1st Gen off road

[jlh4480]

Hi all,

Recently purchased a 05 Limited that I’m in process of adding a 2.5” lift, 33” KM3s and skids and sliders. Historically I have off roaded a regular cab Tacoma and a 2 door Bronco with Sasquatch package.

As I was preparing to purchase a 1st gen, I was surprised at how much feedback I encountered referencing it as soft roader or ok for light off roading only. The 1st gen wheelbase is comparable to a 4 door Bronco or Wrangler. Obviously there is a difference in overall length.

Also, a first gen has a shorter wheelbase and overall length than any mid-size truck that I’m aware of.

Thoughts on where this soft roader perception stems from? Maybe it’s not a perception and I’ll learn that in a few weeks when I hit the trails?

Thanks,

 

[Mandrake]

Dunno, but around here they're basically used as minivans. I occasionally see one or two lifted on 33's, but mine's the only one I've seen running around on 35s.

 

[TheBussman]

I think they could be good out west but in OH and PA there are so many narrow trails with tight trees that body damage is a concern, they are wide. Other then that they have potential. I haven't measured but I would think that the IFS would have more travel then a tacoma/4runner as the arms are longer. CV axles also seem to be stronger then a Tacoma also. Slightly bigger wheel wells, can put larger tires on easier. All the 05 limited I've seen have been double cabs, significantly longer then the extended cab.

 

[dingoboyexplore]

They work great out in the east. Just as wide as a first gen tundra, which is 1 inch wider then a tacoma but now you have a v8. Had one and wheeled the snot out of that thing and it took it great.

 

[joseywales]

If someone used the term “soft roader” in reference to my Sequoia, I’d throat punch them. What an idiotic thought! Same engine and trans as 100 Series, body on frame, not gigantic. In my opinion, the 1st Gen Sequoia is by far the best bang for buck in Toyota 4x4s. They do fly under the radar a bit due to the majority of them being used for soccer mom duty (like 100s were), but that’s the beauty. They get overlooked for no reason. That’s why they are so great. You can find a not beat on clean one for 1/2 the price of a 4Runner, and only a tiny bit bigger, but you get the V8.

 

[Mandrake]

If someone used the term “soft roader” in reference to my Sequoia, I’d throat punch them.

I dunno, man... the tree is a pretty soft roader until you do some stuff to it.

 

[joseywales]

That’s the closest we get to a throat punch emoji.

 

[Jetboy]

For most of the last 20 years you could pick up a LC100 for under $10k, often under $5k. Even now you can grab one for $6-7k. GX470's have been pretty cheap at times as well. I think that's a big reason why the Gen 1 never got much love in the offroad world and perception as a highway vehicle. It just held its value better because of the size and capability as people mover over the others so they probably mostly were used for family haulers. Now that I see them in the $4-5k range, the value looks pretty compelling for a trail machine.

How is the axle strength? That's what would give me pause about buying one. If they need front and rear axles swapped out to be able to handle larger tires and trail abuse it's still cheaper to find an LC100. If the axles hold up well with 35's and lockers - I'd wheel one!

 

[Mandrake]

The running gear is basically all Taco/4R. Linked 8.4" semi floater rear (with discs, though), 7.5" front diff, chain drive t-case with planetary reduction. Between that and the dumbass ball joint design, I consider it on the light end of medium duty, especially when it's carrying around a 5300 lb. truck. Any gear and locker (to include the 8" TRD e-locker) that works on a Tacoma will work on the Sequoia. The '01-'04s had a manual hi/lo range lever where the '05+ are electric. The rear is easily as flexible as an 80. When I was researching one I knew the IFS was going to have the usual no travel BS, but the rear travel surprised the hell out of me. I don't run sways and the difference in travel front to rear is so great that it's almost impossible to tripod without getting really close to a roll over. 80 series rear coils are drop in and provide 2" of lift, and for the front, there's the usual long travel, coilover, and strut spacer lift stuff but because I'm a stubborn bastard that really wanted to keep the front end geometry and CV angles as close to stock as possible, I went with a bracket lift up front and had to get one for a Tundra. It bolted right up, but for some reason they're not advertised as fitting Sequoias.

How well all that holds up depends on you. I've had mine setup as in my signature for almost seven years without trouble, but I'm not a foot to the floor knuckle dragger that doesn't know when to say when. That said, I am very concerned about the reliability of the ball joints because when they go, it's without warning, and it takes out more than just the ball joint. Hence, my SAS.

