4runner trail or jeep rubicon 2dr

T

toyota4

New member
hi guys im trying to decide what exactly is the thing im looking for:
i like to go off roading alot but not a hard core...there is nothing really near me (i have the rausch greek and the pine's both like 2:1/2 hours from me...)
and most of my drive will be in town can u guys help me decide???? i can get the 2dr rubi with no option at all other than aotomatic and power doors and window's for about $31k and i can get a discount on any toyota of about $2-$3k the thing is that the jeep dousnt need any mods 4 the begining and the toyota will need tiers and a lift rite away....also i dont really like to rught of a drive... i wonder if u guys ever regret not having the rubi....i wanna b happy with the decision....
(another option is pro-x or a v8 4runner)
also..im not so handy...lol
thanks
 
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I only read the title and just want to say considering this is a 4Runner site do you think a Jeep would win over our beloved 4Runner? Ok I will go read your post.

Edit.....A 4Runner won't need a lift right away. It is quite capable right out of the box. Tires.....yeah I would ahree in that but you can work with your dealer on that at time of purchase.
 
IMO -The Jeep is a good off-roader, but it's rough and crude. The T4R is refined and still good off road. With your mix of city driving I think a T4R would be a better choice. I may be biased, check my photo.
 

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Off-road : Jeep>T4R

Everything else: T4R>Jeep

Also consider a non-rubi Wrangler/ Unlimited. PLENTY of capability there and you'll get more $$ for options.
 
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Out of the box, the Jeep Rubicon will out perform the 4runner off road to some extent. If you wanted to go big, the Jeep has more big lift options. Now if you are not going hardcore offroad, the Rubicon model is more than you need (dual axle lockers and lower transfer case). The removable top can be appealing to some.

The 4runner will be much more roomy inside. The 4runner is more refined and better ride. You would be amazed what a stock 4runner can do. More aggressive tires will transform the looks and offroad capabilities. With a lift, skids, tires, bumpers, you can go on some extreme trails. You will be able to carry 4 and gear. You can wheel and camp, sleeping inside the 4runner.

It's not unheard of getting 250,000 miles or many more out of a Toyota. Toyota's also retain their value.

Either one will require about the same work to hit the hard trails. Even the Rubicon will need bigger tires, lift better skids and better bumpers.

The Jeep can be built up to accept 35" or 37" tires with off the shelf parts without much work.

If I was building up a hardcore trail rig, I would go with the Jeep but also would accept that it isn't going to run flawlessly for 250,000+ miles.
 
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BobsTrail said:
IMO -The Jeep is a good off-roader, but it's rough and crude. The T4R is refined and still good off road. With your mix of city driving I think a T4R would be a better choice. I may be biased, check my photo.
Click to expand...

Totally agree...and this is from T4R.org's biggest Rubicon fanboy! :D

KCcarguy said:
Also consider a non-rubi Wrangler/ Unlimited. PLENTY of capability there and you'll get more $$ for options.
Click to expand...

KC, i disagree with this. Non-rubi Wranglers run into the same problem as 4runner Trail...wimpy tires & wimpy axles...and nothing really special about it other than it being a Wrangler (cool, retro, open top, etc.). You can get an Xterra and be far more practical at the price of an Unlimited Wrangler.

If you're gonna get a Wrangler, then go all the way...don't half-assed it and regret later on. The Rubicon is not just a sticker on the hood...there is some major HD hardware included in it that makes it so very special. (And now that the powertrain has been upgraded, it is a very special vehicle!)

Gerdo said:
Toyota's also retain their value.

Either one will require about the same work to hit the hard trails. Even the Rubicon will need bigger tires, lift better skids and better bumpers.
Click to expand...

You will be surprise at the Wrangler's resale value...probably matching the 4runner (or even exceeding it!).

If you want to hit the hard trails, then you have to do much more in the 4runner than the Rubicon!! 4runners need tires, lift, locker(s), SAS conversion (if ballsy), TC, etc.. Rubicon already comes with Dana 44H axles (stronger than traditional Dana 44s), crazy 4:1 TC, lockers (very strong), and super duper short overhangs. So, yeah, you MAY need a lift, but you don't have to lift it too high since the overhangs and ground clearance are already pretty darn good! No comparison whatsoever IMHO b/w the two when hitting a hard trail...either in execution or in prepping the vehicles!

BUT, going back to OP, i think that he should get 4runner Trail + AT tires + rocker sliders. Done. Forget the crude Wrangler Rubicon...it will be fun at first but it will tired you out over the long haul, esp. when you don't use it to its potential.
 
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I say FJ Cruiser with tire upgrade...if not that then a Trail Edition...but they both have strong points, will do a great job on the trail, but a 4Runner would get you further ahead of the game, especially by your admittance that the majority of your driving is on road.
 
Thai said:
KC, i disagree with this. Non-rubi Wranglers run into the same problem as 4runner Trail...wimpy tires & wimpy axles...and nothing really special about it other than it being a Wrangler (cool, retro, open top, etc.). You can get an Xterra and be far more practical at the price of an Unlimited Wrangler.

If you're gonna get a Wrangler, then go all the way...don't half-assed it and regret later on. The Rubicon is not just a sticker on the hood...there is some major HD hardware included in it that makes it so very special. (And now that the powertrain has been upgraded, it is a very special vehicle!)
Click to expand...

