Towing a FJ40 with a 4runner (1 Viewer)

[1973Guppie]

HI,

I am looking for some opinions. I would like to be able to tow my fj40 to runs in the future as it is not so comfortable on the street long distance. I own a 98 4runner V6 SR5, which I may do a 2.5 inch lift, slightly bigger tires (31's all terrains) and some rocker panel protection. My fj40 is SOA and will have 35 inch BFG's, now it has 33's, need to find some funds for the new tires. I know the best solution would be to sell the 4runner and buy a big truck or chevy tahoe and a trailer to tow the cruiser. Problem is I really like the 4runner, got a great deal on it with a great loan, they run forever and it will work great as a family wheeling/camping vehicle once I do a mild lift, tires and some rocker protection. I would like to keep it as the mild family wheeling vehicle/camping vehicle and then take the fj40 out when i go to do the harder stuff. My question is if it is possible or more importantly SAFE to flat tow an fj40 with a 98 4runner?? I don't have too much experience with towing stuff but am trying to find a solution so I can keep both trucks. I would be ok with going slow, I would guess 60mph max. I have heard others say that flat towing is just dangerous but others seem to be ok with it? Flat towing with the 4runner would be an easy solution as I would just need to add a towbar to the 40 as the 4runner already has a tow package on it. I would not flattow the 40 in bad weather (snow,rain, sleet), fortunately we don't get too much of this in CA. Also, any negative implications to flat towing the 40 as far as axles and drivetrain wear are concerned? I am running arb's F & R with stock 4.11 cruiser axles. Any opinions would be helpful as eventually I will need to make a decision to sell the 4runner or the fj40. Thanks in advance!

Noah
nbwebmail@adelphia.net

 

[SizzleChest]

I've heard that the 3.4 does surprisingly well for towing situations.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Friend of mine used to do the same thing: flat towed a FJ40 with his 4Runner. Until the Cruiser swapped ends with the 4Runner and smashed in the rear quarter panel of the Runner! IMHO the 4Runner is a little light to be towing a Cruiser safely...

Nick Jennings

 

[Gus]

I used to drive an 01 Tacoma TRD with the 3.4L V6, mild lift, 33's, pretty simialr to a 4runner. I towed my FJ40 using a tow dolley from Vermont to Wyoming without any problems. When all was said and done, I was impressed that a fully loaded Tacoma actually managed towing a FJ40 loaded with parts. It is possible but you really have to take it easy, expect to get mileage in the single digits, hills require downshifting to 3rd and flooring it, overdrive was pretty much useless, 65 mph was about as fast I could manage on the flats and or down hill sections of road. The brakes on the 4runners and Tacomas aren't really designed to handle loads as large as a decked out FJ40, but if your carefull, start braking well in advance, you sholuld be fine. Basically if your a patient person, very patient at times, you should be fine.

 

[CrznDawg]

Towing

Unless you like having a bumper crawl up your hind end, look for a bigger vehicle to tow your 40 with. Seen too many incidents where the weight of the tow vehicle gets pushed around by the vehicle being towed.

Just my two cents....

 

[Pin_Head]

Friend of mine used to do the same thing: flat towed a FJ40 with his 4Runner. Until the Cruiser swapped ends with the 4Runner and smashed in the rear quarter panel of the Runner! IMHO the 4Runner is a little light to be towing a Cruiser safely...

Nick Jennings

Exactly. You would be better off towing your 4Runner with the Cruiser.

 

[cruiser_guy]

I've towed an FJ55 with my BJ60 and it was a one time thing which I was OK with. I wouldn't recommend it as a habit that's for sure. I'm sure my BJ60 is much heavier than the 4Runner and I don't think the FJ55 and the FJ40 are hugely different in weight.
I could easily tell there was something back there and on any entry or exit ramps, sharp turns or other "unusual" driving that requires more rapid acceleration, turning or decceleration, it was a pain.

 

[dgangle]

I have flat towed my FJ40 locally using a 1998 5.0LV8 Exploder and a 2000 5.3L Tahoe. The Tahoe definitely had less of a pucker factor. Somebody once told me the tow rig should weigh 1.5X the vehicle being towed. WAG probably but it makes sense. A more significant tow vehicle would be my preference, second a tow dolly or trailer. Make sure you don't exceed the GVWR of the 4Runner. I suspect it would.

