T4R -> Tacoma??

So, I'm swapping out my 2014 T4R for a 2017 T4R. Other than color the old and new are exactly the same...both 4x4 Limited with NO 3rd row. Except the 2017 will have >105,000 less miles on it.

We're doing a dealer trade & my "local" dealer, Oxford Toyota, should have the new one in from Caldwell Toyota over in Conway, AR tomorrow. They will be tinting the windows darker & throwing the new set of weathertechs in & I should be able to pick it up tomorrow evening.

I'm buddies with the owner & asked if I could bum a 2017 Tacoma just to experience how the 3rd gen rides & drives.

He handed me the keys to dealer owned rental. It's a 2017 DCSB OR 4x4 6 speed auto with ~ 4,000 miles on it. It's got the JBL, sunroof, LED bed lamps, Qi charger & tech package.

AND I LIKE IT.

It's a COMPLETELY different drive than a 4Runner. It's got plenty of power if you put your toe in it and throttle tip in is fantastic...no jumping or lurching off the line unless you nail it. The tranny does shift more than the T4R but it's as smooth shifting as a T4R. It rides different & you can feel the difference in the chassis compared to a T4R. Not sure if it's frame or full body vs separate cab & bed but def different.

From the left seat it sits different too. While the view is similar inside & out the seat, especially the lower front, feels way closer to the floor. But, it's comfortable. Cab noise is a little higher from tires & wind but the engine seems quieter.

OVERALL if I were in the market for a mid size truck, it would be on the top of my list.

But I'm still amazed at how different the two vehicles are.

Here's my best glamour shots of the thing.

Flexing


Locking rear diff, 4x4, & crawl control.




Suspension articulation


And in the barn

 

Surprised you're not waiting for the next gen 4Runner.

 

That was my intent when I bought the '14. And for sure the '14 still drives & looks like new so I could keep it. ZERO & I mean zero wear on the interior, no smells nothing. The exterior has the typical stuff a vehicle with 105,500 miles has but still looks great when clean. Glass is perfect, no leaks, tires at maybe 60%, brakes are even better. And I've had zero issues, not a single thing other than routine maintenance.

BUT, I'm somewhat concerned with what direction the 6th gen T4R may go (unibody?). On top of that even if it remains a BOF, will Toyota have issues rolling out the new one? Will the prices be high due demand & for how long? So with those concerns I didn't want To wait until at least one model year after the new one came out and then if prices were high so...

 

I have a feeling they may dump the 4runner for this new t4-x or whatever its called. Most people are buying highlanders now, and the 4runner crowd is shrinking, but loyal. If they keep the tacoma, and make something that just kills it off road without being the bloated, priced out of reach land cruiser , they may have a winning combo there.

 

I gotta say I'm encouraged that the sales numbers for the T4R & Lexus GX are growing even recently. Of course it also sells as a common chassis in a broader market even if not as a T4R. That said I'm not sure another Highlander / T4R size unibody is good marketing so my fear is they'll kill it altogether with some of the upcoming rules & regs & Toyota always pushing to have common platforms.

 

The global Prado is the same architecture, I doubt the Prado will be discontinued. Toyota doesn't build the 4Runner in North America so all they do is react to dealers orders. If there is demand and profit Toyota will keep building and shipping the North American version of the Prado. I'll stay with the 4.7.

 

Monkey is correct. Mine was built at the Tahara plant.

http://www.toyota-global.com/compan...n/production/japan/general_status/tahara.html

 

Wow. Total brainfart. I knew they weren't built in NA but for some reason I thought he said they weren't SOLD in NA. My bad.

 

Gotcha gotcha

 

Noob.

 

Everyday....

@DustStorm4x4

 

Yeah, what I was getting at is Toyota doesn't have to sell X number of 4Runners in the US to continue production of the stateside version. They do need to continue to have the Japan assembly line adapt the Prado, though. But if they profit even with a more complex assembly line, why dump it?

I've been reading the TNGA will mean changes in the production plants, but seeings how they've been profitably producing North American versions along with the Prado for 25 years it seems goofy they'd lop it off.

 

Oh I got ya man...in fact I made about exactly the same type of post about a year ago...still concerned. Kinda still am with meeting US/CARB/EPA fleet requirements. Fingers crossed for good sale of the greenies for this reason.

 

I have no idea how things will be juggled, that's why I'm sticking with the 4.7l.