4runner vs taco?

I'm looking to buy a taco but after checking a 500 mile radius on Craig's list for a week I'm thinking maybe buying out of state or getting a 4runner. All I'm seeing are priced well over book value- like $8600 for a $5000 vehicle- very common. Or they've been rolled. Or they have 200+k miles & a rebuilt by who knows who (& yeah, that could be a strong truck but I don't want it).

The 4runners are cheaper and look a lot better.

BUT... How do they compare? Especially on hills? 1st gen? I've heard contradictory things.

 

From Wikipedia:

4Runner

Tacoma

When buying used there are a lot factors that can affect performance. Age, gearing, weight, remaining HP & any modification that have been done to name a few. Your best bet is to test drive anything before you buy. Some other things to consider are:

Intended use: Just wheeling? Or camping? Puling a trailer? Using an RTT? Overlanding? Rock Crawling?
Modifications: What do you want already done? What can do yourself? What can you pay others to do for you?

Once you answer these, develop a plan. Know (for the most part) what you want it to look, ride & handle like.

The 4Runner has the advantage of built-in cargo security. Everything (mostly) can be placed inside the vehicle.

The Tacoma is nearly endlessly modifiable and has been such a great platform to build on there is an almost overwhelming amount of information about it.

In the end, do not settle. If you do, you will be forever trapped with "I should have" or "I could have". Get something you're going to happy with from the day you purchase it.

 

Thanks Thelgord. I want something for all around vehicle that can occasionally be taken off road for camping & exploring in the southwest & california. I'd rather have a tacoma because I could haul a washing machine etc in it when needed, but realistically that's not worth an extra 3K to me. And the used 4 runners might be more reliable for a better price.

What I'm really wondering about is the 4runner off road capabilities. A friend told me they are mechanically the same- just one has a camper shell built in. Yet, someone else told me the back end of the runners are weaker and lower and that it might not have the same off road capabilities on steep rocky hills. Here is an example of what I'd like it to easily handle off and on. found the pics online;

 

I have a Tacoma, but I think a 4Runner could handle everything that my Tacoma does. They have the same suspensions. From the pictures you posted, I think either one of those vehicles stock could run those trails. I would just recommend some skid plates and maybe sliders. Also if you are looking for something with a rear locker, I believe it was only the 4 Runner limited models that came with the locker. For the Tacoma's the TRD models have the rear locker.

I also looked at 4 runners before I bought my Tacoma. I only went with the Tacoma because I got a good deal on it (2002 TRD 4x4 xtra cab 140k for $6200). Good luck with your search. Try searching outside of CA too, might have a better chance at getting a good deal.

 

they actually dont

the fronts are basically the same from the 3rd gen up (pre tacos and 2nd gen runners have torsion bars). but the rear is linked on coils. because of this the rear of 4 runners flex pretty freaking well. i want to say that a well upgraded 3rd gen 4runner rear end will flex almost as good as chevy 63s on a tacoma. and it takes a lot more work to get the chevies on. Just the nature of links vs leaves, the links will almost always flex more (also causes more axle walk under flex because of the shortish links but thats a different issue)

there also is a little bit of a length difference, but on the same trail i was with an almost equally matched 3rd gen 4 runner (3" lift, 33s, one locker, sliders....) and on one obstacle the short wheel base gave him an advantage and I ended up getting strapped up it because I was dragging my frame and rear bumper, and on another obstacle I was able to make it up and the 4 runner got stuck and hung up on his gas tank and and had to get strapped. so in my opinion the wheel base is a wash. So over all their off road capabilities are basically equal.

4 runners come with the same factory options if you buy the right package (i.e. locking diff). there is no trd package for 4runners, but like I said some still come with a locking diff and thats all anyone really cares about with the package anyway.

but you are correct about the price, 4runners are usually significantly cheaper than tacomas for equivalent vehicles, the choice really comes down to weather or not you need the bed space to haul stuff, or need to tow.

 

Wow BVCOtaco, that WAS a good deal. Anything I've seen like that was 15K. Yours was book value I think.

IDTrucks,what do you think about an auto 4runner dealing with that hill? I may or may not be able to find a decent deal on one with locks. I'm looking at 96 to 2002 trucks. Not sure what gen that is with 4runners.

 

I have a 99 4runner limited 3.4L V6 auto with locking diff, along with my 2009 Tacomas. The 99 4runner fits more easily in tight spots than the tacos. The tacos get hung up on tank trap type obstacles where the 4runner will not.

I find the cargo all having to go in the back of the 4runner is a PITA, because you just end up with a big pile of gear that's hard to access. With the taco it's just like any other pickup everything is right there for you to grab at, etc.

My main issue with the 4runner is that it's old and falling apart, and powerless. The thing will barely spin the tires when you get into the mud and heat soak sets it on the intake. Also it threatens to overheat at the slightest hint of effort through mud, or even deep snow. I had it threaten to overheat on me going across a lake in 10" snow one day at -30 degrees celsius. This was all to blame the auto transmission in my case, since the transmission cooler resides inside the radiator. Also none of the electronics work anymore, windows won't move, engine defroster dead, all of which are too expensive to fix. Years of off roading have pretty much done this truck in, and it's only use nowadays is commuting around town and grocery getting. If you go for one of these I would make dam sure you test out every single button and control on it, and get the lowest mileage one you can possibly find. Test drive the lowest mileage one you can find and then compare the others to that. Spend the extra money every time. Then you might be happy with it for years to come.

