Anyone jump from a TRD Pro to a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited with 3.6L V6
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blanchard7684
New member
I've had multiple 5th gens. I've been to many difficult and challenging trails mostly in AZ.
Here is my take on this subject as I've had thoughts about a Rubicon as well. My wife also a Toyota nerd like myself has had similar musings.
1) the only time we ever wish we had the Rubicon was on a challenging trail. The TRD PRO can handle about 80-90% of what the Rubicon can do. In those instances there are some white knuckle moments in a 4runner that are nearly easy with a Rubicon.
Throw larger tires on a Rubicon and its walk-in-the-park.
2) When we go trail hunting and exploring we have to drive a loooooong way from our home in Texas. No way we could do this without half bottle of ibuprofen in a Jeep of any kind.
3) for everyday driving and use the 4runner is the better vehicle in so many categories and by such a large margin its astonishing.
Overall...The 4runner punches way way way above its weight on a trail. in reality if you want to purchase a factory vehicle that can easily handle pretty much any trail you can imagine, the Rubicon is it.
So we are sticking with 4runners for now but its tempting to get a Rubicon just for the trail.
For us the justification of a Rubicon isn't there for the 5 days a year we are on a trail. THis may change as we can get out exploring more days of the year.
Here is my take on this subject as I've had thoughts about a Rubicon as well. My wife also a Toyota nerd like myself has had similar musings.
1) the only time we ever wish we had the Rubicon was on a challenging trail. The TRD PRO can handle about 80-90% of what the Rubicon can do. In those instances there are some white knuckle moments in a 4runner that are nearly easy with a Rubicon.
Throw larger tires on a Rubicon and its walk-in-the-park.
2) When we go trail hunting and exploring we have to drive a loooooong way from our home in Texas. No way we could do this without half bottle of ibuprofen in a Jeep of any kind.
3) for everyday driving and use the 4runner is the better vehicle in so many categories and by such a large margin its astonishing.
Overall...The 4runner punches way way way above its weight on a trail. in reality if you want to purchase a factory vehicle that can easily handle pretty much any trail you can imagine, the Rubicon is it.
So we are sticking with 4runners for now but its tempting to get a Rubicon just for the trail.
For us the justification of a Rubicon isn't there for the 5 days a year we are on a trail. THis may change as we can get out exploring more days of the year.
.02 cents....
It is all about perspective. I know it is just text on a forum page but to read some of these posts you would think that if you drive a Wrangler on a highway you will get out of the car with a chapped butt and bent back, screaming at the world.
I drove an 08 Wrangler 2 door with 6spd manual, 4.88 gears with detroit lockers, 32" MT's, vinyl seats, manual windows, manual locks, no carpet, and back seat removed... It was fine. The only time It was not awesome was in August in East Texas humidity, you would stick to the vinyl seats. Vinyl's no longer an option anyways.
Reliability... sample of 1, but I wheeled the dog out of that jeep for 90k miles, rocks, deep mud, you name it. The only issue I had was when I physically clogged the radiator fan with thick mud, causing overheating. Cleaned up the radiator area and it went back to business. (I've also had horrible reliability issues with a 2014 KL trailhawk fwiw).
When I bought my 4runner the jeep was strongly considered and on paper had the better equipment for my taste but my problem was the price. When I bought my 08 I paid 18k out the door, (before gearing, lockers etc). Now the base jeeps are about as much as a 4runner. I would have preferred a Rubi six speed so I would have to do 0 modifications but couldn't justify spending 10-15k over the price of a 4runner to do it.
They sell like hotcakes but jeep has priced itself out of me caring anymore.
Something else to think about, depending on your preferred trails a vehicle with too much capability, (it Rubicon), can actually take the fun out if because there is no challenge. After the above mentioned gears, lockers, and MT's on the jeep, it was actually less fun offroad because I actually had to look for trouble to find something challenging as the normal trails and obstacles were too easy. Something else to consider.
It is all about perspective. I know it is just text on a forum page but to read some of these posts you would think that if you drive a Wrangler on a highway you will get out of the car with a chapped butt and bent back, screaming at the world.
I drove an 08 Wrangler 2 door with 6spd manual, 4.88 gears with detroit lockers, 32" MT's, vinyl seats, manual windows, manual locks, no carpet, and back seat removed... It was fine. The only time It was not awesome was in August in East Texas humidity, you would stick to the vinyl seats. Vinyl's no longer an option anyways.
Reliability... sample of 1, but I wheeled the dog out of that jeep for 90k miles, rocks, deep mud, you name it. The only issue I had was when I physically clogged the radiator fan with thick mud, causing overheating. Cleaned up the radiator area and it went back to business. (I've also had horrible reliability issues with a 2014 KL trailhawk fwiw).
