Might be leaving 4runner for a Tundra, advice needed

[Seafury]

Hello gang,

5 years 90k miles ive put on my black 98 sr5.
Its been a great truck but ive outgrown it.
Its to small inside, to slow, and needs to much work to invest in it anymore at 293k miles.

it's also black, which I absolutely hate.

I would love a new 4runner but I want limited and the limited's are all awd/4wd

I want 2wd/4wd like mine is. Finding a used 2010-2012 sr5 with leather in white is next to impossible.

Ive basically given up on the 4runner search.

It makes more sense to get a Tundra, if I lift the 4runner like i did my black one, and add big tires the gas mileage is equal to a tundra, without the amazing power.

I will greatly miss the rear storage of my 4runner being an suv.

Toyota REALLY screwed up going to awd/4wd imho!

The Tundra lets me eventually tow a boat and/or camper trailer without stress.
Can lift it etc, without losing more mpg really.
Has tons of power for passing.
Looks badass.
Fully loaded with every option I want. Platinum with cooled seats FTW :cowboy:

But now I'm stuck in a new dilemma......

2008 Tundra Crewmax Limited with 71k miles, Blue.
Color matched camper shell with windows.
New all Terrain tires.
Looks like 1" leveling kit.
1 owner, clean carfax, cherry, babied truck.
NO cooled leather seats!
110 miles from my home at a Ford dealership in PA.

OR

2012 Tundra Crewmax Platinum Texas edition 121k miles, White.
Bone stock.
Clean 2 owner carfax.
Has cooled seats!
BUT..........
Made in Canada, lived in Canada until now.
I looked it over good, it has some rust, surface under the hood on painted surfaces, some minor on frame. Trans linkage is all rusted.
Stock street tires have less then 50% tread.
Exhaust is original, all rusted bad, not leaking, but all past its lifespan.
Located 15miles from home 3rd party dealer.

$2k price difference, Blue is over priced yes. But its cherry.

Will the Canadian truck last 5 years until its paid for? then 5 more years?

I plan to lift at max 3".
Add all terrain tires.
I plan on adding a camper shell, but want a windowless one.

Trucks are identical minus cooled seats, colors, and mods to the blue one mentioned above.

I know its all opinions but I need advice.

Yes I also need to go post on Tundra forums I know lol.

Am I missing something with the 4runner? I love mine minus the stated negatives.

Leather seats are required, white outside is required.
Awd is a nonstarter for me.
Rare SR5's come with leather seats. No navi, tiny in mirror backup cam.
Cam I like, Navi I can live without, hello cell phones! lol.

What would you guys do?

Thanks,

 

[Dillusion]

Sounds like you've given up on a 4R and already decided on a Tundra.

I personally would never buy a 10 year old car so thats one option gone for me. 08 has a leveling kit. My 2010 had a leveling kit and it was rough as hell.

I'd take my 4R over the Tundra anyday.
1. Tundra was too big for my needs. Yours may be different.
2. MPG sucked not like it really mattered but still sucked.
3. I put a camper on it which kinda defeated the purpose of a open bed truck. But I need some place to sleep in those terrible fishing nights.
4. 4R seems to have a lot better build quality. Nothing rattling around and noises from who knows where.

 

[Thai]

Why do you hate full-time 4wd??? I want full-time 4wd on my next car!

 

[brtnstrns]

I'm not sure I could ever support the idea of purchasing a vehicle with rust. But I'm from the South so maybe I'm just an elitist in regards to metal deterioration.

 

[LimeLED]

Why do you hate full-time 4wd??? I want full-time 4wd on my next car!

I’m also curious of this. The Limited’s full time 4x4 has a locking center and low range. It’s not AWD like most crossovers. It really is full time 4x4.

 

[hawthornearms]

Why do you hate full-time 4wd??? I want full-time 4wd on my next car!

This is what I was thinking, was one of the reasons I went with a Limited.

