Help Please.. tacoma or 4 runner

[justintime8425]

I am ready to sell my Rubicon. When i built this rig i had one thing in mind, that was rockcrawling. Well it's built and i've been on one trip. This is also my daily driver. The 5.5" lift and 37's make it a rough ride. Since i only use this jeep to carry my canoe, and take me camping, i think it's time to get something more practical.

I am trying to decide on either a Tacoma Double Cab, or a 3rd Gen 4runner. I know i will miss things about my jeep like the front and rear locking diffs. I still want a vehicle that i can take off roading, and i know whatever i get will soon have a small lift (OME). But can anyone give me some good advise to make my decision any easier. One day i think i like to idea of a truck with the full rack on the back, and somedays i want a SUV to keep all my camping stuff dry. Can anyone point out any advantages or disadvantages of either...

Thanks. for the help. Heres a pic of my Rubicon and my usual set-up.

[Ric]

When I was looking into a 4x4, I knew that it would be a toyota, but I was in the same boat your in, is it gonna be a Tacoma or the 4Runner ????
after driving both, and really thinking about the ups and downs of both, I decided I want the 4Runner, pretty much for what you said, "to keep the stuff in the back dry, clean and locked up.
Im so glad I got the 4Runner, I have never looked back.
hope this helps

[bigreen505]

They both are nice options. My personal opinion is that if you are going to keep it basically stock and have a nice DD that can take you off road, go with the 4Runner. Nothing against its trail capability in any way, just that it is already a wonderful daily driver. If daily driving comfort come second to outdoor fun, get the Taco. It is good enough in daily driving duties, but its size and capability make it an ideal funmobile. There are not that many vehicles that you can load up with four people, three dogs and a week's worth of gear. And realistically, anything will seem like a lime next to the Jeep

Also, I don't really understand your comment about the lockers. If you like having them, put them on whatever truck you buy. Either F/R ARB's or a front ARB paired with the factory rear e-locker.

[3 DOGS]

Ok I am still a newbie here but I went through the same situation not too long ago before deciding and buying my Taco.
SUV or P/U??? I was stuck between the Nissan Xterra (06 Off Road) and the Taco Double Cab (03 or 04 TRD). Believe it not prices weren't too far off eachother.
After l thought about it, compared the two, looked at my needs and future plans I ended up with an 03 Taco. (I traded in my 03 Chevly Ext. Cab Z71 Silverado - not enough room.)
My choice was based on the following:
- Needs - real and imaginary
- Convience of gear storage and a place to put my 100 lbs. (each) dogs
- Future hauling needs - If you've owned a P/U, and then gotten rid of it - it seems that you then need one all the time for whatever reason(s).
I see you had a Jeep and hauled stuff on your outings. So you are well aware of "lack of space" per se. IMO a double cab is the way to go. Get a topper or bed lid or something similar. Then look into various storgage "boxes/drawers". This will help to secure your gear while still providing easy access to it. On top of that then you can put a rail system with a basket or racks on the roof of the topper for more gear.
I'll quit babbling now and end with this: Research each desired vehicle, write down your needs and plans, drive both vehicles and then decide. Don't rush into it because then you may regret the choice you've made.
Good luck.
2003 Taco, Double Cab, 4X4 TRD Auto, Snugfit topper and Bedrug - stock..For now.

[calamaridog]

You really can't go wrong with either. The SUV is a bit more family friendly.

You can also add a shell with a roof rack to the truck, for dry storage.

[Scott Brady]

They are very similar.

4Runner:
1. Better insulation
2. Luxury options
3. Traction control available in 01 and 02 (maybe earlier too)
4. Shorter WB and better departure angle
5. Better ride stock
6. MUCH better seats

Tacoma Double Cab:
1. Better rear passenger comfort
2. Much greater storage
3. Higher payload
4. Big box in the back for stuff
5. Back options like a shell, open, 4wheel Camper, my solution, etc.
6. TRD with locker
7. Crappy seats
8. Very long overall, over a foot longer WB

Basically, the Tacoma has the edge on carrying people and stuff, where the 4runner has the edge on comfort and trail size.

I was always an SUV/Jeep guy, so the crew cab was the perfect compromise...

Hope this helps, oh and welcome :D

[justintime8425]

Thanks for all the help. I am about to leave the house to go and test drive both of theses. Why does it have to be so difficult. Do i want to haul some gear or do i want to haul a family? Hmmmm.... this is a tough one.

I'll keep you posted on the search...

Thanks, Justin.

[datrupr]

Didn't some of the 3rd Gen. 4Runners come with a rear E-Locker?

[bigreen505]

Thanks for all the help. I am about to leave the house to go and test drive both of theses. Why does it have to be so difficult. Do i want to haul some gear or do i want to haul a family? Hmmmm.... this is a tough one.

I'll keep you posted on the search...

Thanks, Justin.

I agonized over a similar decision here (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=628) in a thread that rambled for seven pages. The problem is that there is rarely a clear-cut winner and all the options are really top notch vehicles. Just to muddy the waters, a FJ Cruiser can be had for $22k.

One thing you need to consider is value, i.e. bang for the buck. The 3rd Gen 4Runners have a very high resale price, and in some cases higher than a comparable 4th Gen runner. The Tacos, while very expensive, strike me as a better deal. Also, after driving a 4Runner a little bit, I was surprised how small it is on the inside, relative to outside. However, coming from a Jeep, it may be less of a shock on the trail (or parking lot) when you have to turn around.

Lot's of choices, all good. There are several threads on here about people looking for new trucks (look in the Nissan section) and some of the ideas tossed around in them may help you some.

