5 & TRD Offroad get. There is also a trim called Limited where you get full-time 4wd with cross-linked suspension that gives better on road comfort. There are many other details you can go into. Toyota has a trim comparison tool which would be really helpful to understand. It would be too long to type on a comment.

[@kjmdrumz3]

TRD Pro is WAYYY overpriced for what you get.

[@azzy9532]

Given that's a used SR5 the total cost of that build is still probably less than a new Off-Road

[@trailrunnah8886]

Or one could have just taken the mod budget and built an XJ trail slayer.

[@njrivetelite]

The sliders.. you can see that the clearance just under them Is a few inches less.. I want to get a TRD Offroad Premium and do this to it.

[@jrking2698]

He probably measures the height of his children at their nose as well.

[@code_xj]

Interesting video to say the least. 13k USD is a shit load of money, though i doubt its still not as capable as a stock Rubicon

[@kjmdrumz3]

Yeah, but it'll run for 300,000 miles, is better on the street, and you can haul shit with it.

[@code_xj]

@@kjmdrumz3 I'm talking off-road capabilities ur talking street driving lmao 🤣

[@RedHawkish]

it's a $2k difference SR5 to TRD Offroad. are you saying the $2k difference isn't worth it? (that's in GA using the configurator only)

[@jasonnguyen5074]

Is that really it? Having the rear locker alone makes it worth the difference! IMO

[@RedHawkish]

@@jasonnguyen5074 do the online build and see. i picked the nonpremium versions with 4wd

[@scottdunn1371]

I have the TRD OR. I don’t use lockers often but they have been nice on several occasions.

[@CACressida]

You're also getting a better transfercase. No stupid shift actuator to deal with when it craps out.

[@jimmy-buffett]

Hi! James here from the video. It depends on the terrain you're doing. Here in Colorado, we don't really have mud on the trails (on TFL's ranch, different story haha). So our main traction issue is when we're going uphill and we lift a front wheel. ATRAC does a good job of handling that, a front locker (which we can't get from the factory) would be a better solution. I've done the Poughkeepsie wall 4-5 times and the double-locked Wranglers roll right up it smoothly, our Toyotas have a bit more difficulty. If the difference for you is $2K, go TRD Offroad. Better to have the tech and not need it, than need it and not have it. Watch some videos on multi-terrain select (MTS), it's the better version of ATRAC available in these trucks. But if you're going to offroad it extensively, the first and best mod you can do is good tires for the terrain you're doing. A lifted truck on stock / street tires is going to have a lot more issues on the trail (in my experience) than a stock truck on good offroad tires.

[@itsallminor6133]

No you need a bigger frame....not adding more weight to a already weak truck...😂😂😂😂😂 "Oh worry about the payload" Bwah ha ha ha ha ha . hilarious video... Go sponsors.. Of course. 😂😂😂😂😂. America. Too funny

[@Oldrush]

Did you guys check the payload sticker on the door? Or look at online spec which is 2wd. Pretty sure the payload is more like 1145-65 for the sr5. Good luck. Your overloaded.

[@MrGrantSDavis]

Checked on the door. Shoulda showed it, yes.

[@carlosayala3146]

why an sr5 and not a trd? ATRAC is ok for what it is, but a locker is everything boys.

[@judiceat-large7716]

But does it have portals?

[@jorghautzel3934]

I‘d like to see this F550 on 41‘s on trails like that. 😉🙂

[@Joeyotat4r]

If you were building this to rock crawl, instead of spending thousands of dollars, you could have removed the bumpers or cut them for clearance, then done tall and skinny tires. No lift needed as all that does on IFS is decrease suspension travel. Or buy a wrangler. This is coming from a 2012 4Runner owner who off-roads it within its limits, over-landing, trails, muddy service roads etc. not rock crawling.That’s what straight axels are for. Nice 4Runner, but the average Joe doesn’t have $13k budget to add to a $45ktruck.

[@MrGrantSDavis]

didn't do this build to rock crawl, but this episode was to show what the 4Runner build was capable of at the more extreme end of what we'd like to use it for.

[@trevork8925]

I love Toyotas and they have fantastic reliability and owned many and still do, I have wheeled everything (seriously) even a Fiat 500 long story, but IFS just is not the same as solid axle when in comes to extreme off road. When I am heading out to extreme off road its the JT and or TJ and when its a long overland trip because I am old and fat its the Toyota..... kind off the JT top pop tent trailer etc.... ok sorry the Yota has to go........also $13,600 goes so much farther on a Jeep!

