Looking to possibly move on from my 4Runner...

[scott78945]

I love my 4Runner but I am finding that I just don't need it at my current stage in life. I am 30, single, and looking to purchase my new home. I have been remodeling my parents home now and am finding it difficult to use the Runner to cart things from Lowe's and Home Depot so I may be moving onto the Tacoma or the Tundra. Anyone have any thoughts on either vehicle? I have never owned a "truck" but I am aware that the Runner is based off of the Tacoma. For what I am looking for I would either need to get a high end Tacoma or the middle end Tundra for what I need. I have a V8 05 Runner now and I get roughly 17 mpg with mixed driving. Can I expect the same from the Tundra? Anyone know of any Tundra websites like this one?

 

[juneau92]

Good riddance then and don't let the door hit you on the way out!

J/K Hate to have to see you go, if that's what you do. Looks like you'll probably stay within the Toyota family, though. I don't know much about the Toyota trucks, except that the Tundra was new for '07, and is available with a monster V8. Since you like the V8 in your Runner so much, this might be a truck for you. I'm sure others here know can tell you much more than me. Good luck and take care now.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

I test-drove an '07 Tundra back in June.....and all I can say is that it is 100% beast. It had the 381-hp 5.7L V8 and was nothing short of a muscle car with a cargo bed.

Unfortunately, the 12 mpg city & 18 mpg highway EPA sticker pretty much put the veto on getting one. That's even worse than my 4Runner (which I will have to let go in January when my lease expires).

If you could do with a V6 Tacoma, I would go that route. If you are dead-set on a V8, you'll need a Tundra. It is sold with both the 4.7L from the 4Runner and the new 5.7L block. Neither engine is what I would call economical.....but both of them will get the job done and have power left over.
:awais:

Good luck!!

P.S. I have a desire for a 2008 Mustang GT and may end up going that route after my 4Runner. We shall see.

 

[scott78945]

I only got the V8 because I couldn't stand the ticking in the V6 on the 4Runner. I found the V8 to be a much nicer engine so I traded in my V6 for the V8. I also am concerned that when I trade in what I have for a 2008, that when the 09's will be out it will look totally dated as the next gen will be coming out in 09. I don't know, I'm torn.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Do what I did. Buy a trailer to haul your stuff and keep the 4runner. You do not have to worry about banging up a new truck and you get to keep the 4runner. Works for me. Also I use the trailer to haul my ATV's.

 

[Thai]

Do what I did. Buy a trailer to haul your stuff and keep the 4runner. You do not have to worry about banging up a new truck and you get to keep the 4runner. Works for me. Also I use the trailer to haul my ATV's.

Excellent suggestion!

I used to recommend the Nissan Frontier over the Tacoma, but recently, i have read on Nissan boards that the Frontier rear axle (with locker) have similar issues to the Tacoma's. It's a tough call now between the two.

If you don't mind the fuel economy too much, then i think that the Tundra with 5.7L V8 is a good choice...it's fast and you're young & single...it's a good match!

The other nice one that i see at work everyday is the Chevy Avalanche. My CEO drives it and he loves it. It's kinda like the swiss army version of trucks. It's very versatile, perfect for camping (and looking at the stars with your girl).

 

[RamThis]

Trailer is perfect suggestion 03_4x4Runner. If you need a load of lumber or drywall, etc, that's too big for the 4Runner, throw a 12' or so double axle utility trailer behind it. They are fairly inexpensive if you dont go overboard, like tube top rail, brakes, extra tie downs, or crap like that. Just a basic, run of the mill, two 2500 lb axle 12 or 16 footer will do nicely. One thing you may want to get on it though is an expanded steel covered ramp that flips up in the back. Those are super nice for loading and unloading, as it's a solid place to step, yet it's open steel mesh so it does not cause as much drag on the hiway.

I used to haul for John Deere so I've towed most variations of trailers and the easiest pulling trailer is just what I described above.

