This is a newbie question. My Son and I went up wheeling this weekend and my rig did fine. We went up Red Cone pass in Colorado. I was worried about breaking something in the drivetrain. What is the weakest link in the stock drivetrain? How much abuse can the stock chain drive transfer case hold up to?
Thanks

 

The drivetrain in these things are pretty strong (im assuming 3.0/A340H). I wouldnt worry about much there.

 

I've heard of folks breaking cv joints, but that's only on raised vehicle where you're putting additional strain on the CVs at high angles. What type of wheeling are you talking about?

 

couldnt resist ... but truth be told DRIVER.

 

X2 for CV's and the IFS is really prone to getting knocked out of whack if you wheel it very hard. I cant' count how many times I had mine realigned before my SAS. Overall though I've done and see things in a relatively stock Yota that would blow your mind. I wouldn't worry too much about it!

 

Thanks guys! My 4Runner is a 3.0 5 speed. It has a small lift from Toytech. The wheelin here in Colorado is mostly real rocky steep trails. I did purchase a diff drop from 4crawler to help with the CV axle angle. I was just curious about the strength of the T-case, and other drivetrain parts. Thanks again!

 

I've wheeled a stock 91 4Runner fairly hard with no problems. Best bet, though, is to always wheel with a buddy in case something does go wrong.

If you really want to have fun with it, swap the 3.0 for a later model 3.4. You'll be glad you did.

 

I 'wheel pretty hard and haven't had any major issues. The drivetrain in these trucks is essentially 1 ton running gear.

In order from weakest to strongest:
steering (knocked out of alignment)
CV's
front diff
everything else (in other words, I have seen or heard of the above breaking, and never heard of really anything else)

Manual hubs give you a lot more options for getting home if something breaks in the front.

 

BY FAR, this was the cheapest ($60 completely rebuilt) & best mod I've made to my truck:

 

IFS is plenty strong for most wheeling. It still amazes me the places it will take me.

 

Where'd you get those for $60. The Junk yard near here wants $40 a piece...

 

eBay.

 

KevinInSac, I must have gotten mine from your junkyard (Toyautomart?), it was in Sacto and I payed $80. Have you much else from them?

 

Good call.

I just asked about it, didn't buy them.

It was the T.A.P. off sunrise in junkyard heaven.

 

ya def. the only thing that i break are cv boots. not even the axles themselves. it's gotten way better since manual hubs. so x2 on that.

 

Hey, sorry, don't know how old this thread is but what are those? I want to learn about making my 4runner really strong and reliable so I'll search as soon as I know what those are. Thanks

 

Those are Aisin Manual Hubs.

They came stock on a lot of Early Toyotas.

 

You know....there is a guy here, RANCHOTOYOTATRUCK who has a yard just down the street from ripoff TAP. He has much better prices. Too bad I didnt know you were lookin' for hubs. I had a complete set I ended up selling to wabfab for $45 or $50