I've asked this in the past but with new members and all, do any of you drive stock rigs?
- Thread starter CSG
- Start date
CSG
Explorer
You are reading way too much into it but you didn't comprehend much of what I was asking. It's OK, it's just the internet and this happens all the time.
al_burpe
Observer
I realize this is the LC forum so not quite as applicable here as the drive train has a longer life span, but I am blown away by the number of people on this site that sink a huge amount of money and accessories into high mileage vehicles. I think I see this a lot more in the van forum, but I would be terrified to cut into my vehicle to put an expensive bumper on when that vehicle is approaching 200K miles.
Anyway, I used my stock LC Prado to drive all over South Sudan and Uganda. It could have very much used a suspension upgrade however. Not because it needed more lift, but because the factory springs were too soft. I think most stock 4wd vehicles are way more capable than people realize.
Anyway, I used my stock LC Prado to drive all over South Sudan and Uganda. It could have very much used a suspension upgrade however. Not because it needed more lift, but because the factory springs were too soft. I think most stock 4wd vehicles are way more capable than people realize.
Ovrlnd Rd
Adventurer
Since you're from Idaho this might be pertinent. I just got back from doing the ID BDR. And yes 90% of it could be done in a 2 wheel drive, although I'd be concerned in a big portion of that 95% even if it could have been done. Having said that, 1/2" of rain would have turned that 95% into maybe 40% and trying it a few weeks earlier would have made part of it impassable to 2 wheel drives. My truck was 100% stock except for comfort items such as my Decked drawer system, RTT, and ARB fridge (which you agreed were acceptable). I'm in the boat that all the hoopla stuff is unnecessary (although kind of cool looking) and people just need to get out BUT don't take a Cadillac Escalade on Black Gap Road in Big Bend. I had to rescue a Finnish couple that popped a rim and couldn't figure out how to change their tire. Could it have been done? Yes. Should it have been tried? Probably no.
CSG
Explorer
My original post in this thread had more to do with the lifts to accommodate larger tires and rims, bumpers, snorkels, etc. and not mods like drawers, fridge, recovery gear, RTTs if that's one's preferred location to sleep. To my way of thinking, those are practical mods to use the vehicle for camping comfortably. To me, that's a world of difference and I wasn't thinking of those things when I started the thread.
coledudley
Observer
I have a 200-series and started out with a comfort/camping-focused build plus sliders and AT tires. While we don't shy away from shorter 1-2 night trips, most of our camping trips tend to be 3-5 days in the backcountry plus time to get there and back. One reason I went with the 200-series was the fact that it is so capable in it's stock form. We kept pushing the truck in terms of more remote and technical terrain. It doesn't take much for the 200 to demand a better suspension setup and most include some kind of lift more as a function of handling and weight management than anything else.
One challenge is that we started breaking stuff on more technical trails. What looked like minor scrapes to the plastic bumpers actually resulted in ripping off body molding panels, breaking taillights and headlights from the moving plastic, and irreparable dents to the stock skid plates. We also had some bad luck with tires over the years and these days carry two full-sized spares for super remote (or technical) trips plus a fair amount of tools (stuff to break and reseat the bead on a tire, repair a sidewall, etc.).
Fast forward to today and the 200 has front and rear bumpers, a winch, full skids, gears, and lockers. I recently moved to 34" tires for some additional clearance. It's easy for one thing to lead to another, but I will say I have much more peace of mind than I used to. The obvious downside is that the truck is obnoxiously heavy for longer backcountry trips. IMO, it's pretty much impossible to build out a 200 for both easy, comfortable backcountry travel (quick set up tent, plenty of water, fuel, gear, fridge, storage systems) and modest technical trails without totally eclipsing the GVWR (unless you have a trailer). You can get closer without a RTT, but I also have a Stealth which doesn't help in that department, heh.
One challenge is that we started breaking stuff on more technical trails. What looked like minor scrapes to the plastic bumpers actually resulted in ripping off body molding panels, breaking taillights and headlights from the moving plastic, and irreparable dents to the stock skid plates. We also had some bad luck with tires over the years and these days carry two full-sized spares for super remote (or technical) trips plus a fair amount of tools (stuff to break and reseat the bead on a tire, repair a sidewall, etc.).
