Trading 4runner for a Raptor
- Thread starter Neauxla
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
FYI, the Raptor has a very soft rear suspension, it is down right horrible as a tow rig for anything over 4-5K pounds. I have owned both first and second gen Raptors. If you really need more towing capacity then get something else. If you just want an excuse for the misses and yourself in order to buy a Raptor that's fine, but I'd get a better excuse lol.
This was just a smidge under 7,000 lbs, which is well within its rated towing capacity. We could just barely drive it without it bottoming out. Sure you can put air bags and springs on it but then you are negating its very intended use, but to each his own.
Also, read up on the transmission and motor issues and multiple recalls, make sure this is something you want and you can accept the possibility of the risks should you buy one. I am not trying to talk you out of buying one, just making sure you are well aware of the drawbacks before you drop $65-75K on one.
This was just a smidge under 7,000 lbs, which is well within its rated towing capacity. We could just barely drive it without it bottoming out. Sure you can put air bags and springs on it but then you are negating its very intended use, but to each his own.
Also, read up on the transmission and motor issues and multiple recalls, make sure this is something you want and you can accept the possibility of the risks should you buy one. I am not trying to talk you out of buying one, just making sure you are well aware of the drawbacks before you drop $65-75K on one.
Last edited:
FYI, the Raptor has a very soft rear suspension, it is down right horrible as a tow rig for anything over 4-5K pounds. I have owned both first and second gen Raptors. If you really need more towing capacity then get something else. If you just want an excuse for the misses and yourself in order to buy a Raptor that's fine, but I'd get a better excuse lol.
This was just a smidge under 7,000 lbs, which is well within its rated towing capacity. We could just barely drive it without it bottoming out. Sure you can put air bags and springs on it but then you are negating its very intended use, but to each his own.
Also, read up on the transmission and motor issues and multiple recalls, make sure this is something you want and you can accept the possibility of the risks should you buy one. I am not trying to talk you out of buying one, just making sure you are well aware of the drawbacks before you drop $65-75K on one.
I know they are not ideal for towing but I HATE the regular F-150s and cannot afford a Land Cruiser.
I only need to tow a 24' bay boat which my runner cannot do. (It struggled with a 21')
What negative effects will air bags have on my suspension?
I have a 2018 Raptor and the 4Runner. The 10 speed transmission SUCKS in the Raptor. I did a MPT tune, it did help some for sure. Might try the COBB tune. As discussed above the Raptor has very soft rear suspension . I have a 24' Boston and it was riding on the bump stops. Its about a 5000LB boat. I changed the rear to Denver rear springs and SVC rear bumps, also helped some. If you just need it for the towing just get the Tundra and save some cash.
With bags you will limit your rear down travel.
They will limit your down travel. If you can figure out a way to mount them free of the bottom mount in conjunction with a Daystar cradle then you might be ok but they will certainly transmit more vibration to the chassis. The mounts would have to be fabricated likely be mounted outboard of the frame itself.
Like others have said, it's not an ideal truck for your intended use, I would look elsewhere since that's the main reason you claim to be buying it. If you can swing a Raptor then you can certainly swing a low mile, late model LC as well, but you know your finances better than anyone.
The tranny in them leaves a lot to be desired and the factory hasn't gotten that right. They are indeed cool trucks, but aside from the look and interior space, they are a sorry excuse for a truck lol. More of 4x4 sports car with a bed haha.
LandCruiser
New member
Raptor wouldn't be my first or second or third choice as a tow vehicle.
Get a HD truck for that, also cheaper.
Get a HD truck for that, also cheaper.
Ryan at Eibach
New member
hawthornearms
New member
Keep the 4Runner and get a trades/commercial trim 250/2500.
