Tacoma or 4Runner

[Jay4runner7]

Would any of you guys trade in your 3rd gen for a 1st gen Tacoma? I’m thinking about it but I don’t get why the prices are so high for the Tacoma’s. I thought the 3rd gen would cost more since its 100 percent made in Japan. Should I make the trade? Is it worth paying a little more for the Tacoma? Any previous 1st gen Tacoma owners here think it’s worth the trade off?

 

[jkeith.w]

Would any of you guys trade in your 3rd gen for a 1st gen Tacoma? I’m thinking about it but I don’t get why the prices are so high for the Tacoma’s. I thought the 3rd gen would cost more since its 100 percent made in Japan. Should I make the trade? Is it worth paying a little more for the Tacoma? Any previous 1st gen Tacoma owners here think it’s worth the trade off?

I have both - a 96 5spd T4R and an 04 automatic Tacoma. The T4R has a much better build quality, especially the frame (my Tacoma has a replacement frame, btw.)

As you said, either the Tacomas are expensive for what they are, or the T4R is cheap for what it is. If you don't need the utility of a pickup, the T4R has better suspension travel in the rear. On the other hand, the Tacoma is easier to modify back there for large tire clearance. Upfront they are a wash - virtually identical.

 

[FrogginAround]

It's because the price of trucks now is outrageous. That means cost to replace plays a big factor. When did trucks become 70k?

 

[mtbtim]

Like [MENTION=28464]eimkeith[/MENTION] asked, do you need the utility of a pick-up? If not, get the 4runner. i do lots of road trips to camp, mountain bike, hike, backpack, fish, etc and I carry lots of gear. With the 4runner, I drop the rear seats and have plenty of space to hold everything and it's secure while I'm parked at a trailhead doing a mountain bike ride or a hike or maybe I'm in a town getting groceries, at a restaurant or whatever. Of course someone could break into my rig and steal everything I have but at least they would have to break in. With a pick-up, there's more temptation to people helping themselves to your gear while you're away from it.

Also, lots of guys who use 4runners to camp have built platforms to sleep on in the back with storage drawers underneath. This allows you to have the protection of your rig from the elements and you don't have to set up a tent. But, I carry so much shit on trips that there's no way my girlfriend and I could sleep in the back and still have room for all our gear. The thought of having to remove a bunch of gear every night so we can fit back there doesn't sound all that appealing. So, we put up a tent and sleep outside.

My two cents.

 

[Team_Jake]

Why not have both?

I've had my 1st gen Tacoma for about a year now, I wish I had bought it sooner.

 

[Ted02]

It would depend on your intended use. I also have both. I bought my Tacoma new, and it was my daily driver for 17 years. I love that truck, and will never get rid of it. But I decided I needed something more passenger practical and bought the T4R last year. Also, I don't wheel it, or do much off roading period, but I like the advantages of having 4WD when needed. That said, both have their benefits, but I've always felt that every household should have a pickup for hauling stuff. I can't begin to count the number of times I've hauled large stuff that would never have fit in a T4R. If your use is wheeling and camping, then probably the T4R would be the better choice. If just doing everyday stuff, then the Tacoma may be the better choice. I'm very happy with my T4R, but there's no way I'd give up my Tacoma if I could only keep one!

 

[Jay4runner7]

Why not have both?

I've had my 1st gen Tacoma for about a year now, I wish I had bought it sooner.

I wish I had the money to buy both, that would be the dream.


Still don’t get why something with lesser build quality and frame problems cost more, also don’t get why trucks are so expensive these days like the previous poster said. If you think about it truck is like buying half a car, should be cheaper than a suv.

 

[Thebeastlives]

I have a 4 runner and a Tundra. If you do truck stuff from time to time there is zero substitution for what a truck can do vs a 4 runner. If you don't need a truck the 4 runner is a nice middle ground between a truck and car.

 

[shadow247]

My vote goes to the 4runner. I have had pickups, cars, and SUV's, and for daily driving, hauling family, and general junk, an SUV is great. The only reason I ever had pickups was to haul dirtbikes, but now I just use trailers, and honestly it's just easier. If I need to get something home that is too big for the Runner, I can rent the HomeDepot truck for 20 bucks for the first 75 minutes and save myself thousands over having a 2nd vehicle.

 

[phattyduck]

I have a 4 runner and a Tundra. If you do truck stuff from time to time there is zero substitution for what a truck can do vs a 4 runner. If you don't need a truck the 4 runner is a nice middle ground between a truck and car.

