Real Talk: What mods are needed for CO Offroading?

Hi Guys:

I’m going down a rabbit trail exploring potential modifications for my 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium (ORP), particularly for high-altitude, rocky trails in Colorado... like Imogene Pass, Engineer Pass, etc. I’m also weighing whether it’s more cost-effective to modify my '24 4Runner or upgrade to a vehicle better suited for serious off-roading.

The main limitations I see with the 5th Gen 4Runner are:

1. Ground Clearance: Stock clearance of 9.6 inches
2. Tire Size: Stock 265/70R17 tires (31.6 inches)

A 2–3-inch lift kit seems like a straightforward way to increase ground clearance to around 11.5–12.5 inches.

However, fitting larger tires, such as 285/70R17 (~33 inches) or bigger, appears to require significant modifications (e.g., fender liner trimming, body mount chop, or aftermarket upper control arms) to avoid rubbing and ensure clearance. 35" tires seem like a nightmare.



⚠️ With that in mind, I have two questions:

1) What are specific examples of serious off-road trails (e.g., named trails in the U.S.) that a 5th Gen 4Runner with a 3-inch lift kit and 285/70R17 tires can confidently tackle without damage? Please include details on trail difficulty

2) What are examples of named trails that this setup would likely not handle without risking damage to the vehicle (e.g., body panels, underbody)? Any notes on types of obstacles or passages that might exceed this setup’s capabilities?

I’m looking to avoid damaging the underbody from insufficient clearance.

In contrast... I am sure many of you know... vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, or Ford F-150 Raptor come with 35-inch tires (or support them easily) and higher ground clearance out of the factory. I picked the 4Runner because I liked it for other reasons, but I did not realize the difficulty in installing bigger tires.


Any insights onto what kinds of trails a 4 Runner with a 3" lift and 285/70/17 or 285/75/17 tires would handle would be awesome.

 

All you need is some good AT tires. Many to choose from.

 

That is literally not true. Otherwise, the entire modification industry with lift kits and larger tires are pointless.

I have seen videos of stock 4Runners smashing parts on Imogene pass, and where guys are saying certain trails are too damaging.

I'm trying to understand the limits of a reasonably modded 5th gen 4Runner, without spending excessive funds modifying the platform.

 

It all really depends on what you intend to do with it.

Tires alone will make a big difference.

Skids will help protect components but still depends on what you do. Lite steel and aluminum will be fine for most stuff unless you're rock crawling.

Sliders protect when rock crawling.

Suspension choice depends on if you are doing high speed or low speed.

Bumpers....

 

I thought our runners were great examples of dual use SUV. Family transport any season most any roads. Overlanding for exploring new places.
Our runners do have a big front overhang and tire diameter limitations. Its length can hinder twisty trails.
Maybe you would be better off with a different vehicle.

 

Air down and be able to air up.

TW has a bit more traffic:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/visiting-colorado-this-is-your-local-information-thread.646537/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trail-etiquette.435698/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/colorado-trail-status-closures-repairs-discussion.482224/page-31
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/colorado-trip-reports.250254/page-250
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/best-trails.799437/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/black-bear-pass-in-a-stock-ish-3rd-gen.773040/

 

I will tell you this first, trails change every year.

You can’t really run trails here till late July & Sept because of the snow.

Refer to TW & the links above. The guys will help you. Lots of trails are closed this season for repairs.

https://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm

Get this book too

$27 Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails (FunTreks Guidebooks)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1934838268

 

In Lake City right now. Engineers is fine with no mods. Cinnamon too. Have K02's with no lift (but did rip off the rockers and added rock rails). See my photos. Buddy did Imogene last summer in his 4th gen with nothing fancy and has done the others around Ouray multiple times. Now....would I like 2 more inches. Yes. My wife would too...but that is off subject. I would like a bit more clearance but not interested in ripping out thing yet. Corkscrew this summer to test my theory out. I'm not sure I'm Mineral Creek capable. I may test MC out with a OHV first to get comfortable with it.

There has been some gnarly damage farther west due to erosion. Camp Bird is closed currently. Engineers and Imogene just got opened up.

Also, follow this group on FB -
.

Edit: I didn't really answer your questions.
1. Imogene is a good example. You likely will be fine.
2. Mineral Creek. May not be fine as it is narrow and hairy.

If the 3" lift is just a body lift, you are really just getting your bumpers higher. If it is a lift due to shocks/coils then you're a bit better off. From what I have seen, you can do a lot with 33"'s and some bumper clearance. 35"'s seem to be for high difficulty rock/off road track driving.

