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gimlithepirate

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Here's my opinion between the 4Runner and Bronco -
I live in Colorado with a 4Runner and a had an FJ for 10 years, and hit all those trails in the San Juan's on a regular basis. Imogene is a fun trail but not technical at all, IMO. They make it look more dramatic then it actually is and I think it's because of their inexperience on trails and not knowing the vehicle they are in very well. A lot of the "obstacles" they encountered could've been easily taken if they were aired down and stepped on the gas a little harder. What they should've tested the vehicles on is Poughkeepsie Gulch.

That being said, the 4R and Bronco are capable of overcoming every obstacle on the trails, but deciding between the two right out the gate depends on how much work you want the vehicle to assist with on the trails as opposed to mashing the skinny pedal just to make it up a rocky, loose incline.

Right out the gate the Bronco has it all. At least the Badlands Sasquatch LUX package that I ordered does. With my 4R I had to re-gear to 4.88s, add a Pedal Commander to add power, add 33" BFG KM3 tires (since I can't fit 35s unless I do a lot of fender mods), install the OME 3" full lift kit, Total Chaos UCAs, install skid plates and rock sliders, buy a tire carrier (since the small spare is all you can fit under the vehicle), replace the 1990s-style stock stereo headunit, and add lightbar switches. So that's easily at least $12k in mods to make it capable of hitting technical trails.

The Bronco comes with all of that plus more! So even though I love Toyota's reliability, they have slacked on the quality and tech of their 4Runner's and Tacoma's off-road prowess, which is why I'll choose the Bronco any day over the 4Runner.

Here's some pics of Imogene and that area from a few weeks ago:
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Screenshot 2021-06-11 095038.jpg
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Screenshot 2021-06-11 103108.jpg
Awesome pictures. Not sure I agree with the mod list needed to match the Bronco though. The biggest issue is the freaking body mount keeping you from running 35s.

I've got a 4th gen v8 I've been building up. I've got about 4k in mods in it and the biggest difference in capability between it and the various bronco options is the lack of a locker. Can't quite DIY a locker on that platform.
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OU812

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I’ve lived in Colorado for 36 years and never even attempted this lol. Maybe in the Bronco. 😬
Those roads change all the time, but last time I was over Imogene, I could have done it in a passenger car with reasonable clearance.

Ophir Pass, which used to be about the same was a ball buster. A couple years ago, the one scree section on the west side of the pass was all baby head rocks for a couple hundred yards. About bounced me off my KTM. :eek:
 

ohvrider

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I really don't get TFL, they always compare apples and oranges. The 4running has hiway gears and 32's. The Bronco has 35's and 4.70:1 gears. On my Jeep when I wen from stock to 33's my MPG went from 19ish to 14/15 on a 1999 Sahara. Biggest factor in MPG is the gearing which is normally needed to run bigger tires and helps when off road.

In videos like this you can slant it any way you want as they are too different to really be compared.
 

Bird Dog Off Road

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Most 4Runner enthusiast will tell you that the TRD Pro isn't the way to go if you plan modify it. The dealer markups are insane and the only advantage it has over the TRD off Road trims is the suspension. I got my TRD off road new in 2018 for $38k and have since added a 3" long travel suspension with 34" BFG MTs and had the BMC and pinch weld mod (roughly around $5k, not including labor). We did Moab and Ouray this summer with little issues. The 4Runner is a very capable vehicle when modified, but is sorely outdated in many areas. Hopefully, they will have better drivetrain, SB disconnect, front locker option, and better wheel latitude for the upcoming 6th gen that is way overdue. I have the Badlands w/sasquatch ordered, but otherwise would probably not trade for a lesser trim package of the Bronco.

Imogene Pass 4.jpg
 

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Lxatoledo

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Realistically-- I think for REAL LIFE capability I'd suggest Top of The World Moab (Ledge, technical (ish) and limited real life locker usage) and Engineer for Colorado (descent/switchback/altitude). Let's face it-- 97% of folks will not do much more than that.

