Well I went to the dark side.

So you turned a pickup into an SUV, why not just buy an SUV to begin with? I could have bought a cap also but absolutely hate the look. I'd rather just own a nicer truck that has everything I need. Don't get me wrong, having a pickup definitely has it's positives but the negatives out weigh them. 4Runner has more leg room, rides much better, more power than my 16 with the 3.5, quieter, easy dry storage, nicer interior, more bells and whistles which I actually don't really care about but they're there either way. For my personal use and my traveling with my family, the 4Runner is night and day over the Tacoma.

 

I can take my cap off and use the bed within minutes. My trunk is bigger than the 4 runner's with the cap on. I can throw whatever I want back there and not care about making a mess. Overall, the vehicle cost less. I didn't want bells and whistles. I bought the tacoma because I had a $40k fully loaded cherokee trailhawk that had major issues - with everything. I wanted basic, proven, reliability. I agree rear legroom is an issue. Luckily, my wife is 5'1" and moves the seat up for my daughter.

 

I do agree with that 100% When I had my 16 Tacoma, I bought the SR because I loved the look and simplicity. I put a bed cover on which kept things mostly dry but was not as secure as i'd liked it to be. My wife is small also, my 9 year old had room back there but for how long? Folding the seats down in the 4Runner offers more room than a Tacoma with a cap on it however like you said, I can't just chuck dirty crap back there without being worried about it. Both trucks absolutely have pros and cons, just the pros of the 4Runner out weighed the pros of the Tacoma for my personal needs. I did love my Tacoma and I'd buy another one in a heartbeat however not a 16 with the POS 3.5 and 6 speed. It would be a 15 or older with the 4.0 and 5 speed.

 

I really wanted a land cruiser. Couldn't afford it so I was looking for a 4runner. Couldn't afford it so I went tacoma.

 

I thought the same, wanted a 4Runner when I bought my Tacoma but saw the window sticker and moved on to the Tacoma. Ended up paying just under 34K out the door for my 2016 4Runner with weather package and tech package. Not sure if that makes it the premium or not? Never really looked into what the premium package includes but this one was on the lot and had everything I wanted and then some.

 

Well having a Tacoma, I really love it. Although I really wanted the 4Runner, affordability either way didn't matter. One thing the 4Runner doesn't have that the Tacoma does have is tow ability, 4Runner =5000# / Tacoma=6500#. That's one of the biggest determinations on what truck to buy. Wish the 4Runner could tow more, I don't know why at can't tow what the Tacoma can tow. Not much difference in the trucks other than the GVW, 500# difference.

 

I agree however good luck ever towing 6500 pounds with the 3.5 and 6 speed auto. With my 33s, 6th gear was absolutely useless, 5th gear was meh on flat pavement, truck made zero low end power, that engine does not belong in a truck. Makes all it's power at high RPM, not what a truck needs. Guys running 4.88 gears with the 6 speed auto still kick out of 6th just to get up a hill and that's with a 33" tire and not towing. Like I said, i'd love another Tacoma but no way i'd buy newer than 2015

 

I was comparing my 13 DCSB to the 4Runner. I have a 3" lift, 285's and pull about 5800#'s, no re-gear yet, and the truck pulls great. I have no problems. I don't know anything about the 3rd gen trucks, other than I would never buy one because of the new engine. I believe in the moto, if it ain't broke don't fix it, I never believed there was anything "much" wrong with the 4.0, few things here and there, I have no faith in the 3rd gen

 

Couldn't agree more. I love the look of the 3rd gen however that 3.5 was a huge mistake. Toyota should not have pulled the 4.0 out of the Tacoma, ruined the truck IMO. When you can't get up a hill without kicking down from 6th gear into 4th gear simply because you went up 2 tire sizes from a 265 to a 285, there's a huge problem. I'm talking normal day to day hills, not trying to drive though the hills of cali here lol. I can't say I don't miss some aspects of it though, it was a nice truck, fun to drive. I just have a feeling that transmission wouldn't have lasted long constantly shifting the way it did.

 

Yeah, I agree that's why I went with a Tacoma. I need the tow capacity for my horse trailer. One limitation of the 4 Runner for towing up near the capacity is its reduced wheelbase. The 4 Runner would never be the best choice for towing. It's not just grunt, it's handling as well.

 

THIS

 

Have a "fleet" of 5 Hilux's that are decked out with Ironman here. Holds up pretty well given the abuse they've taken (you'd be lucky to find a straight body panel on any of the trucks). I'd compare it to OME from what I've experienced. Not quite the upgrade that King or Fox would be, but still good. They also make front bumpers similar to ARB.

 

I didn't even consider the wheel base, yup that does make a big difference. I forgot about that.

 

I seem to recall 120" being the magic number. Just a guideline, not an absolute.

 

Is it me or does the first look of the 4Runner look better than the refresh? I like both but prefer original style.

 

Just you lol. I think the smushed pug face look of the 10-13 4Runner is pretty ugly. Same reason I hate the 5th gen limited of all years.

 

Yeah worth a shot. Even with third row the 4runner is to small for our family SUV. Sequoia on the dreamlist lol

 

+ 4.0 1GR in 2016+ Hilux...Interesting choices indeed.

 

Can't do this with a 4Runner.

Well, I know you can, with a trailer. But, I don't have one or a place to store one. Plus, I had to get this pretty far back on my hunting lease, through a couple of streams, so I don't know how well a trailer would have made it - probably fine, but you never know. With the Taco it was super easy to strap it back there and go. Don't use it for purposes like that too often, but it is convenient when I need to, and fun also.

 

The 4Runner tows 2500-3000 pounds just fine though. That's all I needed for now.

The Tacoma excels in a couple of key areas. Throwing dead deer carcasses or dirty skunk smelling dogs in the back. That and towing.

Loading up a cab rack, bed and trailer with kayaks, bikes, gear, ATVs is a little easier with the Taco, but you can get pretty creative with the 4Runner, too.

You can solve just about any problem with money.

When my 2013 Tacoma got hit, I decided to go with the 2016 4Runner instead of the new Taco.