[@thinde88]

Where is Tommy

[@timbaer8525]

Unless you’re hardcore into rocks all that weight is such a waste in my opinion. Put weight into what’s needed and that’s it

[@a36538]

$13K? Atrac is neat, but why is it so hard for Toyota to implement a front locker?

[@code_xj]

Because that would cause many many CV axles to snap under the added forces

[@FD_Boss]

What was the total including the vehicle and the upgrades? Curious, I just purchased a very capable factory vehicle (not Toyota) and I’d like to compare.

[@supersingular]

Not Toyota? 😔

[@FD_Boss]

@@supersingular I was close, but decided to “buy once, cry once”, lol

[@northerntoyota7584]

Whatever a stock sr5 4Runner is plus the 13k he said. Assuming that included labour?

[@CACressida]

Doesn't matter what you buy, Motorsports costs $$$$ and as long as you participate; it'll always cost a lot. Its just the consequences of having fun. You'll always look for a reason to upgrade anything and everything.

[@jimmy-buffett]

For a 2020+ SR5 4Runner with those miles it's in the ~$30's, so total invested after mods is mid $40's.

[@knottstilting]

That bumper and giant bull bar on the red 4Runner 🤢🤢🤢

[@taffetasi]

Uh fender height does not translate to ground clearance. Bigger tires do.

[@jimmy-buffett]

Hi! James here from the video. The increase in fender height from stock directly correlates to increased clearance for anything between the frame rails in front. For independent front suspension (IFS) trucks, everything between the lower A-arms benefits directly from a suspension lift. For the rear axle, you're right, it's all tires. I can't remember the last time I cleared an obstacle here in Colorado with the front half of the truck, only to get stuck on the rear differential. Most often, we're hitting on the frame rails or skidplates before we get to the rear differential. The other issue on Toyotas with relying on larger tires is that to gain 3 inches of clearance, you need an extra 6 inches of total tire diameter. On this truck, stock is 32's which means 38's to get an extra 3 inches. 33's start to rub, 35's take a lot of work to fit, 37's take an unreal amount of work to fit. For Colorado specifically, you can do every trail you'd want to do with a vehicle you care about on a 3-inch lift and 33 inch tires. Going bigger only makes those trails easier, it doesn't keep you from doing them. Anything harder means body damage or rollover risk.

[@davidnavarette6289]

Hi Nathan. I know it's you. This is a great segment "james"

[@jimmy-buffett]

James here. Nathan is way better on video than I am, that's how you can tell the difference haha

[@--RSL--]

Payloads are underrated from vehicle manufacturers…. Otherwise ppl would be idiots and literally maxing them out to unsafe weights

[@hoganlegdrop2409]

Do the tfl course. The 4 wheel drive system is still the same. I bet it won't do much better than it did before assuming the conditions are the same.

[@CACressida]

You're saying the 4x4 system was the cause of this trucks failure at its initial shake down. Clearly you're wrong and you clearly failed to understand the reason this series exists.

[@hoganlegdrop2409]

@@CACressida it needs lockers. Plain and simple.

[@jimmy-buffett]

@@hoganlegdrop2409 for most of the trails in Colorado, it really doesn't. And a front locker would be far more beneficial than a rear. ATRAC is good enough, most of the time.

[@jimmy-buffett]

It wasn't the 4 wheel drive system that was the issue last time, it was traction and clearance, both of which were upgraded in this video series. I was out at the ranch on Saturday, the mud hole where we filmed the first video has a lot less water in it than it did the day we filmed that video. So I'm not sure if we could reproduce that video exactly. Also, mud is very rare on Colorado trails. Most often our water crossings on the trails are rocky, not muddy, as the running water has washed the mud / dirt away long ago. The main offroading challenges here are clearance and traction, not mud.

[@CACressida]

@@hoganlegdrop2409 it doesn't need lockers to do that test. You seem to ignore the fact that the lead 4Runner did the same thing without lockers. You clearly missed the point of the video.

[@bigt4135]

Needs a locker

[@StubProductions]

Nothing replaces a rear locker. Get a TRD Off-Road

[@quintili1]

It's laughable to do all of these upgrades and not do front and rear lockers.

