Desicions...

[Hayn4R]

OK. Been thinking of trading the 4R in for a tundra, not the newest one but like an '05 model.

4R Pros:
Ride & handling
technology
styling

4R Cons:
ground clearance
small interior
lift potential is limited

Tundra Pros:
truck bed
more lifting potential
more power

Tundra Cons:
GAS

Feel free to chime in with your thoughts and opinions. There are a couple of lifted '06 Tundras in my area for sale and I am getting itchy to get in one. Dont really "need" one but would "want" one.

 

[BlairB]

I had an '05 Tundra before my 4Runner and I am very happy I made the change.

Just day to day driving I prefer the 4Runner hands down, also you mention the small interior of the 4runner, but for personal space it is bigger than a Tundra (clearly, excluding the carrying capacity of the bed of a Tundra)

Also, a reason I went for a 4Runner over the Tundra was security of everything I had inside. I was never able to leave surfboards and other stuff in my Tundra bed due to the risk of it being stolen.

If it was the new 4Runner it would be harder to decide, but for a '05 model I would say keep the 4Runner for sure.

 

[ExJeeper]

One of the reasons for me choosing Toyota was the Certified 05 Tundra my friend bought. Quality machine. He has the 4 Door TRD. Its nice but its tough to manauver the thing. He says its pretty bad on gas (15mpg) but still loves it. I like the extended cab Tundras more than the 4 doors.

 

[Hayn4R]

thanks BlairB,

you are the best person to answer this question. I agree with locking your things up especially tailgating at the football games. I swear when the game is on, the back of trucks are a thiefs dream job.

In all honesty, I will probably keep my 4R because of how much I paid off and the humbug of trying to sell my 4R first to try and buy the Tundra.

 

[BlairB]

thanks BlairB,

you are the best person to answer this question. I agree with locking your things up especially tailgating at the football games. I swear when the game is on, the back of trucks are a thiefs dream job.

In all honesty, I will probably keep my 4R because of how much I paid off and the humbug of trying to sell my 4R first to try and buy the Tundra.

Yeah, its a problem b/c right now is a great time to buy a truck like a Tundra, but at the same time a horrible time to sell a 4Runner.

Keep us updated about the situation and let me know if there are any other questions you have.

 

[Falls]

Although I like the Tundra you speak of . I do only need a little bed to throw odds and ends like gas cans , pressure washer , ect....

I personally would opt for the Tacoma Sport 4x4 DC short box.

 

[BlairB]

Although I like the Tundra you speak of . I do only need a little bed to throw odds and ends like gas cans , pressure washer , ect....

I personally would opt for the Tacoma Sport 4x4 DC short box.

I also had a Tacoma 4wd TRD Sport DC Long Bed and I definitely like my 4Runner better

 

[charlier180]

When I was shopping for a new vehicle in late '04 I first test drove a Tundra. The feel/ride on the highway bothered me (bouncey/bouncey).
Then I considered the security issue.
For me that (and an open bed with the weather) prompted me to look at bed caps.
Then I measured the bed of the truck and found out just how big (or small) it was.

Then I test drove a 4Runner. Better ride & handling, Better security for possessions.
Folded down the rear seats and measured the available space and what do you know, it was nearly the same size as the bed on the Tundra I drove.
All these features plus a better selection and better pricing made the 4Runner the easy choice for me.

Good Luck to the original poster. Ultimately, it is your decision and you have to live with it so get/do what YOU want.

 

[Hayn4R]

I also had a Tacoma 4wd TRD Sport DC Long Bed and I definitely like my 4Runner better

Wow keep talking buddy cuz you are making my mind up for me. The taco was my "plan B" b/c there are some nice lifts for that truck. But the con there is, if you are getting a truck you might as well get a TRUCK...right?? Dont get me wrong I like the new taco DC sport look, especially the Mica.

The 4R ultimately has the best ride hands down and I think that might be the ulimate point....a close second being the 4R's 4x4 prowess.

Great prices right now for a lifted tundra though.

 

[BlairB]

Wow keep talking buddy cuz you are making my mind up for me. The taco was my "plan B" b/c there are some nice lifts for that truck. But the con there is, if you are getting a truck you might as well get a TRUCK...right?? Dont get me wrong I like the new taco DC sport look, especially the Mica.

The 4R ultimately has the best ride hands down and I think that might be the ulimate point....a close second being the 4R's 4x4 prowess.

Great prices right now for a lifted tundra though.

Yeah, the taco definitely has some great lifts and also some downsides as well. In the end, it totally depends what you are looking for.

After my 4Runner (depending on the how the 5th gen t4r ends up) I might be back in the market for a truck, probably the new Tundra, for various reasons including the lift options (like long travel ).

