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Truck to 4Runner: Any Regrets?

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by jtav2002, Jun 11, 2019.

  1. Jun 11, 2019 at 5:53 PM
    #1
    jtav2002

    jtav2002 [OP] New Member

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    Hello all. New here but not to Toyota's. Used to have an 2009 Taco and currently have a 2013 Tundra. Wife also has a 2019 Highlander in addition to some other Yota's in the family. I'm contemplating getting a 2020 4Runner TRD Pro once they come out. I know many don't care about the extra few things but i want the push button start and Apple Carplay. Anyways, has anyone here gone from a truck to a 4Runner? Any regrets no longer having a bed? I do use my bed from time to time but anything i ever put back there would more than fit in the 4Runner with the seats down. I rarely carry anything messy that i wouldn't want inside. I do tow a boat short distances but would be within the tow limits. Still a little hesitant about not having a bed anymore now that I have had a truck since 2009.

    Odds are if I do make the switch I would still end up in another truck at some point but I've just always liked this current gen 4Runner since the refresh a few years ago. Really i guess worst case scenario with getting a Pro if I decide i still really want a truck after awhile i wouldn't lose much on the resale end. Thanks in advance for any input.
     
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  2. Jun 11, 2019 at 6:24 PM
    #2
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

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    It sounds like you should be good with the 4runner. I have a 2nd gen 2010 Tacoma and we go hunting and put some stuff in the bed that wouldnt work out with the 4runner.

    Otherwise I love my 4runner Pro it's a great vehicle. There was no way I was going to buy a 3rd gen 2016-2019 Tacoma. I dont like the engine and transmission
     
  3. Jun 11, 2019 at 6:34 PM
    #3
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

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    I love trucks, had nothing but for years. Got tired of limited parking spots, especially in the city, some parking garages it wouldn't even fit. I do have a 5x8 utility trailer for the occasional Home Depot run or whatever. It's good to have around, without it I would probably still be in a truck. Another plus for the runner is left kits readily around, I loved the view seeing over traffic and avoiding accidents or jambs before ya get to them! One doesn't see many if any lifted beamers
     
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  4. Jun 11, 2019 at 6:47 PM
    #4
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    Tundra to 4R.

    Regret not having the bed to carry big stuff when needed. Power was nice to but I can live without it. Mostly not having the bed.
     
  5. Jun 11, 2019 at 7:16 PM
    #5
    aroyalsfan

    aroyalsfan The Owner

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    You could always get a 2020 El Camino SS.
     
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  6. Jun 11, 2019 at 10:38 PM
    #6
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    I came to the T4R after driving Tacoma's for 20+ years. Got a 2018 Tacoma and hated it. I was devastated, as I need a pickup and didn't want full size. And I didn't like any of the other midsize options.

    I traded the 2018 Tacoma for a 2018 4runner and I absolutely love it. Got a small trailer for when I need it. I'm beyond pleasantly surprised. It drives soooo much better than the Tacoma. And is much more comfortable.
     
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  7. Jun 11, 2019 at 11:04 PM
    #7
    mynameistory

    mynameistory New Member

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    I miss my 2012 Tacoma. Mostly for driving stick and for having all the room I needed in the bed to throw camping/dog/snowboard gear in without much need for planning.

    With the 4Runner I had to get a full-length rack, ski racks, rooftop cargo bag for bulky gear, and pack everything else inside carefully. Some of that is due to adding our first kid to the family (in addition to the two pit bulls that used to ride in the back seat of the Tacoma, now they ride in the 4Runner cargo area).

    But everyone rides much more comfortably this way. Didn't want to put the dogs in the bed with a hard or soft shell, not very safe and no way of keeping them cool on summer trips. Plus I'm retrofitting 3rd row seats so I can take a few extra people when I need to.
     
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  8. Jun 11, 2019 at 11:18 PM
    #8
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    I had a Tundra ('08) and several Tacomas before my FJ62. After living with the FJ62 I realized I like the SUV and wanted something like it but more modern with more power, got the 2016 4Runner. After I bought the 4 I also bought a 5'x10' truck bed (Big Tex utility trailer). I can haul more than any of my old trucks and have the benefits of the SUV. About the only thing you may miss from the Tundra is that sweet 5.7 power. Wish that motor came in the 4 cuz I can't afford a LandCruiser. But the 4 has mega power compared to the old FJ so I love the thing.
     
