In a serious car dilemma, help wanted.

you can buy my taco

 

i was pretty set on buying a new car. I've never had a brand new car before. It's kind of been my lifelong dream. That's why it's so difficult for me to choose taco or runner.
I've driven both. I liked taco updated interior but everyone started migrating to runner. very confusing decision

 

we moved for our own reasons, just figure what works best for you and do it, don't worry about what everyone else is buying... are you buying something that matches your needs or something to fit in with a bunch of strangers online?

 

As another who works for Yota. Go with the runner or a 2nd gen, because the 3rd gens have all sorts of issues they haven't worked out yet.

1GRFE FTW!

 

I wouldn't do a 3rd gen. my truck is a 2nd gen, or I'd look at the T4R...

 

@Jester243 I'd like to come up with my own opinion. I was totally set on a new tacoma, except people (like the ones below) imply that the new tacoma sucks... That makes it difficult to understand. They just say generic things like 'problems'. I was a mechanic for a while. I've changed head gaskets, replaced my axle, control arm bushings and all sorts of things. These jobs don't scare me, but what scares me is the generic term problems. If that generic term means piston ring scrapping out, that's one of the things i can't fix. If it makes sense where i'm coming from.

What kinds of problems? I don't want to dig at confidential toyota stuff, but i'm pretty handy with cars. Are we talking about terminal problems like piston rings, or more average problems like maybe a head gasket or stuff like that?

I'm really digging the redesigned fox shocks. I also love those rigid road lights, and the cutout in the skid plate for oil changes. I know the pain of removing the skit plate on my old 4R... The new interior in my opinion is layed out very nicely, and seems to be up to date with some of the more luxurious ones out there. i'm shocked nobody's excited about these upgrades. After all- isn't the T4R gonna follow in this new tacos path in terms of tech?

 

There have been an uncomfortable amount of 3rd member and sometimes entire RR axle replacements (only a few). I've seen quite a few driveshaft replacements, and carrier bearing issues. Which was an issue for some 2nd gens as well. The odd engine issue here and there, various check engine lights... The normal kinds of bugs that usually plauge the first couple of model years of most new cars. The rear end issue, thats what I have a problem with. They're nice trucks, a little fancy for me but nice nonetheless. I think after a couple of years the bugs will get worked out of it, and it will be really great. That engine was used in some variation of Lexus before it was put in the Tacoma.

I think it drives like a car, I took a 2016 home for a weekend last year and I don't like the way it takes off at all. I can make my 4.0 put me in the seat, I didn't get the same feeling from the 2GRFKS. I think its lacking in its power curve, and seriously lacking in grunt. Not to mention the 3rd gen is heavier. Its a direct injected and port injected motor, too many injectors for me. I like simple motors LOL. Direct injection adds regular service I'd rather not mess with. Just my opinions on the truck, others may disagree but some food for thought. Go put one through its paces and see what you think, but I'd have the 4Runner with the 4.0

 

A buddy owns our local Toyota (& Ford) store here in town. I just happened to drop by this morning to shoot the shit. Keeping in mind it's a small dealership in a small town in a mostly rural state I was surprised to see the number of 3rd gen Tacos in for service & the number of used 3rd gen Tacos sitting on the lot. I didn't inquire so the several in for service could just be routine & the several used could have been lease returns or bought at auction because he can't keep up with demand. OR it could be unhappy customers. I do know he still had trouble keeping inventory on the lot. On a side note, there were far fewer 2nd gens sitting in either spot.

 

I will agree the engine is pretty different. I've tried both, and i'll admit it's a unique difference. I think how it works is the 4.0 achieves peak power at a lower RPM, so you feel like it's pushing you pretty quickly.
The 3.5s power band extends almost up to 6k RPMs. Because of this general power swell, it doesn't make it slower-it just makes acceleration more of a swell instead of a kick

 

Precisely why I feel it drives more like a car, who wants to race their truck up to 6k? The motor I believe was designed for a car, not a truck application. I'm sure toyota is phasing out the 1GR in favor of this atkinson cycle engine. Needs more grunt down low, espescially if your pulling a trailer. This threads got me looking at 5th gen 4Runners now!

