03-04-2021, 01:06 PM
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#1
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Anyone jump from a TRD Pro to a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited with 3.6L V6
The Pro is a great vehicle but I have come to realize it just is not as capable in stock trim as a Rubicon Unlimited. Also it appears that to go to a 285 tire (33”) surgery in the form of a body chop is necessary to clear without rubbing. Then you have a vehicle that still only has a 3.73 axle and will still have worse clearances (approach, departure, break over) than a stock Rubicon Unlimited. So I am wondering if anyone has moved to the Rubicon and what they think? Just seems crazy to cut a $50K truck then you still end up with a vehicle less capable than Rubicon. I don’t want to be speaking heresy but would appreciate any opinions. Thank you.
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03-04-2021, 01:09 PM
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#2
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Nope. No one has ever done that.. in the entire history of history.
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2014 4Runner TE w/KDSS. Fox 2.5 FRS/2.0 w/ Toytec Superflex. 285 WILDPEAK M/T. SSO Slimline w/ Stage 2. Smittybilt X20 10K. Shrockworks Sliders. SP-9100. VIAIR 444C On-Board Air. Sprint Booster. DD SS3. BD LP4. Rigid Ditch.
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03-04-2021, 01:23 PM
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#3
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Pro’s and cons? I am a Toyota fan, own 2 nice FJ40’s. Should I go Rubicon Unlimited the plan would be for a Ursa Minor pop top camper.
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03-04-2021, 01:24 PM
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#4
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A JL Rubicon vs. a 5th Gen in regards to capability isn't even close. The JLR is an amazing platform. 35's fit easily on stock suspension and the powertrain/axles is a non-issue to 37s (or higher if you aren't going super hard on it). The 3.6/8-speed ZF is a great combo and UConnect embarresses anything Toyota has tech wise. F/R lockers, disconnecting swaybar, good 33s... it's amazing Jeep puts this out from the factory. 4Runners are amazing for what they are and as you know knock the pants off Jeep from a reliability/longevity perspective, but the JL is a great vehicle and if capability is what you are after than I'd look no further.
I love my 4Runner, but if I were going to do any serious wheeling I'd be back in a Wrangler as the JL is a HUGE improvement over what my JK was. Also, can't beat top and doors off. There is nothing like it.
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03-04-2021, 01:28 PM
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#5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pedro367
A JL Rubicon vs. a 5th Gen in regards to capability isn't even close. The JLR is an amazing platform. 35's fit easily on stock suspension and the powertrain/axles is a non-issue to 37s (or higher if you aren't going super hard on it). The 3.6/8-speed ZF is a great combo and UConnect embarresses anything Toyota has tech wise. F/R lockers, disconnecting swaybar, good 33s... it's amazing Jeep puts this out from the factory. 4Runners are amazing for what they are and as you know knock the pants off Jeep from a reliability/longevity perspective, but the JL is a great vehicle and if capability is what you are after than I'd look no further.
I love my 4Runner, but if I were going to do any serious wheeling I'd be back in a Wrangler as the JL is a HUGE improvement over what my JK was. Also, can't beat top and doors off. There is nothing like it.
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* bronco enters the chat *
also the 3.6 in the JL and gladiators is gutless... and ppl complain about the t4r being gutless. recently test drove a gladiator mojave and was disappointed.
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03-04-2021, 01:47 PM
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#6
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I currently have a 2017 TRD Off Road, and my brother has had three JKU Wranglers of varying trim levels, including the Rubicon.
Yes, the Jeep, both stock and modded, will be more capable off road. It's just a better platform for that kind of driving, there's no getting around it. However, it's a dog on road, my brother used to say it was "like throwing a brick into a hurricane headwind." They're just not that comfortable to drive because of the sacrifices they make to be capable off roaders. This includes everything from driving characteristics, to seating and interior space availability.
The 4Runner on the other had, is much more comfortable on road, as you know owning one yourself. Still a very capable off roader, and can get you there and home with ease, but the Jeep will always be better off road.
It really just comes down to how you use your vehicle most often. Once you've answered that question, the choice becomes pretty apparent as to which you should go with.
