Body on frame for me

@minnesotajack1

Ай бұрын

Options are kinda limited these days…if you don’t want a full size

Body on frame V8 4x4. Ready for everything.

If you’re not going off road which most people don’t than go for the unibody. Better ride and less expensive

Great comparison David. My neighbor has a beautiful new Honda Pilot. It is a great ride. I think it would make for a great road trip vehicle. But he is completely bewildered why I just took delivery of a 5th Gen 4Runner. He points out I could have gotten a Pilot for the same money, or even saved a few bucks. I just smile, because I know he will never understand. This is my 4th 4Runner, and I have enjoyed each and every one. Especially my 1988 Gen1.

@BritGuyAbroad

11 ай бұрын

Explain, please?

@alphakilo9066

11 ай бұрын

@@BritGuyAbroad -By comparison, the 4Runner is certainly technologically outdated compared to the Pilot. The 4Runner is chock full of ancient 2003 technology. The 4Runner features Port injection while the Pilot has both Port and Direct. Hydraulic power steering where the Pilot has electric steering. Cable actuated emergency brake in the 4Runner where the Pilot has an electric emergency brake. The far superior on-road handling of the Pilot compared to the 4Runner. The modern 8 speed transmission of the Honda Pilot compared to the ancient 5 speed A750F tranny of the 4Runner. Compare the entertainment centers and the safety systems (nannies) of the two vehicles, and you will see the Pilot is utilizing modern technology, while the 2023 4Runner is in many ways still using tech that was carried over from the Gen4 model which was released in 2003. I could go on and on. Construction methods and materials of the two vehicles, etc etc. And yet, I choose the 4Runner for its basic, bullet proof, epitome of engineering. It possesses time tested reliability, refined through the Japanese process of "Kaizen." It is old school, SUV transportation, made the Toyota way. The 5th Gen 4Runner is the end of an era of off-road vehicles from Toyota that is not likely to reappear.

@tpharo34

9 ай бұрын

Same reason I bought a 23 Tacoma Trail…

This was really helpful to learn and better understand. I only learned these concepts this morning, and I appreciate you explaining the functional differences in feel and engineering and uses Thank you for your 3 pros and cons for each type!!!

That honda pilot checked all the boxes for me. V6 naturally aspirated, new honda trans, spaceous, robust design, new awd system. I switched to honda this year after being a loyal toyota fan for decades.

@UAkovalchuk

11 ай бұрын

How is gonda better than toyota!!?

@stuglenn1112

3 ай бұрын

@@k20z3allmotorFTW A lot of people think that's a good thing.

Thank you for this video. It confirmed my choice of a 4 Runner. Off road is the key.

Nice Video David, I have a 4Runner, TRD Offroad Premium and I love it.

Give me the frame based vehicle every time. I want something that lasts !!

The Honda Pilot's Unitized Body construction and independent suspension are designed to provide handling similar to a car, although it's "rigid body construction" comprised of 66% high strength steel also has included integrated perimeter frame rails (similar to the Honda Ridgeline) for towing and light off road use!

Wow, I learned a lot through this video! Extremely well done and informative! Thank you so much!

Great information! Lot to learn and interesting. Thanks! 👍

Really enjoy your insightful commentary and comparison

Hello from Ohio! Love your channel! I learn so much from you. Thank you for the great content.

Another clear and concise video. Nice work.

Great information and thank you!

Great comparisons.

Great 👍 on this break down. I drive a 23 Tacoma and love it

Thanks David for the comparison, very educative. I prefer the unitized body for smooth and comfortable ride. Besides I do not do off- roading . But it makes sense to know the difference to guide us in our choice.

discovered you just in the last couple months and really enjoying your videos

I always appreciate your videos! I buy body-on-frame SUVs specifically for off road use, and buy unitized SUV for my luxury comfortable daily use SUV. Body-on-frame have a solid rear axle that articulates under the moving vehicle, giving superior articulation and off road performance! Unitized fully independent suspension is best for on road comfort, handling and the true luxurious feel! And as David says, better on fuel lol

Great video David, as always. You do quality checks on cars that are, for the most part, of good quality. It would be nice to show cars with lower production quality for your viewers too. Thank you

