Ultimate Factory 4x4 Shootout - FW Magazine

[SlowYourRoll]

Four Wheeler Magazine recently tested 7 trucks with factory off road packages and did a comparison. Included were the 4Runner and Tacoma. This is an interesting article and I would like to hear everyones opinions on the outcome.

The Ultimate Factory 4x4 Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine

The article has been mentioned once in this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/128742-trail-edition-test-fourwheeler-magazine.html

 

[Super-G]

Well I'm not suprised that the Jeep was #1.

I absolutely love my 02 4 runner Sport Edition, but that being said I bought a 1994 Wrangler brand new and drove it daily for 18 years and it took me EVERYWHERE.

When I ordered my new Jeep I went with the 4 cyl, 5 speed combo. The only option I went for was a locking rear differential. I have taken my Wranger EVERYWHERE. I've used it off road, in the snow, to tow my small fishing boat, ect and not only did it never let me down but it went through everything I threw at it.

I drove it to Killington VT in a snowstorm and never got stuck. I've backed it so far into a lake to drop off my fishing boat that the exhaust was under water and never got stuck. Honestly it was a great vehicle....but the ride quality SUCKS...talk about bouncing around.

As far as the other vehicles....the Dodge and Ford might have rated higher than the Toyota's but after 100K miles when the American vehicles are falling apart and need trans work, I'll keep enjoying my 4 runner.

 

[SlowYourRoll]

Locking rear was an option on your Wrangler or did you put it on?

 

[KidVermicious]

The Powerwagon and Raptor are both purpose-built special editions, manufactured in limited numbers to increase market appeal for the more pedestrian versions of those trucks. They're great trucks, but to put a stock Trail against what are essentially tuner trucks is hardly fair.

 

[1engineer]

The Powerwagon and Raptor are both purpose-built special editions, manufactured in limited numbers to increase market appeal for the more pedestrian versions of those trucks. They're great trucks, but to put a stock Trail against what are essentially tuner trucks is hardly fair.

I think the results would have been slightly different if everyone had the same tires.

 

[Thai]

I think the results would have been slightly different if everyone had the same tires.

Then we should blame Toyota, not the article.

 

[1engineer]

Then we should blame Toyota, not the article.

No, I don't blame anyone. Actually in real life also I don't put blame on many people or entities, with the exception of ignorant parents of ignorant kids. I just think the results would be different if all tires were equal to start the contest. That is simply taking a variable out of the equation that everyone changes eventually. Then we would see mechanical and electronic performance have a greater weight in the equation. It's easy to change tires. Suspension and electronics are a littler harder.

 

[Thai]

I just think the results would be different if all tires were equal to start the contest. That is simply taking a variable out of the equation that everyone changes eventually. Then we would see mechanical and electronic performance have a greater weight in the equation. It's easy to change tires. Suspension and electronics are a littler harder.

A few notes from that review:

1. FourWheeler also believes that KDSS improves articulation.

2. Sidewall strength is important because a sidewall blowout sucks on the trail. In the past, people were wondering why i preferred BFG AT KO over other brands (Nitto TG etc.)...and this is why!

3. The undercarriage of the 4runner now and in the past just sucks! I don't know why Toyota is able to design a flat clean underbelly for the Land Cruiser, yet fails so miserably for the 4runner/FJ!! No, it's not the size difference because the Xterra/Frontier has a much cleaner underbelly.

4. Lastly, even with BFG AT KO tires (or any decent AT tires), i am not sure if it would be any higher up in ranking. Nissan Frontier comes with crappy tires too...and it beat the Trail (with crappy tires). Normalized the tires...and i am not sure if the 4runner Trail will be able to beat the Frontier.

Just my opinions.

 

[Dan.3]

Given that this is a evaluation of capability from the "factory" of the vehicle, I agree with the rankings. I did not realize that the trail edition 4runner did not come with BFG ATs until I read this article. Since the tundra, tacoma, and fj all have BFGs, one would think that a TRAIL edition 4runner would too.

 

[Thai]

Since the tundra, tacoma, and fj all have BFGs, one would think that a TRAIL edition 4runner would too.

Actually, only the FJ special edition comes with BFG AT KO. The rest of the vehicles you mentioned comes with shitty BFG Long Trails or something like that in their off-road package i think. So, even with those, the tires are not much (if at all) better than stock tires on 4runner Trail.