Trade? for a Tacoma

[adam2562]

It's not something I REALLY wanna do.. and it's not something I thought about for awhile or anything.. there are many things that i like about the 4runner.. the 15spkr JBL stereo (i love a good stock stereo so i'm not inclined to upgrade anything) and the big Nav screen and having an enclosed rear hatch that I could sleep in if i want like i have a few times b4. Not to mention how much i love using the tailgate speakers when camping or tailgating at a show or whatever. Oh and probably one of my favorites.. the rear window that goes down. i would miss the KDSS and how great it handles ON the road and OFF (it gets smoother on the beaten path when the swaybars are free to move around). I didn't really use crawl control that much(i found it doing what i can do)

There are down sides to the 4runner.. i need to buy/store a trailer to carry my ATV around.. the A/C takes FOREVER to cool down the cabin and I feel like I always have it on a mid to high blower setting.. the 5k tow limit.. NOT that I actually have towed anything that heavy.. but the possibility is there in the future, and that means towing something at 4500lbs is easier with the Tacoma.. oh and on the Tacoma I like how the trailer hookups are right there at the back like it should be vs tucked away like on the 4runner. there's no real way to lift the 4runner anymore than 3" IF I wanted to with the KDSS. Oh and I love driving stick and having that as an option on the Tacoma.

So I'm at this point lately where I've been thinking about it .. and how i could essentially buy a brand new Tacoma or order one with everything i want for 32-33k b4 taxes.. and my monthly payment would be lower or close to the same. Has anybody else had this dilemma? PS the 13-14 model year Tacoma look good up front! and NO I wouldn't get a TRD Pro .. and YES the supercharger option is out there and ready!!

 

[BL78]

I traded my 2012 Tacoma Sport for the 2013 4Runner Limited. Did it because it was better for my family. I like the Tacoma but do not regret the trade. But everyones situation is different.

 

[Jesse1983]

Former Tacoma owner here. I think you'd miss the 4Runner quick if you went into a Tacoma. too many reasons to list. a trailer is a small price to pay for all that you get out of the runner.

 

[adam2562]

my thing is.. the gf that could be more than that later wants an suv.. so that could be the family hauler.. and i also have my 97 avalon that's great for road trips.. so i've thought about that day when i may have kids too.. PS i would definitely get the double cab.

i almost bought a tundra b4 i bought the 4runner.. i was mainly looking at them.. and then threw a curve ball and went with the 4runner that i have ALWAYS loved but never owned b4 this

 

[STX4Runner]

[MENTION=45721]adam2562[/MENTION], if I'm not mistaken, a Tacoma has a very similar front suspension (if not identical, save for the lack of KDSS) and you probably shouldn't lift it more than 3" either. It don't think KDSS is what prevents us from lifting more than 3", it's the screwed up CV angles that result.

 

[Gabex35]

i had a 2010 manual access cab and they are geared way too low...or is it high (at 70mph i would be almost at 3000 RPM). i got terrible mileage with a simple 5100 lift and stock wheels/tires. i would stick to auto. thats all i can contribute

 

[adam2562]

[MENTION=45721]adam2562[/MENTION], if I'm not mistaken, a Tacoma has a very similar front suspension (if not identical, save for the lack of KDSS) and you probably shouldn't lift it more than 3" either. It don't think KDSS is what prevents us from lifting more than 3", it's the screwed up CV angles that result.

for the Tacoma, you CAN get a 6" Fabtech kit that drops the diff(not a diff drop kit... this is an actual full cross-member) so the CV angles aren't anything to worry about and i'm pretty sure ProComp makes one too.. but anyhow i doubt i'd do that.. i see myself doing a 3" suspension then maybe a 1.5" body.. its all just pondering anyhow.

Only 1 person that i know of has the fabtech kit on their 4runner and i don't think hes on T4R.org but he has the SR5.. there's a write up somewhere where sum1 talked about the KDSS having to be taken out if you wanted to do that lift on a trail KDSS equipped 4runner.

 

[USMCRUNNER]

I've owned 2 tacomas myself and loved them both. They can hold there own and then some on the trail and are great rigs. Once my son was born the Tacoma was worthless. His car seat did not fit and it got cramped quick. To me the 4 runner is pretty much an enclosed taco if that makes any sense haha. Great for traveling and plenty of room for hauling kiddos. Would love to get another Tacoma but to me the runner is just a better rig and setup. Also stay away from the stick shift. Better off with the auto. Check out ttora.com for more info. Great forum and tons of info.

 

[LandCruiser]

I'm pretty close to doing it. I need the extra cash to pay for our new house.

I'm split between a base 4x4 and the extended cab 4x4 (both MT, 4 bangers).

The extended cab is cool because there's air conditioned space behind the driver for groceries and it'd be a safe place to throw my rifles when I go hunting.

I plan on getting a topper, either way.