Great video, nice topic

David… it’s not about the “feel” that I want a 4Runner body on frame… it’s all about the STRENGTH the frame offers when doing hardcore off-roading and over landing. Monocoque unibody SUVs can’t handle the twisting forces and the added weight that off-roaders build into their rigs with heavy armor, 5-gallon Jerry cans for water and fuel, 33-35” wheels that might weigh over 100Lbs each, front and rear metal bumpers, dual batteries , winch, drawer systems, plus all the gear and passengers. Most 4Runners rigged out for real off-roading are at or close to max GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). Unibody vehicles just can’t handle this stuff. Overlanding is so big these days that there will always be a large market for body on frame. I personally don’t know anyone who decides to buy a body on frame for the driving feel of it. In my opinion, unibody offers better driving feel by far, but for everyday road driving. You feel a a more nimble ride and handling and more connected to the road. The 4Runner does have more of a vagueness in road driving over a unibody but who cares when you’re conquering double black diamond advanced off-road trails! 😊

Thanks David

Great review. My preference is the 4Runner body on frame.

Good review, thank you. Body om frame!

07 Tundra 5.7 lifted winched etc 19 Sequoia for the 👸 So yes, frame under body for us.

Unibody. We have a regular 21 RAV4 LE for driving to Mexico. It has good ground clearance, drives on the unpaved roads, and gets 40-43 mpg. No way a Body on Frame gets that fuel economy!

Best explanation on this topic by far. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. As Einstein said: If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.

Our new Honda elite has been a great car so far.

Great explanation‼️ 11:38

Thank you for. Very informative video - any advice naught on safety across the two type of builds?

Thanks for a great video, as always. I bought a used 2021 Lexus GX460 (with just 21,700 km in it) instead of the 2023 5th gen Toyota 4Runner. Soo happy with this decision.

when you drive a body on frame for a few years and switch to a unibody, you definitely miss the old floating / rolling truck feel.

And also don't forget, as a manufacturing standpoint, unibody will usually be cheaper to build because body-on-frame requires separate assembly lines, where as unibody only needs one, lowering the cost on count of less labor and materials.

In the market for QX80s and Armadas right now. I was looking at minivans, but realized a full size, body on frame SUV is more my gig. I love the utility and extra space. The independent suspension on the Y62 platform is kinda what I'm after for road comfort, and will be a bit nicer on my wife. Dollar for dollar, a used QX80/Armada seems to be the way to go on the used market in this segment. Plus they still got the VK56 at the heart. Im a new subscriber and really love your vids. My father is an automotive engineer and you remind me a lot of him in the way you speak about the details, so you really know how to speak to me 😂 Keep it up sir❤

@JayYeasmin

11 ай бұрын

I would hold out for the brand new qx80 that was just announced

@guerrinlove69

11 ай бұрын

@JayYeasmin I don't want a goddamn 6k lb car powered by a tiny ass twin turbo v6. Plus the rear end looks absolutely horrendous on it. The 5.6L V8 is what I'm after. Those engines are proven

@guerrinlove69

11 ай бұрын

@@JayYeasmin "hold out for the new one" 🤓👆

Love body on frame

Perfect! I'm on the fence between a pilot or 4runner.

Hello David, I have a quick question about door alignment on GX460. When they mount doors to the hinges is there any adjustments made? Or there is no adjustments at the hinges and majority of adjustments are made at the door striker position? Thank you! Love your channel.

Also that's why I asked you if the Century SUV will be available in the middle east. It would be a flagship unibody SUV and could be an alternative option to the LX which is the flagship body on frame SUV.

Old school would often prefer ladder frame. I think a neutral analysis of what are the pros and cons of each model

I’ve heard that a lot of the vehicles that last the longest on average are body on frame vehicles. But obviously those vehicles are mostly 15+ years old that are at getting to 200 or 250+ k miles. I wonder if the unibody vehicles today are more similar to body on frame vehicles today when it comes to long term reliability or if they will still have less longevity on average.

@justcollectingdust

10 ай бұрын

years ago I went to the Pittsburgh auto show and they had an 86 Accord hatch back with 615,000 miles and an Acura Legend with over 1 million miles. That is Honda quality for you. Toyota makes some awesome vehicles, but I believe Honda builds the best engines.

love body on frame SUV (or ladder frame, cmiiw) . Check out the 3-row mid size All New Daihatsu Terios / All New Toyota Rush in some countries. made in Indonesia & it's best seller there.

