Anybody go from a full size truck to a 4Runner?

[blakjack23]

I also went from an '04 F150 to an '06 4Runner Sport. Did miss the size and power a little, but overall an SUV is definitely better for me. The main reason I traded up to a 2011 was because I decided I wanted a Limited.

Like others, I have a 4x8 trailer for when I need to move bigger items.

 

[Cabinetman]

I appreciate all the insight. I do plan to drive a few 4Runners over the next couple of months to get a better feel for the vehicle.

I understand that everything is compromise. I'm a habitual trader always trying to find the perfect vehicle. These days I'm getting tired of trading all the time and want to find something that meets my needs and will also be fun to play with from time to time. I looked at a Wrangler Unlimited, but I didn't feel like it was good enough on the road which is where I spend most of my time. The last Wrangler I had was an '05 Rubicon LJ that ended up with a welded in roll cage, 4.5" long arm lift and 4.88 gears just to name a few of the mods. It was a beast on the trails, but I hated it on the road so I rarely drove it. Luckily, I had an extra vehicle at the time. Now I don't plan to have an extra vehicle so I want something that is a more of a good road vehicle that will also be fun on mild to moderate trails.

I talked with a Toyota salesman that I have bought from in the past and he offered to order me a '17 TRD Pro in white without a deposit or firm commitment to buy. He said he wouldn't have any trouble selling it if I decide I'm not ready to get out of a full-size truck. He thinks it will be at least January before it arrives so I have a little time to figure everything out.

I know I can live without a sunroof as I rarely open the giant one in my truck now. I can also live without the bed as I have a business that owns 6 trucks I can use if needed. I really never used cruise until I got a vehicle with radar cruise so I'm sure that won't really matter either. The biggest issues for me will be cubby storage (i like having things organized in my truck), power and the 600 plus mile range I can get out of a single tank of gas.

How is the lighting on the 4Runner? My truck has LED headlights which work ok, but they really aren't a lot better than the halogens in my wife's '16 Pilot.

 

[1engineer]

I appreciate all the insight. I do plan to drive a few 4Runners over the next couple of months to get a better feel for the vehicle.

I understand that everything is compromise. I'm a habitual trader always trying to find the perfect vehicle. These days I'm getting tired of trading all the time and want to find something that meets my needs and will also be fun to play with from time to time. I looked at a Wrangler Unlimited, but I didn't feel like it was good enough on the road which is where I spend most of my time. The last Wrangler I had was an '05 Rubicon LJ that ended up with a welded in roll cage, 4.5" long arm lift and 4.88 gears just to name a few of the mods. It was a beast on the trails, but I hated it on the road so I rarely drove it. Luckily, I had an extra vehicle at the time. Now I don't plan to have an extra vehicle so I want something that is a more of a good road vehicle that will also be fun on mild to moderate trails.

I talked with a Toyota salesman that I have bought from in the past and he offered to order me a '17 TRD Pro in white without a deposit or firm commitment to buy. He said he wouldn't have any trouble selling it if I decide I'm not ready to get out of a full-size truck. He thinks it will be at least January before it arrives so I have a little time to figure everything out.

I know I can live without a sunroof as I rarely open the giant one in my truck now. I can also live without the bed as I have a business that owns 6 trucks I can use if needed. I really never used cruise until I got a vehicle with radar cruise so I'm sure that won't really matter either. The biggest issues for me will be cubby storage (i like having things organized in my truck), power and the 600 plus mile range I can get out of a single tank of gas.

How is the lighting on the 4Runner? My truck has LED headlights which work ok, but they really aren't a lot better than the halogens in my wife's '16 Pilot.

Those questions are only going to be answered by you test driving it. I would also test drive it at night if you want to judge the lighting. What's fine for me might not be fine for you. Take the range for example: You can go 600 miles before refilling currently. To me that's just carrying around unneeded weight of about 100 lbs. My 4Runner can go between 350-400 miles, which is about 5-6 hours and what my bladder and need for food can go too. So for me I stop, pee, get a bite to eat and fill up. Others might be different, which is the point. The perception of a vehicle having "power" or not is quite different too. If you come to the 4Runner from a Yaris then the 4Runner will have loads of power. If you come to the 4Runner from a Hellcat then... not so much. Good luck and test drive test drive test drive.

FWIW I have found my vehicle and have owned one since 2010. I might trade often to upgrade the model but it will still be a 4Runner. The only way I would get out of a 4Runner is if A) They radically changed the construction to a crossover or B) I decide to step up to a Landcruiser. That's it.

 

[bamma]

I had a 13 Tundra Crewmax that I purchased shortly after we got our 2012 4Runner Limited. The Tundra was a PITA to park in downtown Portland. Wouldn't fit in some garages that the 4Runner will. (Recently moved so the parking wouldn't be a big issue anymore).

I sold the Tundra and now drive a 4th Gen 4runner (no car payment!). I miss the Tundra, and am largely considering getting another one. A truck bed is so nice to put muddy gear, garden supplies, yard waste, etc. I had a camper shell so I could sleep in it too. I may go Tundra again or Tacoma next to get a compromise of both (I've had two Tacomas with no complaints.)

