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Is it that we have a superior vehicle?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by ipnpulz, May 13, 2019.

  1. May 13, 2019 at 5:05 AM
    #1
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz [OP] New Member

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    After being on Tacoma World for 5 years now and driving Tacoma's we seem to have a much better vehicle with less issues...

    Coming from a 2017 TRD Off-Road with drive line shutter,vibrations in the steering wheel and leaking rear differential this is heaven for me.....
     
    scottalot and Diezel like this.
  2. May 13, 2019 at 5:06 AM
    #2
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

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    Yes its true
     
  3. May 13, 2019 at 6:17 AM
    #3
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    Built in Japan is the main difference
     
  4. May 13, 2019 at 6:54 AM
    #4
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz [OP] New Member

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    I was thinking this as well.
     
  5. May 13, 2019 at 7:57 AM
    #5
    Huzer21

    Huzer21 New Member

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    I can't speak to 3rd gen Tacos, I had a 2nd gen. I never had any problems with it, I just never used the bed anymore, so I got a 4Runner. I'd rock another 2nd gen Taco in a heartbeat, although as a third vehicle. The 4Runner is a lot more comfortable as a DD for me.

    That said, going MSRP vs MSRP, the 4Runner is a lot more expensive.
     
    WallyT4R likes this.
  6. May 13, 2019 at 8:21 AM
    #6
    Diezel

    Diezel New Member

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    I recently came back to a T4R from a 17 Tacoma TRD Pro. Front fender flare detached from fender(repaired), leaking rear differential(repaired), howling & grinding noise(replaced rear differential & TSB) and finally lost traction control, blind spot monitoring, 4x4 during a terrible snow storm due to a faulty speed sensor. Enough was enough.

    I do miss my Tacoma but I do love my 4Runner. On a positive note.....phenomenal resale value for a 2 year vehicle with 50k miles.
     
    WallyT4R and ipnpulz[OP] like this.
  7. May 13, 2019 at 8:25 AM
    #7
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz [OP] New Member

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    I have had 4 Tacoma's in the past since 1987 and all have had way less issues than my 17 TRD Off-Road.....

    I became less enthused with with the Taco having the issues I did just was not fun to drive anymore, and I really wanted more comfort as I will most likely be doing some road trips over the next few yrs....
     
    Diezel likes this.
  8. May 13, 2019 at 8:28 AM
    #8
    redneckj

    redneckj New Member

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    If they made a 4runner with a bed it would be the best of both worlds. And NO NO NO, that is not a tacoma.
     
    scottalot, ipnpulz[OP] and Diezel like this.
  9. May 13, 2019 at 8:33 AM
    #9
    Diezel

    Diezel New Member

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    I hate to say it....But...could it be possible the Tacoma would be better if made in Japan??:facepalm:
    I always try to buy American & support American companies but when it comes to vehicles...Japanese is the way to go.
     
    KSJ08, karmatp and ipnpulz[OP] like this.
  10. May 13, 2019 at 8:49 AM
    #10
    rkwfxd

    rkwfxd New Member

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    T4R is proven old school tech. 4.0 and 5SP. Work great and last forever.
     
    toy33, WallyT4R, Diezel and 1 other person like this.
  11. May 13, 2019 at 8:56 AM
    #11
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz [OP] New Member

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    Believe it or not this is kind of what brought me to my decision in the purchase of the T4R. I think If Toyota would have kept the 4.0 in the Taco they would have had a much better product with a lot less complaints....
     
    Scooterman, KSJ08, WallyT4R and 2 others like this.
  12. May 13, 2019 at 9:42 AM
    #12
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

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    My understanding is the 1st Gen Taco was the best and that the 2nd Gen was also very good.

    The 5th Gen 4R is really a Gen 4.1 in many regards--if anything the problems it has are due to "old design" / keeping all the things that worked well, so take that as a good/bad characteristic. Either you're driving a dinosaur or the last remaining true BOF all purpose vehicle.
     
    WallyT4R likes this.
  13. May 13, 2019 at 9:55 AM
    #13
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

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    Incorrect the biggest problems with the 3rd gen Tacoma are the new bits- engine and drivetrain.
     
    WallyT4R and MI-FL off roader like this.
  14. May 13, 2019 at 10:13 AM
    #14
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

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    I think that's exactly what I inferred, both for the Taco and the 4R.

    *imply is probably the correct word, infer is up to the reader
     
  15. May 13, 2019 at 11:33 AM
    #15
    MI-FL off roader

    MI-FL off roader T4R Hobby/Addict

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    Too many mods and too much money
    My Buddy here in Florida burned an exhaust valve on his 17' 3.5 liter 54k miles. Why put a mini van engine in a truck? My other buddy with a 17' has noticed the transmission issues. 150k and 120k on my 4th and 5th gens. I hope that with the domestic truck market stepping up they're game that Toyota won't fold into the unibody/hybrid craze and put a proper engine option (diesel maybe?) out there for the Taco. Let the idealists do the hybrid R&D, I'll keep my dinosaurs.
     
    WallyT4R and ipnpulz[OP] like this.
  16. May 13, 2019 at 11:45 AM
    #16
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

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    Owning a 2011 Tacoma, and now this 2016 4Runner, the 4Runner is just a nicer vehicle overall. Fit and finish is better. If they made a 5th Gen 4Runner with a removable rear roof like the old 4Runners, oh my god...
     
    SKT_07, jgcaps, WallyT4R and 2 others like this.
  17. May 13, 2019 at 11:46 AM
    #17
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz [OP] New Member

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    :burnrubber::burnrubber::burnrubber:
     
    jgcaps likes this.
  18. May 13, 2019 at 1:38 PM
    #18
    BCMUSA

    BCMUSA New Member

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    I traded my 2019 Tacoma for this because of the problems I had with my Tacoma, in particular tons of vibration problems.

