Tundra As Off Road Beast....?

Howdy,

So why do I see more Tacomas off road than Tundras? Is it just price???

OK Larger wheel base has more negative than positives but it has more torque and HP...

My 4:30 differential must be more stout...

Is the transfer case the same as Tacoma or an upgrade/more stout?

I see lots of other full sized trucks built up as off road but aside from romping through mud puddles don't see a lot of those either.

But I'm more of an explorer; old AZ mining roads etc. Plenty of challenges and a locker on my 4Runner was used several times! My Tacoma would clear without the locker...

Have yet to take Tundra off road as I'm going through the babying break in period. Plus I may want to do more under carriage work so no sense in getting it grimy till called for!

Thanks,

Greg

 

Probably cost, fuel economy, fact that its heavy as hell....

 

Tundra is also a really big vehicle to take off-road. The Taco fits into smaller trails easier.

 

i love mine in the dirt. can be highly capable.

 

Yep! Some switchbacks can be tight, but it is a highly capable off roader.

 

Because you’ve got to be either crazy and/or stupid to wheel a Tundra.

 

What switchback?

 

I guess some of you guys weren't wheeling in the 70's when Blazers et al were what an OR vehicle were all about. Sure plenty of jeeps but in SOCal the full size ruled.

Consider the Land Cruiser.. not a light weight vehicle by any stretch!

It seems the past 20 years or so with after market explosion has made a new mind set but shouldn't rule out full size as having distinct advantages.

What would be weaknesses aside weight and wheel base?

Are the CV's and transfer case up to it? Same as Tacoma or more Land Cruiser like????

Greg

 

There’s a trail near the desert I go to that I used to breeze through on my Tacoma. First time in the tundra reminded me how big these trucks are

 

Hmm..

So wheel base difference only 18" in length and 5.5" wider.

Curb weight 1200lbs more for Tundra but that comes with 100 more HP and 135 more lbs torque....

I guess the lower gear ratio on the Tacoma an advantage to approaching obstacles to crawl over but that at best would close the HP/torque gap...

I can't wait to take my Tundra to my "test trail".

G

 

Lets start with the fact the that the factory does not even offer a rear locker.

 

Ya that bugs me...a little

It is the gear ratio that prevents or makes that trickier?

I know the Tacoma e-locker aint the best and the added torque of the Tundra may have made them skip it...

What is it $1000 for a good aftermarket alternative? Not a big deal and my Tacoma would go places without a locker my 4Runner needed...

 

I guess we’re both

 

WTF?

 

Wasn’t that on the other side?

 

I have asked this question for years and the best answer I have heard is that supposedly the factory did a survey and concluded that the "target market" doesn't need one.

The factory thinks we are SISSYS!

 

I don’t know man, I bet I could drive it over that mountain!



But yes I would like a factory locker!

 

Needs a locker, 37’s, and 18 less inches.
https://youtu.be/pHSC8UlqBAk

 

From my short time on this forum, I get the impression they would be right. Tundra owners seem to skew more mall crawler than mad max it seems.

 

According to some, the Tundra is a great off road vehicle. If we don't think so, we don't know how to properly offroad.

 

The tundra is not substantially different than other full size rigs.
In the west probably 75% of the Fords on the lot at any given time has the rear locker option.
so..........Either Tundra owners really don't get off road or..
The factory is missing out on an option owners will pay for.

 

I prefer “ eccentric”

 

"So why do I see more Tacomas off road than Tundras? Is it just price???"

I don't know about where you live...but here used Tundras are half the price of used Tacoma's. I'd actually prefer a Taco...but I can't afford one.

 

I would have bought a Tacoma but i didn’t want a little baby truck that no one could even sit in the back seats. If you want to buy a vehicle for off roading why not buy one specifically made to off road like one of those little jeeps. I personally have seen tons of tundras off-roading no issues at all. You need a rear locker? No you need to learn how to drive

 

Too wide.

 

Would you to teach me how to drive?
I have only been 4 wheeling for 50 years.
My avatar is an early Bronco with dana 60s', 40" stickies, and..yes.. locked front and rear.
Next time we do Pritchett in Moab I will give you a call.
(yes, although the Bronco is on its side my son was driving)

 

Fly me out I’d love to hahah

 

Tunda is plenty capable Offroad, yes it doesnt have lockers where specific situations its needed but the 4x4 system works great, ground clearance and driver skill matters more. Hell the land cruiser is way heavier than the tundra and its a known Offroad vehicle that Toyota pours its soul into. When I retire from the military and become an official Mr mom I'm going to wheel my tundra anywhere and be unique having a full size truck in the wilds.

 

The transfer case is ok. The CVs and steering rack bushings eventually go. And if you do any high speed, you should gusset your spindles and cam tabs.

 

Thanks!

I checked out your build and 4x trips... not in detail but you seems to have a lot of Tundra OR experience. Nice rig and some fun trips I wanna check out!

While I won't argue there are better rigs for strictly 4x it looks like even the Buck Lake you pretty much got there. The Buck Lake looks like a simple kick that boulder out of the way or go over it. Look rocky stuff it tricky anyways. How'd other rigs, if any, fare?

How'd you solve it?

G