A “versus” match! Looking for your thoughts [emoji6]

[NkedFatWhiteGuy]

Hey everyone, I’m looking for some thoughts on my possible new rig.

I would like to hear thoughts and ideas around Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro (or TRD Off Road Premium with add-ons) vs the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk. Looking at upcoming 2019’s preferably but may look at 2018’s depending on financial timing.

The new rig would be a daily driver and I would be looking to “mild” modifications (not sure how long that plan will last though!). I will be using the vehicle for short camping excursions with the family and for short trips into the wilds of the Pacific Northwest. My plan would be to have this rig long term and build out over time as my family starts to become more able to join for longer trips (little kids who are not quite ready for anything longer than an extended weekend right now). That’s the plan for today at least!

Thoughts? Experiences? Suggestions?


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[Hank Outdoors]

I would steer towards Toyota based on reliability. When you hit 100,000 miles the Jeep will start getting tired while the T4R will just be getting warmed up. The T4R may have an edge on after market accessories as well...Just my two cents.

 

[NkedFatWhiteGuy]

I would steer towards Toyota based on reliability. When you hit 100,000 miles the Jeep will start getting tired while the T4R will just be getting warmed up. The T4R may have an edge on after market accessories as well...Just my two cents.

Thanks @Hank Outdoors! That is a great point. The personal experience I have had with Toyota in the past (1999 RAV4) was pretty much based on complete reliability, so it turned me into a bit of a fan! The personal experience I have had with Jeep (1978 or 1976 Grand Wagoneer Limited and 1988 Cherokee) was not quite so, but I have been hoping that Jeep has improved the Grand Cherokee over the years... Reliability will be pretty important given that this will be a daily driver and will hopefully become a part of "family time".

 

[NkedFatWhiteGuy]

Oh, I forgot to add the 2 mutts to the cargo! I have 2 medium sized Tree Walker Hound/American Bulldog mixes who are about 65lbs each that will be traveling with us as well on our adventures. One of them has a tendency to get a bit car sick at times if he can't see out of the windows while riding, so visibility from the rear is a little important.

That also brings up the point that I will probably need to be carrying quite a bit on the roof of the rig as well. I will want to put a rear tire carrier and with that, might be able to shift a little of the load to the rear bumper, but I won't want to crowd too much back there or i might be asking everyone the best way to clean puppy puke from carpet!

 

[adventure_is_necessary]

From my experience with my WJ, if I had a chance to get a T4R instead, I would have done it. Better aftermarket support for sure which has been the downfall of my WJ. I can't speak to the Trailhawk other than it looks BA. If it was one of the Wrangler's (JK or JL), I'd say you'd need to think about what you wanna do with the rig since those two are different where as the Trailhawk is similar to the T4R. New Jeeps suck IMO. Toyota has kept to their standard of a bulletproof, long-life platform over the years. While it'd be cool to do something different than what most are doing, it comes down to being able to build the rig the way you want it. Sure, sacrifices might need to be made based on what's available in the aftermarket, but you'll have more options with the T4R. I've made some sacrifices with my WJ but I've been able to make it into a rig I can use. I just have to learn to deal with it not being what's in my head unless I wanna fab everything.

 

[36degreesNorth]

Short term the Jeep they are great every day vehicles capable of getting off the paved roads and on some mild trails. But if your long term plans are to get to more remote areas the T4R is hard to beat. The support for the platform alone is worth it in my eyes. If you opted for the Pro there is very little that needs to be done to the rig to get to even some remote to challenging areas other than good tires and some skid plates.

Just my worthless .02 as a Former Jeep Owner and current Toyota driver.

 

[NkedFatWhiteGuy]

Has anyone had any experience with the EcoDiesel motor in the Trailhawk (or other GC)? I am wondering what the reliability is like - beyond just normal diesel vs gas. Does that level the reliability and longevity playing field enough?