So now you can keep your 4Runner, and tow anything large you want to!!! :bigok:

 

[Uneek]

I've got an '05 2WD Tacoma D-Cab shortbed. If you're going to remodel, you might want to consider a longbed. Regular cab and AccessCab all come with the six foot bed, only the DoubleCab gives you a choice of five (only bed choice with TRD Off-Road package) or six foot beds. The Tacoma is great for a truck and it does what I need. A few people have found some major issues with their Tacomas, cracked beds (from improper installation of a camper shell) and two cases I've read with a busted welds on the engine cross member, and Thai's mentioned a bunch with busted rear ends. However, don't let the issues that are presented on the Tacoma prevent you from getting the truck. There are a few who carried over 1500lbs in the bed without any problems either. I haven't had any problems with mine yet. I find the Tacoma sub-forum on ToyotaNation.com to suit me just fine before I got the 4Runner and T4R.org is where I spend most of my time now.

TundraSolutions.com is probably the biggest Tundra forum out there.

But if you're not liking the sound of the V6, looks like the Tundra is the only way to go. If the Tundra was out sooner, I definately would consider a CrewMax Limited with the 5.7 V8. Where to park that bad boy is a whole another issue living in the city.

 

[BC4Runner]

I agree with the trailer idea. I've had a few different trucks over the years and always ended up moving more of other peoples stuff then I ever used them to move my own stuff!:biggrin2:

 

[gonzo]

go with a taco.

it is fun to own a pickup once in your life, this may be the time. i used to have one, then changed to an suv when the kids came.

i now have a utility trailer to haul stuff, not too bad when you have the space to store it, and maybe something to consider down the road.

imho, try a pickup, while you can.

 

[Falls]

Do what I did. Buy a trailer to haul your stuff and keep the 4runner. You do not have to worry about banging up a new truck and you get to keep the 4runner. Works for me. Also I use the trailer to haul my ATV's.

This is exactly what I did when I switched from a pick up to an SUV. I bought a Triton 6x10 Aluminum trailer w/ramp and tilt and larger torsion axle. I figure it this way, it can fit more (size wise) and carry more weight than a tradition 1/2 - 3/4 or 1 ton pick up. Because its aluminum it's light weight . When I'm done I back it into its little spot and I'm done , back to a nice midsize fun , off roadable 4x4 , with a roaring V8 and getting 16-17 mpg in the city/rural driving.

The aluminum is nice , lightweight , strong , I dont have to worry about rust , it had stake pockets on the sides , so I put 12" boards on 3 sides stained them black ( back has gated ramp) so it give me approx. 18" of depth which I can also change and go deeper if I wish. The rear gate removes with 2 bolts if I with to use the tilt feature for hauling mulch , dirt ect. Also having a lower bed height it a huge plus instead of reaching up into a pick up bed.

This was totally the way to go for me IMO , the total best of both worlds.

If you are hell bent on a pick up I would buy a Tacoma since you can still get decent fuel economy. Because of me having a trailer and for my uses I would love to have a Tacoma Double Cab , Sport edition short bed . They look so sweet IMO. Especially Silver !! I like the Sport editions because of the hood scoop , color coded grill , Sport seats and I prefer the limited slip diff. over the locking rear diff. simply because there are a lot more times that works better than a locking diff. in real world situations.

 

[scott78945]

The trailer is a great idea. However, I will have no place to store it when not in use as the home I am looking to purchase only has a 1 car garage. In order to widen the driveway I would have to tear up the original and start from scratch to the tune of roughly $8K. A little steep for me at this point in time.

 

[Thai]

I prefer the limited slip diff. over the locking rear diff. simply because there are a lot more times that works better than a locking diff. in real world situations.

But, couldn't you order a Tacoma with VSC and ATRAC?? If so, then you won't need LSD at all...in which case, a rear locker PLUS VSC/ATRAC would be killer! This is how the Nissan Frontier NISMO works from reading it's specs...VSC + ATRAC + rear locker as needed.