I'm assuming you'll upgrade tires on both, since both OEM tires suck. You're right, the Rubi is one bad-ass rig, but a standard wrangler with upgraded tires is still a very capable rig (especially SWB). I had a 4 cylinder, manual 5-spd YJ with upgraded tires in high school and even that was amazingly capable.

The Xterra is a really good suggestion. I think you can get a Pro4X for $28-ish. That's a great package. I considered it myself, but my truck is a "dad car" first, and the 4runner has them all beat for comfort, safety, and reliability.
 
KC, i see what you meant. Yeah, i agree. A Wrangler in itself is a good off-road rig. But, the OP seemingly has money to spare! So, go for the big boy! :D
 
Both are great vehicles!! In a perfect world I would have both in my driveway. I traded my Rubicon in for the T4R when the family started growing and although I love my Toyota, the Jeep was fantastic. As others have said, it really depends on what you want to do with it? I kept the Rubicon stock and had no problems taking it off road, the MTRs were great and the short wheel base is unbeatable with regards to trail maneuverability. The Jeep is much smaller and you can definitely get it in tighter spots than the Toyota. That said, I took my stock SR5 out on the trails and had no problem keeping up with the Jeep in front of me.. Still it felt more like the Toyota wasn't built for the trail whereas the Rubicon craved it. Street/city driving is another matter.. I had the 4.0 engine in my Rubicon and gas MPG and range sucked! I know the new Penstar is a better engine but I'd imagine the Toyota will still get you further on the highway. Also the ride in the Rubicon was much rougher thanks to the MTRs, the short WB, and the soft top. Final two cents... I miss my Jeep but with 3 girls and a dog to haul around, I love my T4R.

Good luck!
 
thank u all 4 the help

sounds like everyone agree that the rubi will b more capable off road and not as smooth on the road the ? is:there is anyone here who have the 5th gen and feel like:''i shold off get a rubicon''?

also if i get the TE is a lift of 3'' and 33 could be the only thing i can do or im once i go big ill need to change/add more stuff?

i think once im getting a new car i should get 1 with lucker(s) from factory (like the RUBICON,PRO X and of cource the 4runner TE) am i right with this??

and the last thing is i wanna know how the 4runner will feel on the road after3'' and mud tiers (last night i drove an xj 99 with 4.5'' and 33'' i really didnt like it!!!! i wander if the runner will feel the same after that....and this is 1 of the things i did like about the rubicon that i take it from the dealer with almost 32'' with dicent ammount of g clearance and the ride will stay the same(i hope maybe its a metter of time lol)
 
"i like to go off roading alot but not a hard core"

This tells me that you don't need the Rubicon and the 4runner will fit the bill. The 4runner will be much better on the road too.

With 3" of lift and 33"s on the 4runner, it'll ride great. Usually as good or better than stock. Get a good lift using coils and not just spacers. FJ Cruiser/4Runner Ultimate 3" lift package - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits
 
Since this is a 4Runner site you're going to get a strong leaning toward the T4R. I have both a modified TE and modified LJ in the family, as well as a good friend with an LJ Rubicon. Your key statement in you post was that you are an off-roader, but not hard core. My TE has a 3" lift and 33" tires. I can go anywhere my friends Rubicon can go except where a winch is needed, since I don't have one (yet) and he does. Both his and my son's Jeeps have 4" lifts, which are needed to get the ground clearance, so don't think a Jeep, even a Rubicon doesn't needs mods to go off road seriously. My son's LJ has mods to bring it up to match Rubicon specs and also has a winch.

The difference is refinement. I cannot imagine driving either of the Jeeps I am familiar with as a daily driver. My 17 year old son can tolerate it, but not me. It's noisy, rough, handles like sh!t on the road. We go to Ouray, CO every summer and I will be flat towing my son's Jeep up there because I wouldn't wish that kind of punishment on anyone.

Test drive both. Drive them on the freeway and it won't be a hard decision. Granted, the JK is a little more refined than the TJ/LJ, but not much. As for off-road capability, the TE has a rear locker and ATRAC that pretty well match the front and rear lockers of the Rubicon. The TE also has other traction aids that work better on pavement. Once I put a winch on my TE there won't be anywhere the Jeeps can go that I can't.
 
Go w/ the Toyota

Owned 4 different jeep models over the years, including wrangler, traded in my last one for my 4Runner and couldn't be happier. Had ongoing maintenance issues on the last Jeep and just couldn't take it anymore. The fit, finish, and overall feel on my 4Runner is more solid then any Jeep I've owned, I wouldn't go back. I've only done light offroading with this 4runner as I wanted to pay it off before I did any mods but it plows through snow just as well as anything.
 
I'm always fascinated by the price on the Jeep. Crude interior, bouncy street ride, wind noise and probably the highest profit vehicle for Chrysler at the manufacturing end.

You certainly can't question the Jeeps off road capability but a T4R Trail Edition and Rubicon are going to be close in price but light years apart in comfort and technology but not THAT far apart in off road capability. Plus the 4R tows 5,000 vs 3,500 for the Jeep. Unless you buy the 4 door Jeep, it's close to being a 2 seater since the back seat on the 2 door is a torture chamber to get into and sit in for a trip of any length. Assuming similar pricing, I don't get the Jeep
 
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