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[NkedFatWhiteGuy]

What do y’all think of the T4R TRD Off Road Premium vs the TRD Pro?


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[36degreesNorth]

I like the TRD premium vs the Pro. You can get better parts for less money via the aftermarket then the price difference to the Pro.

 

[NkedFatWhiteGuy]

I like the TRD premium vs the Pro. You can get better parts for less money via the aftermarket then the price difference to the Pro.

So this kind of opens a whole new can of worms for me... I believe that most of the things that I really like about the Grand Cherokee I can get in a TRD Premium (moonroof for example) and then, like you mention, I can spend the extra $’s on aftermarket gear. The problem is, then I start thinking “maybe I should just get a Limited and then take it down the aftermarket build path”! This, unfortunately, blows the whole financial model right out of the gate! (Oh, if the #%$&?@! lottery would just pay out for me...)

I don’t think I will be able to be “done” with either the T4R TRD Pro/TRD Premium or the GC Trailhawk straight from the factory, so I should just suck it up and get over that thought (this is not because I will necessarily *need* more right away - especially with the family - but is purely because of my poor impulse control).


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[NkedFatWhiteGuy]

Short term the Jeep they are great every day vehicles capable of getting off the paved roads and on some mild trails. But if your long term plans are to get to more remote areas the T4R is hard to beat. The support for the platform alone is worth it in my eyes. If you opted for the Pro there is very little that needs to be done to the rig to get to even some remote to challenging areas other than good tires and some skid plates.

Just my worthless .02 as a Former Jeep Owner and current Toyota driver.

That is such a huge part of it - the platform. And, honestly, to hear it from someone who has the experience with both platforms really helps! Thanks!!!


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[NkedFatWhiteGuy]

From my experience with my WJ, if I had a chance to get a T4R instead, I would have done it. Better aftermarket support for sure which has been the downfall of my WJ. I can't speak to the Trailhawk other than it looks BA. If it was one of the Wrangler's (JK or JL), I'd say you'd need to think about what you wanna do with the rig since those two are different where as the Trailhawk is similar to the T4R. New Jeeps suck IMO. Toyota has kept to their standard of a bulletproof, long-life platform over the years. While it'd be cool to do something different than what most are doing, it comes down to being able to build the rig the way you want it. Sure, sacrifices might need to be made based on what's available in the aftermarket, but you'll have more options with the T4R. I've made some sacrifices with my WJ but I've been able to make it into a rig I can use. I just have to learn to deal with it not being what's in my head unless I wanna fab everything.

Thanks @BikeHauler! I haven’t had recent enough experience with Jeep to know. I had been trying to figure out if I wanted to go down the path less traveled, and build out something unique, like my Pilot. I have come to realize that the effort to build out a rig that is not well support is not something I have the patience, energy, or money to do right, so that is really why I am coming to this decision point. Hearing from a Jeep owner about similar struggles is definitely making me lean heavily to the T4R.


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[adventure_is_necessary]

Thanks @BikeHauler! I haven’t had recent enough experience with Jeep to know. I had been trying to figure out if I wanted to go down the path less traveled, and build out something unique, like my Pilot. I have come to realize that the effort to build out a rig that is not well support is not something I have the patience, energy, or money to do right, so that is really why I am coming to this decision point. Hearing from a Jeep owner about similar struggles is definitely making me lean heavily to the T4R.


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No problem! I wish I knew what I was getting into long before I started building, when I bought it to be exact. I might have gone with a T4R or FZJ80. I would say a Cherokee but the space is limited. I like having the extra space. Beefier platform too. I don't abuse my rig too much and I keep it on mild trails. Not my jam to go on the super rough stuff. It'd be nice to have a FJ60/62 or a Grand Wagoneer.

