Anyone go from Tundra to 4Runner?

Wife and I are expecting our third in about a week. Currently have a 2016 crew max which has been fantastic and considering swapping to a 4Runner with 3rd row. I don’t tow and can still do my fishing and waterfowl hunting trips with a 4Runner. The styling and tested powertrain is what attracts me to the 4Runner, probably go SR5 premium 4x4. All three kids are in car seats. Have plenty of friends, family and neighbors with trucks if I need a bed for something. I’m 6’3 220 lbs so I would need the driver seat all the way back so I’d be curious if other members of same size have issues with a car seat behind the driver….I think I read the second row slides back?..

 

For me I just did it. Sold my 21 tundra pro and waiting for my 4runner pro to come in. It will be my 3rd 4runner. I don’t need a full size truck after having it 2 and half years. I’m only 5’5 and my wife. I prefer the fitment for me in the 4runner. The big truck is just too much of a pain in the A. To drive around and find parking. I can go on. Good luck on your decision.

 

Thanks for your reply. The tundra is a beast to park but I’ve gotten used to it. There are times I think to myself how much easier it would be for personal and work use to parking a 4Runner. I know the 4R isn’t known for fuel efficient but safe to assume I can expect SOME improvement over the Tundra. I’m averaging 15.5 commuting to and from work and all my other drop off and pick ups with the kids in town?

 

Damn! Sold the T-Pro??? Such a fine truck you had. Looking forward to seeing the new rig.

 

No problem. Don’t worry about the gas on the 4runner I was getting about the same between both vehicles but I also had 285’s on my 4runner. Yeah I was use to driving and parking the tundra but I hated when I found a parking spot and the 4runner would fit bit the tundra would not. That to me is the biggest dilemma. So much easier driving the 4runner.

 

Yeah I will miss it because it was a nice truck but did not love it. I like the 4runner more for what I’m using it for. Mike you have a Tundra also? White one?

 

I went from a 2016 crew max to my 2018 ORP. I only have two kids, and the main reason for me was gas mileage, as I was averaging 12mpg in my Tundra. I will say 3 kids is going to be tight. I really miss the size of the cab and the leg room the rear had, especially with kids and two dogs. This is my third 4runner, so I'm obviously a fan, but there's definitely aspects I miss from a full size truck.

 

Yes Sir. White ‘20 Pro. My wife has a 4R. Best of both worlds. I do really like driving her truck. It seams quick and nimble compared to the beastly Tundra. But I really like the roominess of my Tundra.

 

My buddy has a 4Runner (my wife does to-which is why Im on this forum) which we took on our annual Canadian fishing this year. I’m 6’3” around 240lbs and my buddy is 6’4” around 240lbs. We stuck my brother who is about 5’10”, 175lbs behind the driver - on the small part of the split rear seat. Plus all our gear back there and on the folded down other half of the back seat. My brother said he was perfectly comfortable sitting back there behind the driver seat which was all the back. Mind you, it was a 12 hour trip each way. I think you’ll be fine for quite a while with your growing family and utilizing that back seat for the kids.

 

I thought it was you Mike, You and I have chatted numerous times on tundra forum. Yeah my LunaRock is gone. But looking forward to get back into the 4runner. Your Pro is nice also!!

 

super helpful experience. Do you mind me asking how your stored your fishing poles in the 4R?

 

I can fit all three car seats in my Tundra. My fear is my almost 3YO son aka the tornado is gonna be missing with his new baby sister where as with the 4Runner, I can put my 5YO in one of the third row seats and space out my son and newborn.

 

We each had a 7’ rod case. We bound the three cases together and put them on top of our other gear. They extended from the rear cargo area right down the middle of the truck between the front seats. They went to about 3/4 up the center console. Since they were on top of everything else they kinda hovered the center console and didn’t interfere with anything. Still had room to rest our arms. Hope this makes sense.

 

Yup! I follow you.

 

My tundra made it to its new owner in California!!

 

FWIW the Tundra was our go to road trip vehicle when the kids were growing up. I have one son who is 6’6” and my other is 6’2”. I am 6’1” and the wife is about 5’9”. The third row in my new 4R is for young kids only IMO. My oldest oldest couldn’t sit behind me comfortably in the new 4R for a long road trip but around town it’ll be fine. The biggest issue I’d imagine for you is that there’s almost zero space for any cargo when the rear seats are in use in the 4R.

I loved my Tundra but had no interest in the new one. With the boys off to college now, and with me using a parking garage for work, the 4 Runner with the tried and true 4.0 was an easy choice and I like it a lot. The wife loved her SR5 Premium and she’s even happier if that’s possible in the new Limited. These will be in our garage for a long time. Good luck with your decision.

