Toyota vs SxS

[BLJ]

I bought this set
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Then after my rear springs were used up. It got a set of OME's that I pulled a couple leaves out of.

Stock truck on 32's

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6112's an 33's..Did rub a bit

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Trimmed out for 35x10.5's
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Which 35x10.50’s? 4 cylinder or v6? Thanks.

 

[Poser]

I have the Bilstein 6112/5160 combo on my 4runner and, IMO, its a pretty great compromise for highway/offroad use. You can definitely get better off-road specific performance by going higher end, though.

 

[Wrench]

I have a 98 80 series cruiser that I routinely rip across nasty roads at high speeds. There is 0% concern for losing a ball joint and with full lockers at the turn of a switch it is plenty capable.

The price on these is climbing and they're not fast on the road, but they are killer when set up right.....nearly unbelievable actually.

 

[norcal7.3]

I’ve done both and honestly prefer the cabbed sxs option. It’s more of a hassle in the long run, but I don’t feel as bad thrashing on it vs the Tacoma. Plus the ride is much better in the sxs. I have been in Colorado after a thaw when the roads turned to gumbo and all the jeeps and small trucks were stuck as I drove right around everyone. That was the moment for me why I stand by the sxs.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have been in Colorado after a thaw when the roads turned to gumbo and all the jeeps and small trucks were stuck as I drove right around everyone.

What does the SxS have that would allow it to keep going but the Jeeps and trucks not going?

 

[UKwildcatfan]

Thinking of selling the SxS and buying a Tacoma. Most of my SxS usage is hunting. Usually either rough rocky roads or muddy roads. I don’t really off-road or anything like that.

I’ve got a 2020 Can-am Maverick. It’s a good machine overall. But there are 3 of us sometimes. It’s not fully enclosed so the wife gets cold. And on the muddy hunts we get covered in mud.

I thought about buying a 4 seat Can-am Commander. That would allow all of us to hunt together. It wouldn’t necessarily fix the mud and the cold though.

Then I thought about buying a Tacoma. Something in the 2012-2015 range with around 100k miles. I would get a good suspension installed on it so it rides more like a SxS.

The Toyota route would cost the most. But I also see it lasting longer. I haven’t priced out a suspension since I don’t even know which one I would want yet. I can get a truck in decent shape with 100k miles for around $20k most days. $10k more for the suspension? And I’m at $30k. I would hope to easily get another 100k miles out of the Toyota. I could also just drive the Toyota from the house and skip trailering the SxS.

Am I missing anything? Is a good suspension more like $20k? Anyone ditch the SxS for a pickup with a good aftermarket suspension?

Go Tacoma. Outfitter friend in NM runs nothing but Tacomas. Per him, run hard, they last several yrs while a SxS run hard has problems within a year. His experience and opinion.

 

[RichardSkinner]

What does the SxS have that would allow it to keep going but the Jeeps and trucks not going?

I am assuming weight, but when comparing to the majority of yahoos you have to view their whole approach.

Decent sized tires, airing down heavily and having a compressor for later, front and rear lockers, a winch, and a simple shovel will get a light tacoma a whole lot of places.

On this whole talk about suspension, I'd get selectable lockers front and rear before anything else (assuming already have proper tires and gearing). No light pods, no suspension

 

[norcal7.3]

What does the SxS have that would allow it to keep going but the Jeeps and trucks not going?

Significantly lighter weight is what I would attribute the success of the sxs over the Tacoma like vehicles.

 

[WRO]

They have settings on the struts for a 4banger single cab. Did not order any kinda heavy spring

But yea front is stiff as hell. The rear isnt bad now, after messing with the springs. Could always be better though.

Still my favorite rig. Just needs a bit more work and a bit more money lol.

Try adjusting your shock lift to 0 then use spacers to get it lift.

I don’t mind my 6112s that much, 5160s will make a difference in the rear. The 5100s don’t have enough oil in them to keep cool off your running them hard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I bought an old 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. The Rubicons come from factory with electronic front and rear lockers, electronic sway bar disconnect, dana 44 front and rear axles, and major components are protected by thick skid plates underneath. I don't really think folks realize how off road capable these things are in stock form since 90+% of them these days are "mall crawlers".

I lifted it and put 35's on it. It goes pretty much anywhere a SXS will go on the trails and canyons here in AZ. One thing I really like is I can remove the top and doors if I want to, or leave them on for a heated/air conditioned cab.

And the best part, I can drive it 10+ hours for hunts on the highway and not have to bring a truck and trailer, unload side by side, swap gear over to it, etc.

 

[Thinkingman]

Which bilsteins? I have run the 5100s, 6112s, and 8100s. The 5100s I hated.

I was going to mention I ran a 2006 Tacoma which NEEDED a suspension upgrade. OME springs (rear-Dakar with the third leaf removed and front was 883s) and 5100s WITHOUT PRELOAD.
The frame flex was noticeable and on one section of cobble, the rear window rattled out of the frame and I had to secure it with duct tape to get home and get it re-set.
The frame on Toyotas is going to be your limitation.
Become familiar with frame rust issues before you listen to the experts.