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03-04-2021, 01:51 PM
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#7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pedro367
A JL Rubicon vs. a 5th Gen in regards to capability isn't even close. The JLR is an amazing platform. 35's fit easily on stock suspension and the powertrain/axles is a non-issue to 37s (or higher if you aren't going super hard on it). The 3.6/8-speed ZF is a great combo and UConnect embarresses anything Toyota has tech wise. F/R lockers, disconnecting swaybar, good 33s... it's amazing Jeep puts this out from the factory. 4Runners are amazing for what they are and as you know knock the pants off Jeep from a reliability/longevity perspective, but the JL is a great vehicle and if capability is what you are after than I'd look no further.
I love my 4Runner, but if I were going to do any serious wheeling I'd be back in a Wrangler as the JL is a HUGE improvement over what my JK was. Also, can't beat top and doors off. There is nothing like it.
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Thanks for this. One thing I have just recently noticed is that the 2021 Rubicon Unlimited with the 3.6 Pentastar is ONLY available as a mild hybrid ( e torque) in automatic tranny configuration. I guess you can get the 3.6L with a manual without the e garbage but would prefer the auto as others would be driving it as well. As Jeep’s are already known for mechanicals I sure don’t want any added junk on it, more to fail. Think I would be crying at the reliability I would be dealing with in a JL? Thanks.
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03-04-2021, 02:45 PM
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#8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tls3601
Thanks for this. One thing I have just recently noticed is that the 2021 Rubicon Unlimited with the 3.6 Pentastar is ONLY available as a mild hybrid ( e torque) in automatic tranny configuration. I guess you can get the 3.6L with a manual without the e garbage but would prefer the auto as others would be driving it as well. As Jeep’s are already known for mechanicals I sure don’t want any added junk on it, more to fail. Think I would be crying at the reliability I would be dealing with in a JL? Thanks.
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Will you be disappointed by reliability? Hard to say, but it's very likely that you'll deal with more issues, even if they are small and insignificant in and of themselves. Could be death by 1000 cuts? Who knows. I recommend you spend some time on the JL forums (if they still exist) and see what issues people are having; see what the most common complaints are, and then make your decision from there.
Like everyone here said, there's no comparison in offroad capability here - any Wrangler will win that. But there are tradeoffs to have that, which you need to decide whether you're willing to make, so again, do research.
Funny thing is that I'd likely be in a JL had I been able to fit into them. I'm tall, so my head rests against the roll bar when sitting normally, and that was a no-go. I didn't want to die if someone rear-ended me. They don't drive all that well on the road, but JL is still much better at it than the JK and especially the TJ. I had a TJ and that thing would beat you up something fierce.
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03-04-2021, 03:23 PM
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#9
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How often do you really need this off-road capability? You can fix the gearing issue in the 4runner if that's one of you major complaints. The Rubicon has more off-road capability, but it isn't night and day. The Rubicon is pretty terrible on road, especially the highway. The 4runner isn't spectacular on road or the highway, but it's still way better than the Rubicon. A 4runner is far more comfortable ride wise and size wise if you're transporting more than two people.
The biggest question you need to ask yourself though is what is your reliability tolerance? Jeep/Dodge/Fiat have DISMAL reliability. They are bottom of the barrel. I would be very nervous to venture far off-road in a Jeep without backup/support. The Jeep was quite a bit more tech. Little things go wrong and sometimes major things where it could strand/immobilize the vehicle. A 4runner is simple and tried and true.
Last edited by Charles Bronson; 03-04-2021 at 03:26 PM.
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03-04-2021, 03:43 PM
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#10
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A jeep wrangler of any type being terrible on highway is an understatement.
I thought it would be better in a longer wheel base Gladiator, but it was unbearable for me after 3-4 hours.
The T4R, I can do massive 14 hour drives with no issue.
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03-04-2021, 03:48 PM
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#11
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It's a horse a piece. There are reasons in favor or against, depending on what you drive.
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03-04-2021, 03:58 PM
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#12
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I think it would be a tough sell to ever go back to Chrysler Fiat simply based on vehicle reliability comparisons. Doesn't matter if a Jeep is more off road capable; if it's not reliable enough overall to get you back home you'll still be stranded/getting towed.
I came from being a Jeep owner before getting my first 4R and don't have any plans on returning.
