WReiter

I am thinking of getting a used Cayenne (under $35K) to use as family workhorse and for off-roading (with my buddy's family and his Jeep Rubicon). I know that I should look for the "off-roading package". It includes all 3 locking diff's and sway bar disengage, correct? Any words of advice as to which Cayenne and what options I should look for?

dasams

There were very few of those produced as it was an expensive option at $4,520 in 2006. Here's the description from my 2006 order guide:

PB1: Adv Offroad Tech Pack w/PTM Includes Hydraulically disconnectable front and rear off road stabilizer bars, electronically controlled rear axle differential lock, rocker panel protection with integrated skid plates, reinforced engine skid plate, headlamp washer system, second tow lug, and additional protection for the fuel tank and rear axle.

Another important feature is the 2 sp transfer case that was standard on the first series. Maybe someone can confirm but I think that feature was removed after 2010.

ScootCherHienie

The Transsyberia model (600 made) has skid plates and air bag suspension most of the time (have not seen one for sale equipped with the Advance offroad kit, but you never know)... not as ultimate as the full hardcore package, but has some useful things. One sold on BaT a while back for $29,000 with an odometer that was "showing" 101,000 but it is not known if that is the accurate mileage. That last bit would scare the crap out of me. But somebody else went in pretty deep.

Petza914

955 or 957 generation (through 2010) have the low range transfer case and are better for aggressive off-roading.

Pillow

35K!!! Get a 955 beater and cut it up - still under 10k

You don't need to get crazy to have these perform well off road. Look at the Tough T series from The Fast Lane Car on YT. They basically just put tires on it and full send! Impressive for a basically stock SUV.

dr_r2r

Lots of info on this FB groups. I would join them and you can see what suits you.
Eurowise from NC has been selling lift kits and coilovers that can raise the Cayenne up to 6 inches.They also have rails and skidplates for sale.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1628490004068635
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1628490004068635/about

Miamirice

Get a Lexus GX 460.

WReiter

Great info. It seems to be that in the absence of being able to find a 955-957 with PT1 or PT2 (advanced offroad tech package), if I want disengaging sway bars, I need PDCC, and 1Y1 (locking rear diff). The question is, was 1Y1 available without the offroad package? (One can get the locking rear diff on 958's with PVT+, but the 958's don't have the low range transfer case.)

958's are also a good deal pricier than 955/957's. If I could find a 955/957 with PDCC AND a locking rear diff (if available), I could always add skid plates and rock rails and still be far under the price of a 958.

Pillow

958 no Low range. So not a real off-road option if you are crawling.

Cayenne and Touareg off road action! @12:00 wheels up on that Cayenne!

DWPC

Bare minimum for offroad is a model with low range and locking ctr diff (offroad) setting. 955 Turbos had these, not sure about models. Air suspension is a huge advantage, but it and most offroadish options like F-R lockers were very rare as few Cayenne buyers intended to take a $100K car into the boonies. That said, and having done considerable Jeep & H3 AZ offroading and a little in my 955T, I never felt my 955T was happy offroad. Throttle is too touchy, and it's short on suspension articulation; even with air susp. I assume you've considered the cost of towing/fixing a Cayenne that breaks on the trail vs a Jeep or 4Runner. Tires are a big deal but a trade-off between DD duty and offroad chops.

jellonailer

I'm going to dump my 955TT and get a proper Land Cruiser. No way would I take my CTT deep into off beaten path.

mtnrat

Be like me and have both.

jellonailer

Excellent concept!
I already have 8 of them, why not go for a dozen cars?