Tacoma or 4Runner?

What's better?

Been thinking of trading it in for a newer 5th gen 4runner because payments would barely go up
but can't bring myself to do it

I know you all have thought about this

4runner pros:
-looks cool
-automatic for easy slow rock crawling
-enclosed rear that acts like a camper shell, but is included from factory, is safe, insulated, and has defroster lines
-may come with roof rack
-seems more common on the road
-different engine possibly
-coil springs in rear for comfy ride
-might already come with good xenon headlights
-can let other people drive it without worry of messing up clutch/synchros/etc since it's automatic
-can probably easily sleep in it, versus a shortbed 5ft Tacoma you probably can't
-payments would barely go up

unknowns:
-whether 4runner forum is better or not, and if it's popular or not
-not sure what has more aftermarket upgrade part support; Taco or 4runner
-unsure of mpg comparison

Tacoma pros:
-a plastic truck bed. You can't beat that. Able to throw shit in without a care in the world. If it sticks out too far, no problem. Just drive with the tailgate down.
If it stands up too high, no problem; the bed doesn't have a ceiling. Your only limit is clearing under a tunnel.
-comes in manual. Newer 4runners don't. Manual is known for fun and good driver control in certain conditions/feeling tuned in to the road
-payments stay the same or go down via refinance
-4.0L 1GR-FE + manual = power

don't get me wrong, in a way they're all good. Anyone I've met with a body on frame Toyota liked what they had. Whether it be a 4runner, land cruiser, Tundra, Tacoma, or classic Pickup

when originally car shopping was never able to find a 4th gen 4runner (2nd gen Taco for half the price) because they all would sell within 24 hours

 

Payments barely go up? Do they go “longer”?

I can’t stomach payments. When I’m ready, I think I’m going with the 4Runner. I’m kinda waiting for my 2006 to develop a fatal flaw. In the meantime, I’m saving up for it.

 

$300/mo payments on a 20k Toyota = happy life
paying $6k cash for an old German car = "I saved money!" on Monday and Life Ruined by Saturday

 

I have both. My wife drives a 4 runner. I drive a 2013 DCLB. I love my truck, I really like her 4 runner. 4 runner interior is wayyyy better, even than the newer Tacoma’s. Seating position is nice, but I’ve added risers to my Tacoma so makes it feel similar now. Back seat is wayyyy bigger in the T4R.

but it’s all going to come down to how you are going to use the vehicle. No way we could take her runner on road trips, just too much stuff with 2 kids and a dog. Can’t haul nearly as much.

so your just going to have to decide what the average use of the vehicle is going to be and if you can give up a bed.

 

We recently add a 4Runner to our driveway. On the way to get it, I told my wife if we needed, I would get rid of the truck for the runner. Thankfully her response was that of, you really love that truck, we don’t need to do that. We got it for 2 kids and a dog and plans to travel cross country.
I really enjoy the runner, but at this point I would not give up my manual taco. The automatic 4Runner is making the 2011 outback manual fun to drive when I hop in that.

 

I have both a 2017 4Runner and a 2007 Tacoma DBSB, 6 Speed. I can say both are fun to drive in their own ways. the 4 Runner is my DD, and the tacoma is my beat around car. I can say that I do not like to haul anything in the 4Runner since the interior is nicer and any smells linger for a period of time. I can say driving during Spring/Fall with the moon roof open, all the windows down including the rear slider, is a fun drive around town.


Here is a good forum to join for the 4Runner: .

Aftermarket equipment is just as supported as the Tacoma. Most body armor places make for both actually. You can search the forum above for sliders, bumpers, skids.

 

What he said ^^

Truck, you always have the bed space..

 

I'd consider a Lexus GX 470/460 before the 4Runner

For $20K ish or less you can score a helluva deal on a low mileage GX

4Runner on steroids is my opinion......but.....I have a '14 Tacoma

along with a Chevy 2500 HD for my real truck

good luck with your search & decision

 

that is nice!!

but the GX is full time 4wd correct? what type of MPG are you gonna get with a modded GX? and they burn super unleaded?

i love when i see one tastefully modified on the road.

 

GX yes full time 4x4

Fuel......run 88 or 91....no probs with 88

MPG.....best so far......21 on hwy with a light foot

average daily....16-17......wife's DD

what's kool.......4Runner's are everywhere.....GX 460 like this are not so common

Only one in the county of 4500 sq miles where I live

 

Murdered out Gx, shit ya

 

As long as you can live fine without a bed, go for it.
I really wanted to get a 4Runner, but with the things I place back there from fishing and hunting there's just no way. My cab would never smell the same. Those little trailer hitch platforms would kill my departure angle and they're tiny.

 

I got both my wife has the runner and I have the taco. My truck is mine and used for trails and going to the mountains. But when it was time to drive across country I picked the 4runner for my solo trip. It’s more comfy and roomier. I had to sleep in the back in an ice storm in Wyoming and it was nice for the 8 hours.

 

In Colorado, consider whether the 4runner is heavier in back so you have more RWD traction!

 

I sleep in the bed too much to consider an SUV. Plus makes hauling ski's and camping gear easy. 4runner will be better for trails but I get everywhere I want to go just fine with a basically stock SR5. The Lexus would be cool until you slash a sidewall and have to replace all 4 tires, or you have to replace any parts. A friend had to replace something with the brake controller for the traction control system and OEM was $1000 or something crazy.

 

4runner !

 

Here to say that 4runner over Tacoma, but the 4runners.com forum SUCKS (good information but not many active users). I know t4r.org gets a lot more activity but the user interface is so horrible I don’t use it.
I had your same thought process about keeping the Tacoma, but ultimately after a couple months of ownership I’m 1000% happy I made the switch. I went from 3rd gen Tacoma to 5th gen 4runner though, so the power train itself was a huge improvement.

 

This I have both as well, the runner is more comfortable in every single way.
If youre after max comfy the runner is where its at.

 

Yea the runner forum and the 5 of us that post there try our best.
t4r.org forum software is dogshit.
I do need my truck for the bed and things I carry around but If I could Id trade for the runner in a heartbeat.
Luckily my wife has it so I use it on the weekends.

 

I've thought about this multiple times as well. It's too hard to let go of the truck cuz of the bed. I don't use the bed that often but when a situation comes up I'm always thankful that I didn't get rid of it. Once you sell your truck you'll eventually be back in one.