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Convince me I need a 5th gen 4Runner

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by will van, Jul 23, 2020.

  1. Jul 23, 2020 at 12:58 PM
    #1
    will van

    will van [OP] New Member

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    Hello all. I have a 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road. I like the truck, but find myself wishing I had more room in the cab (more often than I'm putting something in the bed).

    FCC595-A8-E944-4-B90-AD60-A20067-D41209_75d8360edc8d4e6c222ec271f3815bafe47935cf.jpg

    9-F3-E6314-CC15-43-FF-9-D8-D-9-F29203991_3aa5b32f8b90185ee018e089ccb91ce5afff2c1b.jpg

    I'm debating trading in my pickup for a 5th gen 4runner. Probably a TRD Off Road, TRD Off Road Premium, or Pro.

    On my Tacoma, I really enjoy the Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and Rear Locker off road features. I know how to use them, and I use them often. The 4Runner has the added benefits of A-Trac and a manual transfer case.

    Why do you love your 4Runner and why should I upgrade to a 4Runner?
     
    werlyb23, toy33 and Thatbassguy like this.
  2. Jul 23, 2020 at 12:59 PM
    #2
    Jynarik

    Jynarik I like boobies

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  3. Jul 23, 2020 at 1:09 PM
    #3
    Red_5

    Red_5 New Member

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    You need more room in the cab.
     
  4. Jul 23, 2020 at 1:12 PM
    #4
    MattAK

    MattAK Headin' for the hills

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    More cab room. Shorter wheel base. No strange transmission shifting decision issues. Looks cooler. Seats are more comfortable. Better seating position. More switch blanks. The list goes on.
     
    BearBio, werlyb23, SDoc and 3 others like this.
  5. Jul 23, 2020 at 1:15 PM
    #5
    ShayBrah89

    ShayBrah89 New Member

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    I’ve owned a 2019 Tacoma OR and now I have a 2020 4Runner ORP. Advantages of the 4Runner:

    1. Much better engine/transmission
    2. More backseat room
    3. Manual transfer case (as you said!)
    4. Much more comfortable seating position (for a 6’1” fellow)
    5. 4Runners are built in Japan. Tacos are built in Mexico. I’ll let you deduce from that what you will
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2020
  6. Jul 23, 2020 at 1:19 PM
    #6
    MattAK

    MattAK Headin' for the hills

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    I can't stand riding in my brother's 2016 Taco. My 5th gen was so much more comfortable, even his wife preferred to ride in my T4R over his truck lol. Even my current 4th gen T4R isn't as bad as the new Taco.
     
    toy33 and will van[OP] like this.
  7. Jul 23, 2020 at 1:27 PM
    #7
    will van

    will van [OP] New Member

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    Thanks, this is really helpful. I did not realize 4Runners were still built in Japan. Also, I'm 6'2" and I'm not crazy about the seating position in the Tacoma. I also am getting some weird noises from the Tacoma diff/CVs? High-pitched humming/whining. Anybody familiar with this issue?

    My only hesitation is that I do occasionally need the pickup to haul stuff.

    Any suggestions/observations on the OR, ORP, or Pro?

    Also, I know they went from the "Trail" series to the "TRD Off Road" from 2016 to 2017. Any significant changes between model years?
     
  8. Jul 23, 2020 at 1:58 PM
    #8
    AdmiralX

    AdmiralX New Member

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    I have the TRD ORP and I decided this over the Pro based on a few things:
    1. I can make it look like a Pro without the 10k cost
    2. When I do tires and suspension I can pick what I want
    3. Wanted certain comforts that the ORP had over the base models
    4. Has all the crawl modes

    So far this has been one of my favorite vehicles I have owned. Thing works great in Snow, get tons of looks, and I feel very comfortable driving it everywhere. I can see having this for a very long time and now I have an adventure vehicle for my sons and I to explore in comfort. My wife has a Tahoe and I hate that thing.
     
  9. Jul 23, 2020 at 3:45 PM
    #9
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Nice Taco, will van! I had a Taco before going to my current ORP. A 4 Runner is a luxury vehicle compared to a Taco. A big thing, is the 4L engine. 8 air bags! Quieter, more insulation. Even the hood has struts to hold it up, haha. Power passenger seat. Great heavy duty vinyl upholstery that you can easily clean. Lots of room for people and gear. Want to haul a load of lumber or Portland cement? Load it into a trailer and haul it.
    But, hey, they’re both great vehicles. They hold their value so well, an advantage is that jumping from one to the other can be done pretty painlessly. I sold my Taco that was 3 years old, with 55,000km on it for $5000 less than I paid for it.
     
  10. Jul 23, 2020 at 6:06 PM
    #10
    NOS4A2-1

    NOS4A2-1 New Member

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    4Runner: Manual transfer case, more comfortable, better seating position. More useable cargo space, I think.
     
  11. Jul 23, 2020 at 6:41 PM
    #11
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    If you don't need the bed, and you want a 4runner, go for it! Life's too short to drive a vehicle you don't like.
     