 

[SigSense]

I'm actively trying to sell my 5th Gen now to get a Tacoma or Tundra. Love the 'Runner but the reality is I need a truck for all the crap that gets hauled around. Taking a trailer everywhere is not feasible or economical. Understand what you are going through. If you weigh the Pros and Cons, and determine that you must have a Tacoma then I say go for it. They are ultra-reliable and the resale (like T4rs) value is great.

 

[adam2562]

yea.. like for instance, i REALLY wanna take my 4wheeler to our cabin in TN which is 500 miles away.. but the road up to the cabin has 2 VERY tight turns with drop off on either side and taking a trailer just isn't very safe.. AND the parking area is on a pretty good slope. SO.. being able to put it in the back is a HUGE plus.

 

[USMCRUNNER]

I say if its going to be a while before your planning on having little ones get the taco. I do miss being able to just through crap in the bed and go. My needs changed over the years though and sadly the taco had to go. Like the op said great truck and very good resale!

 

[Stifler]

my thing is.. the gf that could be more than that later wants an suv..

a bit of advice.... if she ain't tour wife don't let her act like it. I'd she is your wife keep your balls and man up

 

[edsyoung]

I got the best of both worlds. I have a 2006 Tacoma Double Cab and a 2010 4Runner SR5. Use the Tacoma as my daily driver and the 4Runner for weekend/family trips. Couldn't be happier!

 

[NoDak]

well comparing the 2014 LE 4runner vs the warden's 2012 Taco double cab v6 w/ tow package.

1. towing between the 2 isn't much difference. yes you could pull 6400 lbs but that engine is lacking, pulling 4500 lbs on the taco seems less inspiring than the 4runner with the same 4500 lbs.

2. a lot more hard plastics in the taco, hurts my elbows resting it on the window sill

3. I think they are dropping the sticks in the future version

4. unless you get a newer taco, the screen size is the same as the 4runner

5. a lot of the nice things in the 4runner are not in the taco unless you opt for the limited

6. loading the bed, the leaf packs are dreadful unless you get the 3 or 4 leaf versions. some taco's only get 2 leafs I think.

7. the warden loves her OR v6, but she doesn't take it/use it except as a pavement queen

8. even the v6 dcab is way to light for pulling/hauling safely, to much you have to mod/add to get to that 6400 limit.

9. I would trust the 4runner to do more than the tacoma, but that just me. unless you hauling stuff in the bed, keep the 4runner.

 

[Jeremy556]

I came from an 07 Taco.

4Runner is a much nicer vehicle, much better ride and handling.

You aren't going to lift the Taco any more than the 4runner without also giving up sway bars, and even with a mild lift, you are going to run into driveline vibes on the Taco.

The 6speed sucks, it is geared too low and has throw out bearing problems.

Having towed 5K+ with 4Runner and Taco, the Taco is only very slightly better.

Buy an 8-10 year old, 2WD, regular cab, long bed, 3/4+ ton pickup with a gas engine and deep gears. Will easily haul an ATV, and will tow 100 times better than a 4runner or Taco. What the hell do you need an ATV for if you have a 4runner, anyway?

 

[wfo9]

I needed a small truck to use on the weekends since my wife was always wanting to drive our new full size truck. We were fighting over it and I do a lot of dirt bike riding... I was set on a Tacoma as it is really the only small tuck on the market these days, but after looking at the price of used ones and the overall size and capabilities, I could not justify the cost. Even though the 4runner was a little more expensive, I felt it was a much better overall value. I got a hitch carrier for it and it works great.

The bed of the Tacoma is really small and shallow, and the crew cab was a big let down after being used to a full size crew cab. Full size trucks are the way to go if you want to tow or haul a decent load.

 

[adam2562]

a bit of advice.... if she ain't tour wife don't let her act like it. I'd she is your wife keep your balls and man up

lol you live up to the username! she has nothing to do with my purchase.. if anything it helps make the change i'm contemplating happen.


i'm thinking the Taco is gonna get redesigned for 2016 so i may just wait for that, and if i don't like it then i can get a good deal on a new 2015 when the '16 refresh comes out

 

[NoDak]

that's the same thing we are waiting for, the next gen taco.

she wants to get out of the looks dept and get more creature comforts.

the new limited is exactly what she wants (heated seats, bigger center stack screen) but I want to wait for the next gen to see how it looks before pulling the trigger.

not a big issue for us since she barely breaks 5k a year in mileage on normal use so we should be able to get a great deal on trade in (last year we had to move the daughter to college so that added a lot and hence my points on towing 650 miles one way using the taco).

 

[SigSense]

The bed of the Tacoma is really small and shallow, and the crew cab was a big let down after being used to a full size crew cab. Full size trucks are the way to go if you want to tow or haul a decent load.

I don't own a 2nd Gen Taco yet, but they do make a Long Bed version. The composite bed is 73.5 inches. Buddy of mine has a 2012 DCLB and it works great for one motorcycle. He typically puts his toolbox, ramp and gear needed for a weekend of fun, shutting the tailgate. The Taco short bed is easier to park but you can't shut the tailgate with a moto/ATV.