DC Taco or 3rd GEN Runner??

[PotatoKing]

FJ1

• PotatoKing
• Jun 21, 2017

So the medication has worn off and I am considering getting back into rock crawling. I bought a worn out, rusty 73 FJ40 and turned it into a very fun and capable crawler. Kids were still pretty young and finances were tight. Kids are now grown and no more financial issues. Whenever I was on the CON and saw SAS'd DC Taco or SAS'd runner I wanted one. I need help in either talking me into it or to start taking the medication again. So if you had a choice, which truck would you go with, the Taco or the Runner? The plan is to do the same thing to either one. SAS, crawl box, ARB's, can't decide what axles to go with.
So what do you think?

FJ1

• PotatoKing
• Jun 21, 2017

FJ2

• PotatoKing
• Jun 21, 2017

FJ3

• PotatoKing
• Jun 21, 2017

 

[PotatoKing]

this is ultimately what either would turn into

 

[Haggis]

Tough call...My problem with a SAS is that they have too much lift for my liking. I considered doing it to my 2000 tacoma but ultimately decided to use the $$$ to build up my 60. I just replaced my 3rd Gen 4Runner with a 200 series. That 4Runner was the best vehicle I have ever owned, the 200 has a lot to live up to, hope she can do it.

 

[PotatoKing]

Tough call...My problem with a SAS is that they have too much lift for my liking. I considered doing it to my 2000 tacoma but ultimately decided to use the $$$ to build up my 60. I just replaced my 3rd Gen 4Runner with a 200 series. That 4Runner was the best vehicle I have ever owned, the 200 has a lot to live up to, hope she can do it.

Honestly that was my biggest concern. Would love to hear from owners of sas'd tacos and runners if they always feel like they are going to put in their sides all the time. That white runner is using 3" lift springs and seems way high to me.

 

[PotatoKing]

Apparently this forum is pretty dead nowadays. Back in the day i would have had 20-30 replies by now. I think I have decided to get on the medication again.

 

[White Stripe]

The problem with converting ifs Toyota rigs to solid axle front is that the frame has very little kick up in the front because ifs doesn't need kick up in the frame, so you have to have a tall rig if you make a 3Rd Gen or tacoma a solid axle front. Or you could make a custom frame. Front range offroad I think it was has a 3Rd Gen that they beefed up the front ifs and used rcv CV axles and are running 37s with very little lift.

 

[theferg]

I've had both the 3rd Gen 4Runner and 1st Gen Tacoma. Currently in a 2003 Double Cab Tacoma. Given the 2 options, I'd say 4Runner for sure.

-4Runner is assembled in Japan and not on top of a rust-prone Dana frame like the Tacomas are
-Purchase price of a 3rd Gen 4Runner is about 1/2 the price of a 1st Gen Tacoma Double Cab (with equivalent mileage, motors, options)
-Coil/Link already setup in the rear on the 4Runner. Seems like you might be converting to leaf springs, but, I would LOVE to have that stock coil/link setup on the rear of the Tacoma...(and actually plan to graft it in one day...)
-4Runner seats are much more comfortable than the Tacoma ones
-Little things in the interior on the 4Runner appealed to me more. The dash and center console layout.

I also personally think the later 3rd Gen 4Runner front ends (98+ I think is when it updated) look MUCH better than the later model 1st Gen Tacoma front ends (and I would LOVE to graft in the 4Runner front end onto my Tacoma one day too... )

Anyway, just all my biased opinion. YMMV

Oh, and in case anybody wonders why... I have the Tacoma and not a 4Runner cause I much prefer the pickup bed for hauling camping gear and other crap without having to worry about getting the interior dirty or scratched and can fun my roof top tent much lower to the ground on a bed rack vs way up high on top of the 4Runner.

 

[G-Cat]

I agree with theferg