Fast forward to today and the 200 has front and rear bumpers, a winch, full skids, gears, and lockers. I recently moved to 34" tires for some additional clearance. It's easy for one thing to lead to another, but I will say I have much more peace of mind than I used to. The obvious downside is that the truck is obnoxiously heavy for longer backcountry trips. IMO, it's pretty much impossible to build out a 200 for both easy, comfortable backcountry travel (quick set up tent, plenty of water, fuel, gear, fridge, storage systems) and modest technical trails without totally eclipsing the GVWR (unless you have a trailer). You can get closer without a RTT, but I also have a Stealth which doesn't help in that department, heh.
I drive a stock 200 for my daily driver. I did just get it though . I have a 100 that I've driven for the last 7 years. It started bone stock, but now has a 2.5" OME kit, UCA's, and 35's, etc.... This was all done little by little as I started getting stuck because of clearance issues hunting, or needed larger tires for the rocky trails I was running. I understand the fun/hobby aspect of building rigs as I also have a SOA FJ55 that is ridiculously huge, but personally I like building a rig as you find you are lacking in something. This tends to avoid overbuilding.
. I have a 100 that I've driven for the last 7 years. It started bone stock, but now has a 2.5" OME kit, UCA's, and 35's, etc.... This was all done little by little as I started getting stuck because of clearance issues hunting, or needed larger tires for the rocky trails I was running. I understand the fun/hobby aspect of building rigs as I also have a SOA FJ55 that is ridiculously huge, but personally I like building a rig as you find you are lacking in something. This tends to avoid overbuilding.
LJRubiReal
TheRealDeal124
Yep same thing I did with my Jeep LJ Rubicon. Nice and mild. Sorry just lurking on the LC forum in preparation for switching teams hahaha.. getting great info here.I drive a stock 200 for my daily driver. I did just get it though
CSG
Explorer
I drive a stock 200 for my daily driver. I did just get it though
That makes perfect sense to me. As you USED your rig, you found out what was lacking and needed and made adjustments along the way. It's the guys who overbuild from the start not really knowing what they need. I think I said earlier in this thread, I found all I needed for my use was to remove the running boards. I bought my rig used and it had a fresh set of C load AT tires. When they finally wore enough to be replaced, I put on a set of E load KO2's. That's it. I tend to avoid serious 4x4 trails (although where I live and travel, fulltime 4x4 is a good thing) and this rig is my daily driver. The stock rig uses P load 275/70/16 tires but the AT's that came on the rig were 265/75/16 so I had a 1/4" lift already.
I've stuck with the 265/75 size.https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=275-70r16-265-75r16
Scoutn79
Adventurer
There are definitely two camps on this. The ones who modify because it looks cool and they "think" they must have it and they have the money but haven't actually gone out and found out whether or not they "need" all the mods and then there is those who find the limits of a stock set-up then modify to cure those shortcomings. Then there are the catagories of built not bought for each.
In 1980 I got my 1979 ScoutII (yes I have had it for 38 years) and wheeled it bone stock for years then started slowly doing the latter. It was originally built, over many years, to do decently hard core trails in Colorado and Moab. So the lockers, low t-case gears, SOA, skidplates etc all got installed to fix/overcome issues associated with those types of trails. Then I got into the more remote exploration and kept the same platform just made changes to make staying out away from town easier, bigger fuel tank, fridge, dual batteries, solar etc. Then I use it for hunting also so it gets used for many different things. For most of my SE Utah desert exploring you really never need 4wd except for just a few yards
Stock rigs, especially these days with traction control can do a heck of a lot with just a better tire tread...just depends on what you want. Both camps are fine, I just find a need before I do the mod.
Some people just love to tinker and build and add another gizmo because they are looking for their next project. I also fall into the category some too.
Depending on your definition of "stock" none of my 5 vehicles could be considered stock any longer.
