Tundra - Offroading & SAC

Fenrisulfr

Fenrisulfr

Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2013
Present build: 2007 5,7L V8 4x4, 12" susp, 3" body lift, 2" coilovers (front) & rear blocks (back)

I understand that the stock rack and pinion suspension and the rear blocks limit where I can take the truck offroad. How should I go about making sure that a trail, property, etc. doesn't cause undue damage to the truck?

If I were to do a straight axle conversion and possibly lose the 2" rear blocks, would this expand the possible terrain on which I could drive the truck?

Also, is it true that it will eventually need a SAC because of the wear on the rack and pinion system?
 
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Best of my understanding... the IFS will be your limiting factor before the steering would be. The way to "lift" an IFS to its maximum height, is to lower the entire suspension. (Including the steering rack (?)). While that raises the vehicle, you essentially gain little or no ground clearance. And at maximum IFS lifts, all of the drive line angles, including steering, become pretty severe. And that is what is going to limit the terrain you can tackle.

If you move towards more aggressive terrain, you will want to do a SAC.
 
I'd say that the 15" of total lift are going to be the limiting factor for where you can take the truck off-road.
 
shawn said:
I'd say that the 15" of total lift are going to be the limiting factor for where you can take the truck off-road.
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Yep waaaay to much lift, unless the thing is a weeble. The blocks are a bad thing also, actually a very bad set up overall if you are wanting to wheel it over any type of terrain. A SAS (SAC) would be the best thing along with lowering that beast enough to just to clear your wheels at full articulation. A lot of factors like terrain you are planning to wheel, tire size, possible re-gearing, lockers and it goes on and on. That I imagine would be pretty expensive for a Tundra.
 
15" of lift is WAY too tall for any actual wheeling. The truck will roll over on its side on any kind of 'real' trail. If you are serious about doing some real wheeling, you will need to lower the truck as much as possible (ie including trimming the corners of the fenders for tire clearance if necessary). I don't know anything about the durability of the steering, front diff, and IFS axles on the Tundra. They may be strong enough to handle a fair amount of abuse. I would hit the internet boards in search of Tundra specific offroad information regarding those components. An SAS may not be absolutely necessary to do some moderate real wheeling. What size tire are you running?
 
Thanks for the replies.

The lift was mostly for me to ride high and terrorise Prius drivers, offroading was not a consideration. If this one can't go that far off road, then maybe I'll get one that can.
 
That 381HP will spit out those blocks and you will end up with more problems. Best bet would be to spend the money on a trail rig instead of the SAS. You could probably build a nice older yota for what a SAS would cost on the Tundra.
 
Pro tip: Buy an old TJ with like 200k on the clock. You can pick one up complete for less than you spent on the Tundra lift kit.

Not saying.... just saying....
 
I wouldn't wheel a tundra, way to damn big. Ifs can be wheeled with success but it will never be as good a solid front axle in the southeast. Id look at other vehicles as far as offroading goes.
 
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