Tacoma to 4runner converts

I agree totally. Both are awesome to own! Each have their pluses and very few minuses. Time will tell how we like having a 4runner.

 

Curious if you looked at the Tundra ? If I could afford a truck on the side, I'll take a platinum crewmax ...awesome truck !

 

I'm sorry about the long reply time. Yes I looked at the Tundra, a friend has one, as fuel mileage is not the main concern, on a Tundra fuel mileage is the only concern. Nice truck, gobs of power, solid feel. I'll take that 2nd platinum crewmax your talking about.

 

I had an 18' Tacoma TRD OR for about a year before I got fed-up with the transmission and traded it in. The finance manager for a Toyota dealership here in central Ohio is a close friend of mine, he has said an "abnormally high" amount of people are trading in Tacoma's for 4Runner and Tundras. All have bitched and complained about the transmission.

 

This is probably what I'm going to do. Utility trailers are common for $500 to $1500 on Craigslist and FB Marketplace.

I have a 2019 DCSB TRD Off-Road Tacoma w/ automatic transmission and have been contemplating making the switch to the 5th gen 4Runner. I do not have the gear-searching issues that everyone complains about. But I do have the front high-pitched differential whine at certain RPMs. It does seem under-powered. My mileage is also terrible. I consistently get 17mpg. I'm not sure if it's the tires or the extra weight from the skid plates.


When I first purchased the truck, I installed a Decked system in the bed. It holds lots of gear, but eats up all of my precious space in the SB. And I find myself wishing I had more room in the cab, even with the 4 doors. Over the last several weeks I have been continually asking myself, "How often do I use the bed? Could I get along without it?" It's basically a flat bed at this point. I have to strap everything down if I want to put it in the bed.

 

That’s exactly what I noticed. Did this post because of my occasional buyers remorse and to get some feedback. Crazy that even ON the Taco forum it’s 4Runner > Taco for MOST peoples needs. YMMV.

The other part of the post was to see if there was remorse the other way. Guys that bought a Taco because they thought the needed a truck and ditched the entire idea because of the transmission issues and switched teams. Then kicked themselves later to find that a simple gear swap would have them still in their Taco. I’m not really hearing this though.

Just my feeling that once they’ve scratched the “Tacoma itch” they move to T4R because it’ll get 99% of Taco stuff done with an added trailer. Plus it’ll wheel better in addition to taking the entire family on a 600 mile road trip to do that wheeling more comfortably with bulletproof reliability.

 

I only briefly test-drove a 2020 TRD Off Road yesterday, but I could already tell it was a better-built vehicle.

I think I prefer the engine (torque curve) and transmission (holds the gear) of the 4Runner. It might be placebo from reading about the advantages of the 4Runner online. I would need to drive it longer to tell for sure. The interior is for sure way more comfortable though.

My only hesitation is a lack of truck bed. My girlfriend wants to pick up a work-desk this weekend. I keep asking myself, “How would I transport XYZ if I had a 4Runner?” Utility trailer I suppose.

 

Rent a truck from Home Depot. $20 for 75 minutes.

 

Yup! I could do that in a pinch.

Utility trailer seems like the best solution for my needs. Lawn equipment, furniture, hauling trash/junk and using it all day/weekend.

 

You are going to get some serious
from the truck owners lol. I almost feel like I wished I needed a pick up. Thinking back after owning an SUV for 18 of the last 20 being able to put the seats down I can’t think of being in a situation where I needed a bed hands down. I hauled (in combination with my M.I.Ls 1st gen taco) a California King bed set. Most of it fit in my Tahoe. I transported 2 adult Cane Corsos with 800 series crates in my Tahoe, sometimes in bad rainy weather. I’m sure a camper shell would have worked. I’m partial to the look of a truck without a shell. So I guess another SUV for me it is.

 

I had a 2016 Tacoma which is a great reliable truck but I needed the extra room for growing kids. The backseat of the Tacoma was too small. So I bought a 2018 4Runner. The 4Runner is way roomier and more comfortable to drive.

 

If I actually need a truck again, I'll get a Tundra. As a single man without kids, the 4Runner meets 99% of my needs, however I'm looking to buy a boat or a pair of wave runners next summer. If I was to get a boat I'll probably jump to the Tundra, if I get the wave runners, I think the 4Runner will do just fine pulling them.