  9. Jun 12, 2019 at 4:03 AM
    #9
    RusPro17

    RusPro17 Back home again!!

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    I traded my 15 Tacoma in on my 17 Pro. No regrets. Don’t need the bed. More room in the 4runner for traveling and more comfortable. If I need to haul something I will rent a open trailer. It’s cheap.
     
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  10. Jun 12, 2019 at 5:31 AM
    #10
    Oey12

    Oey12 New Member

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    Before I got my commuter Corolla I had a 2012 Tacoma and traded that for my 2017 4Runner. The Taco rode extremely rough in they city and with two car seats there was just no room. The 4Runner is light years better IMHO for everyday drivability and driver/passenger comfort. I miss my Tacoma terribly because A) I am a diehard Tacoma fanboy. B) the bed...yes I have a utility trailer but you can’t hook up a trailer on the fly/no where as fluid as owing a pickup. C) The Taco tows the same weight much better. Around town the 4R tows fine but when I tow 2k for 3 to 5 hours you can see it just was designed for that. I have no regrets with 4Runner and I made the right choice at the time. It’s really a better truck than the Taco. With my small car I would much rather have a Tundra but I have no plans of getting rid of my 4R anytime soon...I really do enjoy driving it.
     
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  11. Jun 12, 2019 at 10:42 AM
    #11
    kje22kje

    kje22kje New Member

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    Left an F150 supercrew. Miss the room when driving other adults. The cab was huge and awesome. Otherwise very limited do I miss the bed. The 4R has plenty of room with the seats down and if needed the rear window open.
     
  12. Jun 12, 2019 at 10:51 AM
    #12
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

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    I missed having a truck juuuuuust enough that I bought a used 06 Taco to use for truck tasks. Obviously having a second vehicle ain't for everyone but I really like it. The 4R stays clean because I haul dogs and other dirty stuff in the truck now, and it's a 4cyl manual so I'm seeing fuel savings and having fun rowing the gears.

    If you can't justify keeping the Taco then the Runner will do truck stuff just fine... but it ain't a truck...
     
  13. Jun 12, 2019 at 10:51 AM
    #13
    jtav2002

    jtav2002 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the input so far. Think I’ll test drive one at some point to see what I think and how I fit. I’m 6’3 so need to make sure I can be comfortable. I can get plenty comfortable in my wife’s Highlander.
     
  14. Jun 12, 2019 at 11:51 AM
    #14
    Jagamov

    Jagamov New Member

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    Tundra to 4Runner....for exactly this reason. Never hauled anything in my truck that wouldn't fit in the 4R...No regrets at all. Much easier to drive/park. Arguably more comfortable and quiet, and a better ride.
     
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  15. Jun 14, 2019 at 3:18 PM
    #15
    my runner

    my runner New Member

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    I traded a 2012 Tundra in for the 2018 4Runner, And it took a while to get used to the loss of a tuck bed. But I have had to get creative when doing the Lowes runs. But I still wish they would offer it with the 5.7 I really loved the power of it. and the strange thing, even now a year later, as our 4Runner is broken in, we still only get 14-18 mpg. I was able to get 18 mpg on hwy with my Tundra. And we did tow a travel trailer before but we don't tow it any longer. But I was averaging 12mpg towing a trailer. All in all we do Love our Runner.
     
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  16. Jun 17, 2019 at 7:08 AM
    #16
    T280AI

    T280AI New Member

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    Only regret is I should have got the 4R sooner. A lack of bed is only an occasional annoyance (hunting season), but with the sliding tray in the back, the back area folds completely flat with the back seats down which is nice. A great benefit is having stuff in the back and not having to lock down or worry about it getting taken from the bed of the truck.
     
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  17. Jun 19, 2019 at 10:39 AM
    #17
    zw470

    zw470 New Member

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    It would be nice if my 4Runner were as fast as my Ecoboost F150 was, but other than that I'm 100% satisfied with the change.

    Went from this.....
    [​IMG]

    To this.....
    [​IMG]
     
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  18. Jun 19, 2019 at 10:48 AM
    #18
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz New Member

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    2017 Tacoma Off Road to a 2019 4 Runner Off Road no regrets and left all my troubles behind
     
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  19. Jun 19, 2019 at 10:13 PM
    #19
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    Same here.
     
