Tinkerer Compares the 4th gen to the 3rd gen TRD off-road

Make sure to watch the entire video to the end!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE3lbi89DNI

 

Great nuts and bolts comparison.

 

Relevant to the 7 people planning to take their 4th gen offroad

 

I would think most people buying up-model 4X4's indeed plan on taking their trucks off road.

Virtually all these traction control issues can be eliminated with a front locker; a great equalizer. Surely someone will make an aftermarket quick release for the front sway bar but until then, manually disconnecting it and tying it up is an option ( It's a horrible solution but works).

I've seen nothing to date that causes any regret about this 4th gen; it's simply a much better truck.

 

I've always appreciated tinkerer's reviews since he shows all the efforts to measure and clarify. I sub'd to him years ago due to the FJ. The new gen rear links is exactly like the FJ (from what I can see) and the lower mount was always an issue due to the thin brackets, so get a bolt on skid just for that part to prevent mushing it up. I personally love my 3rd gen, but I have to admit I like the new gen and the upgrades that tinkerer goes over (especially the box frame) and it seems toyota continues to listen to the community. Large companies can't check every box for every driver, so I get it. I like the idea of the seat ventilators....need to keep that area dry for the long trips! hahaha.

 

I've only ever seen one Pro on the trail

 

I was skeptical about getting the 4th gen after selling my 2nd gen mostly because you never buy the 1st of the next gen. I said "what the hell" after thinking my mother in law has the 2016 TRD Off-Road and it has no problems in all weather. Coming from an '09, this truck is like a spaceship and gets on it when I need it to. From what I've read, the people that don't like them are 3rd gen owners that equivalate them to Barb's scalloped potatoes. People that like and love them are 4th gen owners.

 

I don't think you can really summarize the nuances in a YouTube video, but that stabilizer module is not a common addition and you can't just get it individually. In theory, yes. In practice. No.

Its a good side by side video otherwise.

He mentions it like it's just a $1200 addition. I have yet to see it as an individual add on to just the bone stock TRD off-road. Yeah I'm sure you can go online and find it, but the question is can you find it near you, when you want a truck, and at a price it's actually reasonable?

Because of the way options are bundled randomly without any input from the buyer, you'll be spending a minimum of $10,000 above the starting TRD OR price or getting incredibly lucky. Premium + stabilizer DC + all sorts of other random crap is more common.

It's not like Toyota couldn't just make that an option on its own. But between all of the sticky fingers from the distributors and the dealers, it's just not happening.

 

Dude… Just go test drive a 4th gen… You’ll consider trading yours in once you step on the gas pedal… It’s that much more enjoyable to drive than the 3rd gen.

I’ve had a handful of 3rd gen guys stop and ask me how it drives… And that’s all I can say, just go test drive it, you’ll see.

 

I liked this guy's review and comparison.

Talking about the price near the end (and perceived value), the spoiler alert was the $8800 Premium option package driving up the price. When I was looking at my local dealer it included the electronic tailgate, a bed step, the full on digital mirror, air conditioned seats, and moonroof. Things I felt I did not want or need. I would have taken the Off Road option package, but the only thing on the lot in the iForce Max flavor was a single scaled down and two premium Off Roads. Future dealer allocations were skewed towards those same premium optioned Off Roads. When the salesperson priced both out with the final sale deal including a trade-in, I decided to spend $10K less and add (later) the only thing I really wanted that was not on the lower optioned truck... a Homelink equipped mirror.

 

I believe you! I never really understood the haters of the next gen of anything. I had to drop about 15k into my 3rd gen to get it up to where I enjoy the drive ability between the lift, supercharger, tune, uca, lca, etc.. The pro that I bought was about 44k in 2020 (I think that was the total I paid) ended up being about 55k after all the mods if not more....I'm not saying due to the wife questioning me (deniability is real!). Don't get me wrong, I'd probably give you a run for your money having it tuned and verified on the dyno, but getting it that way from the start like the 4th gen.....that's the way to go!

 

Wouldn't a 3G Tundra be better than a Tacoma 4G, if the refinements are what makes the Tacoma that much better?

I know the Tacoma is a midsize and the Tundra is fullsize. I fully except the 4G to be a nice truck to drive, and in some cases a better drive than the Tundra.

Edit:

I wanted to add I have not watched this video yet and plan to when I get a chance. Tinkerer's videos are usually informative and entertaining.

 

The thing he doesn’t mention is the 24 OR base has less options than the 23 base. I sat in a base off road, and bought an SR5 upgrade/cold weather package because the base OR felt entry level compared to my 22.

 

I’ve had a 2023 Tundra sr5 gasser.. I def miss it, mostly just the rear seat space for kids.. There is more turbo lag on the tundra. Less turbo noises in Tundra. Def less MPG in Tundra. Tacoma is doing surprisingly well in the MPG category. Traded it bc wife wants to drive truck sometimes and tundra was too big for a 5’ spinner

 

I wish I had the SDM in mine. I’m actually pretty bummed about it. Oh well, it’s so much better than my last one.

 

This is false.

 

The drivability of the fourth generation over the third is phenomenally better.

 

Thanks for letting me know he posted, love his videos.

 

Agree, however this video was for offroad use and does point out one option that is critical to have for improvement upon a stock 3rd gen.

There are much better vehicles for those that just want to pound pavement than either the 3rd or 4th gen Tacos.

 

A shame he didn’t test the 3rd Gen W/O swaybar.