Tundra in the woods?

[woytovich]

I'm interested to hear from people that wheel their Tundra in trails similar to those here in the Northeast: trees & rocks, as well as in other environments. Thinking about the 2010 and newer, double cab/Crewmax regular or short bed. I would plan on sliders and belly/skid plates as well as an off-road bumper to hold a winch. Spare out from underneath too of course. I'm not wanting a RTT or roof rack for that matter. I'm thinking 35" tires with an appropriate lift.

The end game is a trails-capable expedition truck that will also tow my 60 on a trailer. I know I won't be able to thread a Tundra through the tightest spots and I don't expect a rock crawler but I do want to be able to deal with trails... one example that comes to mind is Top of the World in Moab. Here in the northeast Rausch Creek green trails come to mind.

Picture & videos will help.

 

[woytovich]

Maybe this answers part of my question:

 

[LINUS]

I was going to say the Tundra is just too porky to do real trails - but yeah, that video proved all the Tundra detractors.

Even if the wheelbase was shorter, I’d sooner try to use a Sequoias IRS & the CDL the Sequoia has / Tundra lacks.

To get what you’re trying to make work, it would almost seem easier to start with a Tacoma platform & add HP/TQ - but then IDK how well it would tow.

I have a winch bumper & a 10K Zeon & some other junk, but for me the point of it is recovering my boat when we use impromptu boat launch sites - having that winch for pulling the entire truck & loaded boat trailer is why I when that far, and also I’m planning to add a Sequoia TC so I have that driveline lockup, and prob a Harrop in that 10.5” rr diff.

But I just don’t see making a Tundra as capable as either a 200 or even a Sequoia - if the towing thing is mandatory, I’d think starting with either of those would be better end result.

I like my Tundra, but I use the bed & know it’s not a trail rig like my 80, or a 200 or Sequoia for 3UR powered platforms.

I’m planning to go to softer Icons since I have the airbags for trailering, but even that I don’t expect to get much gains in flex, plus I have the Crewmax & the wheelbase is ~6” longer than a X-cab/std length bed.

If you were bound & determined, a basic cab & std bed may be slightly shorter wheelbase, I only know the CM/5.5’ bed is the longest wheelbase Tundra.

 

[woytovich]

Good info. I did not know the Sequoia has some features that would be considered upgrades for a Tundra.

 

[MrIPA1974]

Maybe this answers part of my question:

Nice vid sample, of Newer gen tundra putting some work. I know my 02' Tundra would love this too.

 

[nuclearlemon]

I found my bone stock 2010 extremely capable when I took it through the floodwaters (you tube, "nuclearlemon, calamity canyon")

That said, the paint softer than butter

 

[rlynch356]

That looks like Daniel trail at Uwharrie, it’s reasonable as far as difficulty goes. At the other forest private trails (big creek) a tundra is way to wide and does not have the turning radius to make it with out damage. (I guide there) it can be done though. Uwharrie mostly np, for a built truck,, some spots are difficult though. It’s wide open. Grand overland is also np ( Uwharrie area private land). NE class 3/4 roads should be ok.

 

[LINUS]

Good info. I did not know the Sequoia has some features that would be considered upgrades for a Tundra.

Yeah, if you go over to Tundratalk (net? -or- com? -I forget) — there’s a user there IIRC is Victor or VictorG - either way he’s in a ‘Yota shop parts guy or mech, IDK) - in a Edmonton, CA dealer (I think).

He’s built/blown a few sturdy 3UR’s & he has done the Sequoia TC upgrade to make his S/C’d 3UR a fulltime AWD.

Last I looked he was building a 3UR with real I-beam rods, and general sturdy with port/polish work. If you ever see the 3UR rods, I almost think that’s why they killed S/C’s moving forward. They are tiny compared to 1FZ rods.

It may sacrifice a few 100#’s of rated tow capacity, but it makes a Tundra behave similar to a AWD FZJ80 - so add a locker or 2 in the diffs & you could get real capable w/o alot of work.

Aside from a small custom driveline work (optional even), the Sequoia TC is a bolt-in/plug-in affair for all 3UR’d Tundras / console shift.