 

Good strategy.

I am just wondering if I will miss the pickup bed. Lately I’m trying to be conscientious of how often I actually haul stuff in the bed (that otherwise couldn’t go in the back of the 4Runner).

 

As a Tundra and 4R owner (and previously Jeep SRT before the 4R), besides hauling my Traeger grill a couple times over the last couple years, everything else has fit fine in an SUV with the seats folded down. The Cane Corso doggo loves the roll down rear window in the 4R too!

 

If I was looking at new vehicles, 4Runner! A lot better, proven engine. Made in Japan at the best plant there is. Way better quality vehicle in my opinion. I love Toyota’s, and drove three new Tacoma’s, hated them. Just my opinion. My TRD OR is one of the best vehicles I have had off road. I have a winch, and traction boards. Havnt needed them....yet!

 

Spot on! Second gen DCLB SR5 Tacoma owner here. Multiple plastic panels bubbled on my truck. Otherwise a great vehicle. Traded it for 4Runner. Hoping it will be even better.

 

Music to my ears!

 

I just traded my Crewmax Tundra for a 4Runner (traded my Taco for the Tundra before that). Loved the space in the bed and the back, LOVED the power, wasn’t a fan of the fuel mileage (but who gets a truck for fuel economy anyway, haha) and it was a boat to drive in the city.

I’m sure there will days I miss it, but I really like the 4Runner a lot. It’s a bit early to call, but it may just be my favorite vehicle.

 

Just recently traded in my 2012 Tacoma TRDOR for a 2020 T4R ORP. I purchased the Tacoma new and without any hesitation has been the best vehicle I have ever owned. I'd been thinking about making the switch and finally pulled the trigger, if you're in the market it's a great time to do it. That said, I have zero regrets, absolutely love it.

Aside from all the extras on T4R that the Tacoma didn't have the biggest change was the suspension and on road feel, lot of roll/nose diving vs. what I was accustomed to. That's just as much personal preference than anything, I had planned on swapping out the suspension anyway. Eibach Pro Lift is installed and that has made a world of difference, drives/rides like a dream.

Very happy I made the switch...

 

Here I go...

Currently an active member in Tacomaworld and I own a 2017 TRD PRO. I have have owned 4 Tacomas now. My 2005 TRD Sport is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned and when I sold it was still running great and solid as heck. I got great money for it and I leveraged that to buy what I thought was an upgrade.

I have been contemplating the 4runner for years and recently have had my eye on the 4R Venture model. My biggest fear is not having a bed that I have been accustomed to for so long now. While I am currently writing this I have a weed wacker in my truck bed without worrying about fuel spillage or grass clippings because I can hose it right out with minimal to worry about. I have a topper on it as well for added security and keeping things dry in the winter. I love the way it looks but looks can only take you so far

Like everyone else the 3rd Gen Taco annoys me with the gear hunting, engine/tranny matchup. Since day one Ive noticed some small things that just bother me about the way this thing made but I have been able to live with it such as the seat position and lack of visibility in the cabin. As far as I am concerned the Taco has little to no competition in its class which has led me back to the 4runner.

We are a family of 4, 5 if you count the dog, and I just drove to Maine and back in the Tacoma and it was tight but there is no way I would have been able to fit as much as I did in a 4runner. The topper allows for so much gear to be taken on vacations and trips. This is my biggest dilemma at the moment. And yes I know I can get a trailer but I dont want to drive a trailer for 6-8 hours on trips.

 

Kids in the back of a DC Tacoma isn't a problem. It's when you want to put adults back there that the room becomes an issue. Sounds like you are well set up with what you have. Most converts don't really use the bed as much any more...

 

Exact same story here...mine was a 2013 TRD OR, best truck I ever owned also. I bought it without even a test drive. The best thing about it is I got almost 80% of the purchase price 6 years later, to buy my 4R. In a perfect world, I would have both. But a 2nd gen Tacoma, not 3rd.

