Why 4Runner over Tacoma?

[spectre6000]

I'm in the market for a four wheel drive Toyota, and I'm looking around the off road fora for inspiration. Expedition Portal has an article that rates the top ten expedition rigs. On this list, the UZJ100 is #1, Tacoma is #2, and the 4Runner is on the list, but in the latter half. Additionally, the added utility of a truck seems to make it an obvious choice.

Despite this, I probably see 3-4 4Runners for every Tacoma out there. Why is that? Why are there so many more 4Runners being run off road than Tacomas?

 

[IanB]

The interior space is more useful to a lot of people than a truck box would be, and the interiors are for the most part higher end in the 4runners than the Tacoma (might not matter to wheelers, but it could to new truck buyers). If more people buy them for these reasons, then there's just more of them out there, and more of them end up off-road.

 

[Jeremy9A]

4Runners are generally cheaper when finding one used around here. I couldn't afford a Tacoma at the time when I decided on my 4Runner.

 

[Haggis]

I have my 2000 Tacoma set up as my expedition rig and my 01 4Runner LTD as a bone stock DD and vacation highway/light trails rig. X2 on the much better interiors and noise insulation on the 4Runners. I can load my Tacoma up in literally "minutes" and be on the trails.

 

[Jetboy]

I went with a 4runner because of the useable interior space. For longer trips we remove the rear seats rather than fold em down, and it provides a lot of interior space that's easier to access than a truck bed camper. Having the full rear doors is the key. Everything inside is easy to reach from either the rear side doors or the rear door. It can be a real PITA to try to get anything out of the front of a truck bed with shell on it.

The 4runner also has a built in roof rack track system and with the quick release roof bars from Yakima, it's a breeze to put on any type of rack system. Less than 5 minutes to throw the bars on and probably 5 more to put a rack on. I have both a basket and two clamshells for whatever I need to haul.

This past weekend we spent 5 days in the Grand Staircase in my 4runner. Our friends who came with had a subaru, and it was very nice to be able to load all 4 of us into the skinner for day trips to the more difficult places. Can't do that with a Tacoma very well. The same for my daily driver use that makes up 95% of the miles. It's nice to have 4 real seats with their own doors.

I might consider trading the 4runner for a 4door Tacoma, but they are twice as expensive. I wouldn't trade it for an extended cab one.

 

[Haggis]

I totally agree Jetboy. One of the best investments I feel is the Yakima Spacecase that easily mounts on the factory roof rack. Last summer my wife and I put 4000 mi in two weeks on the 4Runner. We put all our camping supplies up top and had room for just about anything inside. They way my wife packs...the Spacecase is a dream!

 

[haddix]

As mentioned the 3rd gen 4runner is a lot cheaper to buy used than the 1st gen Tacoma especially if you are talking about the double cab taco.

 

[fjfar80]

I think it depends on what you want. I went from a 1997 FZJ80 to a 2009 double cab Tacoma and love it. I found that I was maxed out on space in the Land Cruiser - 4 adults and two 75lbs dogs and there was no room left in the Land Cruiser. Accessing the roof rack was a PITA on the Land Cruiser - even with my IPOR / 4x4 Labs rear bumper...it meant climbing and loading everything up top. With the Tacoma I have seating for four, plus a bed that has plenty of room for dogs and gear. I think the double cab is kind of the best of both worlds - room for adults and lots of room for cargo / gear / dogs. I will be the first to admit that the Tacoma is not going to be able to crawl a Level IV Rock trail without some major modifications - but, with an ARB up front, upgraded suspension (Icon), new UCA's and LCA's, and some aggressive 33's...I will be able to go 95% of the places where the 80 could go. So, it really depends on what you want and where you want to go.