 

I hear ya! My oldest is 5 middle is almost 3 and then we’ll have our newborn. I’m thinking a 4Runner for the next couple years until my oldest is out of a carsest and then maybe consider a truck again but I just can’t come around to the new Tundra for various reasons. I too at times have to use a parking garage for work so nice to hear your experience with the 4R in garage.

 

This will definitely happen. My kids were far enough apart in the Tundra that they couldn't screw with each other. Now my son is able to take stuff out of his little sisters hands, etc. which has made road trips tougher.

 

Decided I needed another and ended up keeping the Tundra also. Could not seem to part with it.

 

You currently drive a Tundra with 3 kids?

 

I owned three Tundras: 2002, 2010 and 2017. I loved them. Decent power, stable on the road, comfortable and dependable. But I ran out of reasons to have a pickup. When I got my 2021 Venture, I was disappointed in its tendency to want to roll in turns and tendency to meander on the road. It required constant attention and correction to keep from wandering off the highway. I got kind of used to it but got a 2023 ORP with KDSS. This is a much better ride. Overall I like my 4R. Decent on road and good off road.

 

Hey OP @530Toyotadude
I didn't think I saw anyone answer all your questions directly, when it comes to the second row my ORP does not slide back, I don't have a third row. The back seats recline in two sections which is cool. I have a baby and a toddler, and often nieces or nephews added in and it is definitely tight when car seat is behind driver, or passenger for that matter- and I'm 6'0. But it's not terrible. A lot of guys your size highly recommend seat jackers, google em.
Goodluck, you'll enjoy the Runner for sure

 

No, used to drive a crew max with two kids. Now all in a 5th gen 4runner.

 

Hmmmmm I thought I read somewhere the 2nd row slides…maybe it’s only when equipped with 3rd row?


interesting mod - had no clue they even existed. I still need to go sit and test drive a 4R to see how it feels. Plan to take car seats with me to get an idea of how the set up looks.

 

Wow! Bought sight unseen and had it shipped to California!?!? That wouldn’t have ever happen ten maybe even just five years ago. Amazing times we live in.

 

I have the third row option and my second row slides. The slides are split 60/40 to the driver's side. I believe the center backrest still folds independently.

A few years ago I drove another person's tundra (4wd 2008?) ~3000mi on their behalf. Today I have 1000mi on my 4r (Otherwise drove compact cars). 4r is lighter and smaller, it's easier to turn around off road and avoid brush rash and probably easier to drive in wet soil.

Tundra was frequently rubbing brush due to width. Tundra seemed to have better ground clearance than my 2wd. I sorta remember being able to see the rear wheels better with the side mirrors on the tundra, I feel higher in the 4r. 4r has a blind spot from the C pillar and the 2nd row passenger headrest. I'm 6' so you probably be able to see more below the beltline than me. Personally I feel comfortable with visibility. Newer 4r gonna have sensors in the rear quarter for blind spot and rear cross traffic alert.

 

Just wanted to ask the group real quick, it seems like most SR5 premiums come standard with a sunroof. At 6’3, I’m wondering how much head room will come into play. On the weekends, I do wear a hat 99% of the time. Anyone have any guess on how much more head space you get without a sunroof and if that would be a better fit for someone my height or would I be okay with a sunroof?

 

I went from having an 03 V8 4Runner and an 06 V8 Tundra to a 19 4Runner.

I wish I still had both.

Gas mileage, both bad, not different enough to matter.
Tundra is a superior tow vehicle.
When you need a truck, there is no substitute for a truck.
Tundra was a more comfortable road tripper with more room and a longer wheel base.
4Runner hands down winner off-road, not even close.
4Runner wins in town and parking/maneuvering day-to-day.
4Runner fits in the garage, Tundra not so much for me at least.

 

I’m 6’3”, 225lbs, broad shoulders. I have the seat in my ‘23 TRD ORP down as far as it will go. I also have a cap on 90% of the time. I have about a finger width of headroom. It bothers me, frankly and it’s really the only negative I feel about it. Otherwise I love everything about the vehicle. Catch a bump on a trail and you will smack your head. I also drive an F-250 super crew and my wife has a Ford Expedition (soon to be a Suburban). Admittedly, I much prefer road trips in the truck or her car because I have much more headroom and the kids love the room in the backseat. For in town and our summer trips to Silverton/Durango mining roads/trails, the 4Runner is just awesome. The only thing I’d sell the 4R for is a Land Cruiser (80/100/200) and really that’s primarily a headroom/shoulder room thing. But that will only happen if I find the absolute right one at the right price. Otherwise, the 4R fits my niche need fine. If it had the slightly taller interior, I’d call it perfect.

 

Your build is almost identical to mine. I’m thinking hunting out a 4R without a sunroof might be worth it for the head clearance based off your experience.