 

[blakjack23]

If you're worried about storage you could build your own custom storage in the 4runner or buy a prebuilt drawer. Do a search on here and you'll find lots of cool storage options.

Better Built Short SUV Drawer — Aluminum, 37in.W x 26in.D x 10 1/2in.H, Model# 76217119 | Truck Box Storage Drawers| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Justcozz]

I have a 2011 Raptor and recently bought a 2016 Trail Premium. (I also have a Jetta TDI for general running around)

The good:
- Better gas mileage than a full sized truck.
- Will be able to run tighter trails.
- Soccer mom'ish car is useful for running around town and doing errands.

Tha bad:
- The seats in the premium 4runner are absolutely horrible. My Jetta has more comfortable seats (how is that possible?!?!). My girlfriends '17 Tacoma with the regular cloth seats are far more comfy than the premium. I liked the seat heaters, which drove me this direction and actually pondered trading the 4runner for something I could do road trips more comfortably in.
- Needs a handful of mods to really get it off-road capable. The TRD pro you're looking at is pretty capable right out of the gate.

 

[jamoc]

Suv ftw

My company vehicle is a 2015 Tundra Limited, with TRD Pkg. My personal vehicle is 2016 TRD PRO. Tundra literally sits in the driveway collecting tree sap and dust, while I drive my 4runner every damn day :dancin: . The only time I drive the Tundra is when I have to haul construction materials, or tow something.


You will NOT regret purchasing a TRDP. Worst case scenario, you do regret it.. and sell it for what you paid for it.

 

[Brandonium]

Very subjective as your ass is probably not identical to the ass of others. I for one and many others find the 4-Runner seating comfortable. Then again I found the Jetta seats unbearable for long drives. Her Outback has seats that are way more comfortable than the Jetta ever was.

Took a 4-hour road trip in the 4R a few weekends ago and was perfect the entire drive.

I have a 2011 Raptor and recently bought a 2016 Trail Premium. (I also have a Jetta TDI for general running around)

The good:
- Better gas mileage than a full sized truck.
- Will be able to run tighter trails.
- Soccer mom'ish car is useful for running around town and doing errands.

Tha bad:
- The seats in the premium 4runner are absolutely horrible. My Jetta has more comfortable seats (how is that possible?!?!). My girlfriends '17 Tacoma with the regular cloth seats are far more comfy than the premium. I liked the seat heaters, which drove me this direction and actually pondered trading the 4runner for something I could do road trips more comfortably in.
- Needs a handful of mods to really get it off-road capable. The TRD pro you're looking at is pretty capable right out of the gate.

 

[uptheirons]

I went from a Dodge 1/2 ton to a 4Runner almost 3 years ago for the same reason, never used my truck as a truck, couldn't be happier. Occaisionally i need a pickup to move some furniture i have a few friends that have them, and worst case scenario i can rent one from Uhaul for a day if needed.

 

[Jetboy]

The biggest benefit of a 4runner IMO as compared to a truck is that you get a 2nd row with a lot better interior room than any midsize truck, and an overall package that's smaller. For typical daily commuter duty it's often easier to live with for things like parking. It's also easy to access the cargo area and easier to haul things without the risk of theft. But of course it's hard to haul dirt, plywood, etc. I have about 50 railroad ties I ripped out of my yard with another similar size pile of other landscape waste. Can't do much with it in a 4runner, and I can't rent a dump trailer either. So that's the big downside.

 

[1engineer]

The biggest benefit of a 4runner IMO as compared to a truck is that you get a 2nd row with a lot better interior room than any midsize truck, and an overall package that's smaller. For typical daily commuter duty it's often easier to live with for things like parking. It's also easy to access the cargo area and easier to haul things without the risk of theft. But of course it's hard to haul dirt, plywood, etc. I have about 50 railroad ties I ripped out of my yard with another similar size pile of other landscape waste. Can't do much with it in a 4runner, and I can't rent a dump trailer either. So that's the big downside.

Did you have a dump bed pickup? Just rent a regular open bed 6X12 trailer. 30 bucks and way more capacity than a pickup.

 

[Watchdogg]

I needed lockable storage. 4 runner got more of that than any fullsize truck. We travel a lot and putting luggage in bed that had a hard cover that could be locked but was very easy to break into. That led me to the runner. Never looked back. Love this truck.

 

[bamma]

I needed lockable storage. 4 runner got more of that than any fullsize truck. We travel a lot and putting luggage in bed that had a hard cover that could be locked but was very easy to break into. That led me to the runner. Never looked back. Love this truck.

My Tundra had an electric locking tailgate and camper shell. Pretty secure IMO.

 

[Watchdogg]

My Tundra had an electric locking tailgate and camper shell. Pretty secure IMO.

I just had a hard cover with locks but the hinge side by the cab was the weak point. Literally just 30 seconds to undo it.

 

[Layson]

I think it will actually be tough to go to a 4runner after a platinum. They are extremely nice trucks. Alot nicer then the 4runners.