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03-04-2021, 04:15 PM
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#13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tls3601
Pro’s and cons? I am a Toyota fan, own 2 nice FJ40’s. Should I go Rubicon Unlimited the plan would be for a Ursa Minor pop top camper.
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If you are looking for a purely offroad vehicle.. for sure the wrangler would have more capabilities than the 4runner.
However, the wrangler is definitely crap in on-road comfort.
With that said.. Get the EcoDiesel... its heavier.. but sweet sweet MPG... and... 442lb-ft of torque it can handle 37's without re-gearing. 22city/29hwy and tuning is available for even a bit more power.
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03-04-2021, 04:28 PM
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#14
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It's no secret that a Wrangler is a better off roader than the 4Runner especially in Rubicon trim. It simply is due to it's overall design. That said, a well outfitted 4Runner will probably do 90% of what the Jeep can do but would probably incur more body damage doing rock crawling and such. Where the Jeep can never keep up is daily driving that same vehicle. The ride and handling is pretty bad in the Jeep and the interior is not as roomy. Long distance in my 4Runner is a pleasure, I don't think it would be in the Wrangler. Of course this ignores he subject of reliability. The entire Jeep line is noteworthy for how unreliable they are which is the exact opposite of 4Runner reliability. Nope, I'll keep my 4Runner, thank you.
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03-04-2021, 04:42 PM
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#15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tm965
* bronco enters the chat *
also the 3.6 in the JL and gladiators is gutless... and ppl complain about the t4r being gutless. recently test drove a gladiator mojave and was disappointed.
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My JK was an Unlimited 3.6 with a 6 Speed. Talk about a dog. Unbearablly slow and once I put 285s on it I waved bye bye to 6th gear. The 3.6 with the 8 speed now is 100X better and IMO more than adequite, epecially compared to a 4Runner that is just adequite accelerating. I would not get a JL with a stick. Maybe the new autos feel so fast because mine was so slow
Quote:
Originally Posted by tls3601
Thanks for this. One thing I have just recently noticed is that the 2021 Rubicon Unlimited with the 3.6 Pentastar is ONLY available as a mild hybrid ( e torque) in automatic tranny configuration. I guess you can get the 3.6L with a manual without the e garbage but would prefer the auto as others would be driving it as well. As Jeep’s are already known for mechanicals I sure don’t want any added junk on it, more to fail. Think I would be crying at the reliability I would be dealing with in a JL? Thanks.
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According to the Jeep build page you can get just a normal 3.6 non-mild hybrid. However, I wouldn't put it past Jeep to stock dealers with the hybrids (a $1500 option) as they are horrible with selling up add ons and putting nonsense on them to jack up the sticker prices on the lots. The complete opposite of Toyota's "take what we give you" way of doing business. As I mentioned above, I would find a 3.6 w/ the 8spd. Way easier to offroad too.
Reliability is always up in the air with FCA lately. I would still buy one tho and I personally have had no issues with them across a 2013 Grand Cherokee, a 2014 Grand Cherokee, and my 2016 JKU. 100k trouble free miles or so total. I have friends with JLs that never have issues. One on 37s and 2.5" lift and cruises like nothing at 85. 30k miles and zero issues. I also have a friend that has had her JL to the dealer 3 times for death wobble. The tops do leak on some of them, but you sometimes have to take the good with the bad to go topless/doorless (still doesn't make it right IMO). FCA in general has electrical issues and the 3.6 has had minor issues in the past (heads), but otherwise its a pretty reliable motor at this point and FCA literally puts them in everything. I think most of the issues were earlier on and FCA reliability has gotten better in the last few years. Reliability and interior/car seat space were still a big reason why I steered away from FCA (even my previous grand cherokees were really small inside) and into my Toyota.
Forums are a slippery slope and a lot of the Jeep ones are full of complainers. I actually have fun conversations with my Jeep friends because I rarely see people complaining about things breaking on 4Runners whereas Jeep Forums seem to have a lot more complaints. My argument is that I wish for the money Jeep would just do better. They've gotten away with producing a "subpar" vehicle in the name of fun. I'm hoping the Bronco coming out kicks them in the butt. But, there is still so much to love about them and the JL is a massive improvement and a very liveable vehicle. They are also cool as hell.
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Last edited by Pedro367; 03-04-2021 at 04:44 PM.
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