Tacoma to 4runner converts

I had an '09 Tacoma that was on it's third transmission by 17,000 miles and a '12 Tacoma that had rear end issues and horrible frame rust after two years. I just sold a '16 Frontier that was flawless for 40,000 miles to get my CPO '18 SR5P. 5' and 6+' beds are pretty useless when hauling large stuff, and the 4Runner sure is comfy on the highway and tows a bunch without any problems.

 

2FJ's 2008,2012 Then 2015 Tacoma A/C TRD Sport. Tacoma least favorite Toyota, FJ's were favorite BUT this 4Runner has/is really growing on me!!

 

Had a '15 Tacoma that unfortunately got totaled. If I still had it I would still be driving it - biggest thing I miss is driving manual but I HATED the 3rd gen (2020) that I test drove in both AT and MT so instead I got a 2020 4Runner TRD Offroad and I love it so far. Only buyer's remorse I have is that I didn't get the premium instead that has leather, heated seats, sun/moon roof and the side-mirror directional

 

I came from a 1999 Tacoma to a 2020 4runner. Needless to say the contrast is stark. I miss having the bed to throw stuff in but there was nowhere to put the baby in the Tacoma so there it is.

 

I’ve had leather on most of the last few cars I bought, so I’d actually be looking for a “Non Premium TRD Off Road.” Not nearly as readily available as the TRDORP. Glad you are otherwise happy.

 

It’s the wheel base that’s the towing advantage with a Tacoma, if you plan on towing near the upper limits of its design capability.

 

I pulled a two horse aluminum horse trailer with my Taco. Piece of cake. With one horse, gear, water, a bale of hay I estimated it came in at ~ 4500 lbs. No problems whatsoever. A perfect setup and safe.
I wouldn’t do that with a 4 Runner. Although, as far as vehicular performance goes, the 4 Runner is a much higher quality and luxurious vehicle than a Tacoma.

 

Yeah, over on the Tacomaworld forum, the criticisms of the 3 rd Gen Tacos anemic 3.5 engine and the transmission constantly hunting for the proper gear were almost unanimous. I was happy I had one of the last 2nd Gens with a 4 litre engine, the same one that I have in my 4 Runner now. The 4 litres are not power monsters like a big Cummins diesel for towing, but they’re tough and can get the job done if you’re careful.

 

It’ll be interesting to see what power plant they put in the 2022 Runner. Probably the 3.5 with 300 HP if I was a betting man.

 

Nothing too radical, that’s for sure! Toyota’s discovered they can sell new editions based on paint colour, haha.

 

My 4 runner has a bed. .......I just fold down the rear seats and go to sleep!

 

2002 4Runner -> 2004 Tacoma -> 2014 Tacoma -> 2020 4Runner

I definitely prefer the 4Runner over the Tacoma. If I had the money, I'd have both because I do miss having the bed.

 

Love them both, our gen 5 T4R & gen 3 Taco. On the same roads with each several times a week, mostly steep up & downhill, usable power feels about the same. I’m always playing the gears, working the sweet spot. I consider this the role of a driver; not to passively stress out on what the slushbox wants to do on it’s own.
What I noticed immediately on day one with the gen 3 Taco, when I stepped into it and out of my sweet 2012 gen 2 which I gave to my daughter as a wedding present, is the 3.5 bearing sound. Higher pitched and somewhat grindy. It’s decreased over the miles, but the 4.0 is a much nicer sounding mill.

 

The combination of tall gearing, and a peaky engine on the 3rd gen Taco is the heart of the issue with it. No low end, and tuning that makes the trans constantly shoot for that next gear. Give it the beans, let it rev, and it moves, especially when the variable valves kick in around 4k. No doubt the engine has power, just not where you want it for a truck. Couple that with tall gears, and it just doesnt mix well

 

I have both a 16 Tacoma Offroad & 20 4R Offroad Premium. TBH, I prefer the 4R myself. However, if you are going to mod heavily, I'd go Tacoma w/5.29 gears which will make it a beast.

 

2.5” lift on 285s with bumpers .... Taco with 5.29s would be your choice?

 

Yes sir!

 

hahaha. Me and my friends did the same thing for a fishing trip. The sienna is stupid fast for what it is.