I think that the F150 is actually more comfortable to ride in on longer trips. Heck of alot more room in the back seat then a 4runner(the F150 has the same size cab as a full size superduty). Way more power....tons more power....and it wouldn't surprise me if you actually got better mileage with the F150 than the 4runner. Ride quality is marginally close. I would say the F150 might be a little better. Did I mention that the power difference between the two is HUGE....LOL The 4runner is going to feel like a gutless pig compared to the F150.

The reason I chose a 4runner over a Platinum F150 when I was looking was for these reasons.
- The 4runner should go along time and be very dependable.
- You can actually sit more people and I needed the 3rd row (remember that is something you can't just add later).
- I got the limited with all wheel drive (10x better snow rig).
- Excellent resale value.
- In my opinion it is easier to see everything around you...less blindspots and no huge A-pillar to look through.
- Room for dog inside the rig.
- HUGE price difference between a the two (you shouldn't have to pay anything if you trade your truck in...LOL).
- Did I mention it was dependable because those ecoboosts (anything turbocharged for that matter) are not exactly something that is going to last forever. I have a few friends with some trucks that have had some pretty good issues. If I flipped vehicles every 3-4 years I wouldn't have any problems buying one of these but I tend to keep vehicles for a long time. So I don't expect that motor to last 2-300k without some work done to it.
- Also, I didn't want all the bells and whistles. Too much crap to go wrong and expensive to fix. Like the massage seats in the F150...LOL
- No real dinking around with the price on 4runners. If I bought an american made vehicle I would expect to have to go painstakingly back and forth to get the price down to what I would pay. The Expedition we drove was awesome, 68k...LOL, and they knocked it down to 54k right on the spot and not a bad deal. So if I bought an American made vehicle and I didn't get 5-10k right off the MSRP I would feel like I got ripped off....LOL

I already have a full size diesel truck so towing isn't a big deal for me. But one thing I do like about the 4runner is it is a linked rear end so you don't get any axle wrap like the F150's do get while towing.

Like everyone mentioned take a few test drives.

 

[PRICE_98]

Easy to forget about all the things you do use a truck for until you don't have one.

Man I will second that. Having a really hard time putting my truck with 8' bed up for sale. Fortunately I'm in the situation (for the moment anyways) that I can keep it. The money would be nice but I have been using my truck for forgotten tasks more often than I thought. Not trying to steer you away from the 4Runner, I love my '12 SR5 4WD, but I would suggest keeping a log of every time you use your bed for a few months.

 

[flyrv9]

In 2000 we bought a Tundra (still have it) and in 2013 a 4Runner. So we have the best of both worlds! A few years back the Tundra was hit in the parking lot which damaged the passenger side rear door (the small half door the early Tundras had). While it was being repaired we were given a 4WD F150 with the Triton V8. Geez what a difference. The ford would hardly get out of its own way. Trying to get to freeway speed was scary. We had it about 2 weeks and were happy to get our Tundra back. I highly doubt I'll ever buy a Ford PU - they are just crap IMHO. I don't think Chevy or Dodge are any better.

 

[Jetboy]

Did you have a dump bed pickup? Just rent a regular open bed 6X12 trailer. 30 bucks and way more capacity than a pickup.

No. I don't own one. My parents had a dump bed 2.5 ton for quite a few years, but sold it maybe 5 years ago. I can rent a trailer that would probably work for moving all of the landscaping waste I need to get rid of, but the flatbed trailers are a lot more work and the dump has a fit if it's not totally tarped in which is kinda tricky on a flat deck trailer. I can't rent a bigger dump trailer with the 4runner because it lacks the tow capacity. I don't have a truck anymore myself. So I'll probably end up borrowing a truck or hiring a landscape company to come haul it all away. The landscaper is appealing because it's a lot of work to move a pile of railroad ties and they will load all of my crap with a skid steer and haul it off for a few hundred dollars.

I prefer a trailer to a truck bed for pretty much every purpose that involves moving anything heavy. The ease of loading and unloading low deck height is a pretty big advantage.

This is one of relatively few times I would want a truck though. Having a 4runner saves me a lot of garage space. With my garage a crew cab truck fits, but doesn't leave a lot of room. With a 4runner I can park my sailboat inside against the back wall and still park inside all winter. (It's a folding trimaran so I remove the floats and stack them on top and it ends up around 6 feet wide, which fits nicely against the back wall with some creative trailer maneuvering.) Just the boat storage is probably more value over the winter than what the cost of renting a truck every time I need one for a year would be.

 

[lenny1389]

I am thinking about purchasing a 4runner. I do not go off road, and am purchasing it more for snow/inclement weather as well as for the more truck-like ride. For part-time 4wd models such as the SR5, I understand that it is good to put the truck in 4 Lo from time to time on the appropriate surface if not using the feature off road. My question is that for the 4runner limited models with auto 4x4, do I still have to put it into 4 Lo from time to time or does it act more like a AWD system and it wouldn't hurt the mechanical parts if I do not engage 4 Lo?