    I love this 4runner, however I am having vibration problems in the steering wheel and vibrations in the brake pedal when braking.

    I can't seem to catch a freaking break.

    However, even with these problems, I feel a lot more confident in this vehicle than I did in my Tacoma.
     
    ipnpulz[OP] likes this.
  19. May 13, 2019 at 1:39 PM
    #19
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz [OP] New Member

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    I could not agree more!
     
  20. May 13, 2019 at 1:44 PM
    #20
    BCMUSA

    BCMUSA New Member

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    It's hard to explain, but with my Tacoma I felt it was going to break apart at any second.

    Nothing in that truck felt "refined." Engine/Trans combo was garbage.

    I had the rumble strip every single time I came to a stop. Dealership foreman drove it and agreed it was messed up, however could never find a fix.

    I had constant vibrations in the gas pedal, I could actually see my leg shaking while driving on the highway.

    The 4runner feels SOLID. I just wish I can get this steering wheel vibration fixed and the brakes and I am golden.

    However, I don't know if I could buy another Toyota after these two vehicles with its vibration problems.

    I have ZERO doubt that my 4runner is reliable and will probably be problem free, but these vibrations on a 40K vehicle really pisses me off.
     
  21. May 13, 2019 at 2:11 PM
    #21
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz [OP] New Member

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    I felt about the same way with the Taco I was getting nervous the rear end was go explode or I would have the howl and not be able to get rid of it....
     
  22. May 13, 2019 at 2:19 PM
    #22
    MI-FL off roader

    MI-FL off roader T4R Hobby/Addict

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    Too many mods and too much money
    All you guys with 1st and 2nd gen Tacos....your resale just went up.
     
  23. May 13, 2019 at 9:37 PM
    #23
    rsimi72

    rsimi72 New Member

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    I had similar experiences with my 2017 Tacoma. And I traded it for a 2017 4Runner, same as you. And I had the steering wheel vibes at 60mph, also, on the 4Runner. If it helps, my vibes have improved over time. I did rotate my wheels/tires, also. I have rotated them several times now and, it may be in my head, but I think it matters how I/you do it. I use the star pattern to tighten and try to tighten evenly. Meaning I tighten each lug a bit at a time, taking turns, until they are all tight. Then I torque to spec. Totally may be in my head but I won’t change it up now because it’s working. If my vibes were still present daily, I’d look into road force balancing. Best of luck to you!
     
  24. May 14, 2019 at 6:50 AM
    #24
    BCMUSA

    BCMUSA New Member

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    Thank you for taking the time to reply and share your story.

    Yes I have lost a lot of sleep recently. I bought a Tacoma about a month and a half ago. It was my dream truck. Well within a month it had multiple trips to the dealership for all sorts of vibration issues. Even the tech mentioned that he felt vibration in the steering wheel and I hadn't even mentioned that to him yet as I was there for another problem.

    Fast forward to the 4runner. I will say this thing is very smooth on the highway and I enjoy driving it. It is the constant steering wheel vibration that's killing me. Now keep in mind that for the most part it is very minor, however its still present all the time.

    My wife and my friends keep telling me its normal and that its not bad enough to make a stink over. To an extent I agree, I am sure a lot of it is in my head. I have been hypersensitive ever since my Tacoma. Although it is very minor for the most part, is it crazy of me to think there should be zero vibration at the steering wheel? I even get vibration at the best of roads.

    I am taking it into Toyota tomorrow and will have them check it out. I did have the tires road force balanced recently and it did help a lot. One of the tires was at 30 pounds. He was able to bring it down to 12.

    The problem is also that I have nerve damage to both hands and anything puts my hands to sleep. The constant little buzz vibration I get keeps putting my hands to sleep.

    From everything I've read, I keep seeing that these Bridgestone tires that came with my 4runner are garbage. I am most likely going to get the Cooper AT3 4S this week and I am PRAYING that this greatly improves the vibration.

    Again, thank you.
     
    ipnpulz[OP] and rsimi72[QUOTED] like this.
  25. May 14, 2019 at 9:43 AM
    #25
    rsimi72

    rsimi72 New Member

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    No problem. I really am a believer in the process of mounting/tightening the wheels. I hope you will feel an improvement with your new tires. I think it's likely. At the least you'll have better tires! Also, for the record, although my vibes are much improved now, I still get a little wobble on certain surfaces, but it's pretty minimal. I especially will feel it going uphill 60+ and making a slight corner/turn. I have come to accept that the 4Runner isn't a sports car or luxury car and drives probably how it is designed. Good luck with your new tires. Let us know if you learn more from Toyota.
     
  26. May 14, 2019 at 11:57 AM
    #26
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz [OP] New Member

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    I had those same exact tires on my 17 Taco and they did very well in the snow,light off road and wet pavement these will be going on my 4 runner soon...
     
  27. May 14, 2019 at 12:00 PM
    #27
    BCMUSA

    BCMUSA New Member

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    Were they smooth riding?
     
  28. May 14, 2019 at 12:04 PM
    #28
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz [OP] New Member

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    Very much so....

    I did find that running them about 3 or 4 psi over recommended cold psi improved the ride and seemed to quit them a lot but they were not loud at all to begin with....
     
  29. May 14, 2019 at 7:06 PM
    #29
    Grilla36

    Grilla36 New Member

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    Every time I drive the new 4R I smile. The 3rd gen Tacoma I traded just felt cheap. My new dinosaur is leaps and bounds better.
     
  30. May 15, 2019 at 4:39 AM
    #30
    gunsnob

    gunsnob New Member

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    True...
     

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