3rd gens over time...

The flak that the 3.5 gets is so stupid. When people say they’d rather have the dog of a 2.7 and that it has no problems towing and getting up to speed I crack up every time.

 

Don't do it!!

 

If you look up 0-60 time tests for a 4 Runner and the Tacoma they both seem to run anywhere from 7.5 to 8.0 seconds. Maybe you are feeling underwhelmed in the Tacoma because you need to step on the throttle a little more as they like to rev.

 

Oh I flogged the crap out of it. My 4Runner is on 285's and it would have easily walked away from it. In fact I went the same way home and flogged the 4Runner and I was going 20 mph faster at the top of the same hill standing on it from the same spot. The Borla and AFE intake don't help that much!

I do really wish I had bought one 3 years ago instead of the 4Runner now. But with used prices being what they are (the truck I drove was a 17 with 35k on it priced MORE than it was new) and a new one out of my price range unless I lease I think I will stick with the 4Runner.

I actually went to Lowes after work for more 8 inch trim boards. fold down the rear center armrest and they fit inside no problem. I have hauled 4x8 sheets in it numerous times. Just can only do 8-10 at a time and have to bungee the tailgate down. What I hate is hauling construction debris to the dump, hauling engines, transmissions, axles, gas cans.... And with a 3" lift and 285's it's a real bitch to get a kayak on the roof. Of course my tandem is too long for a 5ft bed tacoma anyway. Of course where the 4Runner excels is when I have 5 people in it I can actually bring the dog too. And he loves the roll down rear window.

 

Trailer. Trailer. Trailer.

I used one for many years, because I couldn't justify a PU for my % of PU use. Most of the time I drug it around with a car or small CUV.

I actually converted a tilt boat trailer to run 13" wheels/tires (wayyyy larger than the normal 8-12" light trailer wheel), installed Bearing Buddy grease fittings, and welded up a frame that used 1 sheet of 3/4" ply for the floor and tailgate, then 1 sheet of 1/2" ply for the 3 sides.

Ply was exterior, treated with creosote stain, and they'd last about 15 years with no attention.

The tilt feature came in quite handy too.

There is no reason to be futzing up your 4R cramming stuff inside or on the roof if it's so nice.

Another budget friendly option would be to buy a beater 100k Sienna or Odyssey and strip out the seats. They'll haul (enclosed) more than you can imagine. And keep the 4r for your 'nice' vehicle.

*I* would never replace a vehicle I loved and had confidence in with a very expensive light weight truck.

 

id take a hard pass on a tacoma and just buy a utility trailer for your 4Runner. I own a 2020 TRD 4Runner and a 21 TRD tacoma.The 4runner is a much nicer vehicle. Im selling my tacoma in the morning its had a lot of problems. One good thing is i'm selling it for 5k more then i paid for it.

 

Tacoma's suck for hauling building materials.

I said it.

 

A good video where a fella tears down a 3.5 that was hydrolocked. The differences with the older V6s are minimal, with the engine being largely the same. The 2GR-FKS is actually quite an old platform for Toyota and was used for many years before it appeared in the Tacoma with some changes.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P499mDbqMdg

 

Multiple million mile 3rd gens? Oh please do share.

 

The 3.5 has been used in other Toyota models for over a decade. You can easily find Highlander’s that have racked up 400,000 miles on that motor. It will be similar to your other trucks. Wheel bearings, spark plugs, breaks, u joints shocks, ball joints etc will need replacing with high mileage. IMO anything less that 150k on these motors I consider new, and the used market reflects that with pricing.

 

Many 3Gs well over a million miles, but odometer only reads 450k ‘cause they rolling on 37”s.

 

You wouldn't think these minivan engines had enough grunt to turn 37's, lol.

 

I hauled 2x8 lumber and plywood in a DC 5ft bed colorado with the tailgate down and a bed extender no problem. With my 6ft bed Tacoma Access cab Ive hauled 2x4x8s and plywood with no overhang with the tailgate down. 2 x 10s would be easy and even 2 x 12s doable with the right bracing or angled in with my bed extender, you just need to know how to load and tie down. This is what trucks are for, at least for me. I don’t have room for or a need for a trailer.
Check this thread out- now a lot of the loads aren’t done right but some are well done.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacomas-doing-work.574940/

 

Down hill with a tailwind, and their homeboys pushing.

 

My 3rd Gen is more than capable....with all these cupholders I can haul 10 pumpkin spiced lattes, no problem. Let's see that puny 4Runner do that!

 

2X
My daily is a $1200 old van with no rear seats. I got some 1/4" thick 4' wide rubber matting from TSC for the floor, plywood and sheet rock slide right in and lay flat, ten foot lumber or pipe will slide between the front seats with the tailgate shut.

Hauls furniture, yard stuff, bagged trash, step ladders and even had a snow blower back there.
It will do 3/4 of what a full size pick up will do yet is cheap to run, fix, insure and the wife will drive it if needed. Easily the most useful vehicle I have ever had.

 

Utility trailer is your best bet.

I used to have an 84 F-150 for truck duty. Bare bones 2wd, regular cab, 8ft bed with the 300ci I6. Didn't matter if it got dirty, scratched up or dented.

 

This country no longer runs on facts. Why learn how an engine makes its power when you can just mindlessly mash a pedal like a soccer-mom?