GEN 2 Northeast USA forest trails... is the Raptor size a factor?

[Engineer90]

That sure is a general question. How does one answer that? Yes, No, Maybe?

Let me ask you, says you're in Maine. Aren't some trails tight there?

 

[jamanrr]

Yes I'm actually looking into the extended cab one, the crew cab is too long imo. Plus, the wheelbase is only 6" longer than the Taco's

True the SCREW is the similar to the Ram Mega Cab, Ford's F150 extended cabs are longer than anything in its class as far as trucks go. The thing about the Tacoma is that it will be more narrow on the trails that you are talking about and how will you feel once you scratch the side pant on your expensive truck? Makes a difference having something that you can throw around more and not care what happens to it.

 

[911 Crazy]

Let me ask you, says you're in Maine. Aren't some trails tight there?

There are trails of all widths, everywhere. There is no guide to construction of backwoods roads.

 

[Engineer90]

True the SCREW is the similar to the Ram Mega Cab, Ford's F150 extended cabs are longer than anything in its class as far as trucks go. The thing about the Tacoma is that it will be more narrow on the trails that you are talking about and how will you feel once you scratch the side pant on your expensive truck? Makes a difference having something that you can throw around more and not care what happens to it.

Hmmm, if I do get it, maybe I can wrap it in a black matte vinyl, that should offer some protection.

 

[lateralis]

So I came from a '17 Taco to a '19 Raptor. My initial mistake was that the Taco was an Auto as if it were manual I might still be in that truck. The auto transmission gearing is horrible, the engine lacks any grunt down low and demands you rev the **** out of it, and you HAVE to swap out the tires immediately for something better if you want to hit the dirt. Max size at stock height is like 32 and maybe a 33. To even fit a 34" is a lot of work with shock and springs, needle bearing replacements, re-gearing (you need it larger than a 33" tire) and cab mount frame chop.

Swapping to the Raptor I have zero regrets. Sure its more expensive but out of the box I literally didn't have to do anything at the get go to get me out in the dirt. Plus the daily driver aspect is night and day. It doesn't struggle to move its big butt, super nice ride around town and when you lay the hammer down it brings nothing but smiles.

 

[Engineer90]

So I came from a '17 Taco to a '19 Raptor. My initial mistake was that the Taco was an Auto as if it were manual I might still be in that truck. The auto transmission gearing is horrible, the engine lacks any grunt down low and demands you rev the **** out of it, and you HAVE to swap out the tires immediately for something better if you want to hit the dirt. Max size at stock height is like 32 and maybe a 33. To even fit a 34" is a lot of work with shock and springs, needle bearing replacements, re-gearing (you need it larger than a 33" tire) and cab mount frame chop.

Swapping to the Raptor I have zero regrets. Sure its more expensive but out of the box I literally didn't have to do anything at the get go to get me out in the dirt. Plus the daily driver aspect is night and day. It doesn't struggle to move its big butt, super nice ride around town and when you lay the hammer down it brings nothing but smiles.

This is why I’m having my doubts. The 6-speed auto in the Taco is weird from what I’ve read. I would love a manual but it’s not offered in the access can TRD OR. Plus I feel like it needs more power and torque.

I bet that 10-speed is a huge improvement in the Raptor right? How’s highway comfort?

 

[lateralis]

This is why I’m having my doubts. The 6-speed auto in the Taco is weird from what I’ve read. I would love a manual but it’s not offered in the access can TRD OR. Plus I feel like it needs more power and torque.

I bet that 10-speed is a huge improvement in the Raptor right? How’s highway comfort?

5th and 6th gear are basically overdrive gears. The transmission would continuously hunt gears even in the slightest incline from 1k rpm to 3-4k rpm cruising at 45-50 mph. It was maddening to say the least.

Some people don't like it but I think it's smooth as butter considering what I came from. The Raptor floats on the highway and you will be speeding before you know it. Bumps at speed? Don't care. The Raptor just eats it up. Sometimes i purposely hit pot holes just because... lol... The only thing I say you gotta pay attention to is the rear end on the Raptor. If you get a new one make sure to adjust your tire pressure. I run like 36-38 front and 34-36 rear. Helps keep the back end from stepping out on you, but you can always run around in AWD mode as well.

 

[Engineer90]

5th and 6th gear are basically overdrive gears. The transmission would continuously hunt gears even in the slightest incline from 1k rpm to 3-4k rpm cruising at 45-50 mph. It was maddening to say the least.

Wow. Did it do this even with the software update? I know a lot of guys in the forums said their software updated helped a since it was a huge issue in the 2016 models and such.

Some people don't like it but I think it's smooth as butter considering what I came from. The Raptor floats on the highway and you will be speeding before you know it. Bumps at speed? Don't care. The Raptor just eats it up. Sometimes i purposely hit pot holes just because... lol... The only thing I say you gotta pay attention to is the rear end on the Raptor. If you get a new one make sure to adjust your tire pressure. I run like 36-38 front and 34-36 rear. Helps keep the back end from stepping out on you, but you can always run around in AWD mode as well.

Will keep in mind if I do get it. Plus make sense since most of the weight is in the front.

NJ has really bad roads, I am sure the Raptor will have no problem absorbing any potholes or bumps

 

[lateralis]

Wow. Did it do this even with the software update? I know a lot of guys in the forums said their software updated helped a since it was a huge issue in the 2016 models and such.



Will keep in mind if I do get it. Plus make sense since most of the weight is in the front.

NJ has really bad roads, I am sure the Raptor will have no problem absorbing any potholes or bumps

Mine was a '17 so it came with the TSB. Still sucked. I went 34's, re-geared with nitro 5.29s and got a engine/transmission tune that helped out a lot. Still sucked... lol.. The gap between 4th and 5th is just too wide and the truck lacks power below 2.5k rpm. So when ever you go into 5th or 6th gear the engine is usually below 1.5k rpm.... soo yeah... shift city.

 

[PatagoniaDan]

You should drive both. More often than not one of them will sing to you more than the other and you'll know what direction to go. I find the 2020 Tacoma engine and transmission anemic in comparison. It's a shame because I love the way the Taco looks and the perceived bulletproof reliability.

In terms of trails the Raptor will is wide and you will likely get pinstriping - but for daily driving which you will be doing majority of the time the Ford will drive and feel significantly smoother.