 

[Bradb55]

Toyota all the way. I have been through all major vehicle manufacturers. Toyota has been the strongest. From my 86 Corolla GTS, GS300, LS400, 2004 Corolla, 2010 FJ Cruiser, 2011 Camry and a few more I’m forgetting, have been the best vehicles to date. All of them together spent less time in the shop than my 2011 JK unlimited. I know others have had different outcomes with theirs, but my personal experience was horrible. My local dealership didn’t help the matter. For what it’s worth, the Toyota product is a far superior product in my opinion. I had always wanted a 2500 Suburban. Found one, bought it, driving it for two years now and now looking at picking up a Tacoma or LC.


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[NkedFatWhiteGuy]

No problem! I wish I knew what I was getting into long before I started building, when I bought it to be exact. I might have gone with a T4R or FZJ80. I would say a Cherokee but the space is limited. I like having the extra space. Beefier platform too. I don't abuse my rig too much and I keep it on mild trails. Not my jam to go on the super rough stuff. It'd be nice to have a FJ60/62 or a Grand Wagoneer.

I have thought long and hard about an FZJ80. In fact, it would probably be my “dream car” if I were able to have a different daily driver. I warned my wife that if I hit the phase of my mid-life crisis where I want to go out and buy some fancy sports car, that I will be coming home with a 1997 FZJ80, and it may even be an LX450! But since I am a little hesitant to have what would be such a high miler for day-to-day, I am stuck in this little conundrum.

The Grand Wagoneer: ah.... another top pick for me!!! I recently had the opportunity to buy a fully restored, white, ‘85 Grand Wagoneer that had been done up for a couple of commercials. The guy who had it wasn’t all that interested in it so he was willing to drop it for $15,000. But, there again, I couldn’t justify it as a primary, and honestly, I would want to keep it pristine!

You are definitely speaking my language though [emoji6]


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[NkedFatWhiteGuy]

Toyota all the way. I have been through all major vehicle manufacturers. Toyota has been the strongest. From my 86 Corolla GTS, GS300, LS400, 2004 Corolla, 2010 FJ Cruiser, 2011 Camry and a few more I’m forgetting, have been the best vehicles to date. All of them together spent less time in the shop than my 2011 JK unlimited. I know others have had different outcomes with theirs, but my personal experience was horrible. My local dealership didn’t help the matter. For what it’s worth, the Toyota product is a far superior product in my opinion. I had always wanted a 2500 Suburban. Found one, bought it, driving it for two years now and now looking at picking up a Tacoma or LC.


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The one Toyota I have owned in the past - my 1999 RAV4 - was absolutely amazing as well the only real big problems I had with it was that I kept getting rear ended! 5 times! It took a tremendous beating and it kept me safe. Aside from that, it was just the smell of a constantly wet Yellow Lab jumping in the back. I sold it to a friend for a good deal for both of us, and it is still chugging along! Completely reliable...


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[Horse Soldier]

After market support for the jeep trailchickenhawk is going to be very limited. The only negative to Toyota is that the rear axle is on drum brakes. Who still uses drum brakes.

 

[Bradb55]

After market support for the jeep trailchickenhawk is going to be very limited. The only negative to Toyota is that the rear axle is on drum brakes. Who still uses drum brakes.

I had never noticed this until about a month ago. I thought it was just the SR5s I was looking at. Crazy to think drum brakes are still around


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[Lindenwood]

If you want reliability, it is literally hard to outdo the 4runner. Plus, as mentioned, aftermarket support and interior space.

From Road & Track: 5th Gen 4Runner is 3rd most likely vehicle to see 200k, and most likely vehicle to see 300k. View attachment 58442

 

[NkedFatWhiteGuy]

If you want reliability, it is literally hard to outdo the 4runner. Plus, as mentioned, aftermarket support and interior space.

From Road & Track: 5th Gen 4Runner is 3rd most likely vehicle to see 200k, and most likely vehicle to see 300k. View attachment 58442

Thanks for sharing that @Lindenwood. It is hard to argue with that kind of longevity when compared to peers.


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