4runners and tacomas

[tclong]

Hi, I have a question. How come the tacoma is rated higher than the 4runner when it comes to off roading, when they are both stock? See I have always understood that the shorter the wheelbase is the better the offroad capabilitie are. Just saying generely by rule of thumb. Now I have both tacoma and 4runner and both are 02s. You go and look underneath them and the only visible difference is one has coils in rear and the other has leafs, at least to me. One other thing I have always heard that coils are preffered over leafs, just heresay.

Just a simple question running in my head.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Who does this rating?

My guess would be partially due to the Tacoma's lower center of gravity and weight. Plus there's less on teh sides to lean over into a tree where a Runner might lose a back side window in the same situation.

Also you can still get a Tacoma with a manual tranny and rear locker (which ended in the Runners in '00) which botrh are a big deal to some off roaders. A locker does help off road and I'm glad mine is equipped with one.

 

[ssmathis]

You can get that configuration. I traded my 05 4Runner for an 07 Taco with 6speed manual and with the TRD off-raod package, you get the rear locker. You can also order the VSC/TRAC system to get ATRAC in 4WD.

Scott

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I think he comparing the last gen Tacos and the last gen 4Runners since he's looking at his own.

 

[tclong]

I might have said it wrong. It just seems every magazine or offroad show on tv says the shorter the wheelbase the better. And most of the time when toyota is in the magazine or on tv, You can bet it is a landcruiser or tacoma. And now that the fj is out now, they are usualy in there. Her though everybody agrees with me that the 4runner is awesome. In fact I went to my local dealership to check out the fj, in my 4runner. And the salesman said i should feel right at home in the fj, because it is from the 3rd gen 4runner frame setup. this should be its own thread.

 

[Thai]

In fact I went to my local dealership to check out the fj, in my 4runner. And the salesman said i should feel right at home in the fj, because it is from the 3rd gen 4runner frame setup. this should be its own thread.

See your thread for answer: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=250714#post250714

 

[Thai]

Hi, I have a question. How come the tacoma is rated higher than the 4runner when it comes to off roading, when they are both stock? See I have always understood that the shorter the wheelbase is the better the offroad capabilitie are. Just saying generely by rule of thumb. Now I have both tacoma and 4runner and both are 02s. You go and look underneath them and the only visible difference is one has coils in rear and the other has leafs, at least to me. One other thing I have always heard that coils are preffered over leafs, just heresay.

Just a simple question running in my head.

Although the Tacoma is plenty capable, there are several reasons why i think that the 4runner is better:

1. better weight distribution...empty bed makes for bad traction.
2. fully boxed frame...tacoma's frame is not boxed at the rear.
3. i always like coil springs more than leafs because coils flex better and is more comfy.
4. i think that the breakover angle is better in 4runner but i am not sure on this.

The only thing why the Tacoma has such reputation is because it has an aggressive stance and that you can get TRD Off-road package. The TRD package comes with a rear axle locker along with Bilstein shocks. Thus, it is Toyota's off-road vehicle (prior to FJ release). And for this reason, it is used more often by off-roaders than 4runner, which tends to be more family-oriented.

 

[Redram]

The Tacoma is rated higher for offroad use because the body/frame can twist giving you better traction. You would be suprised on how much the frame can flex because the cab and box are not one unit. The 4runner is more top heavy also.

 

[Thai]

The Tacoma is rated higher for offroad use because the body/frame can twist giving you better traction. You would be suprised on how much the frame can flex because the cab and box are not one unit. The 4runner is more top heavy also.

Hmm, that is no longer a desirable trait to have...what you said applies to the ultra-super hardcore rockcrawling that you see with specialized vehicles, where you need the whole body to wrap itself around a boulder. For 99.999999% of off-roading that a sane person would do, a stiff frame is the key. You want the suspension to flex, NOT the frame.

 

[Uneek]

Re: Re: 4runners and tacomas

Although the Tacoma is plenty capable, there are several reasons why i think that the 4runner is better:

1. better weight distribution...empty bed makes for bad traction.
2. fully boxed frame...tacoma's frame is not boxed at the rear.
3. i always like coil springs more than leafs because coils flex better and is more comfy.
4. i think that the breakover angle is better in 4runner but i am not sure on this.

The only thing why the Tacoma has such reputation is because it has an aggressive stance and that you can get TRD Off-road package. The TRD package comes with a rear axle locker along with Bilstein shocks. Thus, it is Toyota's off-road vehicle (prior to FJ release). And for this reason, it is used more often by off-roaders than 4runner, which tends to be more family-oriented.

:iagree: owning both a '05 Tacoma Prerunner with TRD Off-Road package and a 4Runner. The Tacoma's frame is a nothing compared to the fully box frame of the 4Runner. But for what it is, I still like my Taco. But make no mistake about it, there's a reason why Demello offers boxing plates for the previous gen Taco and in due time probably the 2nd gen Taco. But those Total Chaos long travel Tacomas are straight badass. The 4Runner has gotten plush over each generation.

To the Tacoma's credit ground clearance and approach angle appears to be a bit better. At least to my calibrated eyeball.