Tacoma to 4runner - Pros/Cons?

The problem you describe...how's the 4runner offroad? Bound to be as good as or better than our tacomas - especially reading about the tight turns by 4runners. I have only been a truck guy but would love to build/convert a 4runner to a backup or primary camping/traveling vehicle.

 

You'll love it if you do!

I do trail runs with Tacomas regularly. Either one is pretty badass with just a decent set of tires. With armor and suspension, the biggest thing holding my 4Runner back at this point is me.

I see the shorter wheelbase as an advantage in some situations. But, there have been a few obstacles where a Tacoma's longer wheelbase have been beneficial. Otherwise, I think it's pretty equal.

 

Thank you. Now I just need to win the lotto to buy a runner and start a build.

The nose of my OR needs to be shaved off a few feet. Love this damn truck but the nose gets in the way in the back country. I travel solo 90% of the time and this last trip I'd have to stop and spot my own way forward way too many times.

Sorry to the OP for stepping on your post. Good luck though!

 

Forward facing camera?

 

That would be too easy.

 

We have both as well. I bought a Tacoma back in 2017 and the wife fell in love with Toyota. We had our first baby back in 2020 and having the rear facing car seat in the middle leaves you limited options for comfortable seating. My wife was long over due for a upgrade and she really liked the 4Runner and bought a 2021. Its very roomy and spacious on the inside and drives more comfortably in my opinion, but their obviously is a big diffence from 2017 to a 2021. No regrets so I say go for it.

 

I have both, in short, the taco is much snappier, and "drives". The 4Runner is a dog in every sense of the word. Also, if she thinks the taco is "too big" the runner is going to feel "bigger". Lastly, test drive a runner without KDSS, and one with. No way in hell I was buying one without. Talk about run away trains!

Congratulations on junior!

 

I mostly agree with this assessment. I think the 4Runner is a bit more nimble than you’re giving it credit for but I did chuckle at the runaway train analogy. Some truth to that.

 

I have a 2018 DCLB and the Wife has a new Limited 4R 4wd. Both are great and seats our family of 4 and both serve us well. My 2 kids did fine with booster seats in both and one is now out of a booster seat, lol she wants a heated rear seats so thats the next mod. We keep all vehicles in the garage,no rain,snow,pleasure vehicles and use our little Jeep Liberty Renagade for our beater. That little Jeep is amazing and I drove Suburbans for 20 plus years and will never go back, thanks Toyota!!!!

 

Just wanted to say this thread has been helpful to hear others perspectives. We are looking to replace my wife’s Hyundai Tucson with a 22 4OR while I’ll keep the Tacoma… although I have also been considering trading in my Tacoma for a 4R after the test drive since I’m not using the bed at all and more cabin space would be nice.

 

I have owned both. The T4R is a great vehicle, but I always missed having a truck.
For my needs, Tacoma all the way.

 

Having just finished reading all the replies, I’m no more decided on which to get than when I started.

I have a 2017 TRD OR Taco dbl cab, with a manual transmission. I absolutely love the MT, and it’s the most fun truck I’ve owned (I also had an ‘09 Taco and an ‘02 4Runner). But since I bought the Taco 5 years ago, my family has gone from me and my wife, plus two teenage daughters and two Belgian Malinois, to just me and one Malinois. The truck is my daily driver, but my passion is road trips. I can’t help but think that for solo plus a dog road trips, the 4Runner would be a much more useful, and cozy fit for us. The downsides are cost, no manual transmission available, and color. I’m very worried that I’d miss the fun “truck feel” that I get with the MT. I badly want the army green, and I know of a new MT Taco in army green, but the new 4Runners in army green are rarer than hens teeth. Not an easy choice…

 

Have you driven a 4Runner? That's probably the best thing to do. Find one on a lot where they'll let you take it for a good test drive.

I definitely love mine for how I travel, which is usually Solo, occasionally with a dog. I do miss driving a manual at times, but not enough to make me want a Tacoma.

 

At least you got to keep one dog.

We have both and for long road trips I would pick the 4Runner every time.

 

I had a 2011 4Runner Trail (basically a TRD Off Road) before I got my current Tacoma. I had it all set up on 285's, a winch.... It got 16-17 MPG. But it was an awesome vehicle. Build quality is definitely better than the Tacoma too. Had I not really needed a bed I would still have it. Regular dump runs with construction debris and hauling building materials all the time made the truck a must. It was my third 4Runner. I had an 86 and a 2000. The 2000 was what my (now ex) wife had when my daughter was born and we drove it everywhere. Great family rig. Kid in the back seat, dog in the cargo area... Fun times.

 

Fixed it for you ha ha!

"Great family rig. Kid in the back seat, dog in the cargo area and under the hood... Fun times."

 

Traded my 17 Tacoma Pro for a 17 4R Pro. It is the longest I have owned any vehicle in my life, and I have owned a bunch!!! Much better build quality then the Taco, and motor and tranny are built proof. I do miss the bed from time to time however.

 

I now have a 2022 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium (silver) on order. I just got back from the dealership, and 4 runners in general are just about impossible to find without a waiting list. At 6 dealerships (2 in Colorado Springs and 4 in Denver), there is one (1) 4Runner in stock that has not been sold, a white SR5. I lucked out and got an Off Road Premium that is sitting on the ship at the Port of Long Beach, waiting to clear customs. They're telling me a 3-5 week estimate, but I'm crossing my fingers it will come faster. The 2017 Taco will be traded in.

 

FOMO got me and I bought a 2022 4Runner Limited 4X4

if they made it exactly the same drivetrain and frame and gave it a pickup bed, that'd be the perfect truck for me because:

• full time 4WD
• coil rear suspension
• legendary engine

 

What ways do you think it’s built better than the Tacoma? My Tacoma feels so damn solid compared to my last vehicle which was a Subaru. I had a hard time deciding between the runner and taco but the price and utility won in the end and I allocated my Tacoma.