 

Other posters (esp IDTrucks) pretty much covered the off-road differences. Keep this in mind: '96-'04 Tacoma is roughly equivalent in size and powertrain to '96-'02 4Runner. According to Wikipedia, the rear locker was offered up to '00 for that generation of 4Runner.

'03+ 4Runners are based off the same platform as '05-Present Tacomas and '07-'09 FJ Cruisers (vehicle in your picture), size growth and all.

For used vehicles, maintenance history, body damage and frame rust level are more important. For the same amount of dollars, you will get a 4Runner in better condition. So unless you need the open bed, get a 4Runner.

 

You may also want to consider things like how the vehicles act in the rain

I've slid the back very easily with the tacoma on a rainy day with Bfg at tires
This was because of the no weight on the tacoma

Now that I have a 4runner the back end doesn't slid as easily

The 4runner definately has more creature comforts than the tacoma and that is why I went that route the second time

My tacoma was a 99 prerunner xtra cab

Things I love about my 994runner sr5
Seats five
Auto power windows
Rear window rolls down
Closed storage
Cheap rear suspension upgrade as far as coils vs leafs are
Much nicer stock ride
Sunroof!!!!

Things I dislike
Stock rear suspension sags overtime and does not hold up well to any weight at all
Cannot just throw messy things inside like you can with a bed
It isn't a truck? :rollseyes

I did this over my iphone so bear with me if I can't type well

 

if i didnt need the hauling ability of the tacoma, id stick with the 4runner. my 98 4runner (for sale as soon as i take delivery of my 14 baja next month) was just as capable if not more than my 99 tacoma. ive never really gone crazy with it.. but ive never been let down either. 21mpg on a 16 year old truck kept me happy.. i just need a way to get my bikes around. if it wasnt for the bikes... hell id probably be sticking with the 4runner even if i went new.

edit: the hills where i live can get pretty gnarly.. even the highway. 15 going from san bernardino to the high desert i go from 5th to 4th to maintain 70-75. going to mammoth up 395 is still 4th (whereas my 89 pickup 4banger needed third and a lot of hopes and prayers) in dirt and 4wd up hills i was really surprised how well the 4runner did. i "settled" on it because like you i wasnt finding realistic sellers on tacomas at the time. other than a few minor details (my hatch electronics- the rear window is wired up and i havent gotten around to testing the system) the 4runner is a hoss just like any other toyota truck ive had.


pulling the starter made me want to kick puppies though. took me a weekend. turns out.. gotta remove a brake line bracket that was NOT covered in the hanes manual. shoot me in the FACE. beer made it all better though.

 

Nice! So a 4runner it is. Or will be unless a small miracle of a deal on a taco happens.
I just wrote to someone with one that has one w/ fairly low miles leather interior to see if it's 3.4L. LOL, didn't expect leather interior. I wonder how long it would take my dog to rip that... Took a year with cloth seats and 2 blankets.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your help everybody!!! You've made my choices soooo much easier.

Coast2cost I'll be using it to camp in as well so will add some sort of rack and box for the roof. Got canoes to put up there as well

& LOL, Transplant, I'd buy your 4runner but I hate hate hate working on vehicles. Very exciting about your new truck though

 

thats a 1st gen tacoma or a 3rd gen 4runner

and with regard to that hill what exactly do you want to know lol? I think an auto would make it easier, so good choice there, and between a 4r or a taco the hill doesent look overly technical, just a lot of loose rock. so i recon the same driver in either rig would handle it basically the same

 

you suuuuuure? $4k with brand new tires and starter!


i had considered just making sure i had power at the connector in the back and just buying a new tailgate. ive barely owned it a year though and ive been deployed for half that so no time. i picked it up in a pinch after my 89 finally succumbed to the rust.

 

hmm. didnt know the runners only had a locking diff after 00...

but i agree. i would be getting a 3rd gen runner if i had the choice, and dollar for dollar you will more than likley get a better condition 4R than a tacoma

 

that was my problem when searching for a 1st gen last year. they were either shit, or waaaaay too expensive. and a lot of the 4runners i found had comparatively lower mileage

 

4runner, completely unbiased.

 

let me rephrase. if I was chosing between 4runners i would get a third gen. between 4runner and tacoma...i would choose 1st gen taco any day

 

I've read several times that the diff lock is only available pre '00

Lynn you may be hard pressed to find some good leather seats as they are almost always worn out
maybe cloth with a tough seat cover? Wet okoles

 

Oh, I was talking about the leather in the subaru outback. I think I'd rather not have leather in a truck. Too fragile compared to cloth. Some of the outbacks are very pretty inside, but they won't go as far as a truck or 4run.

 

How much offroading will you be doing and what type? The 2nd gen tacos with TRD OR have locker + Atrac which is nice.