What’s the best trim for washboard roads?

[TyBobz]

Looking to place an order for a 2026 soon. Looking for a capable 4WD 4Runner that doesn’t need to be able to handle extreme conditions. Here in Colorado we have plenty of 4WD roads that sometimes require long approaches on washboard roads. What trim/modifications would you suggest ? I would like to keep it under $60K. Thanks.

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[danimaldaisy]

Limited or sport. NO IM KIDDING!
Probably off-road. If you don’t care about premium interior I would just get the sr5. Throw your choice of 285/70/17’s on the stock wheels. Then grab the arb ome lift kit. It’s the same kit as the trail hunter but lifted more than trail hunter. 3 inch front and 2 inch rear. I spoke to arb and they say their kit at 3 inches is “optimal height”.
That right there will get you anywhere you reasonably need to go. I’ve had 5th gen 4 runners with the rear locker and never used it not even close to using it. The a-trac button is missing on the 6th gen’s because it’s now an automatic feature.

 

[danimaldaisy]

Lastly it looks like almost all builds from manufacturers are using sr5 or trd sport. FYI trd sport is just a rebranded sr5 but with the premium features.

 

[Rellims]

Looking to place an order for a 2026 soon. Looking for a capable 4WD 4Runner that doesn’t need to be able to handle extreme conditions. Here in Colorado we have plenty of 4WD roads that sometimes require long approaches on washboard roads. What trim/modifications would you suggest ? I would like to keep it under $60K. Thanks.

Took my ORP to run Fern Creek a month or so ago and the washboard on Rampart Range Road was horrible. I don't think even some suspension upgrades are going to smooth things out much.

 

[danimaldaisy]

Forgot to mention. Get a C load tire if going with 285. E load will make it worse

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

 

[Nodak]

with a turn radius of a tundra

 

[jjbailey930]

We have 300+ miles of gravel/washboard in our county. My TRD Sport Prem did fine but I did add skid plates, mud guards and 17" wheels with Falken AT3s. I have been using 2 wd. so far.

 

[Tarekith]

I drive rough washboard roads almost daily in my ORP, no matter what you get they are still rough unless you want to spend a lot of money on aftermarket suspension and tires.

 

[127.0.0.1]

nothing is going to fully erase washboard rippled roads except ludicrous speed
or deflating your tires

visit ih8mud forums for their posts on washboard and what helps
and what won't. bottom line, low speed* and low air pressure are #1

*if the road is straight enough and not rutted too much... speed is your friend
but consider that bouncing off the tops of washboard ruts gives you almost
no traction and it's like driving on ice...making mistakes at speed might
flip you

 

[6thGen1419]

Took my ORP to run Fern Creek a month or so ago and the washboard on Rampart Range Road was horrible. I don't think even some suspension upgrades are going to smooth things out much.

Wondering if deflating tires would have helped?

 

[windjunkie]

Ceramic coating is different than ceramic spray. It is a hard multi year coating. It also requires paint prep for proper adhesion. Ceramic coating is more hydrophobic and keeps the car paint a little cleaner. Ironically the one thing that bugs me about ceramic coatings is that they’re prone to water spots. Ceramic spray has some similar properties but only last a few washes at best. I ceramic coating then use a ceramic spray as a drying aide. I spray the ceramic spray on while wet after a car wash then wipe dry. Keeps the car having that just wax feeling. If you’re going to use wax products use wax. If you’re going to use ceramic use ceramic.

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