 

[WeiserBucks]

SXS provides flexibility for me, especially when base camping and day hunting a big area. Use the SXS when appropriate and use the truck when appropriate.

What does the SxS have that would allow it to keep going but the Jeeps and trucks not going?

Way lighter weight, way better power to weight ratio and almost all of them come with front and rear lockers.



I bought my SXS in 2015 for $12k out the door. The same one is $16k today. You don't need a $30k+ SXS by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[WeiserBucks]

With all your gear an what not in it, whats a SxS actually weigh?

All what gear a 25 lb pack and a rifle? Mine is 1200 lbs empty.

 

[180ls1]

The cheaper bilsteins are going to ride stiff regardless of spring rate.

Grab a pair that lets you adjust rebound and dampening.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

SXS provides flexibility for me, especially when base camping and day hunting a big area. Use the SXS when appropriate and use the truck when appropriate.

Way lighter weight, way better power to weight ratio and almost all of them come with front and rear lockers.



I bought my SXS in 2015 for $12k out the door. The same one is $16k today. You don't need a $30k+ SXS by any stretch of the imagination.

I bought my Jeep for $15K and the only “terrain” I’ve been in so far that side by sides can get through that the Jeep can’t are true deep and wet bogs or sand washes where the side by sides get speed up and float on top while the Jeep sinks in.

A true bog or sand wash (think up the doors of a lifted Jeep depth) like that is quite rare.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I bought my Jeep for $15K and the only “terrain” I’ve been in so far that side by sides can get through that the Jeep can’t are true deep and wet bogs or sand washes where the side by sides get speed up and float on top while the Jeep sinks in.

A true bog or sand wash (think up the doors of a lifted Jeep depth) like that is quite rare.

You're not wrong. Like I said the SXS just adds flexibility for me and covers the same ground at much faster rate than a pickup. Some of my day hunts are 20 minutes from camp in a SXS, same starting point would be an hour+ in a pickup if it didn't slide off the road into a canyon in wet weather. Nothing is perfect but there's a use case for everything.

 

[hunthikecamp]

I've got a 2011 Tacoma that I've been very happy with and haven't really felt the need for a SxS. Maybe an ATV at some point but only if i could find a way to truck bed haul it (if such a vehicle even exists...) The amount of times I've beat the absolute s*** out of it for hours and then hopped back on the highway and cruised 80 mph home with no issues has left me convinced it's the way to go.

I'd recommend a long bed though, i'm 5'11" and the topper on the back makes a great truck camp, roll out my backpacking mattress and sleeping bag and i can crawl in the back, this has also been super nice for hunts.

I'd think you could get away with <10k in suspension? But i haven't looked too hard, also looking to upgrade my suspension because the one thing that has me wishing for a SxS every now and then is the 5 PMH softball to cantaloupe sized rock roads where you just shake the living hell out of yourself, it gets unpleasant after a while BUT it will do it and won't complain. Definitely agree that SxS will get you down those roads faster but i think the tradeoffs are worth it.

Invest in good tires too, that has gotten me a long way with stock suspension geometry, I went with Duratracs.

 

[Poser]

I bought an old 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. The Rubicons come from factory with electronic front and rear lockers, electronic sway bar disconnect, dana 44 front and rear axles, and major components are protected by thick skid plates underneath. I don't really think folks realize how off road capable these things are in stock form since 90+% of them these days are "mall crawlers".

I lifted it and put 35's on it. It goes pretty much anywhere a SXS will go on the trails and canyons here in AZ. One thing I really like is I can remove the top and doors if I want to, or leave them on for a heated/air conditioned cab.

And the best part, I can drive it 10+ hours for hunts on the highway and not have to bring a truck and trailer, unload side by side, swap gear over to it, etc.

Super capable vehicles and, until recently, were the most offroad capable stock vehicle you could buy. The sway bar disconnect is a really cool feature.
They don't seem to do well as daily drivers or with high mileage, though, as they become money pits. Of course, I do roll my eyes at people who make "Jeeping" their lifestyle brand, and, if you have a bunch of dinosaurs on your dash, we can't be friends.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Super capable vehicles and, until recently, were the most offroad capable stock vehicle you could buy. The sway bar disconnect is a really cool feature.
They don't seem to do well as daily drivers or with high mileage, though, as they become money pits. Of course, I do roll my eyes at people who make "Jeeping" their lifestyle brand, and, if you have a bunch of dinosaurs on your dash, we can't be friends.

Dude! LOL. "Jeep Culture" is the creepiest thing in the world. Some young chick tried to give me a rubber duck the other day when I was in town getting gas and water/ice for the cooler. Ew, no thanks.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

You're not wrong. Like I said the SXS just adds flexibility for me and covers the same ground at much faster rate than a pickup. Some of my day hunts are 20 minutes from camp in a SXS, same starting point would be an hour+ in a pickup if it didn't slide off the road into a canyon in wet weather. Nothing is perfect but there's a use case for everything.

I agree 100%. After my moose hunt in AK last year I tooled around with a buddy of mine looking for some land to buy for a cabin. We went off road in his newer Polaris and that thing was damn impressive at the ground it could cover at speed!