Previous Tacoma owners, what pushed you to a T4R?

I'm in between the 4Runner and tacoma. Both will suit my needs. No real need for a bed, aside from loading gear into the bed (skis, mountain bikes) but other than that would probably put topper shell on a Tacoma.

Truck v. SUV debate aside...

For prior Tacoma owners, what pushed you to move to a T4R? How did that experience unfold and what helped you identify you wanted to make a switch?

I read between quality, comfort and powertrain were all reason Tacoma owners made a switch to a T4R. Any feedback? I'm inbetween these two options for my next vehicle (T4R ORP and Taco ORP).

I had 4 cylinder 07 regular cab. I wanted more towing capacity and 4wd. I have a small garage. None of the new Tacomas would fit. Plus the 4Rs are all made in Japan. I got a 2019 ORP a month ago.

Made in Japan, better quality, stuff fits together better, no gaps, no frame rot, looks way better, package options are better, beds are for hill billies

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In June 2002, I bought a new Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4 Xtra Cab. V6, 5-speed. In those days I lived in the Eastern Sierra Nevada in east central California and the Sierra, Death Valley and western Nevada was my back yard. I did a lot of 4-wheeling, and camped in the bed a lot.



Fast forward to July, 2019. I’ve been in north central Nevada for nearly a dozen years. I’m growing older and slower. My clutch knee is shot and painful to shift gears. I can’t crawl around in the bed. It was perpetually empty. When I hauled, I used my utility trailer. Our two small dogs fought for my wife’s lap space, neither would go in the floor or behind the seat, so we didn’t go exploring as much.

The Tacoma, however, was reliable as the sun coming up. Everything worked. Still burning the same headlight bulbs it came off the dealer lot with (only lights to burn out was one taillight and one license plate light). Still running the original clutch. The AC still works. The truck has been under water enough to flood the cab (picked wrong line to cross creek) and has been on its side. Only time it has been in the shop for repairs was the 90k service (timing belt, water pump); replacement of a steering rack boot (I tore it on the trail when I caught a pine limb in the trail); and spark plugs last year. It was on its fourth set of tires, third set of shocks, third battery. Still looked good inside and out, ran good.

For some time I had been considering something more comfortable. I don’t do heavy off road driving any longer, but still need a 4x4 for snow, hunting, exploring. A back seat is far more useful than an empty bed. I haul home a ton of heating pellets each winter. After researching I elected that a 4Runner would be a perfect replacement for my Tacoma.

After shopping around, I elected to buy a low mileage 2018 4Runner SR5 from a dealer. It has a few options, such as navigation, 3rd row (something I’d rather not have, but I have used it), and a few other minor items that don’t come to mind presently. Though I was offered a generous trade in for the Tacoma, I kept it in the family and gave it to my grandson.



I’m very happy with my purchase.

terrible transmission in 3rd gen taco turned me to 4runner. I was so set on another tacoma too!

I had a 2008 Tacoma TRD Prerunner and loved it. Reliable, amazing resale value and very practical. I decided to change to a 2015 4runner Ltd. because it's more comfortable and civilized but still capable if you need it to be. I think the 4runner feels more solid and composed, although the Tacoma was fantastic and I'd have no problem driving either of them for 100's of thousands of miles.

I do miss the ease of just throwing stuff in the bed of the Taco vs. having to "protect" the interior of the 4runner when I make Home Depot runs or other messy trips.

I don't think you can go wrong with either, it's more how you will personally be using a Taco vs. a 4runner and which is better for the majority of that use.

I didn't really switch to a 4runner, but I wanted a Tacoma quad cab for a long time. When it came possible for me to get a new one, I started looking at a 4runner too. I test drove both and the 4runner had better visibility and just road better to me. Brakes seemed better also. Plus, we got 2 kids (6 and 3), so the extra room in the back seats was a plus. I picked up a 2019 TRD Off Road 4runner...first one I test drove actually. I test drove a Tacoma, before and after driving the 4runner, to be sure it was what I wanted.

Couldn't let go of my 07 regular cab so now I have a 2018 T4RORP along with it.

I have both also.
2007 Double Cab Prerunner and a 2017 Off-Road Premium.
Needed more space for the dogs and stuff as I have gotten older.

gainman said:

Made in Japan, better quality, stuff fits together better, no gaps, no frame rot, looks way better, package options are better, beds are for hill billies

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Click to expand...

