On this latest episode of “Under Dog Drag Race”, we put four special trucks against each other in a 1/4-mile drag race. We bring not one but two underdog pickup trucks: the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz turbo. The main event is between a modified and tuned Ford F-150 Raptor and our stock Ram TRX (with a rooftop tent). Which truck is the quickest? Let’s find out!
The new electric lime green Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is equipped with a 3.5-liter gas V6 with 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The all-new Hyundai Santa Cruz is equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter gas I4 with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque and an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Will the new compact Santa Cruz beat up on the class-leading best-seller Tacoma?
The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor has the following modifications. It has stock turbochargers, but it has an aftermarket intercooler, boost pipes, injectors, oil catch can, exhaust cross pipe, and a customized tune that is set for E85 (ethanol) fuel. The engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Altogether, this 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 setup is estimated to produce between 600-650 horsepower at the crank.
The 2021 Ram TRX is all stock, and it’s carrying a roof-top tent on top. The TRX’s stock 6.2-liter supercharged V8 produces 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Launching the modified F-150 Raptor was an event. The truck is turning 36-inch off-road tires. There is a LOT of torque from the modified twin-turbo. It rocks and bucks as it launches hard when brake-torqued at about 2,500 rpm.
I also did a 0-60 MPH in the modified Ford Raptor and got a respectable 5.2 seconds.