 

[catrains]

I have 3 vehicles . a full size sedan .. not a new sedan this car old I can put 4 or 5 bodies in the trunk. plenty of room..leather seats very comfortable and it can operate at 150MPH ..

I also have a truck GM 1500 LT ext cab. use this to haul/tow stuff.
the runner is the newest 2016 SR5. yes this does hold a good amount of stuff but the GM truck bed does hold perhaps twice as much ..
owning a house GM truck works good when you do work on it..

having three vehicles is an expense but this works out good for me.
I would not buy a Canadian rust bucket ..find one in your area ..
Tundra does have low MPG of all trucks .. but does have the power .

 

[Seafury]

Sounds like you've given up on a 4R and already decided on a Tundra.

I personally would never buy a 10 year old car so thats one option gone for me. 08 has a leveling kit. My 2010 had a leveling kit and it was rough as hell.

I'd take my 4R over the Tundra anyday.
1. Tundra was too big for my needs. Yours may be different.
2. MPG sucked not like it really mattered but still sucked.
3. I put a camper on it which kinda defeated the purpose of a open bed truck. But I need some place to sleep in those terrible fishing nights.
4. 4R seems to have a lot better build quality. Nothing rattling around and noises from who knows where.

Thanks for your feedback.

I have not given up, but how to find what i want in a 4runner now, it doesnt exist.....it seems.

Leveling kit is nice if it already has one, their just spacers, hence the bad ride quality. I will eventually get a real lift kit for sure. I want 3-4in.

I buy what i can afford, im a man of taste, but not wealth lol.

1. Yes its bigger, but not domestic truck big, i will deal with it. I will miss inside suv storage.
2. Yes mpg sucks. I might as well get the power to go with it....even with the lift and tires.
3. Im not young anymore, but i do have need of a truck bed from time to time. Camper shell is so i can carry beach gear and lugage with out it being exposed, or under a hot black bedcover.
4. Everything ive read agrees with you on build quality. My dad had 2 Tundras but never got near 100k miles or 10 years before trading them in....his never had any issues whatsoever.

Thanks, things to think about....

 

[Seafury]

Why do you hate full-time 4wd??? I want full-time 4wd on my next car!

Thanks for your reply.

I dont hate it. But im used to my 2wd/4wd and doing donuts in the seasonal snow/ice lol.

Awd also has less mgp, move moving parts, more things to break/wear out and replace. Also i would think, less turning radious?

Also this is a truck, its supposed to be 2wd lol.

I also do want awd on some vehicles. Wifes lexus sedan, any minivan or wagon, crossovers....certain sports cars..

Just my 2cents

 

[Seafury]

I'm not sure I could ever support the idea of purchasing a vehicle with rust. But I'm from the South so maybe I'm just an elitist in regards to metal deterioration.

Thanks for your feedback.

Im from, and in Va, its considered south, i dont like rust either but its not as bad as i was afraid it might be. I didnt get it on a lift but i put on work clothes and slid under it with a flashlight for like 40mins. The price is almost right, and its the exact truck i want so idk....

Never thought i would have trouble picking my next 4x4 lol.

At least im Toyota all the way no matter what i choose, even though i love the Chevy and Gmc 1500 looks theses days, especially lifted. But i dont believe in throwing money away lol.

Plus they really owe me a truck after their bailout lol.

 

[Seafury]

I’m also curious of this. The Limited’s full time 4x4 has a locking center and low range. It’s not AWD like most crossovers. It really is full time 4x4.

Thanks for your reply, im running out of time to reply for now, see my 1st reply about why i dont think I want awd.

Hint, its not about capability of the system for me, i know its good, its a 4runner, it HAS to be good!

 

[Seafury]

This is what I was thinking, was one of the reasons I went with a Limited.

Thanks for your reply also.

See my previous replies about awd please.

