Ghillie_Ohio
Observer
Would love some suggestion on a build for driving in deep snow and muddy spring time forest trails . i.e Canaan valley W.Va . Need to get to remote streams for Fly fishing .
Winter build - Spring time
- Thread starter Ghillie_Ohio
- Start date
Ghillie_Ohio
Observer
09 toyota 4x4 tocoma longbed . My understanding is that my goal is to get wheel well clearance and ground clearance . What the min on both ?
Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
You are not likely to get more than 3" of lift without major surgery to your 09. Avoid FabTech at all costs. 3" is plenty if you go with a reputable company. More than one forum member has had issues with ARB spring sag, so beware of that.
Do you have the TRD locker? The single most effective mod for any rig is the tires. Sipped mud terrains of the deep lug / uber aggressive sort would be good. If you do not have a winch bumper and winch, then I would also strongly suggest sliders (good protection and multiple jacking points) and a Hi-Lift Jack with their winch kit. Add a shovel and you are ready.
Gear is fun and sometimes useful. Often it is just unused ExPo bling.
Do you have the TRD locker? The single most effective mod for any rig is the tires. Sipped mud terrains of the deep lug / uber aggressive sort would be good. If you do not have a winch bumper and winch, then I would also strongly suggest sliders (good protection and multiple jacking points) and a Hi-Lift Jack with their winch kit. Add a shovel and you are ready.
Gear is fun and sometimes useful. Often it is just unused ExPo bling.
Ghillie_Ohio
Observer
same as active traction ? (YES) . Sliders on the list , maybe hidden hitch with warn multi mount (Front) , premium lift system . Not sure about rear suspension , air lift system for when i tow or put a pallet of sawdust bricks .
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
Active traction could also help, but that's different than the rear locker. If you have one with the TRD-off-road package it has the rear locker. If you have the TRD-sport, it has a rear limited slip which is helpful but not quite as effective.
Yes, some cleaty tires will be a big help for mud and sloppy snow. Also, a winch, high-lift-strap combo or come-along is a big help--there are times when nothing you can do from the driver's seat will get you out, not matter what kind of tires you have.
You could also carry tire chains--they really help mud and snow grip.
Yes, some cleaty tires will be a big help for mud and sloppy snow. Also, a winch, high-lift-strap combo or come-along is a big help--there are times when nothing you can do from the driver's seat will get you out, not matter what kind of tires you have.
You could also carry tire chains--they really help mud and snow grip.
Ghillie_Ohio
Observer
What would be the remended locker with ATrac on a truck ? If understand right.
Box Rocket
Well-known member
For deep snow.............THIS!
mild lift (~3") substanial trimming of fenders and/or fiberglass fenders.
As big and wide of tires as you can fit for optimal floatation on the snow.
Maybe a supercharger for enough power to blast through large drifts.
For deep mud.........similar build but you'll want more lift to keep axles and underbelly out of the thick stuff. Mud has way more drag than snow (in most cases) so keeping stuff high and out of it is key. The thicker mud will also stick and be harder to self clean from tires than snow so a more aggressive tire with larger voids to aid in self cleaning would be best. You'll want horsepower in the mud too.
mild lift (~3") substanial trimming of fenders and/or fiberglass fenders.
As big and wide of tires as you can fit for optimal floatation on the snow.
Maybe a supercharger for enough power to blast through large drifts.
For deep mud.........similar build but you'll want more lift to keep axles and underbelly out of the thick stuff. Mud has way more drag than snow (in most cases) so keeping stuff high and out of it is key. The thicker mud will also stick and be harder to self clean from tires than snow so a more aggressive tire with larger voids to aid in self cleaning would be best. You'll want horsepower in the mud too.
corax
Explorer
Not what I'd want to daily drive (or buy gas for), but it's sex on wheels none-the-less. Is that one of the Arctic Truck creations?
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
Hmm...I wonder where those Europeans got a Tacoma? Are they sold there? I've only seen the Icelandic Hiluxes.
A-trac and the rear locker are independent, but there is a factory safe-guard to disable the a-trac when the rear locker is engaged.
Here's a post for disabling the safe-guard for using both at the same time.
http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43236
If you have a TRD off-road rear locker, there is a push button on the dash to engage it (left of the steering wheel--it says RR DIFF LOCK and is between the fog light and inverter buttons). This locks the two rear axle shafts together for the most propulsion that one axle can deliver.
A-trac tries to match wheel torque with traction conditions using the brakes and modulating the throttle. In certain conditions, the 4-wheel a-trac could be more effective than the rear locker, and vice versa.
A-trac and the rear locker are independent, but there is a factory safe-guard to disable the a-trac when the rear locker is engaged.
Here's a post for disabling the safe-guard for using both at the same time.
http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43236
If you have a TRD off-road rear locker, there is a push button on the dash to engage it (left of the steering wheel--it says RR DIFF LOCK and is between the fog light and inverter buttons). This locks the two rear axle shafts together for the most propulsion that one axle can deliver.
A-trac tries to match wheel torque with traction conditions using the brakes and modulating the throttle. In certain conditions, the 4-wheel a-trac could be more effective than the rear locker, and vice versa.
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Ghillie_Ohio
Observer
On triming of the fenders . Is their good way to restore the truck to it orginal look for when you want to sell your truck ? Dumb question here . How does trimming the fender affect the truck on the highway ?
Box Rocket
Well-known member
This question ^ tells me that you may be getting in over your head.
but I'll offer a response anyway. If you want to return it to stock to sell it, don't cut anything up. If you need some clearance, fiberglass fenders may be a good option. Take them off and put the stock fenders back on when your ready to sell.
Trimming the fenders won't affect highway driving at all except for the possibly flinging more road debris all over the place if your tires aren't fully covered as a result of trimming.
but I'll offer a response anyway. If you want to return it to stock to sell it, don't cut anything up. If you need some clearance, fiberglass fenders may be a good option. Take them off and put the stock fenders back on when your ready to sell.
Trimming the fenders won't affect highway driving at all except for the possibly flinging more road debris all over the place if your tires aren't fully covered as a result of trimming.
Ghillie_Ohio
Observer
Yes You might be right . But thing is i don't live where many people do off road . My hobbies do take me thier . The fiberglass fender is the answer i was lookin for .