[@WW-wf8tu]

@@quintili1 Well, if C4 was flipping the whole bill, sure, wouldn't it be nice if they made it the way you think it should be? But when your budget only takes you so far, you do what you feel is essential for your OR adventures. Going down logging roads and some of them trails out there in CO. does not require front and rear lockers. The fact he has a winch is an overkill imo. Can drag it along if things get dicey.

[@jimmy-buffett]

Hi! James here from the video. I moved to Colorado for offroading in 2011 with an FJ, switched to the 4Runner in 2018. I've run everything in the state easier than Blanca in both of those vehicles on a 3-inch lift and 33-inch tires. In my FJ, I needed the locker just 4 times. In the 4Runner, just once. Out of well over 300 days spent on the trails in ~12 years. ATRAC is really good for this terrain, I can't speak for everywhere (sand/mud) but in Colorado ATRAC is often enough. I'd rather have a front locker than a rear, because our main issue is when we lift a front wheel going uphill. Rear locker doesn't fix that.

[@willwilliams141]

Great video/short series. Great job James! Add James to the full time crew.

[@jimmy-buffett]

James here. I am secretly Nathan's twin, you can tell the difference between us by the fact that he's really good at this haha🙂 I am very blessed to be friends with these guys and get to do these fun videos with them. My dream job is a mix of owning a Land Cruiser and driving it on Imogene Pass with paying customers every day, and being a deck hand on SV Delos.

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

I do wish the current 4Runner had an 8 speed auto or 6 speed manual...

[@bobcoats2708]

I imagine the Gen 6 truck will have an 8 speed. And a turbo 4 😕

[@jakesteve5803]

Add a viper cut to that 4R!

[@bawintermage8351]

When I commented that it took LOTS of money to make a 4 Runner into an ultimate off roader, I got lots of hateful comments, so all I can say is...VINDICATED!

[@alabama2uz]

It's definitely not for the poors.

[@electrikoptik]

Modding any off-roader to be ‘ultimate’ isn’t cheap. Just look at the amount of money people throw at their Wranglers or Raptors.

[@therealjohnsmith4811]

Could have bought a stock Jeep or Bronco and done the same thing without having to mod it.

[@bawintermage8351]

As usual, the peanut gallery can't read or pass.a basic comprehension test. I never said it was an inexpensive undertaking. I, instead affirmed that it was quite expensive. Later , I elaborated that the cost of base trucks and off-roading vehicles, along with most other vehicles nowadays, is unnecessarily expensive; where off roading, camping, or overlanding were once activities that the average income American or below ( considering that is where most of the activity was centered around) could enjoy. The price increases are creating a wealth divide, so that access to environmentally centered vehicular sports, for all but the wealthy or financially irresponsible , is slowly being choaked off. But instead of a discussion on pricing strategies of automakers and the response to the shift from market share centered sales to low volume high price production negativity impact out standard of life. I get yahoos who write nasty comments about it ain't for the "poors". I don't know why I assumed that intelligent discourse could be had on a channel that primarily features trucks and SUVs. I give up.

[@alabama2uz]

@@bawintermage8351 It's true, though, whatever the causation.

[@piggiezhang4012]

Anytime anywhere sr5 can SMASH any Jeeps

[@JoshJones-hr1qs]

Air down man…

[@MrGrantSDavis]

we did

[@SanctumOfDreams]

Toyota's can go anywhere!... Just make sure that "anywhere" is somewhere flat 😁

[@bobcoats2708]

Sure, if you’re driving a Corolla. 4Runners do just fine.

[@WW-wf8tu]

No vehicle is "unstoppable". But a Sherp is pretty damn near that definition. 😂 But even it has limitations. Width being the most obvious.

[@user-xf9hz3td3k]

Doesn’t make sense to spend $13k and not add lockers.

[@andrewm.4168]

Ironically you stated you needed good tires, but those tires are terrible.

[@DrewPeabawls]

Halfway through the video and it’s been all talk…

[@WW-wf8tu]

Good thing it was a short video then huh? And more to the point, you can always fast forward/scroll along to the parts you want to see. 😏

[@wyattmerrill2588]

My poor ass will never be able to afford anything like this. Sigh

[@txrunroutdoors]

You really don't need it. Get a older Toyota they're just as capable and more affordable. 3rd gen 4runners, GX470, 1st gen Tacomas. All cost like a 3rd of this rig or less. And you don't need "$13k" in mods. I'm not sure where all that money went but probably unnecessary OverBranding parts. Sliders, decent lift, and good tires is all you need. Lockers/gears and bumpers take it a step further. I take my 3rd gen through some pretty cool spots, not rock crawling, and it does well with the mods listed above.