Exactly my thoughts

Coming from the import tuner scene (small and fast hatchbacks), and getting hit with a gross polluter ticket (at the California level, mind you), I finally decided to leave that life and went with the 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro. Without going into deep detail, I switched to a 2017 4Runner TRD Pro for these main reasons:
• I hardly used the bed to its full capacity. It only ever hauled bowling gear.
• Transmission was just awful. A windy drive to Palm Springs was extremely stressful with the constant gear-hunting and high revving due to little low end torque
• Rear leg room is at a premium for such a large vehicle

The 4Runner fixed all these issues and when it comes down to it, it’s basically a large hatchback which is what I’d driven for most of my adult life. Except it’s got way more space and can go off-road too.

17 Taco -> 17 T4R

Taco had a terrible transmission, and I was listening to my 2nd rear diff go bad.

Although when you're sitting in it and not moving or going anywhere the Taco was much nicer inside


PS 2 MTBs fit in the back of T4R nicely.

I had an '11 Taco DCLB Sport. (Should have got an Off Road but the longer bed got me) Good truck overall. However, the sitting position killed it for me. Too much like a car. I couldn't get comfortable on long trips. Visibility over the front hood isn't as good as the 4Runner either.
Besides that, interior finishes were a bit generic and infotainment screen was small. Back seat was too small for most adults and the upright seating position back there was also uncomfortable.
Long wheel base also didn't work quite as well for building a off road/over landing rig. In hindsight probably not much of an issue.
Japanese build quality is a plus too.
I replaced the need for a bed with a trailer as I don't need it that frequently.
Big plus for Taco, many more aftermarket parts available. Not as much of an issue now however, in '13 it was.

My 02 2.7 Prerunner has 320xxx miles on the clock. The 4R is meant to replace it but the Taco still runs well hah.

I hardly ever used the bed, in fact, many other people in my circle asked to borrow my truck for misc moving of large items more then I used it myself.

I wanted a 4x4 so I can off road and space to put stuff 'securely' without having to worry about theft all the time.

I still have both 03 DCSB prerunner and a 2012 4x4 T4R
let see, gen 1 was hecka small compared to todays light weight truck/suv and the new 5th gen released was priced at 34,600 drive out was too damn good of a deal not to have a SUV.
I also feel the price of a 3rd gen Tacoma is inflated.
My gen1 tacoma is from Japan and I knew i had to get another Japan manufactured quality ride.

After years of trucks, I switched to a 4runner because I switched from doing work with my truck to carrying outdoor sports gear and my dog. Unless you actually need the bed, a 4runner is better in every regard, imo. Carry dogs and friends comfortably, put the rear seats down and sleep in it, put your expensive MTB and skis IN the car instead of on the back or top where they can get stolen, etc. Heavier rear end better in snow, etc. Honestly, I think most people would be better served by a 4runner but think they need a truck or just want the truck look.

After years of driving manuals, including my 3rd gen T4R, I personally really love the auto. Plus with the crawl control, etc, the benefits of the manual offroading are negated.

my 3rd gen taco was totaled after having it for 3 months

17" taco.

t4r:

Comes with a camper shell built in. 4.0 engine. Superior gearbox. Japanese build quality. Better seating position then every full size truck/suv in it's class. (I'm tall so it matters). Better seats. That's about it TBH. I originally planned on getting a 4x4 stick taco. But, that would have sucked for my tall ass tbh. I'm happy.

Not a previous Tacoma owner but cross-shopped both. I initially went in wanting a Tacoma and was dead set on a 2020 OR premium in cement but ended up with a 4runner after a quick test drive for the following reasons:
1) While i'd like a bed, I have minimal use for one outside of that 1 time a year I end up buying something large (like helping my dad buy a fully assembled snow blower yesterday). It was too tall to fit into my 4runner so we ended up renting a van from home depot. Cost us 20bux so not a major inconvenience. For most everything else, the 4runner has ample cargo space with rear seats folded down.
2) The backseats on the Tacoma are tiny! My wife is almost 6' and I'm about 6'1. She usually sits behind me so she can be next to our toddler in her carseat. We wouldn't be comfortable in a Tacoma but we are in a 4runner. An adult can also still sit in the front passenger seat even with the carseat behind them. Not in the Taco.
3)In addition to back seat space, the 4runner is just more comfortable and rides better imo and the seating position is better for extended trips.
4)I was looking at an ORP on both the 4runner and Taco. While the 4runner ORP truly looks and feels like a vehicle worth over 40g's, the Tacoma didn't imo. I spent a little under 41k on my 2020 with options after discounts but I couldn't justify spending that on a Taco. Maybe 36k but not 41k. Just didn't feel premium enough.
5) I absolutely love the power rear window and open it any chance I get. The small one in the taco doesn't compare.

I do wish we had better paint option and the availability of of LED lighting like the Taco however. Those were major pluses for the taco.