 

[lawwailok]

we have a 06 tundra V6, it is a nice stuff mover in-n-out home depot. we never tried to haul trailer or carry HEAVY stuff yet. but normal moving, carrying bulky stuff from home depot, the v6 does the job good for us. average running 17 mpg mixed freeway/city driving.

 

[scott78945]

we have a 06 tundra V6, it is a nice stuff mover in-n-out home depot. we never tried to haul trailer or carry HEAVY stuff yet. but normal moving, carrying bulky stuff from home depot, the v6 does the job good for us. average running 17 mpg mixed freeway/city driving.

Does the V6 seem underpowered at all? I was concerned about this but to be honest with you, I can't even find it in a V6 here in NY, only V8's and even the 4.7L are hard to come by. ALmost all are 5.7L V8

 

[lawwailok]

Does the V6 seem underpowered at all? I was concerned about this but to be honest with you, I can't even find it in a V6 here in NY, only V8's and even the 4.7L are hard to come by. ALmost all are 5.7L V8

since our tundra is 06, not the new style tundra, but it came with the 4.0 V6. i don't feel underpower at all, unless you saying if you want to race it. normal driving it has plenty enough for you. the v6 is rated at 240hp and 23x torque. if i really have to say the negative of that V6, then i'll say compare to my V8 4R, the v6 doesn't give me the strong pull around 3700~4400 rpm range as it does in my V8. and the freeway passing speed above 80mph will lose to V8. but traffic light to traffic light pick up speed is comparable to V8 tho.

 

[Uneek]

Under 2006 SAE ratings, the 4.0 V6 has 236 hp and 266 ft-lbs of torque.

 

[charlier180]

I love my 4Runner but I am finding that I just don't need it at my current stage in life. I am 30, single, and looking to purchase my new home. I have been remodeling my parents home now and am finding it difficult to use the Runner to cart things from Lowe's and Home Depot so I may be moving onto the Tacoma or the Tundra. Anyone have any thoughts on either vehicle? I have never owned a "truck" but I am aware that the Runner is based off of the Tacoma. For what I am looking for I would either need to get a high end Tacoma or the middle end Tundra for what I need. I have a V8 05 Runner now and I get roughly 17 mpg with mixed driving. Can I expect the same from the Tundra? Anyone know of any Tundra websites like this one?

If you have never owned a truck before I suggest you be sure to take a nice, LONG Test Drive in these two trucks. Be sure to drive over all sorts of different roads with different surfaces. Take these trucks on the roads you use everyday.

Back in '04 when I was looking for a new vehicle I test drive the 4 Door Tundra model at that time. I am SO GLAD I drove that Tundra on a lot of different road surfaces. After doing so, I concluded that the Tundra's ride was not what I wanted (too much bouncing when the bed was empty). I test drove the 4Runner and that sealed the deal for me.

BTW, if a trailer does not work for your situation why not just rent a truck at Home Depot when you need one??? Unless you are doing a LOT of projects the inexpensive rental fee is still a LOT cheaper than a new vehicle.

 

[mcmillanlst]

Opinion on Tundra V6

Does the V6 seem underpowered at all? I was concerned about this but to be honest with you, I can't even find it in a V6 here in NY, only V8's and even the 4.7L are hard to come by. ALmost all are 5.7L V8

First post.. I purchased a 2007 4Runner this week and should have it delivered by Saturday!

Scott - When I was truck shopping, I went back and forth between the Tundra CrewMax and the 4Runner. I was walking by the used car lot at the dealership one day and there was a 2007 Texas Edition Double Cab with 2000 miles for only $25k. (Texas Edition includes: Stainless Steel Exhaust Tip, Door Sill Enhancements, 8 Inch Enkei Wheel Upgrade, Running Boards, Custom Carpeted Floor Mats, and Texas Edition Badging with an original price tag of $1500!!) Thinking this deal was too good to be true I jumped in for a test drive and was pretty disappointed when pulling onto the highway. I hadn