Thoughts on Prerunner?

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that you have the highest (or close to the highest) payload. Maybe it's second (1250), behind the 4 cylinder access cab Prerunner (1300), if I remember correctly from my 2012 manual.

 

Are the 1250 and 1300 what you think are the highest payload numbers? They can definitely be higher.

My 2011 DCSB TRD OR is either 1540 or 1550 for payload, as found on the door jamb label. (ANOTHER EDIT: my memory must be failing me, I can't find the pic of my door sticker but will need to verify. I regularly ignore that number anyhow)


EDIT: not disagreeing that the prerunner should have more payload, though. Which is an obvious plus.

 

From my manual:


I have seen higher numbers online, but not from Toyota sources. And different years may be rated differently.

 

I read somewhere payload is 1550 lbs. I’ll probably keep my pre runner for life and get a 4WD 4Runner or new Land Cruiser?

 

Love my Prerunner! Almost nine years old and about 124k on miles. I bought the truck new because I wanted the Access Cab, 2WD and the Bilstein suspension.

 

Getting ready to put a Trutrac in my prerunner. That will get me anywhere I need to go.

 

10 Years with the Pre Runner and only 1 time I wish it had 4x4. Tried doing a Uturn on a icy road and got stuck in the tire ruts. The truck has been just about everywhere in Alaska to the beaches in Florida. Everything that I want to do with 4x4 I dont want to do with my daily driver.

 

My 2006 Prerunner has 438000+ miles on it. Its my daily so I don't thrash it. I rebuilt the motor due to the dreaded head gasket leak. The cost to replace the gaskets was only a little less than a full rebuild at a local shop. Drivetrain is pretty stock. I added Bilstein 5100 series shocks all around, an Icon RXT Stage III leaf pack to the rear and Durobump bump stops. Other things added were a light bar on the front, a steel rear bumper with swing out spare tire carrier on the back, and a bedrack and RTT.
I usually stick to forest roads and well worn desert trails. I'm not a rock crawler and I detest sand. I only got stuck two times. Once in a stream crossing that had a soft spot and the other time in sand. Did I say I detest sand? Anyway, I've since got a pair of Maxtrax just in case.
My next move will be to get a steel front bumper so I can put a winch on it (and do the appropriate suspension upgrades to support the weight).
Take care of it, and it will take care of you. Happy trails brother!

 

You'll still have great experiences with the 2wd. My first tacoma was the prerunner and I don't regret it. But the more you take it places (outside Socal) you'll see how much your horizon can expand with the 4wd.

 

That's why I also have a 4Runner.

 

Im hearing good things about 4runners. Can't go wrong with either

 

Amazing! I want the 5100s on my truck and eventually an ARB bumper. I believe the early 2005s and 06s were prone to head gasket issues. I’m at 266k miles at the moment. She ticks but I think it’s normal. Cheers

 

I’ll have my Tacoma till it rusts, next vehicle would be a 4WD 4Runner and a Prius for commuting

 

Maybe you can shed some light on the rust factor. Seems like a pretty common topic of conversation on here. Whereabouts specifically under my truck should I be looking to see if rust is becoming an issue?

 

the whole frame but:
leaf springs connection to the frame
inside of the frame rails by the secondary cats ob V6s, hammer test rots inside out
any area that get a lot of splash from the tires

 

You are correct about the head gasket issue. Keep an eye on your cooling system. If the motor overheats, you are highly likely to warp the head causing the leak. Check everything, including the hoses.

 

Correct, I don’t hear any noises coming from water pump, I just noticed there is coolant dripping from hose connecting to reservoir

 

Original owner, 2014 PreRunner, 2wd, access cab, 150K miles. Does everything I need it to, will keep for years to come. Put Bilstein 4600's all around it about a year ago just because. Looks and drives as good as the day I drove it off the lot. All maintenance kept up to date, even replaced the spare tire recently just because - actually (fortunately) never used it, but figured 10 years underneath the truck it was due to be replaced.

 

Many don't realize how good modern drive-by-wire traction control has become. It basically makes up the former gray area between "I'd rather have 2wd for weight savings, cost savings, and simplicity" and "I need 4x4 a few times a year when I have to drive in the mud or snow".

The serious 4x4 crowd know who they are and don't need to bother with this debate.

 

If I were you I would go through every inch of the cooling system and check everything.