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.
Anyone jump from a TRD Pro to a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited with 3.6L V6
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Nope. No one has ever done that.. in the entire history of history.
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.
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.
* 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.
Muff Muff
New member
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.
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.
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.
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.
Charles Bronson
Member
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.
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.
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Brick Sprickly
New member
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.
I came from being a Jeep owner before getting my first 4R and don't have any plans on returning.
WhiteMudhorn
Member
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.
Blue 4ever Runner
New member
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.
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
ound: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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Mark4runnar
Member
I am not all that familiar with the Jeep line so I respect the straight talk on what the Jeep is capable of.......I did notice some Jeep bashing on the "power"......
you may want to check this out
2021 Jeep(R) Wrangler Rubicon 392 - V8 HEMI Engine SUV
Toyota has no answer for this one.
you may want to check this out
2021 Jeep(R) Wrangler Rubicon 392 - V8 HEMI Engine SUV
Toyota has no answer for this one.
Starting at just $74,000. :wacko:
All great responses. Why can’t Yota build a 4C4 as capable as the Rubicon with the flexibility of removable top, doors, etc..., but with Toyota reliability??? Looks like they will have to now or lose market share to Ford and Jeep. Competition could be a GOOD thing. Bone stock I am betting the Bronco in similar trim is also way more capable than the Pro, the numbers alone suggest that, although vids of it in the Rubicon trail seemed to show it struggling.
PhillySilver
New member
This is pretty much what steered me towards a 4Runner when I was in the market for a new ride. They are completely different vehicles and rough to even compare them. I had a YJ for a lot of years, loved it, but needs are different now.
I (well, technically my wife) currently own a CJ-7 to scratch the top-down motoring itch.
The YJ was rough but I was young and didn't care. The CJ is a rock tumbler (solid axle, leaf-springs, no shackle reversal yet). Driving it anywhere but to whatever restaurant we are going to on a nice day is brutal.
All great responses. Why can’t Yota build a 4C4 as capable as the Rubicon with the flexibility of removable top, doors, etc..., but with Toyota reliability??? Looks like they will have to now or lose market share to Ford and Jeep. Competition could be a GOOD thing. Bone stock I am betting the Bronco in similar trim is also way more capable than the Pro, the numbers alone suggest that, although vids of it in the Rubicon trail seemed to show it struggling.
