Suggestions for TRD Pro build - Solo Snowbashing, Trails up to 6/7 Rating

[IceClimber]

Live in Northeastern Utah and getting back into off-roading. Parted with a well loved and wheeled 2010 TRD Trail 4Runner at 300k miles and bought a TRD Pro.

Goals:
1) Snowbashing up to say 10"-12' new snow in remote canyons for backcountry skiing and ice climbs in winter. Often going solo so need good traction. Will be installing a winch (possibly a rear mount first - which is actually more practical solo)...saw an aftermarket 6th Gen bumper with one (let me know if anyone is aware of a brand or who makes one)
2) Spring through Fall: Run trails in Moab, Vernal and Colorado up to 6 Rating, maybe 7 if comfortable with renewed skills, TRD performance and rock slider/skids/bumper protection.
3) Fair amount of winter snow driving on highway to get to skiing or ice climbing areas such as Cody, Bozeman, Ouray etc.
3) Next summer tow a small overlanding teardrop trailer (Bean off-road model etc.)

Questions:
1) Sorry but still confused after reading numerous threads on tires and messaging folks but not hearing back. To get to a 35" tire (or approximate 34.5" etc.) on the stock 18" TRD Pro lift & wheels - do I need to add a pre-collar/spacer lift (ie. Westcott/Peak Suspension etc.)?
2) Outside of rubbing at full lock and having to delete crash brackets, mud flaps and pin felt etc. - would I rub fender wells at full flex rock crawling? (I've read some conclusions that you will rub up under in center of wheel well.)
3) I believe the pre-existing stock lift on the TRD Pro is around a 2-2.5" Does the Westcott/Peak pre-collar kit make it essentially a 3" lift?
4) Lastly, I'm down to Falken Wildpeak AT/W, Nitto Terra Grapplers or Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs - wondering if you have a preference or tire you like for my objectives/goals? Solo deep snow bashing in particular.

Thanks so much for taking the time...sorry to re-hash likely already answered questions, just confused Adult Onset ADD...

JC

Sponsored

 

[4Everest]

4) Lastly, I'm down to Falken Wildpeak AT/W, Nitto Terra Grapplers or Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs - wondering if you have a preference or tire you like for my objectives/goals? Solo deep snow bashing in particular.

I don't know much about the other stuff, but I'm deep in the middle of my tire research now, so I'll share a couple things:

• I don't like the way the Baja Boss tires look (personal preference of course), but I can't deny that they win just about every snow test I've seen (vs other ATs; snow tires will beat everything).
• On the Falkens, if you're talking about the AT4Ws everyone is saying that Falken has apparently given up a lot of snow performance in order to get more wear life. Speaking from personal experience, the AT3Ws were great in snow. I dunno why they'd make such a change.

You mentioned you want to get in the deep snow, but didn't say how much experience you have with it. In general for deep snow, you want to emphasize ground clearance. You're basically pseudo-high centered almost all the time. Getting your body/diffs OUT of the snow helps more than anything else.

Off road in the snow is among the most fun driving experiences I've ever had.

 

[Pelo18]

Live in Northeastern Utah and getting back into off-roading. Parted with a well loved and wheeled 2010 TRD Trail 4Runner at 300k miles and bought a TRD Pro.

Goals:
1) Snowbashing up to say 10"-12' new snow in remote canyons for backcountry skiing and ice climbs in winter. Often going solo so need good traction. Will be installing a winch (possibly a rear mount first - which is actually more practical solo)...saw an aftermarket 6th Gen bumper with one (let me know if anyone is aware of a brand or who makes one)
2) Spring through Fall: Run trails in Moab, Vernal and Colorado up to 6 Rating, maybe 7 if comfortable with renewed skills, TRD performance and rock slider/skids/bumper protection.
3) Fair amount of winter snow driving on highway to get to skiing or ice climbing areas such as Cody, Bozeman, Ouray etc.
3) Next summer tow a small overlanding teardrop trailer (Bean off-road model etc.)

Questions:
1) Sorry but still confused after reading numerous threads on tires and messaging folks but not hearing back. To get to a 35" tire (or approximate 34.5" etc.) on the stock 18" TRD Pro lift & wheels - do I need to add a pre-collar/spacer lift (ie. Westcott/Peak Suspension etc.)?
2) Outside of rubbing at full lock and having to delete crash brackets, mud flaps and pin felt etc. - would I rub fender wells at full flex rock crawling? (I've read some conclusions that you will rub up under in center of wheel well.)
3) I believe the pre-existing stock lift on the TRD Pro is around a 2-2.5" Does the Westcott/Peak pre-collar kit make it essentially a 3" lift?
4) Lastly, I'm down to Falken Wildpeak AT/W, Nitto Terra Grapplers or Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs - wondering if you have a preference or tire you like for my objectives/goals? Solo deep snow bashing in particular.

Thanks so much for taking the time...sorry to re-hash likely already answered questions, just confused Adult Onset ADD...

JC

Jim,

If you go on snow covered trails to get to your destination. I would have full undercarriage protection. Engine, transmission and transfer skid plate. The factory TRD Pro skid plate isn't going to protect everything underneath. Those can be damage and leave you stranded, especially hidden rocks and tree stumps covered by the snow.

 

[IceClimber]

Thanks 4Everest & Pelo. I've done a fair amount of deep snow bashing in the backcountry with my old 4runner (3" lift/Ome shocks) and definitely will consider a full skid. Pelo, it looks like there's a small square cut out with four bolts for oil filter change? Is this a CBI plate? Lastly, without adding a pre-collar lift, AI says I can get a 285/70/R18 and that some owners have stuffed a 295/70/R18 on a stock TRD Pro. What sizes are you running?

Thanks again for the quick reply!

 

[Pelo18]

Thanks 4Everest & Pelo. I've done a fair amount of deep snow bashing in the backcountry with my old 4runner (3" lift/Ome shocks) and definitely will consider a full skid. Pelo, it looks like there's a small square cut out with four bolts for oil filter change? Is this a CBI plate? Lastly, without adding a pre-collar lift, AI says I can get a 285/70/R18 and that some owners have stuffed a 295/70/R18 on a stock TRD Pro. What sizes are you running?

Thanks again for the quick reply!

Jim,

Yes, it's a panel for oil filter and drain access, without having to drop the entire plate. Not CBI plate, it's OK Expedition.
Tires, I'm still running the factory size but with LT265/70R18

'25+ 4RUNNER Expedition Package *Hybrid Engine | OK EXPEDITION

Sponsored