  20. Jun 19, 2019 at 10:17 PM
    #20
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    To what do you attribute the better hiway towing with the Tacoma? I would have assumed the 4runner to be very comparable. I towed often with my several 2nd gen Tacoma's. But not much yet with my 2018 runner.
     
  21. Jun 20, 2019 at 6:00 AM
    #21
    karmatp

    karmatp New Member

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    I went from a Taco to my T4R and could not be happier. I picked up a nice 5x8 trailer on CL for $800 and I am all set.
     
  22. Jun 20, 2019 at 7:27 AM
    #22
    Oey12

    Oey12 New Member

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    I find that the 4Runner shifts more often with the same load and routes. I generally do only about 60 mph while towing so my Taco rarely hunted for gears. The 4R gear hunts a lot more. The Taco also had slightly stiffer suspension allowing less sag...however that is a moot point because I installed airbags in my 4R. I just prefer the Taco gearing for towing. But with that said the 4R does a great job of towing when you drive sensible. I wouldn’t go back to my Taco even with all that said...
     
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  23. Jun 21, 2019 at 7:25 PM
    #23
    wmdtech

    wmdtech Send MOD Money!!

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  24. Jun 26, 2019 at 9:17 AM
    #24
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    Was on the fence when shopping between a four door pickup or 4Runner. Well got the 4R and still second guessing not getting the truck. Didn't want the "little" Tacoma it would of been a full(er) size pickup. Take lots of trips to the family camp and often wish I had the bed to throw crap in I do not want inside the 4R. Been there done that with trailers over the years I'm done towing trailers. I do put a Wave Runner in the water but it stays up north I only tow it maybe a mile a weekend.
     
  25. Jun 27, 2019 at 7:07 AM
    #25
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

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    What is the reason you're switching? I enjoyed my trucks, but needed the extra seatbelts, and I've been satisfied with my switch. I owned an '01 Taco (2wd Xtracab) and an '08 Ridgeline (AWD) and rarely towed either of these (although I used the hell out of the beds). I've actually towed more with my '16 4R (pulling stuff on a trailer, that figures) than before, but I also don't own a boat. I've enjoyed it thoroughly and when I'm out of it... after 7 more years or so, unless one of my kids gets the keys, I will give a 2nd thought to going back into a truck. I've always wanted to get back into a Taco (the Tundra is too large for me), but I could stay in a 4R... but I've also heard the call of the LC, so I might head that direction some day as well...

    So, what did you ask? Yeah, I like it.

    *It also helps, that the 4R is the best built/designed vehicle I've ever driven. It's a machine.
     
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  26. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:47 AM
    #26
    BravesRunner

    BravesRunner IG: bravesrunner

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    No regrets. Came from a '14 prerunner tacoma to my '14 trail 4x4. More space, equal power, better ride, completely dry storage, nicer interior, and on and on. Told myself I should've gotten one before the tacoma. Lifts, armor and such are a little more right now but it's slowly getting better.
     
  27. Aug 13, 2019 at 1:46 PM
    #27
    93civEJ1

    93civEJ1 New Member

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    i came from 14 Tundra platinum crewmax as my last. I do miss it at times, just because it was a super nice big vehicle. I mainly used the back cab of the truck, and that was to haul music gear. I still do the same in my 4 runner. I just now have a cheaper payment, and cheaper insurance, and I am sure gas is a little cheaper as well. Any time i need a bed (hardly ever), ill just grab a trailer or something I guess.
     
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  28. Aug 16, 2019 at 5:12 PM
    #28
    ChellBelle

    ChellBelle New Member

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    I traded a 2000 Tundra for my 2000 4runner in 2005. No regrets! It fits my needs better. Great gas mileage I went from a 6 to 4 cyl.
     
  29. Aug 17, 2019 at 10:57 AM
    #29
    jdevtac

    jdevtac New Member

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    Anyone have two 4Runners lol? Lately I’ve been torn on selling my Taco and getting another 4th gen or a 5th gen but I already have a 2004 V8 (really is supposed to be my wife’s dd).
     
  30. Aug 24, 2019 at 8:10 PM
    #30
    oldtimer

    oldtimer New Member

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    Regret not having a pickup when you go hunting? This will solve that problem. How to dress out an elk in less than 15 minutes:
    If need be, put a tarp down in the back of your 4Runner.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4kJIrW1IDM

    I use a Havalon knife with replaceable surgical steel blades. Be careful as they will cut you to the bone
    without you knowing it....

    https://havalon.com
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2019

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