David, If you are asking me to choose between a unibody Honda Pilot with a timing belt and a body-on-frame 2 door Prado Sumo with a 2TR-FE engine, I will choose the Sumo every time. 😁

Plus towing capacity for body on frame

Body-on-frame is hands down the strongest type of chassis made, and still is till this day. It’s superior for NVH levels, and gives a smoother quieter ride over the roughest roads over Unibody construction. This is why so many vintage large luxury cars were always BOF because they wanted to isolate the passengers from badly maintained streets and dirt roads back when many parts of U.S. didn’t even have paved roadways. So many of the large American cars from the 1920s-70’s were built like trucks that had a ladder or perimeter style frames for the best durability and riding comfort. The frame takes all the punishment from the road, and definitely when one wants to off-road, without worrying about the A Pillar cracking in half from extreme flexing like from rock climbing, you’re going to want a BOF vehicle, period. Most unibody vehicles I’ve driven always feel cheaper and are less solid to drive than one of my classic BOF cars, which feels like a silent tank cruising down the highway.

@trumpisastump9382

11 ай бұрын

Unibody vehicles are safer than body on frame vehicles.

@realnapster1522

11 ай бұрын

Body on frame rolls a lot and gives poor mpg.

@CA-nm7mb

11 ай бұрын

@@realnapster1522 Yeah, but we’re not talking or really caring about MPG’s. What is important here is the strength and how well a BOF truck performs on the roughest terrain. With a well tuned suspension, you can mitigate roll overs. They’re no different than a tall unitized crossover with a floppy feeing suspension.

@CA-nm7mb

11 ай бұрын

@@trumpisastump9382 That’s not entirely true. You’re going to be far more safe in a 4Runner than in a Honda Pilot. A modern BOF truck or SUV is far safer than the old BOF vehicles from say 50+ years ago that didn’t have safety features built into their bodies. Unibodies vehicles crumple more and so much too the point where passengers get crushed in major accidents. Having a fully boxed frame truck or suv, gives additional protection from heavy impacts as the frame takes most of the energy in the accident and doesn’t crumple as severely. This can prevent passengers from being severely injured or killed in a crash. This is why 2 firefighters that I know both drive truck’s because they’ve seen horrible accidents over their course of their careers and understand that a large heavy framed vehicle will give you best chance at survival in a serious wreck.

David, thank😊 you!

Just went from a 6 speed MT Audi A4 to a GX470, very different driving experiences

Kudos to The Engineer who prefers Body on Frame over Uni-Body. He drives a Lexus GX and a 4Runner. 🙌

Only two reasons to go with the inefficiency of body on frame. Heavy duty off roading or load carrying. If you don’t intend to do either get unibody construction the ride and efficiency will be superior.

Which has better protection for passengers in 2nd row, and safety in case of a high speed truck hits us from behind? Body on frame or Uni Body?

Great topic! Unibody is cheaper and more profitable.

In a perfect world owning both would be nice! For me 99% of my time is spent on road, then half on dry roads… so unibody makes the most sense.

How is towing on unibody versus body on frame?

Very hard to be able to drive 4Runner and pilot back to back due to Toyota inventory shortages

You’re saying body-on-frame is more isolated from the road, but how come its less comfortable than a monocoque?

Are body on frame vehicles better for towing due to being more ridge vehicles and so can handle trailer inertial forces better?

@paulalevesque2354

6 ай бұрын

Wondering this as well...

is there any Uni-body with a low range gearbox?

Body on frame nice but if you live in rust belt frame rusts very fast.

Body on frame V6 4:25 Diesel 4x4 Hilux Revo

If the frame is exposed to elements and rusts, you can wave goodbye to your “long-lasting” body on frame SUV. The frame is exposed on Lexus GX460, and needs to be powder coated for better protection as you can see on Car Care Nut channel. The Unibody SUVs have full underbody shield from plastic which paradoxically can lead to longer life and no underbody rust.

@joeblack1052

11 ай бұрын

Once the rust gets to in the sills the unibody is done. The plastic shielding doesn’t do as much as you think, just hides the rust.

@David_Journey

11 ай бұрын

@@joeblack1052 I'm not sure how the water would get through *interlocking* plastic panels on the bottom. Maybe with age...

@joeblack1052

11 ай бұрын

@@David_Journey water if it gets in has to be able to get out So if it can get out it can get in and if it does get in it is harder to wash off Just saying

@stuglenn1112

3 ай бұрын

This depends entirely on were you live. Since you're worried about it I am guessing the northeast.

How about the safety aspect, front and side impact, which one is better? Thank you

@trumpisastump9382

11 ай бұрын

Unibody vehicles are safer than body on frame. The frame does not allow for the dissipation of the force of the crash in the way unibodies do. A quick Google search (safety of unibody vs. body on frame vehicles) will confirm this.

@johntanchong3166

11 ай бұрын

@@trumpisastump9382 Thank you for this info, appreciate it.