When I bought my 4runner the jeep was strongly considered and on paper had the better equipment for my taste but my problem was the price. When I bought my 08 I paid 18k out the door, (before gearing, lockers etc). Now the base jeeps are about as much as a 4runner. I would have preferred a Rubi six speed so I would have to do 0 modifications but couldn't justify spending 10-15k over the price of a 4runner to do it.
They sell like hotcakes but jeep has priced itself out of me caring anymore.
Something else to think about, depending on your preferred trails a vehicle with too much capability, (it Rubicon), can actually take the fun out if because there is no challenge. After the above mentioned gears, lockers, and MT's on the jeep, it was actually less fun offroad because I actually had to look for trouble to find something challenging as the normal trails and obstacles were too easy. Something else to consider.
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DallasTRDPro
Member
I paid $28K for my '06 Rubicon. I just priced a 2 door Rubicon and it was $50K. It only has two gosh damn doors for F's sake. I will always love the way Jeeps look and perform off road, but I never want to drive one on road again. I hate playing in the rocks and just enjoy the long road trips and seeing where the 4R can go. for that the 4R is light years better than a Jeep. The only thing I miss is the ease of modding of the Jeep.
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EddieV4runnin
New member
Jeep is definitely more capable than the 4Runner. But it’s tiny in there, and let’s not call it reliable.
AggieOE
New member
I have both.
2016 JKUR & 2015 4Runner
4Runner is better in:
- Comfort (Wife's DD)
- Highway driving ease
- Interior space
- Towing
- Storage
Jeep is:
- More fun around town (my DD)
- Always makes you smile
- Results in countless stranger compliments and admiration 24/7
- Stupid fun on rocks and two wheels in air scenarios
- Comfortable enough for my wife and I to drive from Houston to Moab twice.
Reliability wise is a non-issue. We've had no issues with our Jeep. Every FCA offering includes the pentastar engine. So you know it's tried and true. The mechanics are simple too. The suspension and drivetrain haven't been really changed since the turn of the century. The only things really new are the diesel and i4 motors as well as the new JL transmission.
All that being said, if I was to only pick one? 4Runner ORP all day long because we drive a LONG ways on road trips and it's PLENTY capable off-road.
Both retain their value. Both are admired off-road vehicles. Both use old technology.
2016 JKUR & 2015 4Runner
4Runner is better in:
- Comfort (Wife's DD)
- Highway driving ease
- Interior space
- Towing
- Storage
Jeep is:
- More fun around town (my DD)
- Always makes you smile
- Results in countless stranger compliments and admiration 24/7
- Stupid fun on rocks and two wheels in air scenarios
- Comfortable enough for my wife and I to drive from Houston to Moab twice.
Reliability wise is a non-issue. We've had no issues with our Jeep. Every FCA offering includes the pentastar engine. So you know it's tried and true. The mechanics are simple too. The suspension and drivetrain haven't been really changed since the turn of the century. The only things really new are the diesel and i4 motors as well as the new JL transmission.
All that being said, if I was to only pick one? 4Runner ORP all day long because we drive a LONG ways on road trips and it's PLENTY capable off-road.
Both retain their value. Both are admired off-road vehicles. Both use old technology.
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Nicely put. So my prime focus in this thread is off road capability. I could truly care less about on road comfort as both are WAY more comfortable on pavement than either of my 40’s. Also seems like your reliability with the 3.6L was positive. Bummer is to get a new one the 3.6L can only be had in an auto tranny with something called eTorque which I am not too crazy about, one more thing to fail….
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Incidentally what exactly is eTorque? I am a purist, simple equals good to me. I would but a Rubicon with hand crank windows if it was available that way but it is not. Less complicated equals less to fail in my book. Let’s hope Toyota doesn’t mess up the 6th Gen 4Runner with Turbo engines
I understood that the 3.6 is definitely available with the 6spd manual and not the e torque. I agree with you, both platforms are easily comfortable for my needs.
ScoutRecon
New member
If your looking for more capabilities than your Pro have you considered selling the Pro and picking up a clean 80 series land cruiser? I would say that the $50k+ that a Rubicon costs would buy, restore, and build one hell of an 80 series.
I have considered this. But already having two FJ40’s one restored, the other in the process, I don’t want to restore any more vehicles. That said I feel the 80 is the best Overland Vehicle one can buy here in USA. Needed something newer and more reliable. Rubicon Umlimited JL with an Ursa Minor top is very appealing. Not waiting for Yota to remove its head from its #ss and offer a solid front axle 4X4 here stateside. I have driven the Rubicon, less body roll on pavement and feels peppier than my Pro. I was impressed with its on pavement ride.
bring_it_on
New member
My contribution to this thread today. Great collection of some Jeep's and Toyotas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1513&v=pIpdviWNQG8&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1513&v=pIpdviWNQG8&feature=youtu.be
Ripper238
Senior Member
If only the Rubicon weighed a little less, you could tow it with your 4R and have the best of both worlds. You probably will be towing it a lot anyway. lol
My Son loves Jeeps, has had several and he strongly suggested i get the 4R because i drive it daily. But if i was only/mostly offroading i would definitely get a Jeep.
