Bronco - Jeep - 4Runner ???

[Sparse Gray Hackle]

I’m thinking about replacing my older mid size truck with a reliable, capable, and enclosed vehicle. I’m a dirt/rough road type that likes upland hunting and exploring the back of beyond. My current thinking has me leaning towards a Bronco or a 4Runner, but haven’t ruled out a Jeep.

I’d like to have the dogs crated in the back, and enough room for camp/hunting/fishing gear in the second row area. Since I live in snow country, good traction control and a rear locker is needed. I also don’t want to beat myself or the rig to death on washboard roads.

What would you pick, and why? Are there other vehicles I should consider? My preferred budget tops out at about $70-75k.

 

[herothedog]

I’m thinking about replacing my older mid size truck with a reliable, capable, and enclosed vehicle. I’m a dirt/rough road type that likes upland hunting and exploring the back of beyond. My current thinking has me leaning towards a Bronco or a 4Runner, but haven’t ruled out a Jeep.

I’d like to have the dogs crated in the back, and enough room for camp/hunting/fishing gear in the second row area. Since I live in snow country, good traction control and a rear locker is needed. I also don’t want to beat myself or the rig to death on washboard roads.

What would you pick, and why? Are there other vehicles I should consider? My preferred budget tops out at about $70-75k.

I like solid front axles, stronger and can take more abuse. Jeeps have those. I personally drive a RAM Powerwagon ('23), and solid axles plus front and rear lockers have gotten me out of a couple pickles without having to winch. However, it is full sized, and the areas I tend to find myself there are a lot of shelf roads and the size of the truck is not comfortable. I plan on keeping the RAM forever.

But I have checked into the new 4Runner, especially the hybrid version for the ability to have off grid power. I've learned my lesson on 1st model year vehicles so I'll wait three years to the next revision.

There is also the Ineos Grenadier: https://ineosgrenadier.com/ I've seen a few but never been in one. On one had seems very capable out of the box, but also seems to lean heavy on luxury and (too much) tech. Also being an exotic mix of parts could be a pain to repair especially in the back country.

I do have a reservation on the new Scout, the extended range version. IF I do get one, it will be my first electric vehicle. I don't know how far into the back country I would take it (extended range version is supposed to be able to much more than 300mi). It might be used just for a daily driver. But another new platform so I will lease it and won't modify it at all, if it works out I'd look at buying the v2 version.

 

[Todd780]

As you live in snow country I would personally lean toward a Bronco w/ sasquatch pkg or the 4 Runner to get a 4HI option.

For day to day, I think they are more livable than the Jeep. The Jeep would be better at the off road stuff though.

Drive 'em all and see what you think. I would personally lean toward the Bronco because I think it's a good balance between the Jeep and 4Runner.

Decent road manner plus the fun of being able to take the top and doors off are a win for me. Your preferences may differ.

FYI, I say this as a previous owner of a '00 TJ & '24 Rubicon....

 

[deserteagle56]

I’m thinking about replacing my older mid size truck with a reliable, capable, and enclosed vehicle.

All three are capable and enclosed. Only one is reliable, and that is the Toyota. Caveat - talking about 5th generation and older 4Runners. Jury is still out on how dependable the new 6th generation will be with the turbocharged 4 cylinder engine and all-new transmission.

I've been a Jeep owner longer than most people have been alive. They are the most capable off road because of the articulation and the strength of the solid front axle, and can be easily lifted if you want to run 37" tires. But the other two are not far behind. The Jeep Rubicon gives you both front and rear lockers, as does the Bronco Sasquatch package. 4Runner Off-road models come with rear lockers but they also have ATRAC which works pretty darn good for the front end.

I follow the forums for all three and I find one thing telling. The Jeep and Bronco forums mainly spend their time discussing all the problems they are having to fix. The 4Runner forums are mostly discussions about the mods they are making to their rigs.

From the Jeep forums:







From the Bronco forums:




Both Jeep and Bronco seem to have electrical/electronic problems - and they are loaded with electronic stuff. Can't even get a manual transfer case shifter in the Bronco. How'd you like to be in a remote location in a place where you need 4wd and the vehicle tells you it's "Temporarily Disabled"? Is it really so difficult to pull a 4x4 lever? Have a buddy here who just got rid of his new Bronco. Door windows on the Bronco have no frames around them - makes the doors easier to store when removed from the vehicle. On his Bronco, at freeway speeds the windows would pull away from the seals causing horrendous wind noise.

I currently own both a Jeep Rubicon and a 2022 Toyota 4Runner. The Rubicon I take ONLY when I know I'll be going into some really gnarly terrain. I use the 4Runner for everything else. For dirt roads and trails where you're not actually rock crawling the 4Runner is the better vehicle. More comfortable, more room inside, better ride, and I know it will get me there and bring me back without breaking down. And it will never experience "death wobble" which seems to be a thing even with new Jeeps.

 

[GR8ADV]

Shameless, I know.

https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/2014-4runner.249193/#post-3229967

 

[Gravelette]

The 4Runner comes with "built in Japan" quality. I'd consider the hybrid for the big boost in HP and torque. Toyota knows hybrid tech.