Darrell
In 1980 I got my 1979 ScoutII (yes I have had it for 38 years) and wheeled it bone stock for years then started slowly doing the latter. It was originally built, over many years, to do decently hard core trails in Colorado and Moab. So the lockers, low t-case gears, SOA, skidplates etc all got installed to fix/overcome issues associated with those types of trails. Then I got into the more remote exploration and kept the same platform just made changes to make staying out away from town easier, bigger fuel tank, fridge, dual batteries, solar etc. Then I use it for hunting also so it gets used for many different things. For most of my SE Utah desert exploring you really never need 4wd except for just a few yards
Stock rigs, especially these days with traction control can do a heck of a lot with just a better tire tread...just depends on what you want. Both camps are fine, I just find a need before I do the mod.
Some people just love to tinker and build and add another gizmo because they are looking for their next project. I also fall into the category some too.
Depending on your definition of "stock" none of my 5 vehicles could be considered stock any longer.
Darrell
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goin camping
Explorer
Many many off road vehicles since I started doing this back in the 70's.
Most vehicles I kept stock + tires. The rest just got tires and springs and occasionally, axle gears.
The body of these vehicles were often modified to accommodate sleeping, eating etc.
Amazing where you can go if you take your time and plan your path and are not either a rock crawler or a high speed traveler.
Some of us here enjoy camping/exloring. Some talking about it. We also have a batch of gear junkies and a big helping of folks who get theirs doing the actual build. You'll notice these folks build them up. Take a trip or two and then it is for sale and on to the next one.
Very broad the amount of hobbies that fit under this umbrella. Happily there is room for all of them. Keep enjoying.
Most vehicles I kept stock + tires. The rest just got tires and springs and occasionally, axle gears.
The body of these vehicles were often modified to accommodate sleeping, eating etc.
Amazing where you can go if you take your time and plan your path and are not either a rock crawler or a high speed traveler.
Some of us here enjoy camping/exloring. Some talking about it. We also have a batch of gear junkies and a big helping of folks who get theirs doing the actual build. You'll notice these folks build them up. Take a trip or two and then it is for sale and on to the next one.
Very broad the amount of hobbies that fit under this umbrella. Happily there is room for all of them. Keep enjoying.
zimm
Expedition Leader
its funny, i hear a bunch about how peoples stock rigs will go where i go, but i dont much see them go where i go. when they do, im usually the one making their life easy, and limiting environmental damage, by tossing a rope.
the truck is a camper/wheeler, though. the butchered up roads where its needed, tend not to go anywhere. if the road did, it would be in better shape, naturally. i suppose thats the difference between overlanding and wheeling. if youre overlanding, the road is the journey, not the destination, so sure, a forrester is usually just fine. i havent been on any ROW roads where the stock rented truck wasnt just peachy.
plenty of mods save the environment as well as the truck. i youre in a stock LC, going where i go, youre banging the truck around, damaging it and the surroundings. no one needs that. it makes for bad PR videos.
my 35's on birddog wheels can be aired down below 10psi safely when needed, i dont rip up the environment, and it doesnt beat up the truck, or me. i believe it was harald that observed 35's seem more durable, and i can say, i sidewalled a bunch of 33's but no 35's, so anecdotally, i think they are a durability/safety item. if they work with the rest of the design, use them.
the 2"+ 2" lift protects the body and the environment.
the lockers keep grip, and protect the environment
the 4.7 toybox permits me to go slow, and protect the truck and environment, i can also stop and start the truck on technical stuff, while in gear, limiting slippage.
the pre cleaner is dorky, but it cleans the air.
the winch permits me to pull the truck over objects, and protect the environment.
the body armor protects the drive-train, and me.
hardened axles keep away trailside repairs.
etc. etc. etc. etc.
with the proper shock and some leaf experimentation to get it right, its as comfy at 75mph as .025mph. (needs the v8 though)
i just watched a stock 100 on 33 at's maul a trail, digging in, sliding everywhere and while private land, and a nice guy, it just wasnt the appropriate truck. the fella following him aired down to 4psi, and with lockers and larger tires, he took the same route without so much as a tire spin. they both ended up at point B, but why is the modded guy looked down on, when hes saved time and could tread lightly? I'm glad youre stock and think i'm a poser, and i'd still be happy to help you when needed, but my observation is, you are an unnecessary liability on the adventurous routes, especially if the weather turns foul.
oh yea. youre right. there are people that just to do ******** to their truck, to do ******** to their truck. so what? why does that irritate you? no one needs LC to go from A to B either. or 750hp in a car. or heated seats. or radio. or aluminum wheels. or a convertible top. or a titanium spork. dont be disingenuous and pretend like the thread was started just to "know", because really, what have you learned you didnt already know? some people drive a stock truck , others dont? You just wanna feel special. you want some accolades because you tell me you can do what i do.* so here. youre special. feel better?
