1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

4runner and Tacoma Differences

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by Bhux14, Nov 7, 2022.

  1. Nov 7, 2022 at 5:47 PM
    #1
    Bhux14

    Bhux14 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2021
    Member:
    #23958
    Messages:
    52
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Blake
    Hays, Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2021 Army Green Trail Edition
    Stock for now
    This weekend we traded pickups for a 2022 Tacoma Trail Edition my wife has a 2021 Trail Edition 4runner and there are some interesting differences.

    1) the T4R has has push button start while the Tacoma has just regular key start

    2) the T4R has far better headlights. They are quite a bit brighter and seem to have more throw

    3) the Tacoma has blindspot monitoring while the T4R does not

    4) the Tacoma has a rear locking diff while the T4R does not

    It's interesting to see the differences considering they are both the "trail special edition" and based on the SR5
     
  2. Nov 16, 2022 at 2:19 PM
    #2
    5thToy

    5thToy New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2022
    Member:
    #29611
    Messages:
    370
    Gender:
    Male
    Northern Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5P
    The 2021 4Runner "Trail Edition" is a marketing misnomer. it is not the equivalent of a 10-13 Trail edition or the subsequent TRD OR. It is essentially an SR5 with a few trim items tagged with a "trail" designation. Had there not been a previous trail with all the off-road features, it wouldn't be misleading.
     
    Trail Runnah likes this.
  3. Nov 16, 2022 at 2:27 PM
    #3
    Pentangler

    Pentangler Happy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2022
    Member:
    #27922
    Messages:
    1,290
    Vehicle:
    2023 ORP
    2022 4Runner Trail Special Ed. also has ATRAC. I don't think the Trail Tacos do. Maybe op can confirm?
     
  4. Nov 16, 2022 at 3:36 PM
    #4
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    I'm pretty sure all 4x4 Toyotas have ATRAC standard. The Taco Trail edition does not have the crawl control or MTS though. If I had to choose between those two items and the locker, I would take the locker everyday.
     
    Stoney Ranger and Thatbassguy like this.
  5. Nov 16, 2022 at 3:42 PM
    #5
    Bhux14

    Bhux14 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2021
    Member:
    #23958
    Messages:
    52
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Blake
    Hays, Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2021 Army Green Trail Edition
    Stock for now
    Both of them are just dressed up SR5s. I will check to see if it has the atrac or not when I get home. I wish our 4runner came with the locker like the Taco
     
    Stoney Ranger and Pentangler like this.
  6. Nov 16, 2022 at 3:51 PM
    #6
    Bhux14

    Bhux14 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2021
    Member:
    #23958
    Messages:
    52
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Blake
    Hays, Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2021 Army Green Trail Edition
    Stock for now
    Adding the locker makes it more of a "trail" vehicle and Toyota missed the mark a little bit by adding it to the Tacoma and not the 4runner under the "Trail Edition" banner
     
    4runGirl88 and Trail Runnah like this.
  7. Nov 16, 2022 at 5:07 PM
    #7
    ChessGuy

    ChessGuy New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2021
    Member:
    #23918
    Messages:
    549
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    LR
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Pro / 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro
    Too many..... Performance: • Magnusum Supercharger • Gibson exhaust with dual black tip • Pedal Commander * PowerBrakes • Suspension – Old Man Emu BP-51 front and back with Medium load coils • Tires: AT3 Faulken Wildpeak – 285/70/17 • Wheels: Relations Race Wheels, RR7-H with -12 offset • Full roof rack and ladder by Westcott Design (removed the stock Yakima basket) • Molle storage panels by Rago fabrication • Front light brackets by Rago • Illuminator light bracket by Rago (roof rack location) Lights • Morimoto front and back with sequential signals • Morimoto fog lights and side mirrors with sequential signals • 40” Baja design light bar for roof rack • 20” S8 Baja design driving combo (winch location) • Squadron sport baja design ditch lights • S2 Chase lights by baja designs (mounted on roof) In the bay: • Odyssey 34-PC Battery • SDQH Aluminum billet battery terminals and bracket • Switch Pro 9100 with aluminum tray • Anytime front and back camera • ARB twin compressor Recovery & Protection: • Smittybilt X20 synthetic rope winch • Factor 55 fairlead and flatlink • Southern Style Off-road (SSO) low profile bumper • SSO stage 2 high clearance wings • Weekend warrior recovery kit by treaty oak • RCI – skid plates – entire vehicle + catalytic converter protection wings Interior: • Nano Ceramic IR – Avery Dennison Window tint – all windows • Several phone mounts • Upgraded Rear Hatch lift gate struts (ladder is heavy) • Boom blaster horn switch (featuring La cucaracha)
    My boss (wife) drives the taco and I do the 4R and while there are so many similarities, the 4R IMO seems to have the best of both worlds. My only complaint is that the taco has better mpg, then again I have added so much crap to the 4R that no wonder it doesn't do well in that dept.