 

[Thai]

Other options:

FJ Cruiser??

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon??

Hummer H3T (whatever it's called now...the truck version)??

I know that you want more space, but just suggestions.

Personally, i never like Toyota trucks all that much...they seemed a bit behind the times for the asking price. For example, rear drum brakes are still used. C-frame still used on the middle and rear sections.

Remember, with the the Tundra and Tacoma, you are still limited in your lift options due to the front independent suspension. Then you add in the extremely poor breakover angle (long wheelbase) with the poor departure angles and you have a vehicle that looks good on-road with a lift, but not nearly as agile or practical off-road.

 

[Hayn4R]

Thai,

I need to get a clone of your brain and hook it up to mine. What is the going rate?


Nah jus joke....you (and others) are encyclopedias of info.


Thanks for the info. Actually if I didnt buy a 4R I would have tried to get a Rubi. I wanted something that was trail ready from stock. Hindsight....I think I made the better decision...just dont ask a JeepHead....hehe

 

[Fumbler]

Back in 2006 I was looking for a good used vehicle, one I could tow with and throw dead deer in the back.
I found a gently used 2000 Tundra access cab, V8, 4x4.
It was perfect , so I bought it.

At the time, my girlfriend had a 2003 4Runner SR5 V8 4WD.
I loved that 4Runner and figured the situation was perfect. We could take trips in her 4R and I had my Tundra for hauling crap.

3 months later she got a job where she had to commute a lot and traded her 4R in for a new 2006 Civic.
I've regretted not selling my Tundra and buying her 4R ever since...

Fast forward to a month ago...I decided her Civic just wasnt enough to haul us, our stuff, and 2 dogs on trips.
My Tundra didn't have enough interior room and the ride and gas milage sucked. That didn't bother me MOST of the time, but on long trips it was bad.
Also, I do one or two jobs a year where I have to haul off some wood or kill a deer maybe once a year. The Tundra is good for that, but otherwise the bed didn't do me much good. My truck tool box also didn't have enough space to secure my chainsaws and other goodies.

So...a month ago I bought a 2003 4Runner, SR5, V8, 4WD.
Exactly the same as what she had, only it has 75k miles while hers had 20k when she sold it 2 years ago:bash:

So really...
Tundras are nice, but :
-you have less interior cargo room
-the ride isn't has nice
-camper shells suck and that's the only route if you want to keep your junk safe in the bed
-the gas milage sucked

Get the Tundra if you NEED a TRUCK, because that's what it is. A truck.
Trucks aren't as nice for traveling, storing lots of expensive stuff, and daily driving.

I miss my Tundra sorely, but I do love my 4Runner

 

[teampwr2]

WHAT Are you Really Doing With Your vehicle..75-85% of the time ???
You Mention Lift But Are you Really 4 wheeling alot or Dropping a Boat in the lake ???
I Get my 4 runner Everywhere !!! I wheel With a Bunch of FJ Cruisers and and Have yet not been able go anywhere they go .Are you Hauling alot of Oversize Things where you NEED the Bed of a truck or ??

 

[T?@\7]

As useful as a pickup bed is, for me im glad I ended up with an SUV.
No one asks me to help them move sh|t is a major bonus!

 

[BuckyBadger]

Has anyone done the Chevy Avalanche to 4R switch or the other way around? or have both? Thoughts.


The Chevy Avalanche is really starting to grow on me, for what I am looking for in a vehicle if I can only own one. I have been on their forum checking things out for about a year now. I like the ability to lock the bed and keep it heated with the mid gate down. So you don't lose that bed space in the winter like other pick ups (for keeping items from freezing). I am also looking at the Sequoias as well. But in the mean time I use my 5x8 Utility trailer as my pickup.

 

[Hayn4R]

WHAT Are you Really Doing With Your vehicle..75-85% of the time ???
You Mention Lift But Are you Really 4 wheeling alot or Dropping a Boat in the lake ???
I Get my 4 runner Everywhere !!! I wheel With a Bunch of FJ Cruisers and and Have yet not been able go anywhere they go .Are you Hauling alot of Oversize Things where you NEED the Bed of a truck or ??

yes I really dont NEED a truck...i just WANT one....


Fumbler, thanks for the life story. Its stories like yours that bring clarity to this situation =)

The guy I have been talking to just lowered the price on his '06 Tundra to $25k....it is a great time to get a lifted tundra right now. However, thanks to your caring stories I will probably keep my 4R. After all there aren't ANY lifted 4R's where I live. I am hoping to be one of the first....cross fingers.

 

[Hayn4R]

As useful as a pickup bed is, for me im glad I ended up with an SUV.
No one asks me to help them move sh|t is a major bonus!

that is friggin funny bro....tell them to throw some "visine" in and you've got a deal...LOL