 

[Seafury]

I have 3 vehicles . a full size sedan .. not a new sedan this car old I can put 4 or 5 bodies in the trunk. plenty of room..leather seats very comfortable and it can operate at 150MPH ..

I also have a truck GM 1500 LT ext cab. use this to haul/tow stuff.
the runner is the newest 2016 SR5. yes this does hold a good amount of stuff but the GM truck bed does hold perhaps twice as much ..
owning a house GM truck works good when you do work on it..

having three vehicles is an expense but this works out good for me.
I would not buy a Canadian rust bucket ..find one in your area ..
Tundra does have low MPG of all trucks .. but does have the power .

Thanks for your feedback.

I have a older Goldwing i restored last summer for commuting to work half the year, so Tundra or 4Runner will be for weekends and trips and bad weather.

Wife has a newer lexus midsize sedan.

Yea the rust i probably should avoid. That leaves the blue cherry, or waiting until i find another white platinum at reasonable price.

Next vehicle has to be white, or blue for Tundra, i dont like the 4runner blue in the year range i want.

I just needed people to talk me out of the rusty canadian truck. Ive been truck hunting since Nov so im getting antsy lol.

Surprised no one has tried to talk me up on making a 4Runner work for me lol...love my truck, its just time to upgrade, to something.....

 

[Thai]

Thanks for your reply.

I dont hate it. But im used to my 2wd/4wd and doing donuts in the seasonal snow/ice lol.

Awd also has less mgp, move moving parts, more things to break/wear out and replace. Also i would think, less turning.

Also this is a truck, its supposed to be 2wd lol.

I also do want awd on some vehicles. Wifes lexus sedan, any minivan or wagon, crossovers....certain sports cars..

Just my 2cents

Well, Limited full time has a versatile Tosen center diff that is very proven and reliable with little need for maintenance.

And btw, you can run on 2wd too...and save gas.

You will break the transmission before the center diff! Lol

 

[Seafury]

And btw, you can run on 2wd too...and save gas.

I know the awd 4Runner is good and capable, even though Toyota itself says that truck is more street oriented.

Please explain the above statement.

My understanding is the Limited 4Runner around 2011 models is awd, not 2wd. Did i misunderstand something?

They have a silver dial selector instead of the physical 4wd lever found in the Sr5 models.

Sr5 is 2wd/4wd, Limited is awd/4wd and listed as lower mpg.

Thanks,

 

[brtnstrns]

Another thought for trying to find the right 4Runner: try Carvana

https://www.carvana.com/cars/toyota-4runner/2010-2018

I know some people are skeptical because they "enjoy" negotiating with a dealer or think any idea conceived after 1973 is for whiny lazy millenial snowflakes or whatever the shit, but I bought my 2017 GT350 off of Carvana and it was a totally pleasant and straight forward experience and would recommend it to anyone as an option.

May have better luck finding your exact vehicle that way since you're not geographically limited with Carvana.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

You have to do what you have to do in your budget but there is no way I'd buy a 10 year old rusty Canadian truck. It's worse then you could ever see in 40 minutes. Yeah the frame might be okay but wait until you start wrenching on it and bolts are rusted through and snapping off left and right. I'd keep looking for the right 4runner if you could make it work. A cheap utility trailer gives me all of the occasional truck bed I need. If you want a certain 4runner expand your search out farther and travel a bit it get what you want.

Also don't think a small lift and larger AT tires aren't going to effect the MPGs either. It will!!! Good luck with your decision.

 

[SCMountaineer]

If you found a white SR5 that otherwise hit all your "must haves" you could have leather seats installed for around 1000 bucks. (Katzkin is one supplier that does a great job)

 

[desert-rat]

Having owned both a Tundra and 4Runners, I can tell you that they each have their advantages. But you sound like you've made your mind up on the Tundra and you'll love that 5.7L engine. It has tons of low end power and torque. Tows okay, but gas mileage SUCKS. I always got single digit fuel mileage when towing anything, even a lightweight boy scout trailer.

