Bronco Raptor

All this elite off-road technology and capability actually gets utilized on what, maybe 1-2% of vehicles sold? Most are posers. I see tons of Wranglers and Gladiators and whatever else that look built for off-road dominance, and yet seem to have not even encountered gravel. I’m in the large percentage that appreciates what my 4Runner CAN do but doesn’t use that ability much. So IMO, who cares that the Bronco Raptor etc. etc. can ascend Mount Everest on stock 37s? Who’s really doing that? I like reliable, thank you. My 4R had its very first problem last week - a flat OEM tire with 82,000 miles on it.

 

Lmao nothing like running through the desert with no doors. That’s a fun interior clean up

 

There’s definitely a very very healthy off road Jeep crowd literally everywhere.

Coming with stock 35s and stock 37s is amazing and I think your toyota eyes will never agree. Why have “off road” “trail” and “TRD pro” trim levels that really don’t offer much advantage at all as far as actual off roading goes. So toyota markets these trim levels as these off road beasts, and while pretty capable, we all wish we could fit even 35s without having to do a ton of cutting and work.

Trust me dude I’m in love with my 4Runner, but I can also appreciate any manufacturer that puts out something badass like this.

 

You’re right. I guess it’s all about what attracts you to these vehicles. I dont fall into the Bronco/Angry Face Jeep crowd. I mean, the bling is kinda cool and all that, but it’s soooo expensive. Have you seen how much a set of four one-legged stirrups cost? Lol. Not to mention the mean red-eye DRL halos.

And Im not sure that , for all that money, the raptor bronco would fit anywhere but a wide open desert scape. It’s so wide, I dont think you could flip it over with a forklift. It may be off road worthy, but a very specialized, particular off road application. Waaaay too much money to throw into such a focused machine.


In the end, Toyota’s weak disinterested efforts carry the same DNA and bones as other 4wd toyotas worlwide. Thousands of freedom fighters and warlords agree that Toyota’s weak disinterested efforts dont really interfere with a Toyota’s utility as a No F’s given technical.

 

The bronco is 76” wide in stock form, which is the exact width of the 4Runner.

It’s 79” with Sasquatch package, sooo probably the same if you also had 35s on a 4Runner with a lotttttt of cutting and lift

I don’t get the hate on the bronco. The thing is cool man. It may not be the best looking, but it’s everything the fj cruiser should have been…

 

I have to disagree with some of this.

Ok, the 1st gen Supra was pretty dull.

But, the second generation had 4 wheel disc, independent rear suspension, LSD, and a 2.8L I6 with enough power to make it fun. Slow by today's standards, but mine held up ok next to my buddy's Camaro. It actually made similar horsepower to some of the V8's of the time.

The 3rd gen offered a turbo, and generally improved everything about the 2nd gen.

The 4th generation is obviously legendary.

However, the 5th gen "Supra" is rebadged BMW. they're pretty, and perform well, but it's not a Toyota.

The 1st gen MR2 was actually quite fun to drive. And, the supercharged version was decently quick.

The second gen was gorgeous. I'd love a turbo model with T-tops.

The 3rd gen MR2/spider was kinda meh, though.

Have you driven any of these?

 

Huh?

The 4runner has always had decent off-road chops.

And, why are they constantly marketing the 4Runner and Tacoma as off-road vehicles if they're "completely disinterested in that market"?

 

I don’t know about you but I watch some bad a$$ aussies on 4WD 24/7 hitting some crazy rough trails on nothing bigger than 35’s (because they have strict laws in other countries and anything over a 35 outside of North America is not always allowed).

Anyways… who really needs 37-42’s? Don’t get me wrong… higher ground clearance makes some obstacles like rock crawling easier. But not so good at on road manners, bank account, etc. I think it is Americans who think they need the biggest and baddest. Ford is appealing to that. Shame on us trying to show each other up. Do not lust after your neighbors possessions. Don’t get me wrong it is quite good engineering but Americans are buying it as a “look at me status”. I can’t stand it when I see a capable rig that has never seen the off-road. Might as well go buy a Tesla and let someone else who actually will use the rig have it. But nope they need it because their ego is so small they need 37’s+. Anyways rant over there. Sorry this is not at you just in general this whole thing gets frustrating.