    20211124_163214.jpg
     
    kolter45 and 4runGirl88 like this.
  8. Nov 16, 2022 at 7:35 PM
    #8
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,612
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    A big difference between all tacomas and all 4runners is the frame. 4runners have fully boxed frames, while tacomas have C frames rear of the cab. Ok, there is also the rear coils on the 4runner vs. leafs on the taco. Oh, and tacos have beds :D
     
  9. Nov 16, 2022 at 7:57 PM
    #9
    Pentangler

    Pentangler Happy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2022
    Member:
    #27922
    Messages:
    1,290
    Vehicle:
    2023 ORP
    From reading previous posts here and on another forum, I gathered that MTS is a type of "select your volume" of ATRAC...or the amount of braking to the spinning front wheel. Agree that a rear locker could come in handy too.
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2022
  10. Nov 16, 2022 at 9:27 PM
    #10
    TX4runner21

    TX4runner21 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2021
    Member:
    #24388
    Messages:
    173
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    B-Rod
    Dallas, Texas
    Vehicle:
    '07 V8 4x4 T4R
    Fox Suspension, LFD Rack, Magnaflow Muffler
    Pretty sure on the taco side you have to at least have the OR package for the rear locker
     
    Spare Parts likes this.
  11. Nov 16, 2022 at 9:53 PM
    #11
    Pentangler

    Pentangler Happy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2022
    Member:
    #27922
    Messages:
    1,290
    Vehicle:
    2023 ORP
    2022 and 2023 Trail Tacos have a rear locker. I'm curious if they also have ATRAC.
     
    kolter45 and Trail Runnah like this.
  12. Nov 17, 2022 at 4:24 AM
    #12
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    I may have been wrong about them having ATRAC, I looked at the standard feature and did not see it listed. I could have sworn ATRAC was standard on all 4x4s.

    Another notable feature is the small lift. IMO the Trail is probably the sweet spot on the Taco. It also has the best looking wheels.

    From the Toyota site, I cropped it at the most interesting features, it also comes standard with the 8" infotainment screen, not sure if that's a unique feature.

    Screenshot_20221117-072003~2.jpg
     
  13. Nov 17, 2022 at 7:59 AM
    #13
    Bhux14

    Bhux14 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2021
    Member:
    #23958
    Messages:
    52
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Blake
    Hays, Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2021 Army Green Trail Edition
    Stock for now
    I checked this morning, my tacoma does nit have atrac or the dac that our 4runner has.
     
  14. Nov 28, 2022 at 4:56 AM
    #14
    jharkin

    jharkin New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2022
    Member:
    #29803
    Messages:
    170
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeremy
    Boston suburbs
    Vehicle:
    2023 Black Pro
    I'm new here, but I just traded my 9 year old Tacoma TRD-OR for a 23 Runner. After years driving and working on I can give you a lot of detail:

