SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1503989
MID-SIZED MATTERS Comparing The 2024 Mid-Sized Pickups Popular With SCORE Fans By Mike Vieira Off-road enthusiasts have a love affair with their trucks, and mid-sized pickups are just as popular with their larger full-sized siblings. With many of the OE manufacturers adding additional capabilities to off-road packages for these popular vehicles, it’s no wonder they are the choice of many SCORE fans who want a capable, fun, and nicely equipped truck as a daily driver or off-road project. We gathered all of the information on the 2024 model, 4x4 trucks with the best off-road packages offered. While many are stronger out of the show-room floor than others, we made it easier to see how they match-up and all showcase an impressive list of features and improved off-road capabilities. 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor As the name implies, the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor represents the latest evolution in serious off-road capabilities and fun for the company’s mid-sized pickup. Designed to be fast, capable, and comfortable, the Raptor brings an impressive list of features to maximize its performance in all areas, over the most demanding terrain. Ford is the official truck and SUV of the SCORE World Desert Championship series. Suspension The Raptor’s suspension is key to the vehicle’s off-road behavior, and Ford has given it an impressive list of purpose-built upgrades. Building on the Ranger’s fully boxed frame, the Raptor uses additional reinforcements at suspension mounting points for improved strength in rough going, while lightweight aluminum upper and lower control arms up front, and a long travel rear suspension with a Watts linkage and trailing arms provide the articulation and control needed to keep the truck firmly planted. FOX 2.5-Inch Live Valve Internal Bypass shocks in a coil-over configuration up front, and piggyback reservoir set-up in the rear, provide consistent damping performance in repeated pounding on all surfaces. BFGoodrich 33-inch KO3 tires, mounted on 17-inch wheels with optional beadlock capabilities, help provide traction. Powertrain A specially tuned EcoBoost twin-turbo 3.0 liter V6 pumps out 405 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque, and includes a race-bred, anti-lag system for the turbos that keeps them spinning for up to three seconds after the driver lifts from the throttle, so the power is all there when you need it, such as exiting a corner. A ten-speed automatic transmission, an electronically controlled, on-demand, two-speed transfer case, and front and rear locking differentials help to make sure all the power is delivered to the ground. Electronic Custom Drive Modes On top of all that impressive hardware, the Ranger Raptor allows electronic adjustment, including a “Baja” mode, of powertrain responses, suspension damping, exhaust sound, ABS and traction control, and steering and throttle responses as conditions demand, for improved control, performance, and comfort in whatever situations you encounter. Trail Control helps manage the throttle and braking in difficult low-speed off-roading. Interior and Exterior Inside, the Raptor’s Crew Cab features Ford Performance front seats with extra bolstering, 360-degree and front-view camera systems, paddle shifters, six upfitter switches for auxiliary additions, and a host of other premium items to bring plenty of luxury and comfort out into the wild for drivers and passengers. Outside, you’ll find underbody protection for the engine, transfer case, and fuel tank, frame-mounted front and rear tow hooks, LED front and rear lighting, fender flares, and a number of unique Raptor trim items. 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro The newly re-designed Toyota Tacoma brings a host of improvements to the market, and the “Baja-inspired” TRD Pro model offers a comprehensive roster of items especially aimed at serious off-road enthusiasts. Suspension Up front, the TRD Pro uses aluminum upper control arms to optimize front geometry and reduce unsprung weight, and FOX internal bypass 2.5-inch Quick Switch 3 shocks for dialing in three different damping settings. The front stabilizer bar disconnects electronically to provide better suspension articulation in stepping over obstacles. In the rear, a new multilink suspension uses Internal Floating Piston bump stops and FOX internal bypass 2.5 Quick Switch 3 shocks to help smooth some of the worst terrain. The unique setup on the boxed frame of the TRD Pro makes it two inches higher in the front, and one-and-a-half inches higher in the rear, as well as three inches wider than an SR5 model Tacoma. 