Unless 'truck stuff' involves heavy towing, a trailer does most truck stuff pretty well. Try fitting 1400lbs of drywall in your Tundra bed, including 12' sheets:

(or a load of firewood, or appliance moving, etc. - all easier to load in the trailer with no worries of paint/body damage)

-Charlie

 

[Thebeastlives]

The loads I tow on trailer a lil 4 runner can't even move. Even 4000 lb trailer behind a 4 runner especially a 3rd gen makes for a miserable experience which I don't have the patience for or time for. A 1st gen tacoma probably only tows trailers marginally better than a 4 runner if at all. Still who want to grab a trailer for moving a large couch, frig or other truck stuff?

 

[WeakSauz]

4runner + a utility trailer. Ive found that I dont have a need for a truck with this combo

 

[spartacus]

Everone needs a truck onetime or another. I had a 1st Gen Tacoma extended cab stick shift, it was fun to drive and hauling was way easier then my 3rd Gen only reason I bought my 3rd Gen was because of dogs and growing family, not to mention I flipped it on the driver side while snow wheeling. The insurance company totaled it. I regret not buying it back and fixing it myself. Trailers are great but takes time to hook em, store em , register em, while a pickup is super convenient. Truck beds are always thère to haul at a moments notice.

 

[Ted02]

Still who want to grab a trailer for moving a large couch, frig or other truck stuff?

Agreed!

And how many people have the room to store a trailer? Can’t just leave it in the street! And storing a trailer in the driveway often looks trashy. Just my 2 cents.

 

[St Runner]

I have both, 2002 tacoma and two 4runners. If I could only have one it would be the truck. They both drive pretty similar but there are things you can do with a truck with a full rack that the 4runner could never do. Thankfully I don't have to choose one.

 

[Thebeastlives]

I have both, 2002 tacoma and two 4runners. If I could only have one it would be the truck. They both drive pretty similar but there are things you can do with a truck with a full rack that the 4runner could never do. Thankfully I don't have to choose one.

Same!! Trucks are just much more flexible than my 4 runners. When I go snowboarding I grab the tundra. 5 guys and 5 snowboards n a ton of gear no prb. Mtn bike trips we rack the bikes up n gear into the bed n roll out. If I take the sxs and trailer we always have lots of gear (50 gallon drum of fuel, tools, camping gear etc) . The 4 runner just can't manage to carry big stuff. In the 4 runner our space is just more limited for adventures especially ones with lots of gear and bodies. That truck bed is so handy especially when you add a good rack system to it. You rarely need to leave stuff behind.

 

[pdspen]

Having owned a truck before, as well as a car and trailer (and now 4runner and trailer) I'd say if you have space to store a trailer, then 4runner and trailer is the way to go. You have the ability to haul as needed, and the enclosed cargo space too. Even with a camper shell, a truck bed isn't as convenient as the back of the 4runner.

A pickup bed trailer works great too. If you get one from a compact pickup, then it tracks at the same width as the 4runner rather nicely. And the recycled truck suspension rides smoother than a normal trailer. Those small trailers are generally light enough that you can just pick them up and drop them on the hitch too. No need for exact backing and a jack.

Also, with the 4runner, people are less likely to ask you to move random things (or everything they own) for them at regular intervals...

EDIT: and with the money you save upgrade the 4runner.

 

[phattyduck]

Same!! Trucks are just much more flexible than my 4 runners. When I go snowboarding I grab the tundra. 5 guys and 5 snowboards n a ton of gear no prb.

Quad cab Tundra is a completely different class than a Tacoma...

My trailer spends most of its time folded in the corner in the garage. Much less room taken and cost spent than an extra vehicle.

-Charlie

 

[Thebeastlives]

A 4 runner with trailer vs a truck is NOT the way to go. I avoid towing even with a truck that has twice the hp and torque of 3rd gen 4 runner. When you tow it burns way more fuel especially with an under hp 3rd gen. I can barely run 75 mph without towing in a 4 runner when there is slight incline. Who the hell wants to be in slow truck lane towing a trailer behind a 3rd gen when you can drive a truck and throw that couch or refrigerator in the bed?A camper shell over your bed can make your truck equal to a 4 runner in any condition still superior in most situations. As much as I love our 3rd gen and 5th 4 runner neither would replace the truck

 

[UnderFire]

Tacoma diehards will try to tell you otherwise, but the 4Runner is just a better vehicle overall. There is no comparison in overall quality. I've owned and lived with every possible combination. The top of the line limited trim double cab Tacoma barely holds a candle to a 96 base model 4runner as far as overall build quality.

The argument of needing to do "truck stuff" is silly to me, because although the Taco is more truck than most people ever need, it still sucks at most things compared to other trucks, a little 10' utility trailer has so much more to offer than the tiny 4x6' thin sheet metal bed the 1st gen taco offers.

For some reason people have this weird aversion to towing with anything except the most giant truck available. You can easily tow thousands of pounds around with a Tacoma or 4Runner, you're not going to be racing, but if you don't drive like a jackass and don't get yourself tied up somewhere you shouldn't be, it's not a problem.

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