It depends on your use case. If you go off road often as is the case here in the Middle East then you go with a body on frame SUV. If you barely go off road then a unibody SUV makes sense. You could also buy a pickup truck if you need a bed and use that to go offroad and buy a unibody SUV to use in the city and for travel.

Hi David , Toyota have to built Gas paddle touch the floor not make your leg so tired❤❤

👍👍👍

Body on frame no argument! 😊

I would get the unibody because it has a V-6

Is body on frame better for towing?

@sashamillaus9187

9 ай бұрын

Yes

I rather get a body on frame midsized suv

body on frame offers a quieter and more isolated ride and feel for me over pavement that is not in the best condition

With all respect .....it is not about how is feeling when you drive it , or how faster are making the cars unibody platform IT IS about the impact in crash The SUV on truck chassis are much stronger on impact crash , IT IS NOT about marketing or price ... IT is about safety of family ! With all respect for TRUTH and KNOWLEDGE

My preference is body on frame. We have owned both. In the end, my wife feels safer while sitting higher, with better visibility. We currently have a 4Runner Limited, which has a well designed suspension system, that makes the ride better.

@trumpisastump9382

11 ай бұрын

Feeling safe, and being safe are two different things. The Pilot ranks much safer than the 4runner.

@mjohnsfly

11 ай бұрын

You keep yours and I’ll keep mine. 😊

Companies are moving to unibody but it’s like body-on-frame are kinda becoming popular. Chinese automakers are making much cheaper ones these days.

The title should be renamed as body-on-frame vs frame-in-body suv Haha

And yet, Honda hasn't made the Pilot any lighter (1st reason), or any more fuel efficient (2nd reason) than a body-on-frame Toyota, and hasn't made it any cheaper (3rd reason) than a body-on-frame Toyota. They've done all of that while staying with an old technology 6-cylinder engine that is less fuel efficient than some full size domestic trucks like the F-150 or Silverado/Sierra, and a smaller screen than in its Accord sedans. Sure, it rides great, but I can have that in a sedan. If I'm getting an SUV or truck, it's for the capability to get deep into nature. I don't want a soccer vehicle. I want to make it a badass off-roader. But that's just not Honda. And Honda really, really needs to do that with the Ridgeline. It cannot do it in the Pilot, but it can do that in the Ridgeline and the Passport. It needs to go all-in on those for more extreme capability the likes of Tacoma TRD and 4Runner TRD.

The Fuel Tank Door locks as it should on the Honda!! WTF Toyota!!

Body on frame cuz I tow 6500 lbs

I have a 1988 Mazda B2200 with frame based body and a 2021 Crosstrek Sport with the unibody. As much as I love and prefer my Crosstrek, I still feel safer in my very, very old pick up. To be really honest my B2200 has been completely refurbished.

@justcollectingdust

10 ай бұрын

Body on frame is not safer. The new crash tests show the 4Runner having 3 stars for the 23 4Runner. Nope, I won't put anyone in the passenger seat with that rating. Otherwise, I love the looks, but not the drive, but that's just me.

there’s no decision, body in frame > unibody.

Short answer is: if you want a truck that looks like a car or you want a car that looks like a truck

Awkward lower front bumper corners. The black door handles, and grey body cladding screams base model. Looks like they're benchmarking Ford Explorers instead of leading the pack like every other previous gen model.

Isn't the new 2023 Honda Pilot body-on-frame?

@huanronghu4432

11 ай бұрын

na it has always been a family hauler. that's why it needs to be unibody. meanwhile, the 4runner has always been a body on frame

@hansdoreen

11 ай бұрын

@@huanronghu4432 Well, I thought I read some where that the new Honda Pilot was on Honda's light-truck chassis. Anyways, maybe I understood it wrong.

@huanronghu4432

11 ай бұрын

@@hansdoreen well the ridgeline and the passport are basically similar to the pilot, but the ridgeline has a longer chassis and the passport has a slight shorter chassis. all unibody vehicles that honda said can go off the beaten path

Not a fan of the uni body

Some of the new colors these days will not age very gracefully. This will probably affect resale value when it comes time to sell the car. Color trends haven't been this trendy since the '60s.

Whichever one wishes to buy . There are no rules Otherwise everyone would be driving corollas.

Stop with the body gaps already ! Can't you make a video without measuring body gaps ? The later portion of the video is better.

Drove my friends 4runner for 400 miles in Colorado once-it drives like shit,ride is very bumpy,even my friend says his old subaru forester rides much better than his 4runner...not sure what u mean saying "very isolated,smooth ride"...