Considering trading 2010 Tundra for 2017 Tacoma

OP I have had my fully loaded OR long bed for a little less than a year. I currently have 20,000 miles on it. Would I do it again. Yes...but I think I would wait for the 2018 or 2019 gen3 knowing what I know now. My truck has had some small problems like delayed transmission shift which was corrected with the TSB. I do have the howling diff when driving around 50 to 55 miles per hour; however I don't always hear it. I had the dealership look at it and had them document the problem.

Other than that the truck has been great. I am not on the diff recall list and I checked my diff for leaks and have not found any. I had my dealer check my diff and they told me there are no leaks. I am averaging in fuel 17.8 city driving and 23.5 highway driving. This thing drives great on the highway and if I want that extra boost I just press the ECT button and away she goes. I have not towed anything yet or done any major offroading. I am not sure how long I am going to keep this, but it has cross my mind to trade it in for a 2020 or 2021 Gen3. If I was grading the overall truck I would give it a B-

 

I have no problems with my OR longbed but as for what the OP is expecting after getting rid of a Tundra, he might be disappointed. It's a good truck for sure but not sure it's a Tundra replacement, If it's going to be for the wife's primary vehicle, they're a little tall getting into and without seat height adjustment might not be comfortable for certain body types. Wheel has almost no telescoping adjustment.

 

Honestly OP you'll probably be OK with a Tacoma but I agree with Jason that coming from a Full Size you maybe disappointed with the Tacoma powertrain and there have been some issues with third gens, not ALL of them have issues but I have seen a fair amount of complaints here. Just make sure you really know what you're getting into and that it's something you want. I see a fair amount of Buyers remorse here from guys who came from V8 trucks down to the Third gen Tacoma.

 

We both want an HR-V, but no way that's replacing the Tundra's duties. It doesn't even have tow capacity.

 

my TRD off-road has 1600 miles on it, which is not a lot, but I have had not problems so far.

My mileage was not good at first. This week, I got about 15-17MPG in the city and 19.5 to 21 on the highway, which right inline with the predicted mileage for my 6 speed manual transmission.

 

Stick her behind the wheel of a taco and see if she feels comfortable. It has a very long nose that you can't see over and a protuding bumper below that. Takes some getting used to and when you add the length of the longer bed she might not feel comfortable parallel parking it or pulling up to things, add a scoop and it's even worse.

Get her out and drive some trucks and see what she prefers.

 

Not nearly as much wood as you guys but I was very pleased how well it handled it.

 

I think the Frontier is a much better truck than most give it credit for. Get one with the Dana rear end and it's pretty bulletproof. Probably very close to the 2nd gen Tacoma.

...but the seats in those are terrible. Never had my back hurt after an hour drive in any other vehicle.

 

Those new Ridgelines are hideous. Also, I'd hardly call it a truck. Maybe an SUV with a bed or a 4x4 El Camino would be more appropriate.

 

Which frontiers have the Dana rear?

 

The Pro-4X has a Dana 44 rear.

The others have a Nissan rear end which is apparently not very reliable.

 

Thanks. Learn something every day. I didn't know much about the Nissan. My buddy bought one and loves it but it does feel a bit "old" on the interior... just aesthetically of course.

 

The 3rd Gen Tacoma is 7/8th the size of my 1985 F-150 4X4 but it's only running a 3.5 V6.

No wonder people complain about the power and towing capacity.Toyota needs to offer a V8 option with more towing capacity.

 

I have a 16 4Runner Trail Premium, and the 17 Tacoma OR. The Taco sure seems faster with the ECT enabled. Therefore, I'm not sure I agree the runner is more responsive.

There's no doubt the 4Runner is smoother and more refined.

 

The only other thing I know of is they run transmission fluid in their transfer cases and a seal has a tendency to let go so they'll leak very slowly over time. People don't notice and they run dry and destroy themselves.

I know one guy who blew his non-Dana rear end (out of warranty so I think he paid to have the Pro-4X rear end put in instead) and two who went through transfer cases around the 100k mark.

 

Maybe I am doing a poor job of describing it....4Runner has more low end torque, the pedal is "touchier"

For example when I hop in the Runner to drive (which isn't often as it's my wife's DD) I will go to hit the gas and the thing about chirps its tires and my wife yells at me. I would have to floor the Tacoma to get it to have ANY similar fashion in acceleration and there would be a 1 to 2 second throttle lag.

 

Keep the Tundra.

 

Mine does not do that.

 

Your 4Runner does not have that type of throttle response or your Tacoma does not have that delay?

 

Serious question. I have never driven a 3rd Gen Tacoma AT, do you guys think the MT is quicker, more responsive etc....? I drove my cousin 2nd gen AT last night, and I feel my truck is honestly quicker and more nimble.