We take the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter and the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor all the way up our Iron Clads Rocky Mountain trail and get surprised by the knarly terrain and how these two midsize pickup trucks perform. However, we must pick one truck we like best at the end of this trail run. Let’s go!
The all-new Tacoma Trailhunter is Toyota newest trim level. Toyota meant it to go rock crawling with wilderness camping and overlanding being two of the main focuses. It has a lifted suspension, OME dampers, 33-inch all-terrain tires, powerful hybrid powertrain, many skid plates, and rock sliders. As a side note, this Trailhunter is a shorter version with a 5-foot bed. Toyota also offers the Trailhunter in a longer wheelbase with a 6-foot bed.
Ford is bringing the Ranger Raptor to the United States this year. This new high-performance off-road may be better matched against the Tacoma TRD Pro, but we are using the Raptor here to crawl over large rocks. This Raptor also has a higher suspension, FOX Live-valve dampers, 33-inch all-terrain tires, a very powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, many skid plates, and side steps. All Ranger Raptors come in this crew cab configuration with a 5-foot bed.
Our Ranger Raptor has a brand-new GFC V2 Pro “Go Fast Camper” on top of its bed. Adding this light-weight (under 300 pounds) but tough camper on top of this truck did not change the ride height that much (less than an inch in the rear).
Tommy and Kase put these two trucks to a very tough test. Let’s just say they scraped skid plates ans suspension components several times. They tackle the Razor Rocks, the Truth or Dare, the V-notch, Knarly Stuff, and the Colorado Butt Scratcher. The guys put the two trucks on our lift to look underneath and compare trail scars.
Check out the video to learn which truck is their favorite. Hint: it has front & rear locking differentials and two turbochargers.