Took my 6th gen 4runner offroading with a couple of Rubicons

[6thgen4runnerfun]

 

[Trail4R]

Nice look at the track width overall compared to the Jeeps. You mentioned carbon fiber protection underneath? What are you referring to there? What sliders are you upgrading to? Nice video man, keep getting out there and pushing the limits. This is awesome.

 

[6thgen4runnerfun]

Thank you. I think the skid plate is a composite. Not 100% sure but it isn't steel. Which is what I would like to see on the offroad edition. I also noticed my magnetic mounts don't work on the hood. But they do work on the roof. So that is kind of weird. I think they did a lot of things for the EPA gas mileage.

 

[6thgen4runnerfun]

I am not a super offroader. I wanted the 4runner for a 60/40 split. 60% onroad versus 40% offroad. I know my jeep can do more but that is fine. The 4runner is going to be a much better overlanding vehicle once I take the back seats out. Also the 4runner will be much better for longer trips to national parks.

 

[Trail4R]

@6thgen4runnerfun usually those factory skid plates (non TRD or Trailhunter) are stamped steel - just 1/8" or even 1/16" mild steel compared to the 1/4" plate aluminum on the TRD skids. Either way, they need to be replaced. Keep us posted on future mods for sure. Excited to see what you do with it.

 

[6thgen4runnerfun]

This is what the order sheet had on it.

Composite front skid plate, with underbody transfer case and fuel
tank protection

No idea what composite means. I am fairly certain everything has to do with fuel economy.

But I will tell you this. I have a 2004 Jeep TJ, 2022 Ram 1500 back country and the 4runner. My favorite offroad is the 4runner. It is just so stable over rough terrain. They did a fantastic job on the suspension. At least on the TRD offroad.

 

[6thgen4runnerfun]

Nice look at the track width overall compared to the Jeeps. You mentioned carbon fiber protection underneath? What are you referring to there? What sliders are you upgrading to? Nice video man, keep getting out there and pushing the limits. This is awesome.

As far as sliders I am waiting for the aftermarket to catch up. I would like something low profile as to not exasperate the width of the 4runner.

 

[Trail4R]

This is what the order sheet had on it.

Composite front skid plate, with underbody transfer case and fuel
tank protection

Copy that, I just did some digging. It's like a rigid plastic composite material. That's crazy. Another downgrade from the 5th Gen.

There are some great sliders on the market right now for the 6th Gen. CBI makes some nice ones: https://6thgen4runner.com/threads/cbi-offroad-overland-rock-sliders-w-dom-tubing.433/

 

[6thgen4runnerfun]

I am sure it was done to reduce weight and improve MPG. And the people that never take the vehicle offroad won't care. But for the rest of us. We now have to spend more money to fix it. It could be that the vehicle just costs that much to produce so they have to cut corners to keep it under $70k.

There is a TRD one from Toyota I am looking at. I get some of the design decisions. But why is the price so high if they are reducing weight and leaving critical offroad components off. I will check out the rock sliders.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8DCSH4F/?coliid=I3W1X7CXECH4CQ&colid=2BID1D1BWQ2AD&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[Trail4R]

I am sure it was done to reduce weight and improve MPG. And the people that never take the vehicle offroad won't care. But for the rest of us. We now have to spend more money to fix it. It could be that the vehicle just costs that much to produce so they have to cut corners to keep it under $70k.

There is a TRD one from Toyota I am looking at. I get some of the design decisions. But why is the price so high if they are reducing weight and leaving critical offroad components off. I will check out the rock sliders.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8DCSH4F/?coliid=I3W1X7CXECH4CQ&colid=2BID1D1BWQ2AD&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

There's better options with more gussets and ribbing out there for that price. CBI, Cali Raised, C4, etc. - will all have better options soon if they don't already.

 

[6thgen4runnerfun]

I think waiting in this case is probably the best option. See what becomes available.