few 4runner Q's

[Tank]

I suck beyond belief using the search forum tool so perhaps if anyones bored they could answer a few of these for me please


I have a 1991 sr5 4runner with (what i think to be) old man emu susp and a small, maybe 2inch lift.


Hit my first steep hill few days ago, and by steep i almost pinched a loaf in the drivers seat
Now in low 4 i got 3/4 up the hill when the back wheels dug in to the loose dirt but my front left perfect tread marks in the track.

IS there limits to what an automatic 4wd can do??

Is it just my front diff is slipping and needs a mechanic to look at it??

When do i say to myself that my all terrains need replacing with better tyres?

What tyres do i choose?? Tracks i use are mainly high country Vic/gippsland area and in and around Gembrook, Top road conditions. I would like to upgrade to atleast a 35" but do i go an all terrain, mud tyre or how do i choose without having a salesman sell me what he has ovestocked

How do i get more ground clearance out of a 4runner? ie: mods needed?

I am brand new to 4x4 so if any of these Q's are pointless/stupid or repeated to death in forums i appologise.
But you wont know the answer unless you ask right?

Thanks in advance for any help

[robsrunner]

check out this site mate
http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/
very useful for 4runner/surfs mods

[mico]

the front left left perfect tread marks because it has a open diff centre and will only drive 1 front wheel at a time

[known 2]

i think u'll only get about 2 or 3 inches out of ur suspension with ifs front, unless u find a subframe lift, check out that surf site fo most of ur info.

could also do a 2 inch body lift to clear buger ruber and maybe a rear difflock to overcome ur traction loss. What engine has it got?

as for mud tyres vs allterains , a mud tyre will allways perfom better offroad but u do sacrefice onroad manners and they don't last as long maybe 70000k's out of the best of them.
but if it were me i'd still choose mud tyres.

[Struth]

To fit 33 x 12.5s a 2" suspension and 2" body lift are required.

It may be possible to fit 35s by doing a 3" body lift and chucking some 1" balljoint spacers on top of a 2" torsion bar dial up, maybe because I think it would work but haven't seen it.

A diff lock will stop your rear wheels spinning as easy too.

Cheers

[Tank]

spoke to engineer today, with a straight body lift i can get 33's under no probs. he reckons the front tyres slipping is cos its not a lock diff, but because 4runners have small diffs front end there aint much bar replacing the diff that i can do. reckons better tyre traction will solve the problem.

also says 35's will be a struggle to push even with the standard V6 so ill go with lift + 33's and see how i go.

rear is a lock diff, what exactley does a locker do to it?? im used to V8's so a lock diff is a lock diff, why add a locker to it??

[Struth]

Hmmmm,

A lock diff, or locker joins both axles together so if one wheel slips the other must, gives you more traction, or probably better means it is harder to break traction.

33s on a 4 Runner give you as much diff clearence as a patrol or cruiser on 35s, so 33s make a big difference.

The V6 will push the 33s around the bush no probs, will struggle with highway work though, that's why I have two sets of wheels.

You would need a 4" body lift on it's own to avoid scrubbing, obviously you have some sus lift already.

Cheers

[Frankenyota]

l have a 4 runner with IFS and run 33" tyres with a 30mm body lift, 1'' ball joint spacers and flattened seam in the back of the front guards.

Only have minor rubbing on full lock while flexing. This is on half worn 33" tyres.
Lockers would be great

Matt