Two Main Complaints When Off-Roading My 4th Gen

[rustytaco]

The 4th Gen has proven itself to be a solid truck. At least to me, haha. I know a lot of people are still skeptical.

But I have two main issues that are a bit frustrating.

1. The rocker panels hang much lower than previous generations of Toyota trucks/SUVs. The difference is super noticeable. I would guess that a 4G Tacoma next to a 2G/3G Tacoma (running the same lift and tires) has a difference of around 5 inches in clearance from the body between the wheels (under the doors). This is a bummer because you get hung up more often than you should over uneven terrain.

2. The belly/frame between the wheels is also lower. There's a lot less ground clearance. So again, when you're doing more technical off-roading, you find yourself catching the frame rails and center skids/underbelly more often. It's not the end of the world, but the whole idea behind wheeling your truck is to have as much as possible. Funny enough, the front didn't give me any issues. I didn't touch my front skid at all, and barely tapped the LCA skids.

Higher clearance rock sliders are a must, in my opinion. That means an angled version vs. a flat one. At least for how I like to use my truck. The Cali Raised Trail Edition have worked well within the body's limitations, since they sit pretty tucked to the body.

The rear lower link mounts also drag, but that's something that can't really be avoided with the new rear suspension design. I need to add some more skids to the back end and replace my lower links. Adding some more lift should help a little bit with some clearance issues, but not all.

Keep in mind, this is all with ~2" of lift, and 37" Arroyo Tamarock RT tires.

 

[Pappy]

I also have a Gen1 4Runner. My Tacoma will never, ever, replace the 4R off-road. My 4R will go places the Tacoma could only dream of. The Tacoma is too long, too wide, and too low to be taken seriously off-road.

 

[rustytaco]

I also have a Gen1 4Runner. My Tacoma will never, ever, replace the 4R off-road. My 4R will go places the Tacoma could only dream of. The Tacoma is too long, too wide, and too low to be taken seriously off-road.

I've taken the 4G in some pretty gnarly spots, but you're right, even the last generation had more clearance all around, smaller body, etc. It's a good truck, and it can still do technical trails, but you'll just be dragging the undercarriage on all the rocks.

 

[WildTrail]

I'm new to the forum, hello! My 2 cents on this after wheeling each of the generations 1 to 4.. the 4g is the most stable there has ever been due how low slung it is. And the seating position and driving is the best there has ever been because of it. But yes it does catch on more offroad. I am really considering 74 Weld Portals on the Trailhunter. I see many say, they make you change the stability by raising center of gravity. But in reality, all it does it bring it up to gen 1 version of top heavy, and gains more clearance under the axles, while gaining width for stability. Might not be for tight trails.. but I don't run tight trails. Each generation has gained lower center of mass, giving up wheeling for on road characteristics. But I'd would never go back to any gen since I do not trailer to trails states away. Loving the 4g, and I really dig the posts. Your truck with 37s is killer!

 

[rustytaco]

I'm new to the forum, hello! My 2 cents on this after wheeling each of the generations 1 to 4.. the 4g is the most stable there has ever been due how low slung it is. And the seating position and driving is the best there has ever been because of it. But yes it does catch on more offroad. I am really considering 74 Weld Portals on the Trailhunter. I see many say, they make you change the stability by raising center of gravity. But in reality, all it does it bring it up to gen 1 version of top heavy, and gains more clearance under the axles, while gaining width for stability. Might not be for tight trails.. but I don't run tight trails. Each generation has gained lower center of mass, giving up wheeling for on road characteristics. But I'd would never go back to any gen since I do not trailer to trails states away. Loving the 4g, and I really dig the posts. Your truck with 37s is killer!

It is definitely stable and the seating/driving position is really good. I get what they're doing, but the part of me that likes to wheels doesn't like it. Even if I really enjoy driving it around town.

I just got back from a 74 Weld portal trip on the Rubicon last week. Drove a 4G Taco with a set, and a 6G 4Runner. Got to watch them wheel heavy too. It's very impressive how much that added ground clearance and gear reduction help. I will say, since the truck sits lower, the added height from the portals feels very stable. Similar to the last generation of Toyotas on a full 3" lift with some 37s. Given the benefits, and after seeing a bunch of IFS Toyotas wheel on 37-40s, I'm strongly leaning towards portals too. Overall, the new gens are bigger. But still doable on tight trails.

Thanks for the compliment. I really like the 37s too. The size of the truck feels like it swallows them whole, lol.