If going up to 37-42” tires I guess that is when I would get a dedicated rock crawler. To those that live in the Rockies and love boulder crawling. I am not going to lie it looks like an adventure that I wouldn’t mind doing a couple times. But to throw $100k at it? Nope… I will keep my dependable 4Runner and drive to those locations and just walk up the sides of those crazy trails and watch other people try it. Yeah it is fun achieving something so hard but at what cost? I guess if you got the money burning holes in your pocket go burn it away…

I would rather have a dependable capable rig and put the rest of the money towards a nice property or nice shop that actually appreciates in value and I can hand down to my kids. Where as my truck will be rusted up and a scrap yard vehicle one day. But heck if you got the money, you love it, then go all out. Buy a stock vehicle with 37’s that looks fugly as crap and pimp it out and beat on it. I will go wheel as hard as the aussies and have fun. I bet the average guy that just spent $100k on his truck will be like... Nope ain’t doing that crazy stupid stuff. I might get dirt in my rims (cars movie reference). The most it will see is fire roads that a vehicle with 31’s can do.

Meanwhile the Ford is in the shop I will go see trails from the east coast to the west coast. Bring my 4Runner to the tops of four peaks in Arizona to the Uwharrie trails in North Carolina. Go through all different places and if I can’t make it up a path there is no shame taking the bypass route and if there is no easy route they call it a winch. I will use that like the aussies, I bought that for a reason. I got skid plates and rock sliders. No need for the 37’s. Good for the engineers who designed it by Ford. I know they will have a crowd but because people will spend money on dumb things like that. Work to want to trade up 1-2 years later when the new fugly vehicle comes out. Then waste their money on that.

I am blessed with my rig and all of us should count our blessings. I hope that we can see past the “you just wish yours could fit 37’s” and wanting what others have. Focus instead on the reason we hit the trails. Eg: Meet with like minded people, go see the beautiful sights at the top of the mountains in Colorado, Washington, and other places like forests and such. Having rigs that don’t lock us home when there is snow on the ground but allow us to help others in need. I want my vehicle to be more than about hitting the biggest baddest rock trail with no problems and instead being a rig that can get me through anything time and time again. That is why I have my Toyota.

If I see the Ford Raptor I will probably say cool because I am an enthusiast but you won’t see me lusting after one. I am happy and grounded where I am and I hope more Americans can just be happy with what they got.

 

I was referring more to this Raptor version, how purpose focused it is, while being sooo expensive at the same time. The machine itself looks very sweet, no doubts about it. Same goes for the V8 Jeep.

I used to watch Alton Brown, the guy with the cooking show. He used to say to find every tool in the kitchen that serves only one purpose, and throw it away. His point was that nobody has the luxury of having a kitchen full of specialist tools. Utility is king.

That’s what I subscribe to (at least up to this stage of my life lol, no guarantees in the future). And it’s the reason why Im probably not going to go hog wild with mods on my 4runner. It needs to serve home depot duty, commute duty, and trail duty.

I’m also the guy who couldnt figure out how so many people could tie up 30-50 grand on a Harley Davidson during their peak. Or now, multiple SxS’s on a brand new aluminum trailer pulled by a new F250 crew cab. I really really really don’t begrudge anyone with the means (or even the available credit), but dang it, I had no idea there was that much money out there!

The raptor Broncos and V8 wranglers of the world fall solidly in the “toy” category for me. Dreaming of an 80-100k toy is not on my horizon, I doubt it will ever be. That used to bother me, but I’m ok with that now. I’m also ok with those that can swing it.

I’d just hope people aren’t mortgaging these things.

 

You and I are on the same page

 

Really great comments here! Well said!

 

And speaking of what the FJ should have been. In its day, it was an interpretation of the early landcruiser. But my vote for the next reinterpretation is to go green.

Not a big baja killer with a huge engine, but the other direction. How cool would it be to get a little narrow two seater with a 4cyl (non turbo) and some longer “troop carrier”versions. Make it small, light, and throw some skinnies on it. Not even talls, just skinnies lol.