* you cannot
the truck is a camper/wheeler, though. the butchered up roads where its needed, tend not to go anywhere. if the road did, it would be in better shape, naturally. i suppose thats the difference between overlanding and wheeling. if youre overlanding, the road is the journey, not the destination, so sure, a forrester is usually just fine. i havent been on any ROW roads where the stock rented truck wasnt just peachy.
plenty of mods save the environment as well as the truck. i youre in a stock LC, going where i go, youre banging the truck around, damaging it and the surroundings. no one needs that. it makes for bad PR videos.
my 35's on birddog wheels can be aired down below 10psi safely when needed, i dont rip up the environment, and it doesnt beat up the truck, or me. i believe it was harald that observed 35's seem more durable, and i can say, i sidewalled a bunch of 33's but no 35's, so anecdotally, i think they are a durability/safety item. if they work with the rest of the design, use them.
the 2"+ 2" lift protects the body and the environment.
the lockers keep grip, and protect the environment
the 4.7 toybox permits me to go slow, and protect the truck and environment, i can also stop and start the truck on technical stuff, while in gear, limiting slippage.
the pre cleaner is dorky, but it cleans the air.
the winch permits me to pull the truck over objects, and protect the environment.
the body armor protects the drive-train, and me.
hardened axles keep away trailside repairs.
etc. etc. etc. etc.
with the proper shock and some leaf experimentation to get it right, its as comfy at 75mph as .025mph. (needs the v8 though)
i just watched a stock 100 on 33 at's maul a trail, digging in, sliding everywhere and while private land, and a nice guy, it just wasnt the appropriate truck. the fella following him aired down to 4psi, and with lockers and larger tires, he took the same route without so much as a tire spin. they both ended up at point B, but why is the modded guy looked down on, when hes saved time and could tread lightly? I'm glad youre stock and think i'm a poser, and i'd still be happy to help you when needed, but my observation is, you are an unnecessary liability on the adventurous routes, especially if the weather turns foul.
oh yea. youre right. there are people that just to do ******** to their truck, to do ******** to their truck. so what? why does that irritate you? no one needs LC to go from A to B either. or 750hp in a car. or heated seats. or radio. or aluminum wheels. or a convertible top. or a titanium spork. dont be disingenuous and pretend like the thread was started just to "know", because really, what have you learned you didnt already know? some people drive a stock truck , others dont? You just wanna feel special. you want some accolades because you tell me you can do what i do.* so here. youre special. feel better?
* you cannot
GrizHunter
New member
My first "built" rig in the late 1960s was a '66 Ford Bronco with oversized wheels and tires with an aggressive directional tread pattern and locking differentials front and rear (as well as suspension mods). I could go places in two wheel drive that completely stock 4 wheel drive rigs couldn't handle in 4 wheel drive. Had a lot of adventures with that rig. Won the hill climb at Little Sahara (western Oklahoma) the first time out.
The stock rigs made now have a lot more capability than they did back in that era. My stock J200 Land Cruiser suits me just fine now, although I do miss the power and performance of that light-weight Bronco with a modified 429 Cobra Jet engine in it.
The stock rigs made now have a lot more capability than they did back in that era. My stock J200 Land Cruiser suits me just fine now, although I do miss the power and performance of that light-weight Bronco with a modified 429 Cobra Jet engine in it.
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CSG
Explorer
Well, as I think I posted earlier in this thread, I completely understand if one is doing mods so they can do rock crawling or serious wheeling. I just wondered how many people who buy a rig don't even give it a chance before they add 1000# of weight (or more), change the CoG, etc. If you actually *need* these things or *want* these things, cool by me.
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