 

[DocB]

I tow my 40 on a twin axle trailer behind a V8 Tundra with trailer brakes and it kicks ass. But that's not what this thread is about. I would prolly not do it. Safety first. One wreck will cost you both trucks; either set up the 40 for road AND trail or get a real tow rig and trailer.

 

[JohnL]

Here's the fix: tow your Forerunner with the 40 Happens to me all the time.

 

[TxCruzr]

We have towed my 40 with my moms '97 4runner many times. The 4runner has the power and if you are just driving down the highway its not bad. Where it gets bad is in bad weather and in town. The cruiser just trys to to go straight when the 4runner turns so you have to be careful and take the turns slow and wide.
The longer the towbar is the better it will tow. Also get a drop hitch and run it upside down so there is less of a steep angle on the tow bar.

 

[dustin]

<hijack>
What is the tow rating of the older 4Runners? I have a 2003 4Runner that has a 7500 tow rating.We are hoping to tow ours to Moab from Califronia this spring.
</hijack>

 

[zetasig]

I used my wifes 97 runner with the v 6 to tow two cruisers home. Both were on U haul car haulers. I did get to some hills where the motor was straining, but it worked for what I needed. I agree with Nick, Its a bit light, but it could be done. Now flat towing who knows. but the uhaul trailers are damn heavy.

 

[Gus]

An FJ40 on a double axle car hauler will be well over the 4runners tow rating, if you do do it, go with a dolley. Part of the reason I stepped up to a diesel 3/4 ton was I could safely tow my cruisers or almost any vehicle and still maintain highway speeds, the Tacoma simply couldn't do this.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I used my wifes 97 runner with the v 6 to tow two cruisers home. Both were on U haul car haulers. I did get to some hills where the motor was straining, but it worked for what I needed. I agree with Nick, Its a bit light, but it could be done. Now flat towing who knows. but the uhaul trailers are damn heavy.

I bought my fj40 in philly and towed it back to NH with my 98 tacoma v-6 on a uhaul trailer. It did ok, but stopping and starting were interesting a couple times. Two years ago I traded that tacoma for a 00 4 runner. I'm sure it would tow just as well, if not better than the tacoma. With good trailer brakes and a lighter trailer I think it would be OK, but not optimal. I want to run the rubicon, go to pismo, moab, etc. someday and there is no way I'm driving my 40 there from NH. So hopefully the next truck we get will be a newer, larger v8 4 runner or maybe a 100 series or something. I'm positive my new 4 cyl 2005 tacoma wouldn't like the trip with a 40 in tow.

 

[yoda-g3]

Here's what I wrote to someone with a similar question over at Yotatech.com, also some pics of the trailer:



http://community.webshots.com/photo/156150466FjBgYP



http://community.webshots.com/photo/156150388hZKhEp


My '70 Fj40 + yz250 + 250 Quad + 4 guys + 1 week of camping gear + 2,000 miles = WON"T EVEN CONSIDER IT AGAIN WITHOUT A BRAKE CONTROLLER!!!

I had my S/C and Hayden cooler, and I could keep her around 60-65ish comfortably. The tranny temp only got scary going up some steep ass hils. Got about 8-12 mpg. Seriously though, won't do it again until VB upgrade, Air Bag Susp., and BRAKE CONTROLLER. I tell you what, it definitely didn't stop on a dime.


(I don't know if you have an Auto, if you do I personally would not tow without a tranny cooler. If you are planning on flat towing, your power should be fine. Sure I was S/C'd at the time, but I had a lot more weight. Stopping distance was the only really scary part, you'll be in better shape, but If you decide to get a trailer, get a brake controller.)

 

[camcruiser13]

that looks pretty hairy to me

 

[IDave]

I think trailer brakes make all the difference in the world.

 

[yoda-g3]

that looks pretty hairy to me

Ya, had a couple real pucker factor moments. Having the controller is a must, but air bags to level out the rear would be a big help also. Keep that nose level...

 

[dgangle]

yoda-g3,
I want to party with you, dude. Looks my gypsy mobile trip to the Colorado river near Austin, TX 10 years ago. Nothing like being overloaded, questionably tied down and looking for a weekend of fun with a tow veichle squatted down like Jenna Jameson on my...well you get the picture. I enjoyed the pics!