My (2012) Tundra was also a Platinum Crew Max. Black paint with the reddish-brown interior. It was the sexiest truck. I loved it. It had a subtle lift with nice rims and some 34" KO2's and it was just so bad ass.

There is ZERO storage room in the cab. Absolutely none. You'll have to either get used to your stuff being on the back seat or the floor, or you get a tonneau cover ($$) and put it in the bed. That was the one thing I disliked about my Tundra.

That being said, I L O V E D my Tundra. I also have a Sequoia (our second), same 5.7L engine as the Tundra, and that's my wife's daily driver. After driving her first (2008) Sequoia, there is no way she'll drive anything else. We upgraded her to a 2010 Sequoia, and she loves the easy 4WD selector switch, 4LO when she really needs it (we live in mountain and snow country), and let's be honest - that thing GOES when you push the pedal. It puts a grin on your face that you can't wipe off.

If you don't require a truck bed for daily use or even frequent use, you might consider a Sequoia. It's like a 4Runner but with the power you're craving. Granted, the 4Runner actually has more storage area behind the 2nd row than the Sequoia, but you're picking up a 3rd row and if you put the 3rd row down so you're just 5 seats, (2 up front and 2nd full row) then you have a TON of storage in the back - more than a 4Runner. Plus you can also put the 2nd row down and have a full 8 foot x 4.5 foot area of space. I've carried full 4'x8' sheets of plywood in my Sequoia. When I go on canyoneering trips with my buddies, they always want to take my Sequoia. Oh, and did I mention, every single seat in our 8 seat Sequoia R E C L I N E S ? Yeah. Take about a fun road trip vehicle. Even the peeps in the 3rd row have leg room. It's ridiculous.

Note on Sequoias: if you get a Limited, you can find one with 8 seat belts. You may not need this. If you get a Platinum, the 2nd row is always 2 captains chairs, so that's 7 seat belts in all (3 in the 3rd row).

I don't think you'll regret buying a Tundra, but you will miss the storage space of your 4Runner for SURE. So if you get a Tundra, get a tonneau cover. They say that over time, it will pay for itself in mpg savings.

As for your real question, which Tundra should you get - I have 2 answers for you.

1) DONT BUY THE ONE WITH RUST. You know you're hardly saving anything up front, and in the long run, that rusted one will cost you more in maintenance and repair. Get the nicer "cherry" one and deal with no cooled seats.

2) If you're considering that rusty one because you really want the cooled seats, then put the brakes on this operation and hold out for a cherry one with the cooled seats. This conundrum you have on your hands is self-created because you feel pressured to decide right now. Why the rush? If you wait, you'll definitely find the color you want with the options you want. Keep looking! That's my opinion. Enjoy the hunt!

 

[Jernik]

DO NOT BUY THE RUSTY ONE! :bash:

Read your initial post on the two. Blue one is a little older, yes, but it's cherry, already has the cap on the bed, AND has 50k fewer miles on it! The $2k price difference is likely worth it. You already spotted more than $2k of upgrades, repairs and headaches on the rusty one just to get it remotely near where the other one currently sits.

I wasn't there to look at both, but on paper... both will probably get another 10 years. One of them will likely require a lot more bloody knuckles and cash to keep it limping along until a fender or door finally falls off from rust. At least that's my opinion from 1500+ miles away.

Look, I bought a rusty Jeep once (I know, I know... but hear me out). If parts are rusty to the point of failure (shifter cable, exhaust...), what else has the previous owner neglected? How was it treated? How was it maintained? I can tell you first hand how it appears that Jeep was treated. And I suspect the same could be possible for that Tundra. It's a risk I would not take again, Toyota or not (unless I had money to burn and it was a vehicle I wanted to trash just for fun).

Like a previous member posted, if it's not right hold out until it is. Do as I say, not as I do, lol. Best of luck whatever you decide! :cheers: