Someone talk me out of getting rid of the Runner

[Icepuck72]

I really miss my Tacoma....or a Toyota truck in general....I thought if I bought a 4Runner, V8, lifted it mildly, I'd be OK. Not sure though.

I am eying a 2005 DC Tundra. Stock..but with 50k miles. Help me with these voices....lol:smash:

 

[wadle5]

The only argument I would make is if the truck is a manual. . . . do it. But other than that I wouldn't trade/sell my t4r for anything. Plan on taking it on family vacations, off roading, and running it into the ground. Harder to do a family vacay in a pick-up. .. depending on cab size

 

[LTDSC]

im a huge truck guy but for some reason the 4runner has got a weird hold on me. Cant let it go. I was bored with it a few weeks ago, then i took it offroad. Everything changed.

 

[awdjunkies]

The only argument I would make is if the truck is a manual. . . . do it. But other than that I wouldn't trade/sell my t4r for anything. Plan on taking it on family vacations, off roading, and running it into the ground. Harder to do a family vacay in a pick-up. .. depending on cab size

im a huge truck guy but for some reason the 4runner has got a weird hold on me. Cant let it go. I was bored with it a few weeks ago, then i took it offroad. Everything changed.

Bingo!!!

 

[aha2988]

purchase a utility trailer instead, cheaper in the long run than paying for another truck loan. Gets you a cargo "bed area" and can be removed and attached as needed.

Also upgrading to a steel roof rack. (can purchase one fairly inexpensive from a member on here custom sized to fit plywood sheets or drywall or whatever you would use a bed in a truck for)

Cargo draw systems will also allow you to gain more efficient use of the cargo area

or, keep the 4runner and purchase an older beater work truck to get whatever truck needs you have done.


If you like the 4runner these are great options to get around not having a pickup. (also i feel your pain as I came from a 1 ton diesel truck to the 4r)

but after the off-roading fun I've had, this awesome friendly (sometimes arrogant lol) forum, the complements I get from having a pretty modified 4runner, the ability to haul friends, family and girls to the lake, beach, camping, movies, dinner, parties. all have kept me from missing the old truck i had.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I'm not a truck guy so I never have had the desire to drive a pickup, but it really comes down to what you're looking to do with it.

 

[awdjunkies]

purchase a utility trailer instead, cheaper in the long run than paying for another truck loan. Gets you a cargo "bed area" and can be removed and attached as needed.

Also upgrading to a steel roof rack. (can purchase one fairly inexpensive from a member on here custom sized to fit plywood sheets or drywall or whatever you would use a bed in a truck for)

Cargo draw systems will also allow you to gain more efficient use of the cargo area

or, keep the 4runner and purchase an older beater work truck to get whatever truck needs you have done.


If you like the 4runner these are great options to get around not having a pickup. (also i feel your pain as I came from a 1 ton diesel truck to the 4r)

but after the off-roading fun I've had, this awesome friendly (sometimes arrogant lol) forum, the complements I get from having a pretty modified 4runner, the ability to haul friends, family and girls to the lake, beach, camping, movies, dinner, parties. all have kept me from missing the old truck i had.

Yeah, this guy comes to mind(Sorry dude, I borrowed your pic) :

 

[DaGimp]

My father bought a 82 long bed toy new, 15 years later I bought it from him and drove it anther 15 years. Even tho I love that truck the entire time I had it I wanted a 4 runner.

I can easily and comfortably have 5 people in the vehicle, if I want go camping on short notice I can fold down the seats and have a safe dry, level, no rocks in my back and no bug place to camp/sleep.

Last week I took my stock 4runner on a Run past hunter lake with some guys from Reno4x4. Its mainly a jeep club and they were all lifted and locked with large tires and at the top they all commented on how amazing it was the 4runner made it there. Shortly after that they found I wasnt locked in into 4wd, they all shit their pants. (15 years of 4wheeling experience contributed a lot to make it to the top not in locked 4wd).

I have the 2006 V8 sport edition with all of the options available that year. I upgraded the stereo to a GPS NAV DVD player with HD digital stereo and love it.

I've only towed with it once but it did great and didnt even notice the biggest uhaul covered trailer packed to the roof behind it.

And as you'd expect its a great grocery getter! Ride is smooth for a 4x4...

With the V8 I can easily pass people on the freeway even going up %10 grades....

Can you tell I love my 4runner?

On a side note you cant carry a yard of gravel in a 4 runner, well I guess you could but I wouldnt recommend it. For real dirty work I have 73 Dodge W100 4x4 long bed with a 360 and a roof rack.

 

[jdkilroy]

I've got both and I love my Taco (and Tundra) but the Taco would go down before the 4Runner. (The Tundra has been commandeered by my wife so its no longer part of the discussion)

I pull a dump trailer with my 4Runner and its handier than the pick-up.

I understand your feelings though; there's something about a big pick-up that just feels right.

May your anguish lead to harmony once again ....

 

[Icepuck72]

OK guys..thanks. Just what I needed...I even had the blessing from my wife to go for the Tundra if I wanted to....but I think I'm keeping the Runner. I'm going to go the 5X10 utility trailer....maybe later down the road purchase an older Tacoma for my Toyota truck fix.

I even went to Tundra Solutions board and checked them out.....I searched for some pics of the first gen Tundras and quite frankly, really think they're not all that good looking even lifted.

 

[CrimsonCountry]

I've been debating the same thing lately. Don't get me wrong, I love my 4runner and would have a hard time actually getting rid of it but I drove my buddies '10 Tundra and I loved it. To me, it just feels right. Again, not implying that there's anything wrong with the runner but I really liked being back in a full size truck...the interior room is amazing in those. Granted, I didn't have to parallel park it or fill it up so that would probably sour things. I'll probably move in to a full size down the road though.

