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Project 4-Runner seemed to be able to outmaneuver and outclimb Project Tundra most of the time. We always felt that we were about to get stuck in the Tundra despite us having a limited slip differential.
Project 4 Runner made it up this steep and sandy hill with ease. It was a lot steeper than it looks in this picture. It was actually hard to walk. We think Project 4 Runner’s smaller size and shorter track with lower overhangs might have something to do with it. Surely it couldn’t be Jeff’s more aggresive driving style, right?
True off-roading vehicles like this Bronco have short wheelbases and suspension with a lot of articulation and wheel travel.
The 4-Runner has a decent amount of articulation as well. This helped on uneven terrain. Unfortunately, the Tundra with its shocks set on stiff for good pavement handling and big anti-sway bars was not fairing as well.
This trail was really steep and ended up in a tight ravine. We were terrified of getting stuck in the Tundra while the 4-Runner went down no problem. A lot of our fear stemmed from being totally unprepared for getting stuck. We had no shovel, no traction mats, no off-road jacks, no tow strap. Our cell phones didn’t work most of the time. If we got stuck we were screwed!
But then our paranoia was replaced with embarrasment and eye-rolling when this bone stock crossover passed us on the trail. We had to be doing something wrong. LOL!
