TRDPro 4RUNNER vs BAJA 1000 CHAMPION

[@Tk_9031]

I am surprised this video doesn’t have more views! The best TRD Pro review hands down 🙂. Keeping my 2021 TRD Pro stock, no mods needed.

[@sanddrifterjb]

Thank you! Glad you liked it! Yep no mods needed, once you know how to drive them and understand the capabilities you can go almost anywhere the lifted trucks can! They are designed this way for a reason to work off highway and on! Enjoy🤘

[@vinzettoducama7065]

Same, kinda…. I bought the Pro so I could basically leave it alone and still have it do everything I need, but I am replacing the Nittos. I’m in a Great Lakes snow belt and I know the Nittos just don’t grip and self clean well enough in deep snow and mud. Rock sliders and a winch and I’m all set.

[@jimwimmer]

I love my AG TRD Pro 4Runner even more after watching your report. I always planned to keep it stock and you just reaffirmed my decision.

[@_beez33]

Nice to see some 4runner vids. I plan to put on Toyo AT3s in 305/70/17 on my 4runner TRD off-road soon. Already regeared to 4.56.

[@sha6mm]

Just picked up a 2022 TRD Pro in Lime Rush and only this I am adding is Rock Sliders from Greenlane Off-road as I live in Iowa and they use a lot of salt in winter. When Tires wear out I will put on a better snow tire. Nice Review.

[@sanddrifterjb]

Thank you. Lots of Baja fluff but it was a fun week in the TRD Pro. If you have any questions on your Runner shoot me a message. I know well.

[@dougkreutzer8440]

Looks like a great time. I like your honesty on the suspension and wheels/tires just to leave it as is.

[@sanddrifterjb]

Much appreciated! Trust me I am the first in line to trick out my rigs, but Toyota all ready did it for you with legit components that are tuned as a package and no guess work....

[@sixfootfourmike]

I live in South Florida. I would love to get my TRD ORP out there one day.

[@sanddrifterjb]

I would highly recommend it! I can say I have been to some great off-road and scenic places over the years but nothing compares to Baja. It is a bit like the wild west, you can literally be on the coast and in a few hours be on the gulf side with Hawaiian blue water all driving in remote off-road trails. I can connect you to Baja Voyager who I am very close with if you want to be safe with local experience and see the entirety of the best of Baja! with amazing people!

[@emilyzupon3385]

Really appreciate your expert opinion here Joe! You kept it real and straightforward. Happy to know our first off-roader is pretty damn capable on day-1. Couldn’t convince my wife on an FJ :( so we settled on the ‘21 TRD PRO. Can’t wait to take ‘er out in WA when it gets here in January!

[@sanddrifterjb]

Glad you liked it. If you are hitting some log roads etc. you will be very pleased with the off road capability and ride comfort. I can tell you the Nitto tire they chose is great but not ideal in wet and snow. I wish they would have upgraded that has a 3PMSF certification for snow. Anyway, I would highly recommend that you get familiar with all of the off road systems that are available on the truck. Each one is designed to work really well if you know “how” they operate. Enjoy!

[@skalien51]

Very honest & informative review. Great job & thank you for making this video! Aloha!🤙🏼

[@sanddrifterjb]

Glad you liked it! had fun doing the video editing and drone work! 🤙

[@somethingawesome9547]

The exhaust is positioned the way it is so that it does not get destroyed from rock crawling. The exhaust is properly located.

[@sanddrifterjb]

I appreciate your feedback, but 100% disagree on the best location for rock crawling. I have destroyed a number of OE exhaust systems that either hang too low or exit in a not so ideal location over the years. If you back up in a rock section, especially on steep hill climbs, damage to the exhaust is likely. Two things usually happen. 1. The mud flap get ripped off from reverse direction rubbing against the rock and tire. 2. Exhaust touches the rock and gets damaged before the tire gets traction. Take a look at some rock crawl rig builds, no exhaust is visible if correctly routed. Cheers!

[@firebir11]

Very interesting take on the 4Runner, thanks for your comments, cleared up much misinformation for me. Thanks

[@sanddrifterjb]

Anytime, glad it was helpful

[@SasquatchMountainProject]

Great review of the Pro!

[@codymac181]

Love the review! I just picked up a 21' pro and have been putting it through the gauntlet un SW Colorado (added some videos) and it has done great. The one thing I do want to change is the Terra grapplers are not my favorite in the snow so far but I am going to keep them through the winter and see how they do. Keep the videos coming!

