Took my 1997 SR5 (3.4,4auto,4.10,265/70R16s) SERIOUSLY off-road a few days ago in northern Vermont (St Johnsbury)...came back BEAMING with 4Runner pride!</P>


I've had 2 Jeeps in my past, so I do know a little about 'roading; haven't done much of it since I bought the 4Runner 3 years ago (too busy). I've upgraded with Bilsteins &amp; BFG All-Terrains, and a few days ago the wife, dogs, &amp; I were in Vermont on vacation and I found some old logging roads cutting through what they call "Dog Mountain" (because of Stephen Hunick's gallery on the mountain).</P>


I was SHOCKED at what we were able to do...a few times I had that "oh s**t" feeling going up &amp; doing incredibly craggly logging roads, and in 4Lo the BFGs just bit in and we trudged along at probably 3-5mph, unstoppable.</P>


Friends with Jeeps tease me about my Toyota, and I usually (before now) took it because I know what Jeeps can do first-hand...now I know that I'll take my 'Runner up against aGrand or XJ Cherokee any day of the week, on any trail.</P>


By the way, besides the 4wheeling we drove over 1,000mi round-trip fromNJ to northern VT...not a whisper of a problem from my 146k/mi truck, even with constant shifting of the auto trans in hilling 45mph country roads. I've always loved my 4Runner, but now I think I have a handle on how truly capable it is...</P>


Would love to hear some good off-road tales from other 3rd gen owners...</P>


Peace!</P>


Manning</P>

146k? youre only breaking it in now! <IMG src=smileys/smiley1.gif border="0"></P>


</P>


no muddy pictures for us??</P>

Bought it used with 99,736 on the clock...unfortunately I'm too busy to play with it nearly as much as I'd like. Now that I've experienced what it can do, I'm making time...I think a trip to Paragon in PA is in order. I've heard it's miles &amp; miles of whatever you want to test yourself on...</P>


Now I'm thinking that the future might have to bring a 3" lift, bigger tires, and maybe an intake/exhaust combo to make up for the gearing loss of larger tires. Or, I might stay stock (for now) on the suspension and lock the front &amp; rear with ARBs...can't afford to doboth right now.</P>


I've read (probably here) that the ARB &amp; compressor can be done by the weekend mechanic but it's a time-consuming job...that said, anyone out there with a recommendation of a great shop for diff work would be appreciated.</P>


</P>


PS- The next time the digital Nikon will be alongwith the wife playing photog...</P><edited><editID>BManning</editID><editDate>38459.7660648148</editDate></edited>