Prerunner Vs. Trophy Truck

Anyone who’s watched an off-road truck race might see vehicles from manufacturers like Ford and Toyota racing through the desert dunes at top speed. Some of us daydream about taking our own trucks out for a race - but shouldn’t. While we might own modified trucks, or trucks made to go off-road, not all trucks are created equally.

The trucks you’re able to purchase off of a dealership lot ready for some off-roading adventure are known as “prerunner” trucks, a term Toyota has co-opted for years. Most have begun associating prerunners with the Toyota brand, which is its own win for the automaker. 

A “trophy truck” is heavily modified for specific use-cases, like desert racing. Races like the Baja 1000 are filled with trophy trucks, named so because they’re trying to help those racing teams do one thing: bring home the trophy.

While the prerunner is great for laypeople, a trophy truck is very different. Here, we’ll break down what the difference between a prerunner and a trophy truck is, which is right for you, and answer your burning questions.

What is a Prerunner?

Prerunners are named as such because they are often used by racing teams to pre-run a race track. They’re capable off-road vehicles, but not quite as fast or built for speed as a trophy truck is. Prerunners may get into off-track scenarios, too, in an attempt to scout the track a bit better, which means they’re built for a slightly unique use-case.

The Toyota “PreRunner” is a trim level for the Tacoma model, meant to elicit a more off-road stance and aesthetic. Though loved by many, the PreRunner is not an actual prerunner by designation, and is only available on RWD Tacomas, making it especially poor for off-road driving scenarios.

A prerunner isn’t designed to win a race, but they often look like they can. Prerunner trucks often have wildly flared fenders, beefy roll cages, upgraded skid plates, better suspension, and large off-road tires. Thanks to aftermarket parts, almost any truck can be outfitted to look like a prerunner, and some might even be capable of traversing some of the same terrain as a prerunner.

Prerunners are popular in areas where there is a lot of open desert to venture into. The eastern part of southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico have plenty of terrain that make owning a prerunner much more intriguing.

What is a Trophy Truck?

A trophy truck - sometimes referred to as a “trick truck” - is a heavily modified truck designed and built for performance when off-road. In the world of trucks, a trophy truck is to the truck you own as a NASCAR vehicle is to the modern sedan.

Trophy trucks are almost totally modified. The body is typically fiberglass to help with weight, the chassis is completely custom with lighter, more durable steel, and the tires are often much larger than you’d be able to purchase at a tire shop. The engines are built to withstand desert conditions while pumping out 700 horsepower or better for long periods of time. 

The suspension on a trophy truck is also bespoke to the truck and race conditions. As these trucks are meant to go over 100 miles per hour in the desert sands, they have to be able to tolerate extreme heat, dry weather, blowing sands, and variable terrain. The desert is an unforgiving place, and trophy trucks are built to thrive there.

Differences Between a Prerunner and a Trophy Truck

A trophy truck is meant to run at top speeds in the harshest conditions, often for 1,000 miles at a time over the course of 24 hours. Trophy trucks are designed specifically for this purpose - not for street driving.

Prerunners are street-legal vehicles meant for some fairly aggressive off-road driving. They can go almost anywhere you want, but are not going to win a professional race.

On the upside, building a prerunner is an option, if you’re so inclined.

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Prerunner?

Several aftermarket companies make prerunner parts for a variety of trucks and SUVs. Because they’re meant to be as much style as substance, you’ll likely have a wealth of options for many parts.

Know that any visual part is likely to disrupt the aesthetics of your truck, and might change the way it drives and your fuel consumption. Any alterations to your truck will cause stress on the vehicle, so be mindful when turning your truck into a prerunner. If it’s your daily driver, morphing it into a prerunner might not be wise.

You’ll need new fenders, a skid plate, a roll cage, upgraded lighting, better suspension, a lift, massive tires, beefier wheels, and engine modifications to turn your truck into a proper prerunner. It’s costly, too; expect to drop at least $5,000 for components, and more for installation.

FAQs

Should I Build My Own Prerunner?

If you head off-road often, and have been wanting to do more with your truck, a prerunner may be a good choice for you. It’s expensive, but if you’ll enjoy your drive time more in a prerunner, go for it!

How Much is a Trophy Truck?

Trophy trucks typically cost $1 million or more, and that doesn’t consider all it takes to keep a racing team active. Racing costs a lot of money that most don’t have. Trophy trucks also aren’t street legal, so even if you are sitting on a pile of cash, there’s no reason to own one unless you’re starting your own racing team.

Are Prerunners Expensive to Own and Maintain?

Any time you alter your truck, you are compromising years of research and development. Even something as simple as a heavier skid plate can alter your fuel consumption and increase wear on your truck’s suspension. Any modification has ripple effects, which will cause you to repair your truck more often. Building a prerunner also introduces unknowable variables as trucks were not designed to be modified, so anticipating the cost of ownership long-term is impossible.