There's $21,000 difference between a Raptor and a F250. (F250 will out tow the Raptor all day everyday)
There's $21,000 difference between a Raptor and a F250. (F250 will out tow the Raptor all day everyday)
How about something like an aev prospector - cool truck and can tow ( or just mod a Dodge to spec )
I've got both a '17 raptor and '19 4runmer; raptor is awesome but too wide for trails and I just don't have frequent enough occasion to do high speed off roading. Even 300lb in the bed upsets the suspension enough I had to drop speeds way down, which kind of misses the point of the thing
I've got both a '17 raptor and '19 4runmer; raptor is awesome but too wide for trails and I just don't have frequent enough occasion to do high speed off roading. Even 300lb in the bed upsets the suspension enough I had to drop speeds way down, which kind of misses the point of the thing
Mutant138
Banned
Ohhhh yeah lmao. Toyota all day. F*ck was I talking about dodge for. Second vote for tundra.
T4Ranger
New member
If Raptors get a V8 anytime soon... I think I could live with the sag on towing, depending on how often a boat must be towed.
I'd assume if you can afford a Raptor you can also afford a boat slip at a marina and only have to tow it twice a year?
I'd vote for a Ram Prospector from AEV. Can definitely do a simple search and find a gently used LC or LX570 for less than a Raptor...
I'd assume if you can afford a Raptor you can also afford a boat slip at a marina and only have to tow it twice a year?
I'd vote for a Ram Prospector from AEV. Can definitely do a simple search and find a gently used LC or LX570 for less than a Raptor...
Last edited:
jbtvt
New member
When did the 4Runner start being able to tow only 5k lbs? My 07 GX is rated for 6500, thought 4Runners were the same. GR engine makes slightly less hp and torque but not a huge difference, and still the same chassis, aren't they? Base Raptors only start at 6k, seems like a bad call for a tow rig.
I've towed 4-7k pounds hundreds of miles with my GX over hilly VT/NH terrain with no problems and pulled a trailer weighing close to 10k out of a snowbank once. Get a beater Tundra with the 4.7 or less of a beater with the 5.7 and pocket 60 grand, eh?
I've towed 4-7k pounds hundreds of miles with my GX over hilly VT/NH terrain with no problems and pulled a trailer weighing close to 10k out of a snowbank once. Get a beater Tundra with the 4.7 or less of a beater with the 5.7 and pocket 60 grand, eh?
I think the 5th Gen has always been rated at 5K. I tried towing 4295lbs with our last 5th Gen over flat, south Texas terrain at 65mph and it was an awful experience. The transmission was constantly down shifting and the rpm's were all over the place.
WhiteRunner10
New member
Owned 2 Tundras and would still have my 15 if... :sigh:
Anyways, at 60-70k I'd have a Super Charged 2019 white crewmax TRD Pro with 33s and a throaty exhaust, rocking a rigid grill and lights.
Truck made me smile every time I drove it.
Ford is sexy but doesnt seem to meet your needs and dollar spent vs dollar spent, I think you'd get more from the setup I just described above. Unless you have to finance the whole thing which would prevent the mod budget I just listed.
Good luck and enjoy.
Anyways, at 60-70k I'd have a Super Charged 2019 white crewmax TRD Pro with 33s and a throaty exhaust, rocking a rigid grill and lights.
Truck made me smile every time I drove it.
Ford is sexy but doesnt seem to meet your needs and dollar spent vs dollar spent, I think you'd get more from the setup I just described above. Unless you have to finance the whole thing which would prevent the mod budget I just listed.
Good luck and enjoy.
Agreed, BTW mind as well go with 35s since you're spending all that money lol
In 2010, the 5th gens were introduced with a tow rating of 5,000 lbs. I think there were some changes in how tow ratings are calculated that kicked in that year.
I found it is a lot easier to tow with my 2010 TE if I leave it in 4th and don't use cruise control except when my leg needs a break. In 5th, I had all sorts of shifting. In 4th, it's very steady, even going up and down hills. MPG sucks, dropping to 11 or 12, but that's not any worse than I was getting in 5th, and it's all a lot more comfortable.
