Climber
New member
I don't know the exact measurements but I have slept in the back of my 4runner of multiple occasions and have heard of a blow up mattress designed to fill the cargo area with the seats down. Im about 5'10 by the way.
Switch from Tacoma to 4Runner??
- Thread starter hawaiian05
- Start date
I don't know the exact measurements but I have slept in the back of my 4runner of multiple occasions and have heard of a blow up mattress designed to fill the cargo area with the seats down. Im about 5'10 by the way.
hawaiian05
New member
Good to know! This would definitely be one the pros of getting a 4runner so I wanted to be sure. Thanks for the input!
I see you have one of the figurations that'd I'd be interested in (5 speed w/locker)- how much did you pay for that if you don't mind me asking? They seem really hard to come across...
MTD
New member
I switched from a 2nd gen taco to my 3rd gen 4runner and don't regret it one bit. The bed was nice for stuff that was dirty or stinky, but I personally think that the added dry and warm space is better.
MAD 69
New member
I have had both, got rid of the Taco but would love to get another(currently looking for a 1st Gen) as already said, the bed in the Taco is wasted space, you haul junk or stuff you don't want inside the truck. I'm usually carrying expensive gear in my 4Runner and its great being able to lock it up. The 4Runner is more versatile especially for a family.
busmup808
New member
I also was in your shoes at one point. Being born and raised in HI, I always had the truck and 4runner.. I come from a family of Toyotas. I was brought home in a 85 4runner as a baby.
Now I live in WA and it's more practical to have any SUV or here than our 85° year round weather back home. Like the others said above. You still would have to start all over, but At least you know what to expect to lift. Camping here is way better than back home. Just no can surf when u wakeup. Can over hea, but cold da wata. So u back home or in Boise? I get choke ohana in Spokane and we go wheeling in Idaho with the Spokane chapters sometimes.
Now I live in WA and it's more practical to have any SUV or here than our 85° year round weather back home. Like the others said above. You still would have to start all over, but At least you know what to expect to lift. Camping here is way better than back home. Just no can surf when u wakeup. Can over hea, but cold da wata. So u back home or in Boise? I get choke ohana in Spokane and we go wheeling in Idaho with the Spokane chapters sometimes.
hawaiian05
New member
Yups I know what you mean bout da 4runner being more practical in the colder climates. I'm in boise right now but we plan to move back HI in the next few years. Where in WA are you located? I'd love to get out n wheel but Spokane is small kine far from boise. I bought my truck there n drove back like 8 hrs I think.
Singtoe
New member
I thought that there was a place in Hawaii called Boise -oops :noidea:
white_n_slow
Senior Member
If you're taller than 5'6" or so, you will need to remove the seat bottoms to sleep flat (not diagonal) in the back. Once the seat bottoms are removed, there is plenty of room for a big tall fella.
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hawaiian05
New member
Haha no worries! I wanted to put both places in "location" but didn't have enough space, so I got creative! But even in HI the camping in the SUV comes handy when you're doing overnight fishing trips and aren't allowed to camp on certain beaches.
hawaiian05
New member
Thanks for following up on that! I know that seat bottoms fold forward, but to remove them is it just a matter of bolts/screws, or is there is quick-disconnect system?
busmup808
New member
I'm actually 5hrs away from Spokane. I'm in GRAHAM area, 98338. We go just to visit da ohana every summer. Wow, jus googled and your 8hr away from me.
busmup808
New member
Plus u not goin catch cracks from da moskitoz & 747s!
white_n_slow
Senior Member
two bolts per seat, so 4 total if you're sleeping two in the back. You could devise a quick-release if you felt it was worth the effort. You could also put shorter bolts in so it would take fewer turns of the wrench. The stock bolts are a lot longer than they need to be (some safety engineer can e-slap me if he so chooses).
Limbwalker
New member
I love my 3rd gen. That being said I miss my taco like crazy. As someone who NEVER uses the back seats, I would really like to have a bed again. Though, it is nice to lock all my gear in the back without a cheesy looking topper. I dont know... I guess I just need one of each 
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hawaiian05
New member
I love my 3rd gen. That being said I miss my taco like crazy. As someone who NEVER uses the back seats, I would really like to have a bed again. Though, it is nice to lock all my gear in the back without a cheesy looking topper. I dont know... I guess I just need one of each
I do agree that I don't use the back seats much other than inside storage, though I will be more in the near future when my baby is born.. and I'm just not one to rock camper also- that's just ugly!
Having one of each would be my ultimate dream, though after trying numerous times to convince my wife, she just aint having any of it...
flyinbrick
New member
I would think that with a baby on the way, the 4Runner would be a no-brainer since you can put the baby seat in the back seat. Baby seat in the front is not considered safe. I was also in the same situation a year ago deciding between taco xtracab and 4Runner.
The reasons I went with the 4Runner was:
1. cheaper
2. shorter than xtracab taco but has 6ft interior cargo length (fits in my small garage better)
3. can sleep in back without a camper shell
4. risk of camper shell stolen
Brique
New member
Fyi, I can't speak to the older 4runners, but the 2001 has the latch tether hook (top) for car seats. It does not have the lower hooks, however, so you'll need to use the seat belt to attach the car seat. The top tether isn't used until later once you switch to a forward facing configuration.
hawaiian05
New member
I appreciate your input and you got some legit points, though I don't have an extra cab, I have a double cab tacoma. Have, as in currently have. I'm debating the switch to a 4runner.
On a side note, I'm bummed bc I missed out on what I feel was a prett good deal today...
2000 4runner Highlander Edition, 65k, 4x4, 5 speed, E-locker, TRD Supercharger- $11k... Guy beat me to it and put a deposit over the phone with the car lot!!!
hawaiian05
New member
Thank you! Some good info to know as I wasn't aware of that. I appreciate it. Nice rig you got!
danthemanx07
New member
Well - I did the reverse of what you are contemplating - I started with a 4runner and picked up a Double Cab Tacoma.
I have always wanted a double cab, so much of my decision was based on that. BUT - I do a lot of my own handy work on everything I own, including the 4runner, and the bed has been a huge improvement over the cargo are of the 4runner. Seriously - it has been amazing to be able to throw axles, furniture, and other dirty crap in the back of the Tacoma as opposed to the cargo area of the 4runner.
I didn't read all pages of this thread, so I am sure it has been mentioned, but if you watch craigslist, I am sure you can pick up a used 3rd gen for cheap. They do not hold value nearly as well as the Tacomas, so I am sure with a little bit of patience you can hang onto the Tacoma as well.
I have always wanted a double cab, so much of my decision was based on that. BUT - I do a lot of my own handy work on everything I own, including the 4runner, and the bed has been a huge improvement over the cargo are of the 4runner. Seriously - it has been amazing to be able to throw axles, furniture, and other dirty crap in the back of the Tacoma as opposed to the cargo area of the 4runner.
I didn't read all pages of this thread, so I am sure it has been mentioned, but if you watch craigslist, I am sure you can pick up a used 3rd gen for cheap. They do not hold value nearly as well as the Tacomas, so I am sure with a little bit of patience you can hang onto the Tacoma as well.