- Mark

 

[skyehunter]

I have found a few arguments supporting the 4Runner for its rust free fully boxed frame and coil linked rear as well. This I suppose this may apply a bit more for the hardcore wheeler tho, but nothing wrong with getting the best. 4 doors in the Runner is a benefit over the 2 door Taco's too, and the four door model Taco's as previously mentioned are priced high. Plenty of aftermarket for both

 

[phsycle]

Owned all three iterations - 3rd Gen 4Runner, 1st Gen 4-door (DC) Tacoma, and ext. cab Tacoma (1st Gen). First, I will say they are ALL great vehicles. I did not have any problems with any of them. Here are my thoughts:

4Runner - Great interior space. Short wheelbase (pro or con, depending on your use). Coil springs all around. If you need 4 doors and would like to be able to access your gear from the inside of your rig, it's hard to beat a 4Runner. The negative for me was no truck bed. But you could get a trailer for "truck bed" projects. Also, I don't know if this was in my head, but I felt my two 4Runners all rode worse on washboard/fire roads than my longer wheelbased Tacomas. Felt a little bit less stable as well. But that could be a number of things, so again, probably just in my head.

DC Tacoma - 4 door was great, although I believe the back seat is a little smaller than the 4Runner. Still, no problems for me or passengers, or with a baby seat. Even though it was made in the US (vs. Japan for all 4Runners), no quality issues, except dash rattle. Rear leafs were ok, though I'm sure some Alcans or Deavers would've made a big difference. Reason I got this was for the truck bed. It is SO nice to be able to just toss all the dirty, dusty, grimy, wet, muddy, smelly, filthy stuff in the back without having to smell it or stuff it in plastic sacks. Plus, I had a pipe break and had to redo some drywall. If I had to haul sheet rock in the back of the Runner, it wouldn't have been pretty. Oh, then there is the spring-time mulch, manure projects. The price is high, but so is the resale value. It will sell for more and quicker than a 4Runner, and will hold its value for longer as well.

Ext Cab Tacoma - I only got this truck, because I've already got a capable 4-door SUV (UZJ100). This will be for solo outings or +1. I was without a truck for a while, and began to miss the utility of a truck bed. The rear space is not fit for any normal adult and even a scrunch for kids. I just use it for cargo. The manual transmission is also very nice.

What it comes down to is, do you need a truck bed? If not, go with a 4Runner. It is one of the best expedition trucks produced. Even in stock trim, you will be able to get through some crazy trails. For ME, I cannot do without a bed (or don't want to). If I'm forced to have just one truck, I'd get a DC Taco.

 

[Cyril Jeff]

might sound ridiculous to some, but I ended up going with a 4Runner due to the sunroof, the weather down here is too nice, most of the time, to not have one, really preferred a Tacoma though...

 

[Duane]

all good points...
-Tacos are pricey so a 3rd gen runner is a bargain compared to them
- Tacos have poor frames
- tacos great if you NEED a truck. I prefer the runner as my stuff is dry, dust free, locks up and can be kept warm.
- i bought a utility trailer for when I need to haul larger or gunky stuff
- and truly..how much can you get into the bed of a taco?
- except for a double cab taco you can sit more folks in the runner.
- I know our dog is happier being warm in the runner in the winter

so yes I am likely biased now

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I've had a few 1st gen tacomas and just sold a 3rd gen 4Runner that was my wife's DD for 10 years. The 4Runner was better off road in stock form than the Tacoma's were. And they are a lot cheaper on the used market. It seems a similar condition Tacoma to the 4Runner I just sold is worth about 50 percent more. Which is kind of crazy considering they were cheaper new. I actually wanted to keep the 4Runner when we got my wife a new car but 7 vehicles was just too much. And after spending a lot of seat time in it after she got the new car I really do like my 05 double cab a lot better. More interior room, more power, better mileage, etc.

 

[NCjeff]

I too have owned them all at several periods. Modified, stock, very modified, etc, etc, etc... Have just been in the market for another. Trying to find a 1st generation 4 door Tacoma, with decent miles at a decent price is ridiculous right now. You can get a beautiful 3rd gen. 4runner at half the price of a 4 door Taco. Everything which has been stated before is 100% accurate. I own an older house and dogs, and also have a baby. Therefore need a bed for dogs, home depot runs, and also need room for car seat. It would have been so much easier to find a 4runner and a lot cheaper.

I think the 4runner rides a lot smoother on road due to the coils, thats about the only difference.

Happy hunting, enjoy it.