[@code_xj]

That's why u buy an older jeep like me😊 cheap to own, upgrade, and maintain

[@txrunroutdoors]

@code_xj I wanted an XJ before I got my 3rd gen 4runner. Couldn't find one in the condition/4x4 I wanted. Ultimately I'm super happy with my 4runner and I'm happy I went this route instead of the Jeep. But those old Jeeps are bad ass. The XJ is solid axel and only weighs like 3400 lbs. I'd still like to have one lol.

[@code_xj]

@@txrunroutdoors I'm the opposite. I was looking for a 3rd gen 4R but couldn't find one for under 10k CAD so I got an XJ instead. LOL

[@txrunroutdoors]

@code_xj that's awesome lol. Can't go wrong with either

[@daveharness70]

7/10 obstacle?.....I don't think so.

[@jimmy-buffett]

Hi! James here from the video. It's hard to get a feel for how hard this is from the video. The main issue on this obstacle is that immediately after the breakover rock I pointed to, there's a drop into water/dirt on the back side of it. So most vehicles, especially ones with longer wheelbases, hit their frame and have to adjust their line. When we do training on this obstacle it's usually about 2 hours, multiple lines attempted, letting as many people try their trucks on it as want to. What lines work change every year based on the rocks getting damaged -- the main breakover rock broke in half this year when a SxS I spotted up it came down hard on its frame, for example -- as well as the amount of rain we've been getting. And every obstacle seems to get more rutted out each year. I can name a dozen 4, 5, 6 out of 10 difficulty trails here that don't have a single obstacle as hard as this one. That's why I put it at a 7. It's not to the level of the Poughkeepsie Gulch wall, or the 3rd obstacle on Spring Creek. Feel free to find some videos of those to see how they look.

[@LionRunner]

@@jimmy-buffett yep, and this spot is getting harder and harder when more people try it since this is a famous spot for a snack / lunch break.

[@daveharness70]

@@jimmy-buffett Thanks for the explanation. I've wheeled with numerous 4runners with various traction aides, and it appeared that you just walked up that with A-trac. I know A-trac is good, and 4runners are great offroad, but I would expect a 7 obstacle to require 34-35" tires and F/R lockers. You are obviously well versed on this obstacle too! I'm sure that played a huge role in making it look easy!

[@davidkallstrom4349]

14000 dollar

[@Timebomb2363]

Well that was boring lmao

[@alromero5685]

More action less talking!

[@Silverback_GMT410]

I honestly do not believe that Toyota has that much payload. No way is it gonna have 700lbs more than a Tacoma. Logically that makes zero sense. Show the sticker. Also who measures at the rock sliders for clearance??

[@jimmy-buffett]

Hi! James here from the video. Obviously, there are many places under the truck that will contact where extra clearance is beneficial. The reason that I measured at the sliders was to show the benefit of the angled C4 Fab sliders over my own BudBuilt's. I scrape my sliders a lot, so extra clearance there is a big help. Thankfully, they're a wear part so if that's where I get stuck I just give it more gas and use more black paint when I get home.

[@cityinmind]

So, after its all said and done it ends up costing as much as a TRD Pro, except doesn't look as good or have as nice an interior or sound system, or resale value. Good going...not.

[@itsallminor6133]

What is it with middle aged American people "trying" to build a off road vehicle. Consumerism crap. Cheesy. Want to learn off road? Talk to Russians. Russia is off road. Offroad is Russia. Needed to go get supplies and food. Real off road, real life. America "oh lets spend 70k buy some 'kits' and go to a offroad course".

[@mr75204]

A lifted Camry. Cool

[@JoshuaRicamonte-cr4oh]

Who is more beautiful Is it the vw beetle The Toyota truck Or the oj Simpson bronco

[@jmar3011]

All the work and money spent to go up an obstacle that you can do on a stock vehicle! 😒

[@Land_Raver]

They just dont do well offroad.

[@cmartin0011]

no proper lockers. toyota's major mistakes

[@TrailTape]

TRD OffRoad and Pros have rear lockers