 

Thanks for this info. I actually tested a 6sps manual Taco TRD Sport today. Got to drive by myself (because Covid)and chirped that bad boy into second gear! Definitely felt like it had enough power especially above 4K RPMs. I’d do a Nitro gear swap with a 3rd gen Taco (4.88s for manual ir 5.29s in the auto).
It seems as though both of the most complained about shortcomings of the Taco can be solved if you are so inclined:

constant gear hunting fix = get a manual

doesn't feel like it has enough power fix = 4:88 gears for manual or 5.29s for auto

 

UHaul has daily rentals for under $20 for an open utility trailer ( maybe 6x10?)

You could make 50 trips with the rental before you're losing money and would be better buying your own... plus no reg, no insurance, no storage, no maintenance, no assholes asking to borrow it...

 

ummm this ⬆️

 

Had. 1993 Toyota pick up, year before it became Tacoma, 2002 4Runner( not my favorite) , 2013 Tacoma( loved it should have have kept it forever) , 2018 TRD Sport ( had for 1 year and could not handle how bad the engine shifted and ride)... now. 2019 4Runner TRD Off Road... love it!!!! Would never look back and wouldn’t go back to a Tacoma unless a new generation came out.

 

Do you think if the Tacoma drove “normal” from the beginning you’d be in a 4Runner now?

 

I’d been driving Tacoma’s since 1997. A couple of first gens, several 2nd gens. And then my first 3rd gen was a 2018 and it was a major disappointment. It absolutely sucked driving it on road trips on the interstate. Great on trails and in town but it SUCKED cross country.

It’s all about throttle mapping. The engine has power. But the “computer” doesn’t let you use it on a regular basis. I was soooo pissed after buying that truck. Hated it. I was getting like 12-14mpg on road trips at 75-80mph because it couldn’t hold 5th/6th fear.

My overall mpg was better in my 2nd gens than my 3rd gen.

 

I do not believe so, but it really worked out for the best. My only experience prior was the 2002 4Runner which does not do justice to how awesome the 5th gen. is. The reality that the 2018 road so poorly and there was not anyone who could fix it, just agree that I should have kept my 2013, and say, “This is how this new engine rides and shifts up and down.” Favorite quote.. “10% of people report they don’t like the truck so with 90% not complaining, why would they change the shift patterns.” Lol. In the end gas mileage became a non-issue and I just wanted to enjoy my car again. Lucked out, got rid of the 2018 and found this 2019 TRD off road. With confidence I can say I would never buy a Tacoma again. It can be deflating when you are making payments on an awesome looking truck (it was decked out) and the dealer/Toyota is telling you this is what you own. With that said, I have heard that the TRD 4x4 vs TRD sport (what I had) does not have the same issues. Just can’t risk it again spending hours looking up all of the ways to trick the engine to shift as it was intended.

 

I can tell you I had this done. The truck relearns it’s old patterns and starts to drive poorly again.

 

That is awesome news. Hopefully they have fixed the issue.

 

The transmission / gearing complaints seem so common everyone Tacoma shopping should just go into buying a Tacoma + Nitro gears as mandatory. If you plan on enjoying your vehicle at all, regear it. Like, stop by a 4x4 shop on your way home from the dealership lol. The only other common problem I’ve heard of outside that is the vibration problem. But I’ve heard of T4Rs with the vibration issues as well. I can take that gamble.

 

I realize this conversation took place a month ago, but I recently switched from the 2017 Tacoma TRD Off road, and can see both sides of the cargo issue, and if I have to haul something that wont fit in the back, eg; utv, four wheeler etc, I just put it on the trl. Trl is a smallish 6x12 and, and while I really liked my Taco, the gear searching thing did kind of suck, I tried turning on the ECT on the tranny, but realize gearing is probably the real issue. Have not towed with the 4runner yet so we'll see how that goes. I came from a long line of silverados when I switched to the Taco, the dealer I went to for almost 40 yrs. tried screwing me on a trade-in, all I can say is "improvise, adapt, overcome". Where there is a will, there is a way.

 

I have one of each. The 4runner is better on gas mileage, more cabin room, and keeps your stuff warm in the winter. The TACO has way more features and just awesome to be able to load junk, trees, gear in the back and go! Both are awesome to own....