Edit- Since size is always mentioned, I figured I'd compare it with a few other Toyotas to see just how much bigger it really is.*

2006 Sequoia is bigger than a 2006 4R by
Wheelbase 8.3”
Length 14.7”
Width 3.7”
Height 4.6”
Weight 1000 lbs

2006 Sequoia is bigger than a 2006 Land Cruiser by
Wheelbase 5.9"
Length 11.4”
Width 2.5”
Height 3.4”
Weight 215 lbs

2006 Sequoia is bigger than a 2006 Tacoma 4WD double cab long bed by
Wheelbase 22.8” shorter than the Taco
Length 17.4” shorter than the Taco
Width 4.2” wider than the Taco
Height 6.1” taller than the Taco
Weight 1110 lbs more than the Taco

*I took these numbers from Wikipedia and Google, and in the case of the 4R and Taco, I took them from the biggest/heaviest version.

 

[joseywales]

They have the exact same running gear as the era equivalent Tundra. I have no issues having run both. My Tundra had a 6” RCD suspension and ran 35” MTZs on F&R ARB locked axles. Pismo, Utah, Colorado wheeling all was good. My only regret was not removing the chin bumper the PO felt was a good idea. I was busy and never got to taking it off.

 

[Nay]

The 7.5 front diff is the real weakness although I believe RCV makes the 21 spline stub shaft that is most likely to fail. The 8.4, which is still an 8” ring gear, is very strong with the upgraded carrier bridge. You’d be wanting to push a more hardcore build before needing to consider replacing that axle.

My son inherited our 2004, promptly did the work for 37’s, and we ran some 7/8 rated stuff with it. He installed a Solo Motorsports semi-custom long travel kit and blew that stub shaft here. Before that he made it up further than I did in my 80 on 38’s and a Jeep JL on 37’s - his rig was dual locked on 4.88’s. Great wheelbase, but like most rigs and almost Toyotas, you are going to have to chase a huge project to deal with the limited IFS functionality/strength.

That’s one thing about the new stuff is the basic rigs have a 9.5” rear an heavily upgraded front - Toyota is at least getting in the game that power plus IFS means you need a lot of beef.

 

[Jfree97]

80 series rear coils are drop in and provide 2" of lift,

Been wanting to replace the airbags in my '06 for some time now and didn't know this was a thing. Coil conversion kit is still needed, correct? Will this work?

Airbag To Coil Conversion Kit - 2005-2007 Sequoia- SHIPS FREE!

FREE SHIPPING! WE ARE 1ST GEN SEQUOIA EXPERTS! 1ST GEN SEQUOIA Airbag To Coil Conversion Kit - 2005-2007 Sequoia. Looking for an inexpensive alternative to replacing your Toyota air bags? GREAT CUSTOMER SUPPORT. HOW TO CHANGE AIR BAGS IN YOUR 2005-2007 SEQUOIA, INSTALL GUIDE AND PARTS.

www.1stgenoffroad.com

 

[Mandrake]

Been wanting to replace the airbags in my '06 for some time now and didn't know this was a thing. Coil conversion kit is still needed, correct? Will this work?

Airbag To Coil Conversion Kit - 2005-2007 Sequoia- SHIPS FREE!

FREE SHIPPING! WE ARE 1ST GEN SEQUOIA EXPERTS! 1ST GEN SEQUOIA Airbag To Coil Conversion Kit - 2005-2007 Sequoia. Looking for an inexpensive alternative to replacing your Toyota air bags? GREAT CUSTOMER SUPPORT. HOW TO CHANGE AIR BAGS IN YOUR 2005-2007 SEQUOIA, INSTALL GUIDE AND PARTS.

www.1stgenoffroad.com

I believe the "kit" is just some 80 series bump stops. Mine was converted before I got it so all I did was swap out the coils and added longer Dobbie shocks. Well, and also 2" spacers on the springs to get the 4" needed to match the front.

 

[stellite]

Glad I came in here. Love the first gen, my favorite of all. Mine is a limited ahc delete, with mild lift. I have only done some mild off roading in souther utah. I have my winter tires on in this picture. I have a set of TRD pro wheels with 285's ko2's. But I don't plan on making a monster off road rig. In stock form, this 2005 truck did better than my 2010 suburban. Toyota 4wd is considerably superior to what was in my work Suburban 2500.

 

[Mandrake]

Glad I came in here. Love the first gen, my favorite of all. Mine is a limited ahc delete, with mild lift. I have only done some mild off roading in souther utah. I have my winter tires on in this picture. I have a set of TRD pro wheels with 285's ko2's. But I don't plan on making a monster off road rig. In stock form, this 2005 truck did better than my 2010 suburban. Toyota 4wd is considerably superior to what was in my work Suburban 2500.

Love those wheels!

Hit me up if you ever make it up to northern UT. We have some good trails up this way.

 

[stellite]

Love those wheels!

Hit me up if you ever make it up to northern UT. We have some good trails up this way.

Will do. Dont know northerm utah much. Have been to goblin state park.

 

[Mandrake]

Will do. Dont know northerm utah much. Have been to goblin state park.

I had a dumb. When you said wheeling in So. Ut., I thought you lived down there. Just saw you were from Denver, so that's a bit more of a drive for stuff that admittedly isn't nearly as good as what you guys have over there.