[kcowyo]

Didn't some of the 3rd Gen. 4Runners come with a rear E-Locker?

Yup. Good call Aaron.

I like the versatility of a truck myself.

[asteffes]

Thanks for all the help. I am about to leave the house to go and test drive both of theses. Why does it have to be so difficult. Do i want to haul some gear or do i want to haul a family? Hmmmm.... this is a tough one.

I'll keep you posted on the search...

Thanks, Justin.

I bought my DC as an answer to that very question. It will haul five *and* all their stuff (and possibly some other peoples' stuff) with ease.

[justintime8425]

Well today was the first day i went to look. The first place i went was a local toyota dealorship. I have been doing a lot of research online through autotrader to see what these vehicles were going for.

When i go to the dealorship to drive an 2002 limited 4runner 4wd. It was nice but it was $24k. with 60k miles. A little steep for me. As i was leaving i saw an 05 4runner. SR5 4WD. The price tag in the window was 28K and it only had 25K miles.

To make a long store short i left the dealorship with the 05. I talked him down to 24K with 7 yr 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty and free oil changes for 3 years. I even tried to get free gas but that didn't fly. They gave my 15K for my jeep and it wasn't even there. They haven't seen it at all, i am dropping it off tomorrow. But i never expected to be driving home in a new vehicle tonight, especially the first one i looked at.

[Scott Brady]

Those gen 4's are sweet. I had a great time with one for a few months this spring:

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=811

[ChuckB]

I feel your pain, I'm trying to decide the same thing too. To throw you for another loop don't discount the Land Cruiser as well.

(edit) Just saw your post on the page 2. Congrats!!! Really like the silver color!

[datrupr]

:clapsmile Congrats on your new purchase. Sounds like you got a pretty good deal. I like it, and the color is nice too.:clapsmile

[BajaTaco]

:beer: Cheers! Nice going on the negotiations.

[The Swiss]

To make a long store short i left the dealorship with the 05. Congratulations, I'm sure you will love it. Just a word of warning from a fellow ex-Jeeper: It's hard to stop waving automaticly at other Jeeps, so get used to strange looks from them why on earth you give them the Jeep wave...

[justintime8425]

Yeah i have already given the jeep wave a few times only to get a WTF back.. Its so funny. I dropped the Jeep off at the dealorship this morning.. I walked in gave them the keys told them where it was parked and that was it. They never even looked at the vehicle. I took off my IPF lights and other little things i added that could be removed easily, but for all they know i could have stripped the thing.

When i left, a guy and his son started looking at the jeep in the parking lot. I drove by an hour later, and the jeep was gone and there car was still there.. I looked around the lot and didnt see it... I think it might already have been out on a test drive....

[4Rescue]

As has been said over and over, it's a difference between utility and comfort for the most part, I'd have loved to get a Tacoma, but I I stumbled on a Gen1 Runner (Which IMO is the only Runner to have) for a steal and I've never looked back, plus with the removable rear shell, it's like a pick-up kinda... If I were building a rig for backcountry exploration, I'd go with the Taco cause a shell makes a killer living space in the boonies, the runner can do it too, but you have to unload the stupid back seats if you have more than 2 people and fold it flat blah blah blah... It's also nice (as a rafter, Freerider and all around dirty guy) to have a pick-up cause the **** in the back is in the back, not in the same cab as you ;) It matters sometimes... With the new Taco, while it's a longer/bigger rig than the runner is some ways, it's still really capable off-road straight from the dealer, and it'll still haull the family.

Cheers and No Worries

Dave

[dirtysouth]

Where are you guys located? You guys should come to the southeast to buy your vehicles. I seen in another post about the 04 DC being around the $25k mark with 50k miles on them and then this 4runner for $28k with mileage on it. I paid $25k for a 04 DC new, and we bought a 05 4runner sport edition with 4wd for the same price, and it was new also. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying you guys are paying too much and I hope I don't come across that way. I guess location really drives the market up. You guys can fly in to atlanta and use my address for all your paperwork and get some "deals". I do regret selling my DC though, now I have a 89 FJ62 that I'm torn between selling or fixing up.

[justintime8425]

I live in cumming, GA. I bought my 4runner at Toyota Mall of GA. I did a lot of looking online before finding my 4runner. The used vehicles i found had double the miles for the same price. So i thought this one was a pretty good deal. Although i probably should have kept looking... i am really happy with the purchase. Also have you guys seen carsdirect.com I guess you buy the cars online, but you can get some really good deals on 06's.

Dirty South... where are you in Atlanta? I might have seen you around if you live on the northside of town.

[dirtysouth]

I live in cumming, GA. I bought my 4runner at Toyota Mall of GA. I did a lot of looking online before finding my 4runner. The used vehicles i found had double the miles for the same price. So i thought this one was a pretty good deal. Although i probably should have kept looking... i am really happy with the purchase. Also have you guys seen carsdirect.com I guess you buy the cars online, but you can get some really good deals on 06's.

Dirty South... where are you in Atlanta? I might have seen you around if you live on the northside of town.


I actually live in cartersville which is above marietta if you know where that is. We bought the 4runner when the gas prices starting going up last year and they were trying to give them away. The wife seen the other day when toyota is now offering 0% financing on some vehicles and they've never offered 0% as far as I know. I'm waiting until next year and I want to buy another DC, I actually like the 04 body style better than the newer ones but you can get a new one for about the same price as a used one. Depreciation doesn't belong in the same sentence as toyota. I am torn on whether to put a little $ into the FJ62 or just hold off until I buy a DC. The 62 isn't my daily driver, I actually work for myself and have a "gulp", ford ranger.