Anyone leave a 5th gen 4Runner for a 3rd gen Tacoma?

hey guys, haven’t really been on here in a long time but recently started lurking. I was curious if anyone traded in a 5th gen 4Runner for a 3rd gen Taco? I currently have a 2016 SR5 premium 4Runner which I picked up after selling my 07Tacoma. Currently looking at the TRD off-road DCSB with premium and tech packages. It will be a daily driver that will most likely get a small lift and shell thrown on it, that’s used for surf/snow board trips and for carrying around the kid. Anyone have personal experience for or against?

 

I bought an 18 T4R before my Tacoma and absolutely love it. The truck suites my needs better so the wife drives the 4Runner. If I had to choose one it would be the 4Runner due to the much larger backseat that we need for kiddos

 

I think you'll find there's alot of guys on here that have both.

My wife drives a '16 4runner and I have the '18 Taco.

 

It all depends on your personal needs but you really can’t go wrong with either

 

I have a 15’ taco and want a 19’ 4runner don’t need the bed anymore.

 

Ya I wish I could keep both, but that’s out of the question. The wife does have the new RDX so we could use that for longer drives. One of my main concerns and reasons for wanting to get back into the Tacoma is the separation of the bed. I never needed it until now. My 7th month old is a transplant baby and is/ will always be on some immunosuppressant. I don’t like carrying my dirty ass turnouts in the back of the 4Runner, right behind his car seat, especially with him in the car. That’s my goal with putting a shell on a Tacoma. Separate from the cab, plus I can always keep a short board in there for a quick morning surf. I guess I really need to take the time and go look at the new ones, see how the car seat and crap fits.

 

Just FYI... the back seat in a taco is really cramped... like Corolla cramped.
The 4runner has a ton of room. Ours slide and recline.

 

I would suggest an extended or overnight test drive

 

Ya that’s definitely on the list of things to do. Hopefully in a few weeks I can get down to the dealer to check one out.

 

I had a 2013 T4R Limited, traded it in for my current truck. I miss the umph it had, the leather seats, the comfort in general, sunroof and roll down rear window. Only thing i do not miss is not being able to throw stuff in the back like pelican cases and large stuff. Honestly, i am considering a used 5th gen currently for a secondary/Daily vehicle.

 

Have both... Wish I had 2x 4Runners. It is an all around better quality vehicle.

 

nope, I have a 2018 Tacoma but actually have considered on a couple occasions now trading for a new T4R. I would love the new Pro version but I don't wanna pay that much. so I would likely get an OR. still undecided as of yet, but I toy with the idea from time to time.

 

I drove both before I picked the taco. I liked the 4runner a lot it was really close, but the Taco was cheaper and i needed the bed so i went that route. If I could've afford the 4runner I probably would've went that way. It drove better and there were more features on the SR5 level

 

just tinted this one the other day...just to make your decision harder...

 

How often do you use a bed, besides for hauling the boards in the back? As much as I love the Taco, a lot of your bed needs can be solved much cheaper if you rent a utility trailer as needed.

Really the only thing the taco has over the 4r is towing and cargo. If you use those frequently, get a taco. If it goes beyond your roof rack only once or twice a year, keep the SUV.

 

Wife has a '15 T4R Trail and I have an '18 Taco TRD Sport DCSB. We take the T4R out on a 4x4 beach a few times a year and it's a beast. Not really had the Taco off-road yet as I've treated it nearly as well as my first-born. The T4R has quite a bit more room depending on what your daily needs are. My wife is cramped in the front seat when we all 4 get in the Taco, although both our kids are in car seats. I've only used the bed on the truck a few times, so if you don't need that aspect of the vehicle I'd recommend sticking with the 4Runner. Although I wouldn't trade my cement exterior, inferno interior Taco for anything

 

Yes. I had three. What are your questions.

 

the one thing, actually the only thing holding me up from trading my Taco to T4R is the interior. the interior in the T4R is dated and needs an update immediately. especially the gauge cluster. the DOT Matrix stuff is so 2010. Hopefully the 2020 model will be updated.

like was said above, if you need a bed and have to have one, get a Tacoma. but be aware the back seat is definitely cramped. my wife and I are only 5'3" tall and our daughter rides behind us in my Taco and she isn't that comfortable. granted, she isn't in a car seat anymore, she is 16. but if interior space is a factor, the T4R is the better choice.

 

I actually like the dials in my wife's '15 4Runner better than my Tacoma. They're larger and easier to manipulate while driving. One of the first things I did in the Tacoma was replace those absurd volume/tune knobs with the ones from Hondo Garage...made a world of difference. But still prefer the climate control knobs on the 4Runner over the Tacoma.

 

yeah the knobs and stuff don't bother me, its mainly the gauge cluster and the DOT Matrix stuff. the rest of it is fine honestly.