 

I have done Imogene, engineer, corkscrew and black bear pass in a bone stock jeep wrangler sport. 17” wheels with Hankook Dynapro ATM tires aired down to just 20 PSI. No problems except an exhaust bump on Black Bear. I have yet to bring out the 4Runner. All of that to say I suspect your stock Rig would be just fine.


while better tires and a lift is always better, I would say for those trials not really necessary. Just go slow, be cautious and enjoy the views. Pucker factor in effect a couple of times.

 

Some of this is due to my own ignorance.... I simply do not know what the capabilities of a stock 4Runner are, nor have I attempted these trails.

I hear conflicting reports: Some guys scrape things on Imogene and Engineer, but guys such as yourself say it is fine and easy. (Grok AI, for whatever it is worth, says a stock 4Runner cannot do these trails without scraping)


Engineer Pass and Imogene would be my top choices.
Imogene: However, I thought some of the rocks and creek-crossings on the Ouray side were very steep and would scrape a stock 4Runner.
Engineer: I thought there was a named obstacle early on that required about 12" of ground clearance.

 

Dumb q. Why are you worried about your skids? I think if you are careful and slow stock is pretty capable. I'll try Engineers soon and check back. Normal trucks are getting up there already and posting on FB.

 

255/80/17 tires, skid plates, sliders, and practice behind the wheel is all you should need. Regearing the diffs helps immensely at high altitude where you’re way down on power. That's quite the investment though.

If you’re worried about some body damage Colorado is probably not the place to go off-roading. You will get pin stripes from trees and bushes.

 

I lived up in the Colorado Rockies for over 50 years. In my experience, it is more likely that the loose nut behind the steering wheel is the limiting factor rather than the rest of the vehicle. If you have to ask how to modify your vehicle for the high passes, my previous sentence might be applicable and instructive. YMMV.

 

Good tires on factory wheels mainly for your new one. I wouldn't pay that much to start changing things. It will go with tires, but I would buy older model for serious trail modification. You don't want to dent or scratch a $50k 2024. I have a 2013 with 240k and it's still to nice to dent and scratch. I liked my 3rd generation 97 & 01 4runners because you could fold mirrors and go down a Razor ATV trail. Anyhow, be patient. There's always one you want somewhere for a better price.

 

Good suggestions above. Although @FatChance ’s reply sounds a little terse he makes a good point. Perhaps it might serve you to go out with a club or professional instruction and benefit from those who have more experience on the trails you’re interested in.

 

33s will give you another 1.5" . Regardless of suspension, it's the tires that will give the rear differential more clearance being the lowest point. I am still learning my parameters, but I always try navigating the pumpkin around rocks and things. I want a Rival front and mid skid plates. Like a sled runner, you can gun it and skate sometimes. I believe 33s will fit on TRD wheels without a lift. Wheel offset so tires clear the frame turning is most important. I learned the hard way as per usual.

 

What's inside your truck is as important as any mods - basic (at least) recovery gear and the knowledge to safely use it; plenty of water, snacks, and more substantial food (Clif Bars for example) that could replace a meal or two if necessary; first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and common sense.

My '07 V6 4WD has a lopro winch bumper & winch; rear recovery point; sliders; upgraded skids (though I did plenty before my stock skids were too bent out of shape to use anymore); 265/70/17 Toyo ATs on a $200 set of Sequoia wheels (won't catch me worrying about trail rash); and an Eibach Stage 1 suspension setup. I would be confident on any of the trails you named—though going back to common sense, I would do my best to have someone with me the first time who has run them before. I've been on some awesome trails here in the southeast - some before I did any mods at all. After I got sliders, I did some rock gardens at Windrock Park in Tennessee, which was a first for me. I've got some pinstripes and dings but the memories more than make up for those things.

All that to say that I 100% agree with several of the posters who said your 4R was ready for those trails, or damn close, the day it rolled off the assembly line. Experience is the best teacher, and all the better if you have an offroad park nearby where you can go out and see what you and your truck can do without worrying about overreaching and breaking something essential way out there away from cell coverage.

Lastly, consider a group like the outstanding . Great people, super events for various build types, and as a beginner, you want an organization with a creed like theirs: Explore, educate, encourage.

 

I thought the same thing. I bought UCAs, extended sway bar links, springs and needed struts. I was doing it myself and I can't have my only vehicle down. I have aftermarket wheels with negative -12 offset and in certain curves my tires hit the frame making Trac go off and dragging you back. I like greasing my ball joints, but if I had used TRD wheels, I don't think I would have any issues. 4runners are +4 offset, Tacoma +14 and Tundra +60 if I remember correctly. Your factory mud flaps should work then and no trimming required. It's all about where your tire is in relation to the frame when turning. That's what causes rubbing of liner, frame, mud flaps. I went overboard because of my first 5th Gen and I really didn't know. I would just use some Bilstein 5100s to adjust front height 0-2.5". I have removed and reset my strut height 3 times finding what I like and 4th time will probably be about right. I don't really like TRD wheel style that much, but everything Toyota works better on a Toyota and I knew this. I like the adjustable sway bar links. You can adjust ride and handling with them, but I don't think they were that necessary even with the lift. So I'll be replacing with TRD wheels eventually because I buy and do everything twice. It's just that way for me.