  12. Jul 23, 2020 at 6:49 PM
    #12
    ShayBrah89

    ShayBrah89 New Member

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    x2 on all of this!
     
    will van[OP] and Thatbassguy like this.
  13. Jul 23, 2020 at 7:17 PM
    #13
    Starr

    Starr Life Off the Road, off the Grid

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    SouthEast Maui
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    Tacoma 3rd Gen 2017 quicksand TRD OR, T4R 5th Gen TRD ORP silver , Tundra 2000 TRD OR silver, Deere 5300 4wd, Wrangler 1994 ARB air lockers, 1998 BMW R100RTL.
    KDSS, Baja Sport amber fogs, PRO Black wheels, BFG KO2's
    KDSS.
    Transfer Case lever.
    Comfort and room.
    4.0 motor
    Change is good

    Like your Taco, BTW. Having both can't be beat!
     
  14. Jul 23, 2020 at 7:17 PM
    #14
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

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    Well, I for one really like all the windows down especially the rear window and the sun roof. Just enough airflow to keep one comfortable up into the 80s. Yep, dust comes in but not a big deal. It's as close as you'll get to a convertible with a hardtop.... until the bronco comes out anyway
     
  15. Jul 23, 2020 at 7:29 PM
    #15
    Gamma Ray

    Gamma Ray Be excellent to each other

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    Who cares? This never shows everything anyway.
    Do you like awesome stuff? If so, go with the awesome stuff.

    You probably already know, but the rear seats fold in the 4Runner. So you can still have some bedlike space. Just a heads up on the flip up bottom portion of the folding because it does cost a bit of room, but you can remove the flip up bottom portions pretty easily. As long as you don't absolutely need to have all of the seats available when hauling something big and don't usually dump messes in your pickup's bed, it's not a bad tradeoff.
     
    will van[OP] and 4Runner fun like this.
  16. Jul 23, 2020 at 8:18 PM
    #16
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

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    Wrangler Duratracs, center console organizer & trav all 1576 dog divider for the rear. Xpel wrap with ceramic coating. 20% tint on front windows. TRD intake. TRD oil cap Plus parts on shelf & a wish list.
    I can only speak on the trim levels as this is my first T4R.
    I would say ORP over Pro unless you desire a color.
    I am 6'4 & can ride comfortable with the seat back a bit. Amazing ride & look of the truck. It is a timeless design (even to Toyota! Lol).
    Our 2019 ORP after tires, tint, & vynil wrap. facebook_1557808831652_8938395367798291.jpg facebook_1557808848372_8938562894413851.jpg
     
  17. Jul 23, 2020 at 8:21 PM
    #17
    Over the LINE

    Over the LINE New Member

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    Buy the 4 Runner and get a utility trailer for when you need to "haul stuff" or...get a camper shell and keep the Tacoma. Sorry couldn't resist.
     
    mrmike7189 and A&P like this.
  18. Jul 23, 2020 at 8:52 PM
    #18
    Antman

    Antman New Member

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    2021 4Runner: King Coilovers King rear shocks Camburg UCA’s Spc rear Trail arms Icon 52700 rear springs Icon panhard bar SCS Ray10’s Rci Sliders Rci Full Skids 2022 Tacoma Offroad: King Coilovers King rear shocks Deaver leaf springs Camburg UCA Scs Gen 5 Bamf front hybrid bumper Rci Full Skids Rci Sliders
    Just do it bro. I had a 17 taco and traded it in and I have no ragerts. I traded because of interior space. Gonna buy a utility trailer soon, as I need a bed sometimes and don’t wanna ruin the interior.

    E79EB4B7-5A8A-41A3-B932-850A2E3DC6C9.jpg
     
  19. Jul 23, 2020 at 8:53 PM
    #19
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

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    OEM LED foglights
    The 4Runner has two more windows
     
    canadian.bacon likes this.
  20. Jul 23, 2020 at 9:38 PM
    #20
    Antman

    Antman New Member

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    2021 4Runner: King Coilovers King rear shocks Camburg UCA’s Spc rear Trail arms Icon 52700 rear springs Icon panhard bar SCS Ray10’s Rci Sliders Rci Full Skids 2022 Tacoma Offroad: King Coilovers King rear shocks Deaver leaf springs Camburg UCA Scs Gen 5 Bamf front hybrid bumper Rci Full Skids Rci Sliders
    4 more actually.
     
    canadian.bacon and opentang like this.
  21. Jul 23, 2020 at 9:49 PM
    #21
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

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    ooooh yeah there's also the little triangle ones. Now it's no contest, he's got to buy the 4R.
     
  22. Jul 23, 2020 at 10:01 PM
    #22
    rkwfxd

    rkwfxd New Member

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    6 Rear disk brakes
    7 Power seats
    8 Shorter wheel base
    9 Lockable storage in the back
    10 Rear coil springs not leaf springs
    11 More head room when entering and exiting - for some reason I alway bump my head on the Taco but not the Runner
     
  23. Jul 23, 2020 at 11:13 PM
    #23
    r32

    r32 New Member

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    Obviously you're not hurting for money so just get one and be done with it already.

