I came from an 07 Taco.

4Runner is a much nicer vehicle, much better ride and handling.

You aren't going to lift the Taco any more than the 4runner without also giving up sway bars, and even with a mild lift, you are going to run into driveline vibes on the Taco.

The 6speed sucks, it is geared too low and has throw out bearing problems.

Having towed 5K+ with 4Runner and Taco, the Taco is only very slightly better.

Buy an 8-10 year old, 2WD, regular cab, long bed, 3/4+ ton pickup with a gas engine and deep gears. Will easily haul an ATV, and will tow 100 times better than a 4runner or Taco. What the hell do you need an ATV for if you have a 4runner, anyway?

I needed a small truck to use on the weekends since my wife was always wanting to drive our new full size truck. We were fighting over it and I do a lot of dirt bike riding... I was set on a Tacoma as it is really the only small tuck on the market these days, but after looking at the price of used ones and the overall size and capabilities, I could not justify the cost. Even though the 4runner was a little more expensive, I felt it was a much better overall value. I got a hitch carrier for it and it works great.

The bed of the Tacoma is really small and shallow, and the crew cab was a big let down after being used to a full size crew cab. Full size trucks are the way to go if you want to tow or haul a decent load.

lol you live up to the username! she has nothing to do with my purchase.. if anything it helps make the change i'm contemplating happen.


i'm thinking the Taco is gonna get redesigned for 2016 so i may just wait for that, and if i don't like it then i can get a good deal on a new 2015 when the '16 refresh comes out

that's the same thing we are waiting for, the next gen taco.

she wants to get out of the looks dept and get more creature comforts.

the new limited is exactly what she wants (heated seats, bigger center stack screen) but I want to wait for the next gen to see how it looks before pulling the trigger.

not a big issue for us since she barely breaks 5k a year in mileage on normal use so we should be able to get a great deal on trade in (last year we had to move the daughter to college so that added a lot and hence my points on towing 650 miles one way using the taco).

I don't own a 2nd Gen Taco yet, but they do make a Long Bed version. The composite bed is 73.5 inches. Buddy of mine has a 2012 DCLB and it works great for one motorcycle. He typically puts his toolbox, ramp and gear needed for a weekend of fun, shutting the tailgate. The Taco short bed is easier to park but you can't shut the tailgate with a moto/ATV.

yea but the longbed only comes in the sport model which has auto lsd (not even true lsd anymore) and no locker or Atrac .. so if i bought the sport i'd have to get atleast a rear locker but also i'd get a front.. and another thing.. the longer wheelbase would suck on tight trails

What's up with the drive-line vibrations when you lift the Taco? Is there a fix for it? and I wonder if Toyota has updated the issues with the throw out bearings? I've heard about the MT not being good in them..

I didn't read your whole thread but here's my insight on a Tacoma. I currently have a 2011 Taco Trd sport double cab with their version of the 4.0. The taco isn't bad. As far as towing, it could use some more gearing. Engine has plenty of power, but if you try to conserve fuel (stay below 2k rpms) it's very sluggish. My 03 Ranger Fx4 easily out towed my taco and had better get up and go when keeping the rpms in the lower range. Also I went up one tire size (265/65/17 to 265/70/17) along with a 2.5 inch lift and you could tell it lost more low end power. Also, make sure you get one with the 4 leaf pack. If not, nearly any weight in the bed makes it sag horribly. Lastly , when lifting, I get driveline vibes at 5 and 20 mph. Very annoying. They have a tsb but those over tacomaworld that have had it done says it does t fix anything. Most either get a o e piece d/s or a double cardan if they are bothered by it too much. Don't get me wrong , the Tacoma is still a decent truck. If I were getting another truck, I'd go full size instead. Better gas mileage, towing, space, and power. The 4runner seemed better to me during my test drive and I wanted more interior room so needless to say I'm about 2 days away from trading my truck in for a t4r trail premium.

Long, 2 piece driveshaft with center bearing. At the time I was looking into, a Tom Woods 1 piece drive shaft seemed to be the preferred fix.

I think I read a post on this board, recently, about them being pissed that their '13 Taco or FJC had the throw out bearing problem

I have owned 2 Tacomas and I'm on my 2nd 4Runner.....I love both. It depends what your needs are. The best of both worlds would be to own both. Currently, I am down to 1 4Runner after owning a 2008 Tacoma for 3 years. I loved my Tacoma and waiting until the 2015 models come out before I buy another one. If I don't like it, I'll buy one from 2010-2014 model just becuase of the body style. I like the 4Runner a little more than that Tacoma because of the space and needs for my wife and I. In any event, you cannot go wrong with the reliability! Good luck!

Something to note is that the Tacomas have a different suspension set-up than the 4Runner in the rear (the front is similar, but slightly different) and there are issues with the leaf springs as was stated. There is a TSB that somewhat addresses this issue, but the coverage is only 3yr/30k.

The 1GR-FE in the 2010+ 4Runner/FJC is the Dual VVTi variant, while the Tacoma continues to use the older Single VVTi 1GR-FE hold-over from the 120 Platform. I also believe the automatic transmissions may be slightly different as are the transfercases. Don't quote me on that too heavily, but I vaguely remember that being mentioned somewhere.

Bottom line, the 4Runner is a nice SUV and it is going to be cushier and more comfortable in many respects to the Tacoma. The Tacoma is a great pick-up truck if you don't want a full-sized vehicle like a Tundra, F150, 1500; but it drives and feels like a truck.

Its up to what you need the vehicle for, I wouldn't go for a Tacoma if you already have the 5th gen JUST for a trailer as the Tacoma really won't do too much more than the 4Runner.

You are exactly right. Very well explained.

That's a great setup... I'd like to do the same!

If you don't get the long bed forget hauling a 4-wheeler in the bed - won't fit. I trailer my 4wheeler in a 4x8 behind my Tacoma DCSB or the 4Runner. A 4x8 tucks in neatly behind the either and is quite agile. When I had a lease in Tennessee I made numerous drives from Texas to the Tenn Mts hauling the 4wheeler on tight roads no problems. A 4x8 trailer tucks away easy at the house, is the perfect size for a 4wheeler and an ice chest and best of all, tows really well behind the 4wheeler. We frequently used the trailer behind the 4wheeler to move stands, haul firewood, etc.

David

With a bed extender, an atv DOES fit in the shortbed and I'm not worried about tn mtn roads.. I'm worried about MY short street with 2 tight high grade turns with a 2-3ft drop off on both sides and no turn arounds (parking spots)if ppl are home at the 3 other houses on the street.. to put it in terms you might understand.. my friends f150 struggles getting up there without backing up at least once.. when it's wet, the tires skid going up the steep hill with the 4runner.