4runner vs the new Ford bronco

For sure, MountainMan, similar experience here in Canada. Up north on gravel roads we used to use duct tape to seal the doors on Suburbans to keep the dust out and drove with windows closed and the fan on high to pressurize the cabin. It’s a new era when you’re in a Toyota!

 

Not sure if it’s mainly due to the factory rack and exhaust on my Pro, but the wind / road noise / loud cabin in my 2020 is EASILY my least favorite thing about it.

My tundra with exhaust and on 33’s is like a coffin comparatively.

 

My wife likes to listen to classical music as we cruise on the highway, and even with K02s, and a 4Runner roof rack our 2018 ORP is quiet and serene. With the windows open at high speed it’s noisy for sure.

 

I am a Bach, Wagner, Rachmaninoff et al fan also, my wife, not so much, my love of classical music (Jazz also) just irritates her. Classic music does bring out the emotions in people.

 

Vivaldi fan here...

 

Metallica and Skynyrd

 

Factory installed wind noise drives me crazy. I'm guessing its because of the glass thickness. Even after sound deadening all the doors, its annoying.

 

I’m guessing that the Pro roof rack would be bound to create more noise than other systems. It’s not exactly aerodynamic. My 3/4 Front Runner rack would be noisy too without the air dam. That little section of sheet metal makes quite a difference.

 

Agreed. My basket is noisy, but I chose it. And, I can remove it easily for road trips where I won't need it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l15PDRSTn7s

This is unreal

 

I have a custom roof rack from Westcott designs, makes no noise highway speeds or lower.

 

True! I don't understand why anyone would want a rack without an air dam. I had that situation briefly and it was like driving around in an old timey tornado movie.

Side note: I saw an FJ the other day. I was looking at the roof rack and couldn't help but think that it looked completely useless. I wonder if the PRO racks are as bad.

 

I guess the Pro roof racks would carry an extra spare tire ok, but they’re not exactly a flexible design.

 

Yep. My GoRhino rack came with an air dam and I was getting a bit of noise and reduced gas mileage, so I thought if I took the air dam off, it would allow air to flow through it and reduce wind resistance. Took it off and above 35 mph, it was like a helicopter was landing on my roof. Crazy loud! It went back on ASAP.

 

This video shows a little bit of the underside on a Bronco.

https://youtu.be/B9fUtkvGgSY

 

Its not useless by any means. Carry's a massive cargo bag just fine. I can see why other racks are better and that will happen down the road some day but its better than having no rack, and I will swap it over to the sienna some day to make it a Sienna Pro

 

Lol! You better start a build thread for that Sienna.

I think my biggest issue with the FJ rack was that it was curved to the contour of the roof. And, the front half is just side rails. It looks neat, but it doesn't look like it would hold much. Of course, I'm just considering how I would want to use it. It might work fine for some.

That said, my giant Jurassic Park basket is not as useful as I had hoped, either. Maybe I'm just picky.

 

The exhaust on the '20 Pro sucks. The Nitto's are trash also. They whine on the highway and break loose easily in the rain. I'm ready for a small lift and 285 KO2's or Falkens.

 

So I guess you decided to keep the 4R after all?

 

Don't have a choice. I'm so upside down I can't get out of it yet. Plus I'm not sure I will ever own another new vehicle again so I want to enjoy this one as long as I can.

 

Yeah, life is a compromise. I really wanted a flat platform style that would accept a lot of different configurations, so I went with the Front Runner. You can order sides for it too, and turn it into a basket, but I don’t need that, so far. The main thing are the bolts that slide in the rails that provide a really solid attachment point for just about anything. I guess my only criticism of the Front Runner rack is that it’s steel, and could be aluminum.

 

I've been looking at Bajarack. I like the look of a basket, but I think a flat rack is probably more practical.

 

It’s amazing how expensive these things are, for all they amount to.

 

True! It almost makes a guy want to learn to weld and fabricate my own. If only I had the tools and knew how to use them.

 

How are you so upside down on it? They have one of the best resale values of any vehicle?

 

I had to roll some money from my Jeep and in the first year the 4R still drops pretty far. Its a great time to trade it, but I don't want to trade it for a lesser Toyota.

 

I agree on the exhaust. One of my employees just got an ORP and am seriously considering swapping him for his stock exhaust.

Am surprised at how great the Nittos are. Best snow / ice performance from an AT tire I’ve ever experienced. Surprised you say they are loud, I don’t hear them at all...... especially with the roof rack and exhaust, lol.

If you not a fan of loud tires then I would stay far away from KO2’s. I have them on my work vehicle (2017 Tahoe), and they howl like banshees, brutal wet traction (even with the anemic 5.3L), took a ton of weight to balance, and don’t roll very smooth. They do however have good snow / ice traction, and have had great tread life.

I have Cooper AT3 XLT’s on my Tundra, and am beyond happy with them. Quiet as stock donuts even at 33”, roll super smooth, great traction everywhere, American made, and look awesome. Only have 10k miles on them, so cant really say anything on tread life. But they do have a 60k mile warranty, so Cooper at least stands behind them.

 

Chances are that those K02s on a work truck needs an alignment but once cupped, will never smooth out again. A lot of guys complain about noise, but they’ve damaged their tires by not spending $ on regular alignments. You need to be religious about them, especially if you’re bouncing around off road. My K02s are quiet. Also, up here in snow country, I don’t consider a K02 a winter tire, personally. By November I’ve got Blizzaks on, and I’m ready for serious conditions. My K02s are cleaned up and sitting on a rack until spring.

 

Agree on regular alignment and rotation, trust me, my Tahoe has had both and the mechanics at work have tried dutifully get it worked out.

Not sure what snow country you are in, but the KO2's are snow rated and have performed admirably in the last two winters here in south central Alaska. Especially with the portly Tahoe and smooth auto 4x4 system it has. Have been running AT tires up here year round on all my trucks and SUV's (save my Jeep SRT with Z rated tires for summer) for the last couple decades with no issue.

 

Yeah, I know they claim “snow rated” haha, whatever that is. In winter, a winter tire is best, because it’s softer and grippier. I live in central Ontario Canada, just outside the Greater Toronto area in a snow belt from Lake Huron. Around here it’s not unusual for roads to be closed during winter storms and you’re prohibited from driving on them by the police. I’ve lived in the Yukon, and winter tires are best up there too, because of the cold temperatures.