    And when the 2023 new gen comes out in late 2022, you can upgrade again.
     
  24. Jul 24, 2020 at 6:04 AM
    #24
    namrog456

    namrog456 New Member

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    Well, if you haven't been convinced yet, I just switched from a '18 Pro Taco to a '17 Pro 4Runner. Probably the best decision I've made.
    1. Much more room for hauling things. With a dog (or kids) the back seat can be occupied and you still have rear cargo room for non-waterproof items. Especially helpful during the holidays (presents, food, etc.)
    2. I weirdly get better gas mileage in the 4Runner (it's only like 1/2 an MPG but still)
    3. Better sightlines - even without BSM in the 4Runner, I'm not worried about merging into someone. Rear side windows are great
    4. The drop down rear window is fun and gives a nice breeze (or clear line of sight to give someone the bird behind you)
    5. Off-road performance is similar, if not better in the 4Runner
    6. No diff whine! This is a well-known condition in the Tacoma
    7. Better throttle response (still not great - if it bothers you, get a pedal commander)
    8. People check my 4Runner out way more than my Tacoma, even though it's older and a less flashy color.

    The only con I've found is hauling dirty stuff, ie: yard waste, rain soaked camping gear, etc. Easily solve-able with a hitch carrier, utility trailer, or a roof rack in some cases.

    PS: not all Tacos are made in Mexico.
    Check your VIN. If it starts with a 1,4,or 5 it was made in the USA (TX). If it starts with a 3, it was made in Mexico (starting with 2020, there are two different MEX facilities that produce Tacomas).
     
  25. Jul 24, 2020 at 12:42 PM
    #25
    will van

    will van [OP] New Member

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    Well, I'm convinced! Now it's just a question of color. I have narrowed it down to these options...

    VooDoo Blue Pro?
    2-Voo-Doo-Blue_828fbe2d0b258d21b3ff707f3ca861e959120beb.jpg

    Barcelona Red?
    3-Barcelona-Red_ac82d0c0e1760ba7fc2139223c01187cf4d7b7c7.jpg

    or plain old silver?
    4-Silver_cf4191380835cc5895b7baeff4a153eec7fdbbbd.jpg
     
  26. Jul 24, 2020 at 12:59 PM
    #26
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

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    IMO the blue looks cool but is too flashy. The red is also kinda flashy and this particular shade of red strikes me as more of a lady's color than a guy's color (lipstick?). I'm generally a fan of silver for cars, but think it tends to age worse than a lot of other colors and it's hard to escape an econo-car vibe with silver.

    Some colors do work better for some vehicles, based on the lines of the bodywork and proportions. Sometimes the color is helpful to smooth over rough styling or add visual balance. Or to accentuate certain particularly good styling flourishes. I recently had a car where the body tended to look bloated in proportion to the wheels. In this particular car the best impression came from a white body color and black wheels.

    In the case of the 4R, IMO, black is the most complimentary color. But that's not so great in hot climates. So I leaned toward grey on mine, and think that works well -- if a bit on the boring side. IMO white is definitely the worst color on the 4R, especially in combination with the chrome trim and the wheels on the Limited. It looks like a whale. A gaudy whale. (Apologies to anyone out there with a white Limited -- it's just IMO! :D)
     
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2020
    A&P likes this.
  27. Jul 24, 2020 at 1:00 PM
    #27
    MattAK

    MattAK Headin' for the hills

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    I vote for gray, but I'm biased. My last three 4Runners have all been a variant of gray.
     
  28. Jul 24, 2020 at 2:20 PM
    #28
    Over the LINE

    Over the LINE New Member

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    Silver Sky Metallic...Doesn't show dirt or scratches and Classic colors never go out of style. I am biased. Tundra and 4 Runner in my driveway are both Silver.
     
  29. Jul 24, 2020 at 2:26 PM
    #29
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

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    Silver would have been a close second choice for me had I settled on the TRD OR instead of Limited. Though I think a particularly sweet combo on that car is grey with the TRD wheels. And black, but as I noted I was worried about it being too hot.

    Silver in the Limited would have been a no go — doesn’t go well with all that Chrome IMO.
     
    mrmike7189 likes this.
  30. Jul 24, 2020 at 2:45 PM
    #30
    will van

    will van [OP] New Member

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    Agreed - Voodoo Blue is probably too flashy. And Black is too hot for Texas.And I already have a silver pickup.

    Every time I would pass a Barcelona Red Tacoma, I would tell myself “I should have bought a red truck.” I agree that it can look feminine (cough *Limited* cough), but with the right set of tires it looks badass.

    I’m 99% sure I’ll get a red T4R. The advantage to the other Pro colors is that they are now available on the regular OR and ORP. A few small changes to the grill and valence and you probably couldn’t tell the difference between a modified OR and a Pro.
     
    A&P and Singleminded[QUOTED] like this.

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