Mud--never really understood that, but there are times when it gets soupy, be interesting to see handling, grip and how well stock tires perform re: self cleaning.
 

NC_Pinz

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I would say that " The Bronco is what the FJ should have been"
Spot on quote. I moved out of the FJ because I needed a full size rear door. Otherwise I really liked driving it...at least once it was modified. This is me a mile into the woods helping my son with his Eagle project in a county park.

Ford Bronco Bronco vs 4runner Pro on the Imogene Pass [by TFL] 🐴😬 IMG_1301.JPG
 

Al Cowlings

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It’ll be interesting to see what the Gen 6 4Runner looks like. The best current guess is that it’ll have a 275hp version of the 2.4L turbo from Lexus. Sounds about right for Toyota. But will they also offer dual lockers to keep up with Bronco/Wrangler/ZR2? Will KDSS be improved? Interesting questions. Competition is wonderful.
 

Bird Dog Off Road

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NO JOKE--- might as well be Ophir----
I'm not sure I'd take a subaru on Imogene, but it's not the most techical trail either. They should have done Mineral creek/Poughkeepsie gulch IMO.
 

Smokey142

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I’ve lived in Colorado for 36 years and never even attempted this lol. Maybe in the Bronco. 😬
It’s an easy trail, I’ve been up tougher driveways. I did it in a stock jeep with no lockers in the rain. In fact I passed a bronco sports between telluride and the summit
 

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Lagrange 6g

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Why does Tommy always badmouth the Bronco? Ford must have butthurt him some time ago because he always talks about the shortcomings of the Bronco every chance he gets. (n)
He does point out how long rear locker takes to engage in Toyota but that’s about it
 

Lagrange 6g

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He does point out how long rear locker takes to engage in Toyota but that’s about it
Was a good review and I enjoy all of theyre videos It’s not scientific and not meant to be Damn I’m in Texas and would love to go to imogene and other parts of Colorado
 

Bullitt

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I've never went off-roading over Imogene Pass, but I've run it many, many times. Next year I'll have my Bronco and will take that over the day before the race and then run it the next day. It's a special place!

Ford Bronco Bronco vs 4runner Pro on the Imogene Pass [by TFL] 🐴😬 41361765_10217644772539819_3849097042966085632_n


Ford Bronco Bronco vs 4runner Pro on the Imogene Pass [by TFL] 🐴😬 69469328_10220595802473723_6133776519224360960_n


Ford Bronco Bronco vs 4runner Pro on the Imogene Pass [by TFL] 🐴😬 69991955_10220595804633777_2323976597360607232_n


Ford Bronco Bronco vs 4runner Pro on the Imogene Pass [by TFL] 🐴😬 239546023_10226707203894939_7492169310870640358_n


Ford Bronco Bronco vs 4runner Pro on the Imogene Pass [by TFL] 🐴😬 242025635_10226811438900749_3297434599381533914_n
 
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Blood_and_Mud

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I've ever went off-roading over Imogene Pass, but I've run it many, many times. Next year I'll have my Bronco and will take that over the day before the race and then run it the next day. It's a special place!

Ford Bronco Bronco vs 4runner Pro on the Imogene Pass [by TFL] 🐴😬 242025635_10226811438900749_3297434599381533914_n


Ford Bronco Bronco vs 4runner Pro on the Imogene Pass [by TFL] 🐴😬 242025635_10226811438900749_3297434599381533914_n


Ford Bronco Bronco vs 4runner Pro on the Imogene Pass [by TFL] 🐴😬 242025635_10226811438900749_3297434599381533914_n


Ford Bronco Bronco vs 4runner Pro on the Imogene Pass [by TFL] 🐴😬 242025635_10226811438900749_3297434599381533914_n


Ford Bronco Bronco vs 4runner Pro on the Imogene Pass [by TFL] 🐴😬 242025635_10226811438900749_3297434599381533914_n
Great to see another trail runner here - which race? Hardrock is on my bucket list!
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