So right now I have a daily driver 1998 4runner limited with the rear e-locker and BFG mud terrains. It is an awesome daily driver, so reliable! I took it to Leavenworth (actually Plain) and back on saturday night and today and got really good MPG and street habits. It was very comfortable for my friends and I to cruise at 65mph on the highway.

Saturday I took it up to Reiter because we wanted to test the FJ Cruiser and I decided to take a few trails that the FJ had no business being on. I ended up giving the 4runner a bit of body damage. I knew it could happen, and I'm not too mad about it. In fact, I think it gives it character.

I have a decision...do a 2.5" OME lift, front locker, re-wire the toyota e-locker, move up to 33"s and learn a few tricks of the trade while keeping body damage to a minimum (I just want all my glass, to be honest). This will keep me happy on the street and on the trail, but the trail will still worry me a little. I like being able to bring more than 1 friend with me. I like having the enclosed space to put stuff in the 4runner.

My second choice is to build up or trade my ATV (5k value) for an already built up 84-85 4runner (enclosed space and back seat) and not have to worry as much for body damage, and keep the 98 clean for daily driver duty.

Upside to choice one: daily driver and wheeler in one...does ok in both.
Downside to choice one: won't do as well off road...if I break it on the trail, I have to start daily driving the WRX (which is okay...but I worry about other people hitting me in traffic, etc. Plus 350whp everyday is a handful.)

Upside to choice two: My 98 stays clean... Get a better wheeler.
Downside: Have to pay insurance on another rig, more room taken up in the driveway...it's a 22-23 year old rig and will have it's share of mechanical issues, of course.

What do you think?




Cliff Notes: I own a 1998 4runner. Took it wheeling, got some body damage. Now contemplating a small lift, front locker, and 33"s and getting better at wheeling. Or I could trade my ATV, keep my 98 close to stock, and pick up a 1st gen 4runner to wheel the piss out of.

 

i like the idea of getting a 1st gen to wheel it would suck if you where break something on your 98 and have it down for a week

 

Yeah.
When I smashed the quarter panel on that tree my heart sank a bit because I saw something fly out of the corner of my eye and I thougth it was my tail light. I think it was part of the tree though. When I got out and looked at it the only thing I could think of is....wow, if this thing was new I would hate that, but I love it now! I drove about 300 miles this weekend, easily and after wheeling I kept catching the quarter panel in my rear view mirror and it put a little grin on my face each time, like "this thing isn't a total street queen anymore"


Oh and I actually had to use the rear locker for the first time this trip.
OMG I love it when you need it!

 

i bet you can find 1st gen cheap where you live best of all when you smash it into a tree it wont matter

 

Up here we get the city people that think that their mid 80's Toyotas are classic cars, and then you get the random rednecks that have ghetto rigged the hell out of the truck so much that when you dig into it you don't know what the hell you're looking at.

My 1980 was like that, the last owner jacked up sooooo much stuff on it trying to get it to wheel... and I mean that's sort of okay if you go back and fix it later, but he just sold it.

 

I'm gonna snap some pics of my 4runner tomorrow so you know the damage I'm talking about...

I know there's gonna be more red paint on the driver's door when I wash it up...

 

Something I like about G-1s is they are skinnier, and can fit into tighter places on the trail, than a G-3 would. Plus, its always better to have one-more-Toyota!

 

I agree with the other responses, it would be nice to have a vehicle that you don't have to worry too much about damaging if you found yourself in a tought spot. However, with "choice one" as you described it, your '98 would be a very capable rig, just use good judgement.

 

i would love to have two rigs like this....BUT if it was me, i would get the 1st gen for wheeling and other trips....sell the 3rd gen and get a daily driver that is CHEAP on gas...who cares about the daily driver when you have a kick @$$ 1st gen for wheeling and camping...just my opinion...good luck with whatever you decide to do

 

i wouldnt even register the 85, id trailer that bad boy

 

good call man....but, OHV parks here require registration, insurance etc...
f@@king sucks

 

o we dont have ohvs around here, just people who own property that let us in

 

Sorry to Hijack thread but the E-locker made me remember to ask if the 4runners have limited slips...because I was wheeling one time, I had it in 4lo and I had the rear tire off of the ground and it did not change the other tire's movement...

Also when I turn sharply on the road (ex. a sharp left turn from standstill) I hear the rear right tire kick a little bit of sand or gravel that is on the road...

I'll start a new thread if need be...