My Son loves Jeeps, has had several and he strongly suggested i get the 4R because i drive it daily. But if i was only/mostly offroading i would definitely get a Jeep.
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bring_it_on
New member
Same here. A two door Rubicon if I could afford a brand new play truck and lived somewhere, where I didn't have to drive a couple of days to get to places I'm interested in 
ScoutRecon
New member
I completely understand not wanting to take on another project! Seeing that you already have a 40 I could only picture how good an 80 would look along with it so I had to mention it.
Personally, I dig the Gladiator for what it is and give Jeep a lot credit for bringing a mid-sized truck on solid axels to market. Like others have said, you can't beat Jeep's capabilities new oit of the box. I would personally love to own a Rubicon Galdiator just because I would use it around my property as a truck, but at the end of the day I can't get over the fact its a Jeep. I don't want to be at shop fixing stupid junk, recalls, etc. I'll opt for a off road Taco instead when the time is right, but for now I daily drive my stock lx450 and love it!
I vote to upgrade your Pro
TexasTJ
New member
I've got both (kinda). 2017 TRD Pro and 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon both setup with a RTT and fridge. I have also had a Tacoma and a Wrangler (both older).
I have taken the 4Runner on several trails around Ouray, and Moab in stock form. The Gladiator is on 37s, not out of necessity, but because I can. Rubicons can generally fit 35s no lift, or 37s on a 2" lift, no other mods. The 4R has definitely impressed me more than once, but it's not as confidence inspiring as a Jeep on the trails. Both are plenty reliable at this point. If you're interested in a manual, at least Jeep gives you the option. You said your prime focus is off road capability, which means Jeep end of story. If I'm being honest, I am biased, and if I could only pick one, it'd be Jeep.
I have taken the 4Runner on several trails around Ouray, and Moab in stock form. The Gladiator is on 37s, not out of necessity, but because I can. Rubicons can generally fit 35s no lift, or 37s on a 2" lift, no other mods. The 4R has definitely impressed me more than once, but it's not as confidence inspiring as a Jeep on the trails. Both are plenty reliable at this point. If you're interested in a manual, at least Jeep gives you the option. You said your prime focus is off road capability, which means Jeep end of story. If I'm being honest, I am biased, and if I could only pick one, it'd be Jeep.
Thanks for this! Great photo’s as well. Yes a solid front axle is SO confidence inspiring and as I began my wheeling in a 40, I miss that “feel” in the rocks that you only get with the solid front axle. How does one upload pics, have not been able to do that. Thanks again.I've got both (kinda). 2017 TRD Pro and 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon both setup with a RTT and fridge. I have also had a Tacoma and a Wrangler (both older).
I have taken the 4Runner on several trails around Ouray, and Moab in stock form. The Gladiator is on 37s, not out of necessity, but because I can. Rubicons can generally fit 35s no lift, or 37s on a 2" lift, no other mods. The 4R has definitely impressed me more than once, but it's not as confidence inspiring as a Jeep on the trails. Both are plenty reliable at this point. If you're interested in a manual, at least Jeep gives you the option. You said your prime focus is off road capability, which means Jeep end of story. If I'm being honest, I am biased, and if I could only pick one, it'd be Jeep.
AggieOE
New member
Oh man, so I must have misunderstood initially. If you're primary focus is off-road and you enjoy driving something fun, Rubicon all the way!
Adding an Ursa top is my dream. As soon as mine is paid off, that money is going aside just for that, especially for more solo travel. I assume you've watched venture4wd's youtube channel then where he travels all around North America with his JKUR and Ursa.
4.10s with the 3.6L (mine's an auto) is quite peppy and, as I said earlier, has been reliable so far. Even the venture4wd and theroadchoseme guys say the same exact thing.
TexasTJ
New member
You can attach photos on your post if you scroll below the "submit reply" button (on a computer) and click "manage attachments". I host on flickr, then post over here using the image URL. You have to put "
Like below, but put them in the same line.
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Yep. Totally with you on this. Ursa Minor on top makes it an almost unstoppable adventure vehicle. I think Shontz; Venture 4WD has like 150K miles on his with the 3.6L. I think with proper maintenance and not doing stupid abusive things to them they can be quite reliable.
