I won't be rock crawling too much with my 85 4runner. It will be going through a lot of mud and streams. Is there some kinds of modifications I should do instead? What about lifts, tires, exhaust? Thanks in advance!!!!
My preference for mud and snow is a tall, narrow tire. Makes it easier to get down to solid ground for traction.
One idea for stream crossing is to move the differential vents as high as you can. On my '85 I removed the vent valves on the front and rear differentials and ran rubber fuel line from there into the engine compartment. That minimizes the possibility of pulling water into the hot gear boxes when you enter a stream.
i am going to disagree with reb. i think that it is best to use a wide tire to "float" over the mud. i have a few reasons for this. it is hard to know exactly how deep the mud is, or where others have rutted out the bottom. by floating the mud, you avoid getting stuck in the rutts, and also avoid dragging parts of your underbody through the muck, which slows you down and gets you stuck. you also want an agrresive tire tread that will self clean the mud out of the lugs as it spins. I belief BFGoodrich makes a good one.
what suspension you use is not terribly important for mud, just get one that allows you clear big tires and has quality components.
one more thing. power is always good in the mud. so any power upgrades you want to add will help.
8otoy and reb, thanks. In some ways this helps alot. I agree with the more power bit and the vent valves are a great idea, but I am up in the air about the tires. I lean towards the narrow but hell, I don't know. Is there anyone else out there who can straighten us out?
A 9.50-10.50 is as wide as you want to go. Wider than this takes away from the lbs per sq. inch and makes spinning easier. I'm sure you've hydroplaned on wide tires at some point, same deal. Getting the tires too tall forces axle gear changing. But the biggest tip I can give you is a rear lsd if you don't already have one.
One thing I learned the hard way--the 4 ply rated tires standard on most 4WDs are inadequate for off-road use. I put the top of an aspen tree through the sidewall of one (the tree had fallen over; the '85 Toy wasn't that good). Two or three other tires were destroyed by rock punctures. Six ply rated tires proved adequate for my '85 and for my T100. I had a spare set of rims for the '85 with 6 ply 700-15s that worked great. They were a bit taller than the stock tires, but not enough taller to require gear changes.
It looks like the narrow tire wins. I agree reb that I will look for a 6 ply. But tell me tercel gts what the heck is a rear lsd? Sorry, I'm a rookie at this.
A 9.50-10.50 is as wide as you want to go. Wider than this takes away from the lbs per sq. inch and makes spinning easier. I'm sure you've hydroplaned on wide tires at some point, same deal. Getting the tires too tall forces axle gear changing. But the biggest tip I can give you is a rear lsd if you don't already have one.
I disagree with the lsd idea. Why waste money on a lsd when u can get a locker? The lokcer would work even better. I got another question for you skinny tire guys. If interco's bogger tires are made for mud, then why are they available in 33x13.50 sizes. According to you thatd be too wide for a mud tire but yet its a bogger...the most well known mud tire around.
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In my opinion wider is better cause there's more area of tire to bite into the terrain with, but if you're going to be using them for road running, wider is going to be harder on your power steering, put more stress on your whole steering system, and wear out faster then a narrow tire.. it's all in wether you want the on/offroad versitility or not.
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I can't believe that an easy question such as thin or wide tires on mud can't be agreed on. My wife says she believes you fatty boys. I have always believed in girth not length but thats another story. I'm up in the air. Isn't it always a battle between on and off road? I will be mostly on road but still want the security of river crossings. Can't we settle this? What else besides the tire and lockers?
if you just get a normally proportioned tire you will be fine. i have 30x9.50's on my truck and although they are small they have never failed me. ever. i don't know if you have lift on your truck, but stock, 31x10.50's or 32's should do fine. if you have a lift, you should step it up to 33's or 35's. in the width department 12.50(inches) would be great in my opinion. also, you probably shouldn't get all terrains if you are going to be off road in the mud alot. mud terrains would work much better. if you spend most of your time on road, like me, and only a little in the mud or dirt, then all terrains MIGHT work. my dunlop all-terrains seem to work fine for streams and such with me. its mainly in how you drive.
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Rock or Mud, What's the difference?
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