Official 4Runner VS Raptor - Apples VS Oranges Thread

[Leucifer]

However, there are almost no true SUVs anymore, so you could *kind of* say the TRD Pro is the "Raptor of the SUV World". If you're like the only SUV on the market, you can say whatever you want.

This is kind of my point, in what I said earlier.

Mfg's have damn near abandoned us (we, those who enjoy going off-road in some fashion). Ford threw us a good bone with the Raptor. Beyond a few vehicles, the market is getting thin. I'm going to point to what wfo9 said......

I'm amazed people think everything about the Raptor is awesome.

No doubt it is cool, but nothing spectacular for all uses....

It has some pros.. but it so bad on trails that most people simply won't take them out. It's very heavy. Think the new ones are down to 5,800 or so dry, but loaded up they top over 7k easy and that just sucks.

Different tool for a different jobs.

Still if I wanted a high speed desert rig I would build a full size Chevy. Just because way more performance for so much less money in the end. I can understand the raptor though for turn key buyers.

The three modern OEM trucks that I think are in play for most offroad enthusiast.
4Runner -
JK
Raptor
Tacoma
Colorado zr2

The JK wins hands down for trail use out of the box.
The raptor for speed/towing use...
The 4Runner sits in the swiss army knife role. Not great at anything, but a decent trail rig with some mods and a very comfortable road machine.
The tacoma and Zr2 are sort of like a 4runner but with more truck utility and less car. The zr2 is actually the most capable from the factory of all of them (expect the Rubicon) since it is fully locked from the factory. The diesel option makes it very attractive for overland long range use...

Whatever you do just do it and don't judge so dam much. From those that SAS a 4runner and do Fordyce to those that mall crawl. Whatever meets your needs and puts a a big smile on your face.

...... our choices these days have narrowed down pretty damn hard. There's very few "out of the box" vehicles that are built with US in mind. Again, my statement, most of the "off road packages" these days are kind of an insult to a person truly interested in off-roading. Most of the people I know never take the FX4, Z71, or what have you to anything more aggressive than a gravel driveway. Even their Jeeps.... I live in San Diego which DOES have some true off-road fans and guys with great builds, but most are simply for show..... they look like Tarzan but will never see a water crossing more scary than the puddle at the car wash.

The Raptor, to me, is exciting because it shows there IS a demand. Like I said, Chevy noticed and softly jumped on that bandwagon with the ZR2.

For my purposes though, I ditched my Jeep (have had 3) and went with a 4R because I genuinely believe it's a better vehicle, and doesn't give up much capability (if any). It's still a damn good platform to start with.

Everyone has different needs. Again, myself.... I love my 4R. Some of the best money I've ever spent.... and I'm looking forward to the adventures with her.

 

[CoolMax]

I would never argue that the two vehicles are even in the same class (saw the same argument about Mustang GT's vs Corvette Z06 - as a Mustang guy, I know it's not supposed to outperform a Corvette, but if I can mod one to outperform a Z06, that's awesome).

However, there are almost no true SUVs anymore, so you could *kind of* say the TRD Pro is the "Raptor of the SUV World". If you're like the only SUV on the market, you can say whatever you want.

TRD says it all: TRD - TRD Pro Series

HORIZONS UNLIMITED: CHOICES
THREE TRD PRO SERIES MODELS: TUNDRA, TACOMA & 4RUNNER

If you love off-roading, then the TRD Pro Series trucks are for you. The TRD Pro equipment is not just a package, it’a lifestyle. For over 35 years, Toyota Racing Development has been a major force in motorsports, racking up numerous off-road racing victories in the grueling Baja 500 and Baja 1000. Now, born from the lessons learned in the Mexican desert, Toyota is offering the TRD Pro Series Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner. Each of these terrain-conquering trucks comes fully equipped with the TRD hardware that helps serious off-roaders go places they never dreamed possible.