 

One kid is a teen and the other isnt far along. There were a few times on the road trip that I was being squeezed by a size 9 "kids" foot pushing down on the seat belt. There aren't even air vents in the back never mind usb. Of course I wasn't thinking this a few years ago when I bought it

 

I have/had lots of 4WD Toyota trucks - 3rd gen 4Runner, 1st gen Tacoma (3.4 liter 5-speed), FZJ80 Land Cruiser, FJ40 Land Cruiser, 1983 Toyota Pickup, and now 2019 Tacoma.

I think the 1st gen Tacomas were awesome. The 3.4 5VZ engine is bulletproof. I never owned a 2nd gen Tacoma, but they also seem badass. Toyota made them for a decade and there's tons of aftermarket goodies for them. I'm just not as crazy about the 3rd gen Tacoma as I was my 1st gen.

I agree with @Frankybones and @glwood54 above - My ideal stable would be a 5th gen 4Runner and a 1st/2nd gen Tacoma. I agree that it's nice to haul dirty tools/gear in the bed of the truck. But the engine/tranny combo on the 3rd gen annoys me.



Also, so I don't continue to hijack the OP's thread, here is a discussion on TacomaWorld about this very same topic. Lots of great information there. I think it speaks volumes that on a Tacoma forum, the consensus is to purchase the 4Runner (because it is a better built vehicle). Lots of comparisons where the Taco guys own/owned both vehicles ("wife drives a 4Runner"; "Traded in my 3rd gen Taco for a T4R"), and they prefer the 4Runner.

I think it boils down to: "Do I need a pickup bed?"

 

Not worth regearing to 5.29s?

I was getting the same thing on the Taco forum that even there they felt the T4R was more preferred.

I guess at the end of the day I was hoping someone to say “Never really thought of a re-gear.. I guess that could have worked.” No such luck lol.

The Taco is like the hot stripper ex-girlfriend. So happy to get her but then her craziness kinda gets on your nerves and you notice other things you don’t like and move on to the next girl. But then find out your ex only needed meds to make her “better.” Is she still as hot??

 

This is it!

 

Couple options for family vacations:
1. Roof box.
2. Hitch box.

The other board has more pics / info: Examples:




Note above pics are stolen from that thread over there.

 

I think there are other reasons to choose the 4Runner besides just a simple diff gear fix. The overall consensus is that the 4Runner is a better built vehicle.

5.29 diff gears for the seeking auto trans solves just one portion of the problem.

The rear diff whines on the Taco. Needle bearing/vibration on the front diff of the Taco. The engine and auto trans combo is better on the T4R. The interior isn’t as comfortable on the Taco. More rear seat room on the T4R. The visibility is worse on the Taco. The rear coil suspension on the T4R is better. T4R has a manual transfer case. The shorter wheel base is better for 4WD on the T4R. Etc.

The discussion on TacomaWorld keeps coming back to the same bottom line: Unless you need a pickup, the T4R is a better choice.

 

I agree 100% with most of what’s being said here. I loved my first gen tacoma and super loved my several second gen Tacoma’s. Awesome trucks.

I absolutely hated the 3rd gen Tacoma I had. Traded it after a couple months. The shifting/power was unbearable at interstate hiway speeds. I get better overall mpg with my 5th gen T4R on the highway. I also had a nasty diff howl on the Tacoma. I was really disappointed in that vehicle.

Really miss having a pickup, but the 4runner is a better vehicle than the 3rd gen Tacoma by a long shot. The engine/shifting in the 4runner is night and day in comparison. I was honestly blown away by how bad the 3rd gen transmission was on the highway. Even in town from 30-45mph it couldn’t make up its mind. It was just constantly all over the place.

If they made the Tacoma shift and drive like the 4runner, I’d get another one.

 

Agreed on your views of the 1st gen Tacoma. I had a 2002 that also was awesome. I preferred the interior room of the 2013, and the rear access cab doors. My 2002 was also an access cab, and it was a pain flipping the seat forward to get behind the seats. All in all, the 1st gen Tacos were a great little truck, but the room, 4.0L V6, larger bed, and more interior room make the 2nd gen Tacoma the king of the Tacos IMO. I know the 3rd gens come with all the electronic goodies, and look great, but I'd never own one after reading all the threads like this one.