2004 Toyota 4 runner vs. 2007 Tacoma interior differences

[argar865]

So here is the deal. I am new to the site but have been a toyota owner and fan for years. I have owned both a 2003 Toyota Tacoma v6 4x4 SR5 sport extra cab auto, and a 2007 Toyota Tacoma V6 4x4 SR5 6-sp manual and loved them both. We sold the 07 about 3 1/2 years ago and miss it but we ended up moving to south america where we are currently serving as missionaries. We "drove/rode" a motorcycle for the first 2 years then bought a 96 Mitsubishi Montero when we moved into the jungle.

Anyways we are moving back to the US in September and need to buy a car the same day that we get back. We have narrowed our search down to a 2003 or 2004 (prefer the 04 purely on looks due to the fender flares.) We need the V8 to tow a trailer and 4x4 as it looks like we are going to end up in Colorado in a section that does see a fair amount of snow. Plus it just looks cooler... :cheers: We have found several possibilities and are flying into LAX on the 3rd of September, hoping to have something set up to pick up that day and drive back to WA where we still have some personal items, and family. Since I need the vehicle to be bought and purchased due to time constraints I will not be able to test drive the series before I buy. I have driven the 2002 and older 3rd generation and loved them and loved both of my tacomas (only got rid of the 03 to get the more towing capacity for the 07.)

So here is my questions;

1.) Is the 2004 4runner interior size very similar to the 07 tacoma interior? The interior pictures seem to look very similar to my 2007

2.) I have seen complaints about the brakes on these 4runners when towing mid sized trailers (mine weighs around 4,500lbs.+ when loaded). Has anyone had any experience with this? I towed it fine with the tacoma v6 just wished I had a little more torque and power to tow up those hills thus the desire for the v8...

3.) Anyone have any good 03 or 04 4runners for sale in the California area they want to sell?

Thanks for your time.

:thanks:

 

[settytb]

The 05 v8 has like 30-40 more hp. They added vvti to the v8 as of 05. Might be worth looking into...

 

[gptoy96]

1) I have an 05 Access Cab Taco and a 04 4Runner. I can't speak about the back seat as the access cab is no comparison to the back of the 4Runner, but front seat wise I'd say they're very similar in size. I came from a 96 4Runner prior to the 04 so the size increase from that to these two was very noticeable, especially in interior width.

2) For towing, I just got my first travel trailer last year so I'm obviously no pro but I've only used the 4Runner to tow with (v8, 4x4) and it tows fine for me. I have a brake controller and minus some fine tuning with the settings on the controller I don't have any issues. I don't tow up any big hills or anything but the power is fine for me. My trailer is 3400lbs dry, 4200lbs loaded and I use a WDH.

3) I can't help you here. I wish I lived in California, if I did I still couldn't part with my 4Runner!

Good luck with the search.