    • (mentioned above) Tacoma is leaf spring rear. Only the front suspension is similar
    • (mentioned above) Tacoma frame is only boxed forward of the A-pillar, rear is C-channel
    • Most Tacomas have 16inch / 75 profile wheels vs 17 / 70 on 4Runner.
    • Tacoma runs 600-700lb lighter (depending on trim) and the weight bias is lot more forward. Add to the first 3 points and (especially with an empty bed) the rear end feels looser and bouncier on road
    • Tacoma has optional 6sp manual in some trims and you can get a smaller 4 cylinder in the lowest trims
    • Gen3 Tacoma has a different 6sp automatic. Gen2 has the same 5sp transmission as 4R (but the shifter is different, no sport shift mode)
    • No Tacomas have a manual transfer case selector. they are all dials.
    • We all know the current Taco has the 3.5v6 rather than the 1GR 4.0... but even the 2nd gen Tacoma 1GR is slightly different than 4Runner 1GR- it was tuned for 40hp less and used different oil (5w30), a top mounted spin on filter (much easier) and had basic copper spark plugs that need changing every 30k.
    • (mentioned above) Not all Tacomas have A-TRAC. On the gen2s only the TRD-OR had it. Looking at the gen 3s I think only TRD-OR and TRD-Pro have it now. Only gen 3s have Crawl and MTS and only on the trims with A-TRAC.
      • I remember test driving them all, it wasn't just an electronic difference, the lower trims had a basic vaccum brake booster vs. the pumped hydraulic booster that's needed for full A-TRAC. SR5/Sport/Limited Tacomas had a weaker version of TRAC in 4Hi, but in 4Lo had no traction aids at all....
    • Only Trail,TRD-OR and TRD-Pro Tacoma have the locker
    • Sadly the backup camera resolution on the Tacoma is better than 4R... even on the old gen2 with the tiny screen.
    • There are other interior differences, especially in the gen2 Tacos where the limited trim was the only way to get a moonroof, softex or heated seats.

    I cant compare the lights or other safety features to a gen3 Taco as I haven't driven one. My gen2 had none of the TSS stuff and all halogen lighting so the '23 4R is a step up in every way for me.




    2022-11-26 10.30.59.jpg 2022-11-27 10.19.31.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2022
    Ricphoto, 2Toys, KilluFirst and 4 others like this.
  15. Nov 28, 2022 at 10:34 AM
    #15
    kolter45

    kolter45 Inferno Pro & 4.0 Tacoma

    Joined:
    May 7, 2022
    Member:
    #26975
    Messages:
    511
    Gender:
    Male
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    Inferno Pro & BRM Sport
    my tacoma does not have ATRAC. it has LSD - its a 2013 Sport 4x4. not sure about the turd gen

     
    Stoney Ranger likes this.
  16. Nov 29, 2022 at 7:43 PM
    #16
    jharkin

    jharkin New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2022
    Member:
    #29803
    Messages:
    170
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeremy
    Boston suburbs
    Vehicle:
    2023 Black Pro
    Is yours a real viscous LSD or just the electronic “auto LSD” mode?

    btw, I remembered another difference… 4Runners have 4 wheel disc brakes. Tacomas still have drum rears.
     
  17. Nov 30, 2022 at 11:12 PM
    #17
    Pentangler

    Pentangler Happy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2022
    Member:
    #27922
    Messages:
    1,290
    Vehicle:
    2023 ORP
    Thanks.
     
  18. Nov 30, 2022 at 11:51 PM
    #18
    HotelMedicis

    HotelMedicis No Commercial Interests

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2022
    Member:
    #29434
    Messages:
    396
    They're totally different vehicles.

    The 4Runner is a J150 series Land Cruiser that is badged and marketed as a "4Runner" for North America. It's a Land Cruiser built in the well-known Tahara plant in Japan. Its build quality is second to none. The current 1GR-FE engine is arguably the most reliable and dependable engine to be found in a commercially produced car, truck or SUV which is why it has been the standard engine for the Toyota Land Cruiser J100, J200 and now the J300 series in the Middle East. The Americans got the big V8s in their full-size Land Cruisers (loved the 2UZ-FE!!) but not in the Middle East, they got the wonderful 1GR-FE and they still do today. It's also the standard engine on the J150 series Land Cruisers in the Middle East (the Prado) and the J150 Land Cruisers in North America (the 4Runner). And the J150 series 5-speed A750 transmission is bulletproof.

    The build quality on these J150 Land Cruisers is world class and they're built to withstand the world's harshest environments and it's really not fair to compare them to the Tacoma which is made in Mexico for the North American market and for all intents and purposes shares nothing with the J150 series Land Cruisers. They're just not in the same class.
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2022
    ehagerty, Joe68RS, JerryC and 4 others like this.

Products Discussed in

To Top