When do I know if I really need a winch?

That Pathfinder is pretty cool. Don't see a ton of those modded, or really even out in the world. RIP BOF non CVT Pathfinder.

 

I've always wondered why more people don't mod Frontier Pro4x, they seem very capable.

I think it just wasn't the popular move, not a technical or capability question.

 

Plenty of people do as they can use Titan components for longer travel on their Frontier.

To the OP, if you got a winch, more often than not it'll be used to help recover someone else.

Last 2 vehicles I put together didn't even have a winch (or need it).

 

Almost forgot what the original subject manner is but love reading about all the trail advice as I'm a complete novice in the 4runner - my comfort zone for the past few years has been my 2012 Yamaha Rhino which hasn't been getting a lot of attention since the 4runner purchase. Great forum guys!

 

I live in the lowcountry of GA/SC which means flat land and mud with no rocks or inclines and approach/departure angles are not significant. Many of the roads I use for recreation are rutted by military MRAP 48" tall tires which can cause high centering if one slips into them when dry. For years I've used a Warn 8500 cradled in my Sequoia 4x4 which is wired front and rear with hitches to secure the Warn when needed. The winch was shared with my T4R XP until it was totaled last week. I plan on rigging out my new Off Road T4R with it as well. The front hitch mount decreases the approach angle somewhat which is not important for my purposes. The winch is most often used to pull out backwards and abandon trip forward because I would have had to continuously pull forward for distances not worth the effort. Here's the winch after a successful muddy retreat after high centering and a photo of the front mount. As pointed out above once truck is high centered tire propulsion is fruitless regardless of diff locks, etc. Gil