These are the most adventurous TRD production models offered so far (or to date): An amazing mix of TRD engineering and head-turning style, all in a turn-key model that you can drive off the lot and straight into the dirt. Plus, because they’re from Toyota and TRD, you know that every component has been designed and built for optimum durability. So if you’re looking for a new truck that turns heads as quickly as it climbs hills, look no further than the TRD Pro Series Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner.

So...how well does a TRD Pro do at Baja?

 

[CoolMax]

4Runner > LandCruiser ?:bump2:

 

[CoolMax]

Only second to the unreliability of KDSS. :banana:

The KDSS cylinders are designed to detonate at 100k....:wow:

 

[LawnDart]

TRD says it all: TRD - TRD Pro Series


So...how well does a TRD Pro do at Baja?

Toyota took 3 TRD pros two years ago. They all made it through. Slowly. And as a result kinda pissed people off because they were waiting on them constantly.

There was an audible and collective groan when we rolled up at the tecate border crossing. After a few days everyone realized we were tuned up to at least keep up.

 

[Leucifer]

4Runner > LandCruiser ?:bump2:

These days. Yeah. Sadly.
Especially if you're buying new. No one I know is gonna drop $90k on a Land Cruiser to set it up for off-road. And anyone I know with that kind of scratch, they're not going to start with a new LC anyway.

 

[Big Daddy K]

Having come from my 6.0L Vortec Max Silverado to my 16 TE, I can say the 4Runner feels painfully underpowered. But I wouldn't go back! Being my daily driver and dealing with city parking the silverado was a PITA and I gained about 7mpg with the T4R. Two totally different vehicles that were bought for different needs. The main reason for my full size truck was to tow our (now sold) travel trailer. The only thing in common is 4WD and the 4Runner is way better in most respects.

I'm not saying a silverado is equal to a raptor, but I guess I just don't get the argument between the 4Runner and raptor. They are just too different to compare.



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[RUNTHAT]

The KDSS cylinders are designed to detonate at 100k....:wow:

Reminds me of my iPhone.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Shuuuuut my 1st Gen cud take all yall. :fencing::fencing:

 

[drewskitime]

Don't forget the Power Wagon. It is one bad freakin ass off road worthy truck in stock form. Obviously it's huge though.

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[entoptics]

My TRD Off Road just got to my driveway, and I have a little Hot Wheels Raptor on the dash to keep it humble.

Blew up my old truck (2000 Exploder), two years too soon for my Raptor savings plan, and had to "settle" for a Runner.

Practicality? Runner.
Capability? Raptor.
Cool Factor? Raptor.

Frankly, the Runner is 5 years behind. If it had a 6-8 speed tranny, a couple turbos, and all the amenities that a top end Prius has, it would crush the market. Instead, it's poor in the mileage department, poor in the "cool tech", and only stands out because it's a dying breed.

I think Toyota could achieve legendary "Raptor" status if they would offer a $55,000 TRD Shark (or any other scary predator name) package. Have their engineers/salesman visit this forum, build an off the shelf rig with all the goodies (beefy frame, suspension, transmission, roof racks and bumpers, etc). Put a 400 HP motor in it (perhaps some Hybrid e-motors), and only make enough that a person would have to wait 5 months to get one.

That being said, my new red truck is a hell of an upgrade from my Exploder!

:bravo:

 

[-dustin]

This thread keeps delivering.

 

[ahbot]

I love my 4Runner to death. I'm on my 2nd 4Runner and probably my last. I'm planning for an upgrade in a few years to a truck. I have a growing family so I have to haul a ton of crap.

The Raptor is on top of the list. It's capable and looks dope as hell.

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[SacStateHornets]

Raptor= Ford $60,000+, hahahaha


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[rochmpr]

How about a 4Runner and an LAV comparison since we're talking apples and potatoes.

By the way, remind me how this is tech?

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[Brandon H]

opcorn:

 

[entoptics]

I will say it was refreshing to open the hood on the runner, showing a friend.