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires mounted on black flow-formed TRD wheels complete the connection to the ground. Powertrain A new i-FORCE MAX hybrid system makes this the most powerful Tacoma ever. Combining the 2.4 liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a 48 horsepower electric motor integrated into the eight-speed transmission, the TRD Pro puts out a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. A TRD performance intake and TRD cat-back dual outlet exhaust help with breathing. An electronically controlled two-speed transfer case and electronic locking rear differential are on duty to keep you moving when the going gets tough. Electronic Custom Drive Modes Multi-Terrain Select is operational in both high and low-range four-wheel-drive, allowing adjustable settings to help control wheelspin and responses on various surfaces, while a CRAWL Control function acts as a low-speed cruise control to allow the driver to concentrate on steering in dicey situations. Interior and Exterior The driver and front passenger in the TRD Pro’s crew cab benefit from new IsoDynamic Performance seats that use an air-over-oil shock system to provide a more stable, comfortable ride on rugged trails. Multiple cameras provide views of surrounding terrain for safer, easier off-road driving, and an array of electronic and entertainment features provide extra enjoyment for drivers and passengers. Outside, an integrated grill LED light bar, LED fog lamps, headlights, and daytime running lights provide illumination. Extra protection is provided by an aluminum TRD skid plate and an ARB rear bumper with recovery hooks. 2024 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison The Chevy Colorado was all new for 2023, and the new 2024 ZR2 Bison model was developed in partnership with American Expedition Vehicles to provide higher levels of off-road performance than ever before. Utilizing a number of AEV components, the Bison goes above and beyond the “regular” ZR2. Suspension The ZR2 uses an independent coil-over front suspension and two-stage multi-leaf rear springs with Multimatic DSSV dampers on its wider, fully boxed frame that’s specific to ZR2 models. The Bison adds exclusive Multimatic front and rear Jounce Control Dampers for even better limiting and smoothing of unwanted movements. LT315/70R17 mud/terrain tires with a 35-inch OD are mounted on AEV beadlock-capable wheels to give the Bison 12.2 inches of ground clearance. Powertrain Like other ZR2s, the Bison uses a 2.7-liter turbocharged inline 4, putting out 310 Horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case, and electronically locking front and rear differentials. Electronic Custom Drive Modes Five driver-selectable adjustments to modify responses of various systems to maximize performance and control in varied conditions and terrain are available, including a “Baja” setting designed for high-speed desert running. Interior and Exterior Inside, the ZR2 Bison’s crew cab has distinctive AEV badging to go along with the standard ZR2 11.3-inch touchscreen and off-road-oriented gauge selection. Surround-view cameras and available underbody cameras help make difficult terrain easier and safer to navigate. On the outside, the Bison is easily recognizable with an AEV heavy-duty winch-capable front bumper, and an AEV rear bumper and fender flares. Steel skid plates and rocker protectors minimize the potential for rock damage, and a race-inspired, bed-mounted tire carrier adds to the off-road-ready look. LED headlights, daytime running lights, fog lights, and taillights handle the visibility chores. 2024 Nissan Frontier PRO 4X After a recent complete redesign, the 2024 Frontier will enter the market without any significant changes. The PRO 4X model carries the banner for being most off-road ready from the factory. Suspension All Frontiers use a fully boxed frame with double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-leaf rear suspension, along with front and rear stabilizer bars. The PRO 4X model adds Bilstein gas shocks for better on and off-road responsiveness, along with 265/70R17 all-terrain tires on unique dark-finish alloy wheels. Beadlock-style wheels are optional. Powertrain A 3.8-liter V6 engine moves the Frontier along with 310 horsepower and 281 lb.-ft. of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission delivers power through a two-speed electronic transfer case and an electronically locking rear differential. Electronic Custom Drive Modes There’s no driver-selectable electronic tailoring of the Frontier’s drive modes, but all the tech for things like Hill Descent Control, Vehicle Dynamics, and Traction control are still on duty to lend a hand in tough going. Interior and Exterior Inside, the crew cab of the PRO 4X gets gauges for pitch and roll, along with 4x4 and differential lock status. Special red seat trim and interior highlights are also unique to the model. A Surround-View monitor automatically switches to off-road mode when Low Range is selected to provide a wider view of obstacles around the vehicle. On the outside, a pair of front tow hooks are at the ready, and an aluminum skid plate offers extra protection for the engine, with additional steel skid plates shielding the transfer case and fuel tank. LED headlights, fog lights, daytime running lights, and taillights help you see and be seen. Black fender flares and other specialized trim details differentiate the PRO 4X model from others.