 

I was doing some research, apparently people think the next 4Runner redesign is going to be next year- and it's going to get the tacoma powertrain.
I mean, i don't mind the higher RPM with a nice exhaust note, but i'd rather have a more powerful engine which likes to hover around lower rpms.

 

Anyone who hasn't driven the new taco- listen to the engine while this guy drives it around the dirt track. It will give you a little bit of perspective where the powerband is- interesting

 

Just saw a TRD off-road taco today at traffic lights. Asked him to race (i'm running a supercharged 3.4 while he's in a normally aspirated 3.5). I couldn't floor it as i'd be doing a one wheel burnout. He just locked his rear dif and beat me! I guess that engine really can pull. Sounded like a motorcycle at high end rpms . It's a truck with the heart of a JDM sports car

 

Locked his rear dif?

 

It was wet. It must've been a trd pro.
He asked, "you got a rear dif dude?"

I said, "Nah, it's a 99'. Don't need one hehe"

Then he said, "bummer, i have one"
Then he hit a button on his roof, and floored it. I could tell his rear dif was locked because both tires stuttered a little, while one of my rear tires squealed.

Not to mention his car was bloody loud..!

 

this thread is getting slightly weird

 

Just trying to keep the thread alive- since it's comparing two cars i guess there's plenty of stuff to talk about, right?

 

Seems as though there isn't much to talk about anymore. Unless anyone has any topics they'd like to talk about, it seems like both the taco and runner are both awesome cars.
4Runner:
If you don't need to lug around big stuff, a dirt bike, dirty stuff, or maybe a dog. The runner is a solid car which can take you pretty much anywhere. Approach and Departure angles stock are amazing, and better than the taco. The inside is a little dated, but the car makes up for it in solid performance.

Tacoma:
Great if you get sandy beach stuff or muddy gear. Even muddy shoes are great because you don't need to try and clean your carpets. It seems like a great, playful car which you can go almost anywhere in. If you want an easy platform to mod, tacos have more aftermarket parts than 4runners. The new taco is high tech, and with a little tweaking should be a great, reliable car.
--
3.5L VVT W/ 6 speed tranny
Lively transmission, constantly shifting to adjust powerband. Engine has a huge RPM range, and it uses ALL of it. With a nice muffler (TRD for example), the car sounds like a little JDM sports car (not made in japan haha). Some truck lovers like low end power, as it is more 'truck like', but the tacoma does still have the power.

4.0 VVT w/ 5 speed tranny
This is the tried and true powertrain. It is a tough tranny, and likes to hold gears. Shifting is done less frequently when engine needs to, or also can be encouraged to shift with pedal response. Engine has low end torque curve, and less RPM range. Definitely likes to stay and grunt at lower RPMs. This engine is better suited to the reliability seekers, as it's been proven to last.
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Off-Road performance
As mentioned earlier, choose the car that works for you, and modify it to suit your off-road needs.
Now pushing that aside, for a stock car- the 4Runner will probably off-road slightly better. Even though it's heavier, it has 4 cool springs with equally distributed weight. This will lead to better distribution of the traction coming from each tire. The tacoma is nose heavy, and light in the back. You'll be relying on more traction from the front. Also, because the 4Runner is a SUV, it has a shorter wheelbase. This means there is less of a chance of scraping the center of the underbody when going over a mound. When approaching or departuring a slope, the approach/departure angles are better on the 4Runner.
Even though this makes the 4Runner sound far superior, the tacoma isn't far behind. If you are going to need to push these cars to their limits- it's probably a good idea to invest in underbody protection, sliders, and better front and rear bumpers
--
At the end of the day, they're both solid cars from toyota. They have their differences, but they'll both serve you well. Look at your daily uses. If you need a bed for what you do everyday- get the tacoma. If you cart a family around - get the 4Runner. If you have a family, but carry dirty stuff- tacoma or 4Runner with roof basket. Plenty of options,

-I'd like to thank everyone whose participated in this thread helping me (and others) understand the difference in these two cars. I encourage more posts with questions and opinions, as this thread can help many others.

 

but did he lock the diff?

 

he implied that he locked the differential. I don't know how that works because i don't own a new tacoma. I believe he did because he was able to floor it without loosing traction, while i lost traction running BFG KO2s.

Both of his rear wheels slipped a little together. Wouldn't that imply that he locked his differential?

The conditions were mildly wet.