He said "Damn!, you can almost crawl up inside and sit there to work".

I bet the Raptor has every last square millimeter under the hood filled with wires, plastic, shields, etc.

Heck, even my 2000 Exploder had less room to reach in and get at important bits than a 2017 Runner.

Of course I'll never need to change the head gaskets on the trail, but I wouldn't be surprised if 20 years from now, "The old 4Runner's are one of the last trucks you can work on yourself" won't be said.

I'd still rather have a 2000 horse power turbo power plant and 40 mpg like the Raptor though...

 

[JPOVS]

How many Raptors show up to Baja with an overland trailer, rtt, and an ARB fridge?

Sounds like someone way overbuilt there (awesome) rig for something it wasn't meant for. That or you reached the end of a build and need more excitement.

Fishing for my father and me at one time was just fishing. Then we started going to bigger lakes to catch bigger fish all the time. Need a bigger boat, then bigger truck to pull the bigger boat. Just going for bigger fish on bigger water wore off so we started fishing Walleye tournaments. It took a while but we learned that all we were trying to do is keep the excitement/ rush(?) going and what we really wanted in the end was to be happy like we were when we started fishing in a smaller boat with less hastle.

I bought my 4Runner for longevity and utility. Your comparing it to other manufacturers who continually push the envelope and some times get it right but usually not, at the consumers expense versus a tried and true 4Runner that has reliability and longevity.

I owned a 2000 F150 for 9.5 years and over 140,000 miles. Had dealer do every maintenance. That thing was in the shop more than I can remember for problems. I know it went though two headgaskets (50k apart) and that's the least of the problems.

I see Subarus that fight like hell to get places I or we go. I'm sure they wish they had a 4Runner.

 

[Dog Runner]

All this talk of Raptors has made me want to go take a serious look at one. Lol :hunter:

I'm kind of a flavor of the week guy,or 100k mile type guy, which ever comes first. 80k on my 16 TRDP.

 

[wfo9]

All this talk of Raptors has made me want to go take a serious look at one. Lol :hunter:

I'm kind of a flavor of the week guy,or 100k mile type guy, which ever comes first. 80k on my 16 TRDP.

Don't be fooled... These trucks are neat, but the use case is so narrow. It's one of the most misunderstood vehicle on the market.

To use it for what it is made for will destroy it. It inspires too much confidence at speed offroad, but the reality is that high speed and offroad don't mix well for most people. It's mainly a race team activity where the course is well understood. Most raptors never see any dirt and those that do often end up with bent frames and broken suspension ... it's not the trucks fault.. It just allows the unskilled driver to push into territory that will break just about anything. The only real use case for them is a well understood course or a very experienced desert driver. Otherwise, any other vehicle will serve the same purpose. Because you really need to be pushing the speed to take advantage of what it is.

Also, they don't do general off-roading well. Rocks, mud, narrow trails are miserable in them. The wheelbase is huge and thus the turning radius. Horrible breakover angles. The base weight is pretty much 6k pounds which creates a lot of ground pressure and sinking. I don't own one, but have a few friends that do own first gens and they readily admit it is not built for typical offroading and they actually own Toyotas or Jeeps for that.

If you are looking for something new.... Take a look at the zr2. That is much more do it all with updated tech to match. And the price is about 20k less making it a great value. The avg buyer will utilize the capabilities of the zr2... not the raptor. And when I say capability... I'm talking speed not ability to go from point A to point B in mixed terrain conditions. The zr2 and 4runner will both crush the raptor in that department.

The raptor use to be OK for towing.. but the new ones probably get extremely bad mpg in those conditions. I have not seen any test.. but small gas motors with turbos don't do well for towing in terms of efficiency.

It's just such narrow focused truck... Go check it out.. but make sure to think about how you will use it. Lots of time running baja.. it might be for you. Somehow I'm guessing that is not the case though.