 

Yeah I thought about steel Toyota rims or used ORP wheels. Cheap and scratch compliant. I'm going to bend my running boards before I replace with something else. I think a 4th gen 4runner is probably one of the best deals for trail. Less tech and no crying scratches and dents. I thought about steels for trail and another set of wheels and tires for everything else.

 

I think it’s more like a half inch, no? It’s the increased radius that matters, not the diameter.

 

Well actually it's probably 3/4" because tires are round, so 3/4" top and bottom. Not all 285s are 33" either. Most are around 32.6 and my Micky Bajas are 32.9". I have over 10-10.5" at the pumpkin now.

 

The more you push wheel to the outside, better chance of rubbing. I been through it all. Cutting fender liners, mud flaps, tires rubbing. I bought trail liners and eventually trail front fender liners. I reinstalled the running boards to keep from beating the paint off with debris. With TRD wheels, I think that will eliminate needing UCAs. I had to replace Xreas, so I just wanted to do everything once and didn't know what I know now. I just don't trust anyone. I hate to pay someone that for something I have to fix. I can fix it two or three times for free.

 

I went through Colorado in March unexpectedly because I am ingrained to avoid tolls.

What i did not know is that I was driving straight into a blizzard.

The 4runner was sitting on Falken wilkpeaks and the only limiting factor was me.

 

Hold your Trac button 4 seconds before you start moving to turn off. Mine acted right once I did that. Worked much better with just one of us steering in snow. Use your manual shift to slow and stop without much braking. I'm sorry, you probably already know that.

 

I'm glad someone addressed this, the op seems confused about the lowest point under the vehicle.

This is another important point that can't be overlooked. Winter snowpack, avalanche debris, rock slides, etc, can make passes completely impassable for the entire season. Know before you go.

 

I've done Engineer and Cinnamon and Imogene stock with just good AT tires.

But, how gnarly are you wanting to get? At some point you have to say "this is my daily driver (and my only car, in my case) and I don't really want to destroy it on insane trails".

Also something to consider for upsized tires is to stay with stock offset wheels and run pizza cutters. I'm unsure of exactly the size limitations on the 4R, but you can quite possibly get true 33s (33.1", actually) 255/80 17 ATs or even MTs under there with no lift. Add a small 1.5" lift and you'd be golden for sure. Tinkerer's Adventures on Youtube has an excellent video on stuffing big tires under stock suspensions and the summary of it is basically positive offset stock wheels and skinny but tall tires...

I have a tiny lift w/ 33 pizza cutters on my GX, and those things came stock with 30s and huge overhang in the front; so far it hasn't had an issue on any trail I have cared to travel... The 4R is already more capable than the GX (from a body and wheel design standpoint) out of the box. Get some good upsized tires and be done with it. Don't go down the "I need this to do that" rabbit hole, because, invariably - you don't need much of anything to do a whole lot.

 

Based on trail conditions from the last few seasons, when I did a majority of the well known trails in the San Juans, a 2"-2.5" lift and a little extra protection is PLENTY to do the trails. Stock tire size is fine for the trails. Go slow and pick your lines. This isn't rocket science and the trails really aren't that tough. Just start with a couple of skid plates and go see the trails for yourself.

 

I wouldn't want to tear up a new super nice ride. From my experience, we think we're going to do things we probably won't. Tires are all you need until you get someplace you can't. What are you paying so much extra that you'll use for 1% of your driving time? I looked at a 18 TRD Pro in Nashville all set up, but I don't where it's been and $15-20k more. I could have paid cash for a new one. I buy used because someone always hits it or I do something myself anyway, so it's cheaper and less depreciation on a used one. I peeled front bumper cover 2 weeks after getting this one, but I will accept that rather than a total. I have driving experience, but I guess if you don't I see why you want crawl. I was young and I would want the neat stuff too. If I knew how to work it all. I still have to refer back to manual for a refresher.

 

The best longest lasting 4runner is the one you just put tires on and go. You can upgrade or change later if you want after you see what you have.

 

I know you asked about mods but since you seem new to it, here are a few last thoughts; always wheel with another vehicle for safety, check the weather before hand and know that cell phones don't always have service ( CB or GMRS radio is recommended).