Clamshell bearing and two-piece driveline still?

Just wondering if this new truck will have these same handicaps as the 3rd gen? I had two 3rd gens, the first rode smooth as butter but shifted like crap. The second shifted smoothly but rode like crap, had vibrations wouldn't/couldn't fix, etc. Those 3rd gens were just a crap shoot on what you'd get. Also sold it because the interior was too small in the back for my son at 6'3" at 16 years old. Love how these trucks hold value though. Trying to decide if I now go for a 4th gen or move on to a current but outdated 4Runner, more modern driving Rav4 or something else. I'd say I prefer a pickup but not a total necessity. Mid-size vehicle is a necessity as I want it in my garage.

 

Might want to take a look at the video with the engineer.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2024-reliability-durability-believe-it-or-not.817708/

 

I'll check it out. I wish the Tacoma would solve all my concerns but the rear seat size is a big one for me, along with the drivability issues of the last gen (vibrations via the parts in the subject line). I'm starting the think even this 4th gen won't work for me and will have to move on to an SUV. If I didn't care about looks, I'd get a Ridgeline because it has all the space, rides smoothly, has a bed etc. but damn those things are dorky looking. No way around it, might have to get an SUV and end my search for the perfect mid-size truck that fits people 6'3"+ in the back!

Side note, we tested the rear seats without sunroof in the 4Runner, Tundra and Rav4 and the Rav4 had the most rear headroom. Tundra obviously had the most legroom. 4Runner was in between all around. Sounds crazy but unibody vehicles just have the space.

 

Sienna. AWD.

Ridgeline. AWD.

Both fit big folk and haul lots of stuff securely.

 

The 2024 Tacoma uses the same front differential as the 2023, and the same front propeller shaft design.

The rear propeller shaft is either a 1-piece or 2-piece, depending on powertrain options and vehicle wheelbase.

Jeff

 

Good to know. I suppose there's a slim chance they have that same front diff but did replace the needle bearing with a bushing. I guess we'll find out soon when people start lifting them. For the rear, I finally found a video showing the models with coil spring rear ends, do have the 1-piece drive shaft. That should help with the issues back there, in addition to the whole multi-link system in general and more rigid frame.

 

Ugh, man those are two uninteresting options! I'd rather have a Rav4 or Honda Passport which have plenty of room for tall people. The 4Runner is still on my list though but I'd have to be willing to accept it's shortcomings; bad mileage, pokey engine and tranny. I think it will become a cult classic, especially if 6th gen 4Runner production moves to Mexico. The simple ultra reliable Japanese made models would be really desirable then.

 

4runner has the same needle bearing issue but it's such an easy fix I wouldn't let it hold me back from a purchase. I ran ECGS bushing in my 2nd gen for almost 80k with zero issues, smooth as butter

I would go with the 4runner. Last of the true basic, die hard, well-built Toyotas.

 

It still has the bearing.

Jeff

 

The interior volume has not changed much from 3rd to 4th Gen. I'm 6'2" and would not enjoy long trips in my own back seat. So I cant imagine your kid would either. I'll be in a similar boat too. My son just turned 10 and is 5'6" and wears a mens size 12 shoe. He will likely push me out of the midsize truck segment in the next 4-5 years.

 

Tough place to be with the truck options out there right now. I live in a ski town so really want my truck in our garage at night out of the heavy snow, limiting my choices further. My wife and I are just under 6' and we fit fine but the kid..... I think he's going to be like 6'4" or maybe 6'6" which is nuts. Tallest one in our family by far. My wife has an RX350 which has a ton of room in the back. My commuter beater is a Pontiac Vibe (Matrix clone) and it also has a lot of space. We can take my wife's RX on road trips and could have kept the Tacoma for local use but that's a whole lot money sunk into a truck that just sits around most of the time and can only be used for shorter trips. I cut my losses and sold it for exactly what I bought it for (minus the TTL). I was happy with that. Now what to buy next that fits in my garage, has lots of interior space and isn't something totally boring! Might end up with the outgoing 4Runner.

 

The 4Runner is a solid vehicle. I should sell my Tacoma and just drive the 4Runner.

 

Cons:
Old school (tranny response and power output)
Poor gas mileage
Expensive

Pros:
Solid as can be
Great driving position and visibility
Roomy
Look cool
Made in Japan
Will likely have a cult following in the future
Resale value
Cheaper than the future model!

 

My 2016 certainly isn’t fast. But I paid $37,700 for my Trail Premium new and its been garage kept its 55,000 mile life. It is still in excellent condition and solid as a tank. When it snows, it is definitely in its native habitat. Cult following for a reason.

 

How's it drive compared to your Tacoma? My last Tacoma had driveline vibration at stock height that the dealer wouldn't fix and I attempted to fix but gave up on. Hoping the 4Runner is 100% smooth but I have heard some issues about steering wheel vibrations due to it being sensitive to wheel balancing or something about a sensitive steering rack?

I'm also looking at Rav4's and such since honestly, it'd probably better for 90% of my daily driving but of course lack that off-road ability.

 

A couple of things. I replaced the stock front shocks on my Trail Premium in the first year. The stock shocks were too soft and nose dive on heavy braking was downright dangerous. The Toytec Boss shocks fixed that nicely.

My 4Runner is stock otherwise.

I run Michelin LTX AT2 265/70/17 tires. They are excellent in rain and snow. They are also great highway tires. If the alignment or balance is off, you will notice immediately. I have had to take my 4Runner back a couple of times to Discount Tire to have them fix the balancing, but it was fixed right away. I don’t have experience with oversized aggressive off-road tires.

It drives different than the Tacoma. I prefer the 4Runner height, maneuverability and features.

 

Good feedback. I've only test driven one a short distance. It felt better than the Tacoma in some ways and worse in others. It actually was louder, picking up road noise then my Tacoma. I have heard they were sensitive to tire balance. I had Wildpeaks on my last Tacoma (still have them in the garage on TRD pro wheels) and they're not great for balancing. I actually went through two sets of new tires before they could get them to balance. I imagine they'd be a constant issue on a 4Runner. For winter, we run dedicated snow tires where I live, Blizzaks usually. All terrains are ok but sketchy when compared to how Blizzaks grip.

 

Lol. Same here. Installed that bushing over 120k ago on my 2009 Sport. I think it's still going string since I've got plenty of other noises and mud tire vina that I wouldn't know lol. All I do know is the bushing outlasted the frame. Put a deposit on a 2024 Sport. We'll see how the transition goes.

 

fyi, I’m waiting for the 2025 4Runner to break cover before I decide what is next for me. I’m hoping the next gen 4Runner is fabulous. If not, I’ll buy a Land Cruiser or Lexus GX 550. I’ll sell my current 4Runner and just keep the 2021 Tacoma forever.

 

Good plan and I will likely do the same and "wait and see". I get the logic of getting an outgoing 4Runner as it's a known quantity/classic 4x4/made in Japan but man that thing is going to feel ancient with the old school pokey engine/tranny/handling after the new ones comes out. The new one will likely have the hybrid so a ton of power, more modern handling, a responsive tranny, room for big tires, same or better mpg, etc.

Just curious since you have a Tacoma and 4Runner, is one your wife's or both yours? I'm currently also pondering if I really even need a true off roader anymore. I don't "need" it per-se but it's nice to have. For my day to day, something like an AWD Rav4 hybrid with 40 mpg would be better 95% of the time.... I have a dirt bike that I usually take to any truly rough places. Something like a Maverick or Ridgeline would probably also be good but they're just too goofy looking. I couldn't do it.