Relatively Odd Classing Question

[NERDY]

Asking on behalf of a potential participant:

How would a 4WD Toyota 4Runner be classed if it had a blown up front diff (effectively RWD)?

Would it have to be a complete package conversion to 2WD to be in Prepared Rear (was there a 2WD package?)?

Would it be Prepared AWD regardless?

Thanks,

-Bryan

[mhenry]

You can run it in the RWD class if its not in 4wd.  If anyone ever notices that the front wheels are spinning/pulling though, you will have to suffer the rath of everyone, although if its broken i doubt that would ever happen.

So the straight answer is, you dont need to do a 2wd conversion. 

[DecorativeDirtStud]

What vintage 4Runner are we talking about here?  Does it have a full-time 4wd system or is there a transfer case (i.e. it is selectable between rwd and 4wd)?  I'm presuming the later because if it was full time, it would be un-drivable with the blown diff.

The other concern that I would have from a safety perspective is that 4Runners are what I would consider a high roll over risk.  They are rather top heavy and not difficult to put on their side.  Please reach out directly to Chris Regan (see the contact info page for his email address or phone number) and chat with him about it.  We will allow high center of gravity vehicles to compete, but you will get a stern lecture about keeping it under control and if the safety stewards see anything that they don't like you could be asked to either tone it down or potentially even say we can't allow you to continue.  Trying to compete with it in RWD mode just exaggerates the roll over risk, so we'd really have to think about that one.

Tim
 

[mhenry]

I agree with what Tim said.... When I read it, I thought it said tacoma for some reason...

[marcello7x]

I would think the risk of roll.would he reduced if running rwd. He wont throw it into a turn the same as if ue were runnng awd.

[DecorativeDirtStud]

I would think the risk of roll.would he reduced if running rwd. He wont throw it into a turn the same as if ue were runnng awd.

I'd argue the opposite - you are more likely to get sideways in RWD than AWD - and when you do, you don't have the AWD to pull you straight again.   Having watched a brand new (as in they had not even made the first payment on it) Ford Ranger 4X4 running in RWD roll over after the driver got a bit sideways, panicked and lifted off the gas causing the truck to rotate even more - on a perfectly flat and un-rutted section of the course - I'm a bit leery of high center of gravity vehicles running an a RWD mode without a very experienced driver behind the wheel.

But as I said - contact Chris and talk to him.  We are more likely to let the OP try it at NED on the snow and ice than we are later in the year on gravel.

Tim

[NERDY]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll pass the info along.

-Bryan