As to your dilemma, i'm not a big fan of the 1st gen Tundras. They just look too small to me for a pickup. If I wanted that size, I would just get a Tacoma. If you were going to get one, I would get the current gen but that's just me.

 

[T4RUSAF]

My wife gave me the go ahead to pick up a new tundra if I wanted it. but my 4R is near and dear and I don't know if I want to get rid of it. Decisions decisions...

 

[jediwebdude]

Showing up to this thread a bit late, but wanted to contribute anyway. Two guys who work for me have current gen Tundra quad-cab pickups. Both regret their purchases. Both said they like my 4Runner much better.

Their issues:

- fuel mileage (one has 5.7L, other 4.6L)
- Tundra is too big
- don't care for how the Tundra drives

Granted, this is the first time either has had a full-size pickup. The one who got the 5.7L did so to pull a camper trailer. When he's towing, he fully appreciates his Tundra.

 

[alaskaman]

If you travel anywhere rugged your truck may be 2nd best to the 4Runner. I cannot tell you how many times i've seen trucks struggling up hills with ice and snow (the Chevy Avalanche an real embarrassment). In addition the 4Runner is a contained vehicle safer for supplies and gear than any truck product. Finally the weight to gearing ratio of the 4Runner (4lo) will get you out of more issues which normally would require a tow.

It is a superior vehicle for exploration. I've come down and back to Alaska and nothing is equipped to voyage out like a Runner. I've got almost 70K now and it has never ever let me down. -65 below to 130 above, all the ice and mud including some real Yukon ice roads I trust my 4Runner. If you can say that about any vehicle I say put it in your garage.

I know, most of us (including me now) rarely encounter the conditions the 4Runner is capable of handling....but when we get that feeling to get "out" the 4Runner is the best choice. Just got back from a very tame Joshua tree trip. Overqualified we were and loved it.

Stick with your Runner. Love is love.:wave:

 

[CrimsonCountry]

Showing up to this thread a bit late, but wanted to contribute anyway. Two guys who work for me have current gen Tundra quad-cab pickups. Both regret their purchases. Both said they like my 4Runner much better.

Their issues:

- fuel mileage (one has 5.7L, other 4.6L)
- Tundra is too big
- don't care for how the Tundra drives

Granted, this is the first time either has had a full-size pickup. The one who got the 5.7L did so to pull a camper trailer. When he's towing, he fully appreciates his Tundra.

I agree, them not ever having been in a full size may have something to do with it. You can't argue over the larger size and MPG issue though...that's just the nature of a full-size truck. As with any other choice, it all comes down to personal preference.

I love the huge, spacious feeling inside the Tundra's cab. That's really my only gripe with the 4runner but again, that's only due to its midsize. The worst part about the tundra would be the stock MPG is lower than a heavily modified (3" lift on 33" MTs) 4runners. Of course if I got one it would have a 3" lift and 33-35" AT so I'd probably be looking at 12-13 MPG....ouch.

Basically, I love the idea of the Tundra but it really doesn't make much economical sense if you don't "need" it (liek I really "needed" my 4runner lifted ha).

If you travel anywhere rugged your truck may be 2nd best to the 4Runner. I cannot tell you how many times i've seen trucks struggling up hills with ice and snow (the Chevy Avalanche an real embarrassment). In addition the 4Runner is a contained vehicle safer for supplies and gear than any truck product. Finally the weight to gearing ratio of the 4Runner (4lo) will get you out of more issues which normally would require a tow.

It is a superior vehicle for exploration. I've come down and back to Alaska and nothing is equipped to voyage out like a Runner. I've got almost 70K now and it has never ever let me down. -65 below to 130 above, all the ice and mud including some real Yukon ice roads I trust my 4Runner. If you can say that about any vehicle I say put it in your garage.

I know, most of us (including me now) rarely encounter the conditions the 4Runner is capable of handling....but when we get that feeling to get "out" the 4Runner is the best choice. Just got back from a very tame Joshua tree trip. Overqualified we were and loved it.

Stick with your Runner. Love is love.:wave:

Great point, the 4runners seem to be far superior for any type of serious off road excursion. If you really wanted the Tundra with the most mobility, you could always get the Single Cab Short Bed w/ a topper. I think one of those with a 3-4" lift (no 6" drop brackets) and 35s would be very capable.

 

[TRDCal]

I love my 4runner but not so in love with automatics. Which is why I'll be looking for a Tacoma in the not so distant future. Apart from that, I also feel a Tacoma would suit my needs better. The interior in the back of my 4runner is all beaten up because I use it as if it was a pickup truck, so why not just get a pickup....I don't haul people very often nor do I need heated cargo storage. They're not for everyone but for me it makes sense.

Maybe not what you wanted to hear but that's my 2 cents. Plus in the end, as long as your getting another Toyota you can't go wrong.

 

[adrianp]

Our family has a 2004 4Runner and a 2005 Acura TL. We've recently been thinking of replacing one of them. I really want to get a pickup in the family as we're starting to do a lot of house/yard work and an SUV doesn't always cut it. In the end we said we'd be nuts to get rid of the 4runner. The Acura TL has been horrible and it has almost half the miles of the 4runner, but that 4runner man, it's been solid.

I'm currently eyeing a Taco, pre-runner 4 door LB since the expectation is that it would most likely replace the 4runner at some point. But then again, we'd probably just get another 4runner