[@sanddrifterjb]

The Nitto's are not 3PMSF rated.... Not great in the snow

[@rc51bigdaddy]

Great video! Just purchased a 21 TRD Pro. What modes did you use most off road in Baja? I did a week in Baja years ago on a KTM dual sport. Loved it!

[@sanddrifterjb]

all of them. lol

[@lou135]

Love the video. I am keeping mine as stock as well, with 2 exceptions so far. I added actual frame bolted rock sliders and a rear diff skid plate. I am tempted to add some more skids, but really dont know if I want to add any more weight and negateup the tune on the suspension (granted it would probably only be another 65-70 lbs if I stuck with aluminum.)

[@sanddrifterjb]

Lou - Thanks and I know it has a lot of added fluff but had fun with my drone etc. I might think twice on adding the extra weight unless you plan to run in rocks like the Rubicon or Big Bear terrain. If you are careful on line choice you will be pretty safe IMO. Cheers

[@lou135]

@@sanddrifterjb I am not rock crawling or anything too crazy, but I do some mild off roading where I definitely might drag the rear diff or high center at certain times, depending on trail conditions. The rock sliders were a must, because my wife wanted a step, and I wanted something to offer a bit more protection that is provided by the factory offered options. The diff plate is definitely coming for the rear. Probably holding off on the rest for a while at least. I love the feel it has now both on and off road, and dont want to mess that up.

[@trailrunnah8886]

Looks like an amazing time! I have a 4Runner too, and you're dead on about the engine and the transmission combo. They are dead nuts reliable, but it wouldn't kill Toyota to put an extra gear or two in it. Also I think a big problem is that the engine makes very little low end torque, it seems to make most of its power is in the higher RPMs. I'm currently shopping for new tires for my mine, and I'm being very conscious of the weight because I feel like that will dramatically detract from performance.

[@rommelrivera1186]

Got a 2019 4R TRD Pro and I ain't touching them Fox shocks. Crazy how folks buy the Pro only to throw Stage 7 Icons on it. At that point, most of what you're retaining is the plastic TRD Pro badges. I will say though that I'm replacing the springs with Eibach TRD Pro springs but only because I put on a winch bumper and I need the extra lift in the front. Otherwise, don't mess with perfection.

[@sanddrifterjb]

I can tell you with experience and being a former TRD suspension tuning package tuner, a lot goes into vehicle testing from an OEM side. I pushed it pretty hard and unless you plan to race it, It will meet your expectations. Many people put on the aftermarket parts thinking they need them and will help them through challenging terrain. I say learn your vehicle and the systems that come with it and you may surprise yourself and your buddies on what the TRD Pro is actually capable of doing out of the box. ICON couldn't pay me enough to run their stuff....not a fan!

[@voodooblue6162]

They really should have gone with the trd off road instead of a pro. The trd pro is perfect in its factory form.

[@captaintompkins]

Great video, man. Really nicely done and one of the more informative ones I've seen on the Pro. Would love to take that trip. I agree about the rock rails. I've been curious about that roof rack. I'm torn on it, honestly. I kind of like the looks, but I wonder about its functionality. Did you get to load it up at all on this trip at all? What are your impressions of it? With your TRD experience, do you have any insight as to why they decided to replace the roof rails with this? If it was your vehicle, would you keep this stock rack or upgrade? Not an idle question, since I have a 2021 getting delivered in a couple weeks.

[@sanddrifterjb]

Thanks buddy, Yeah Baja is amazing all the way down to Cabo, easy and safe IMO. When it comes to the roof rack, yes it looks good but not great when it comes to actually using it in the real world unless you put some bikes or skis on it. I personally got rid of mine when I had several FJ's over the years and put on the ARB alloy ones. They make great products as well as Wescott Designs. Check them out and I would absolutely upgrade since I like racks you can actually stand on....If you have any more questions shoot it over and I can point you in the right direction! Congrats on the 21' My understanding is small upgrades, like the LED headlights, wheels, suspension tune? and a few others....

[@captaintompkins]

Yeah, those are the differences from 2020 to 2021. Thanks for the rack recs - I’ll check those out. I’ve been shopping various other ones too, but am leery after reading horror stories about water intrusion from aftermarket rack seals failing. What are your thoughts on running a supercharger in one of these to deal with the power issue you mentioned. TRD discontinued the ones that used to be an option, but my understanding is your can still get the same units.

[@sanddrifterjb]

@@captaintompkins This is why I would run a top product like your ARB. I have never had any issues with them. To answer your question on the supercharger, the reason they were discontinued by TRD is because they are garbage and will ruin a perfectly good Toyota. Toyota had a lot of engine failures etc. and therefore decided to remove the kit completely for purchase. TRD asked me many times to install a free kit on my vehicles and I said no thank you..... the company making them currently is the same supplier that made them before for TRD....

[@dress2impress1000]

Waiting on the 6 speed then ill buy one of these

[@daved7024]

I agree with the fake hood scoop I could live without it. But I disagree about the transmission. These AISIN trans are bullet proof and prefer OLD school TOYOTA reliability over a 10 speed trans that won't last past 150k miles.

[@sanddrifterjb]

Hey Dave I am sure we are on the same page but what I meant by my transmission comment was not to throw in a Ford tranny but to upgrade the current Japanese one! I 100% agree they are bullet proof! I ran the same stock toyota transmissions in my race trucks without 1 issue. However, on a drive ability side they need some improvements from a shift logic and shift point side. The Tacoma also needs improvements. In the end the OLD school reliability is why people love Toyota’s just need to tweak some things to keep that going!

[@scottsymons6152]

Great video. I'm currently looking to trade one more time and I've looked at everything. Curious own a 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. I'm caught in between a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro with a 6-speed manual or a Toyota 4RUNNER TRD Pro both 2021's. 4RUNNER ride and drive is phenomenal. A touch better than the Tacoma. Manual is a blast to drive. Had a Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2012, with a 6-speed manual. Love the manual shift transfer case in the 4RUNNER. Old school. Will be kept for a long time and daily driven. Work changes coming up...125 miles round trip 5-6 days a week. Your opinion greatly appreciated. Thank you. And it will remain stock. Too good to mess up.

[@sanddrifterjb]

Scott- Thanks and both the Tacoma and 4Runner are great choices. I however, might lean toward the Tacoma with the manual. If you have asked me about the Tacoma auto I would suggest the 4 Runner. The Tacoma auto seems to have some logic etc. issues so, until that gets worked out I would go with the manual Taco👌

[@scottsymons6152]

@@sanddrifterjb I agree. Love my Tacoma...hate the automatic. Doesn't work well or play well with the 3.5 liter engine. Manual just does better. And, it's a great manual transmission. Shift points or throws can be improved with a UDR short throw shift kit or Toyota short throw shift kit. About the only thing that I might change or improve on the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro with the manual transmission. 4RUNNER...get in buckle up and GO!

[@sanddrifterjb]

@@scottsymons6152 These two vehicles are very different in many ways from a driving side. I like the fact that the 4 Runner is built in Japan with different suppliers then the US built Tacoma. It all comes down to how you plan to use your rig. Both are very capable off-road and have similar features. Truck or SUV? I would test drive both and see which one you lean towards. good luck!

[@sanddrifterjb]

@J Yeah- spent many years going to Japan from working at the test tracks to going to the plants. The Japanese are just dedicated serious workers who don’t take the easy “FRIDAY” route when it comes to building cars. I can tell you the coolest thing I got to do was test some bad ass cars on the tracks near Mount Fuji. Amazing stuff! Great place to see. Another has to be testing the LFA. 🤘

[@marcoreyes9169]

What is the name of the camp ground you show with the elevated sleeping area?

[@sanddrifterjb]

It is called Kiki’s it is in San Felipe. Best place to camp and close to town

[@UtahNick71]

The Terra Grapplers are fine in dry conditions. Trash in snow and rain.

[@sanddrifterjb]

I can agree with you on the not ideal performance in snow and rain. I did mention to my TRD contact that they should have upgraded and put on a 3PMSF certified A/T on the 21's.... you can take a look at my Toyo AT3 review I did earlier in the year. I tested 7 other top competitors and these Toyo's ranked on average really well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ana7mKiCed-kd7c

[@blakemcadams1718]

What kind of rock rails do you suggest using for the 4 runner trd pro?

[@sanddrifterjb]

I would say a brand like ARB or a proven company that has a design that stays tight below body and has a strong frame mount. You want to look for rails that will hold the vehicle on them so you can ideally rotate around obstacles if needed. I am not a fan of the rails with steps etc.

[@blakemcadams1718]

@@sanddrifterjb Thanks will look into it.

[@imranabbasi7871]

Good luck 👍

[@sanddrifterjb]

Thanks 👍

[@timbaer8525]

If someone’s wants to see what TRD PRO can do, don’t watch this lol what a waste of 13 minutes I can not watch this and be fairly assured it can drive off road at 10mph lol