I’d be all over that like white on rice!!!

 

Ummm you should probably change your tires more often. I guess now is the time to upgrade to All-Terrains???

 

You lost me there buddy. I don’t think I would get the FJ if they went that route. Can’t fit my family of 6 in there. But sounds interesting. Might as well give it a 3 cylinder.

 

I’ve been on several forums (nissan Titan forum, ford transit forum, frontier forum, Dakota forum, and now this). I love to learn and see cool rigs, but man it never fails how closed minded people can be about their car brand. It blows my mind that now all the sudden nobody needs 35s or 37s and that’s just people showing off, mall crawlers…. Come on brah! You are lying through your toyota tattoo neck if you don’t wish they offered a 4Runner that can come stock with 35s. Or crap even 33s on the off road/pro without a lift and taking mud flaps off…..

 

Toyota needs to bring back the FJ and or a basic version of the Land Cruiser.

 

lol, I’m still sore they wont ever be importing the Suzuki Jimny.

But I did think of those with family needs like you…a troopy would do nicely! Ok fine… you probably cant build them with inward facing stowable benches anymore, but what’s so wrong with a center pair and a rear pair of seats. Comfort you say!? Ha!

When my dad was a kid he walked uphill both ways barefoot in the snow to get to school. When I was kid we piled up 5 people in the back of an import. Youngins have it easy nowadays

 

I like it! Something more similar to a Willy's Jeep, like the original Landcruiser was built to emulate. Small, maneuverable, simple.

Can't fit a Family of 6 in a 2 door Wrangler either. That's not what they're for.

 

So, realizing that you can wheel on 33's is closed minded?

Big-ass tires are cool. But, 80K for a vehicle that most likely sucks balls at everything but off-roading isn't too appealing to me.

 

Yeah 35’s stock would be nice but at what price? How much is the Ford Sasquatch. According to TFL it was $69k after taxes. I have less than that into my 4Runner and I am confident my 4Runner will run circles around that vehicle for dependability/reliability, comfort, and honestly looks. Yeah we need a few updates no doubt (come on 5 speed trans). But the 35’s and 37’s at those price points don’t impress. As stated it is a look what I got status figure and won’t be wheeled hard by majority of people. Same could be said about the 4Runner but at least you don’t seen them trying to throw 37’s at the vehicle and typical 31’s.

again to each his own but I am REALLY grateful for the vehicle I have and blessed everytime I see it. I exited lowes a few weeks back and no joke I saw my 4Runner which I didn’t immediately notice (because I usually park somewhere else in that parking lot) and I said that is a nice 4Runner. Then I was like oh crap I parked there and it was mine. That is when you know you are happy with what you got.

 

My good sir,
Firstly, I assure you, wherever you think you saw my toyota tattoo, it most certainly is not on my neck. It is in fact, in a very “discreet” location, quite tasteful located if you ask me. Whatever people say about “tramp stamps”, I simply don’t care…

Secondly, there is not a day that goes by when I am not actively talking myself down from going down the 285 rabbit hole. 275s are likely, not gonna lie.

 

They have the Prado, which is the more off-road oriented version. It's also the same thing as a GX, which is basically a V8 4Runner.

 

You have never been to India my friend. They can fit a family of 6 in a scooter. No joke I got pics. This would be no problem.

 

Lol!!

 

Let me know if you ever make your way down to Florida again anytime soon. It would be fun getting a wheeling trip in with you along the way.

 

I'll be heading down in a few weeks.

 

Oh snaps in that case if you have time to plan a meet. You by chance driving through any of these states? Carolinas, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia? Anytime you will be free to wheel for one of those days?

 

Yes!!! Exactly! Time to bring back the original imitator! Lol

Actually, If I have my history correct, I think Land Rover was the original imitator of Jeeps. But it was Toyota that nailed the art of imitating jeeps after they saw the land rover.

James May had a good show on Amazon with the history of the 4x4. Good stuff.

 

And that is why I love these forums! Lol.

make it happen and report back @Thatbassguy !!!!

 

It's interesting stuff! I have to laugh when people talk trash about Jeeps. Although, most of the guys I know respect them. The old Willy's are just so cool!