4runner TRD Pro initial thoughts from a prior Tacoma owner

So with this wonderful economy, I've been lucky enough to sell my Tacoma TRD PRO for significantly more than what I paid for it and go buy a 4runner. With some patience and lot's of calls to find the right dealer I was also fortunate enough to get a new 4unner TRD Pro at MSRP.

My main reasons for the Tacoma to 4runner switch, aside from the once in a lift time financial opportunity, was to get into something with more passenger space for a growing family.

My initial thoughts on the 4runner as compared to the Tacoma, for those that may have contemplated the same situation are as follows:

- The 4runner is much smoother to drive in all categories (suspension, steering, powertrain)
- The 4runner powertrain has better gearing and low end torque - in stop-n-go traffic or at lights it feels effortless to smoothly get up to the speed limit as compared to the Tacoma which you'd hear the engine struggle and gear hunt considerably more in
- The cabin feels more open and roomy, there's more leg room and for the driver there's more flexibility for moving the seat and steering wheel to get into a comfortable position (in the Tacoma many taller people couldn't fit comfortably)
- Fuel economy - not that we buy these vehicles for MPGs, but on the same commute to and from work, I've averaged exactly 2mpgs less in the 4runner (just as the window stickers advertise) on a mixed city/hwy condition.

Issues (if you can even call them that):
- There's not a ton of space for your phone /glasses/other stuff in the cup holder area of the center console
- Maybe it's just the TRD Pro, but the bulge on the hood angles back toward the driver and the sun shines right into your eyes.
- Again, just a TRD Pro thing, but that roof rack (although looks great IMO) does get very close to things in the overhead of parking garages

 

I made the same switch from TRD Pro Tacoma to a TRD Pro 4Runnuer and agree with everything you mentioned here However simple solutions are the for the "issues" purchase an center console organizer I am not going to say what one will work best for your needs since there are several types with different options. Next I have a simple Phone mount setup that the phone is located on the left side of the dash clock out of the way of everything. As for the Hood Glare from the "Bump" there are flat Black anti glare vinyl cutouts you can get that work good for that. As for MPG? I get very good MPG and I certainly don't drive slow but I do take my sweet time going from dead stop up to speed 85 percent of the time so I get 20 to 21 Mpg average and have gone as low as 16 mpg but with a 4Runner it is more about the Smiles Per Miles for me.

 

Thanks for the tip on the hood glare. I think the view of the hood is the only thing I liked better on the Tacoma, the 4runner wins in every other category except maybe for not having a bed for people that need one.

I was wondering if they had any aftermarket matte black squares that you could put on top of the scoop like the Tacoma TRD Pros have and if that would even help. On the Tacoma, the scoop is relatively flat but on the 4runner it's rounded and comes back towards the window - but I'll give the black vinyl a try!

 

https://importequipment.com/products/toyota-4runner-hood-bulge-glare-blocker-sticker-decal-2014

 

If I didn’t have to fight the needle bearing issue & wheel vibration / shimmy issue since day 1 I would have no cons! I don’t get how people are getting more for selling there vehicles vs what they purchased...I tried selling mine back to the dealer at 150 miles and they offered 42,000 vs the 44,000 that I paid...and I would eat the 4 grand in sales tax as well unless trading in.

 

The "needle" bearing issue is so easy to fix and if you can't do the work it is not that expensive to have it done. A Clam shell bushing takes care of it and as for the shimmy issue there are several things that can cause that like bad front end alignment for one, have the front wheels checked for out of true and that can happen if someone put the lug nuts on with a impact wrench and warps the rims and if they are fine have them spin balanced on the vehicle.

Now you did not mention if you have had lift done or what Tires you have on it.

 

I am aware of the ECGS bushing fix and I am guessing it is in my future, I would like to take the vehicle to a trusted tire shop I have went to for years and see if they can check the wheels I trust them more then the dealer. The dealer balanced all the wheels and all were out of balance at 1 mile. Fixed 95% of the problem. Some days she shakes some days she doesn’t. Weird. Vehicle is all stock.

 

I did this mod and it's super easy. Just wait for a couple of nice dry days in a row, have a spray bottle that you can make up a soapy mist mixture, and it goes on easy, easy to move around and get straight. Then just a smooth squeegee and a hair dryer to "set" it.

here's mine. It solves that "directly-into-the-driver's-eyeballs" reflection in the morning and afternoon. Well worth the $35 price tag.

 

Defiantly have the Rims checked out for being warped my 2000 Tacoma had that issue with one rim bent and some days it would shake other days it would not and I found this by placing both front tires to the back and it went away, Also a bad tire (less common) that has a belt moving around can do it. a bad front end alignment would be a more constant issue and would not just go away somedays and be there other days.

 

If it persists it’s on the list, if Toyota can’t make a wheel it makes me question the whole damn vehicle now

 

I did the same I just sold my 16 tacoma trd offroad and bought a 2020 4runner. And they paid nicely for the tacoma. But we just had a baby and with 2 kids 2 dogs the tacoma had limited space.

 

You may need to shop around or try to sell private party. Dealer originally offered me $46k as a trade in for my 2020 Tacoma TRD Pro with 20k miles, I was going to sell private party but I saw other dealer's in the area had ads saying we'll buy your car even if you don't buy one of ours and after trying a few dealers I found one that offered me $49k and I made the deal. I only paid $43k for it a year before (bought it used, one year old with 12k miles on it.

Same goes for buying the new car, had to call 10 different dealers before I found one that would sell me a 4runner TRD Pro at MSRP, had to wait 2 months but it was well worth it. We did the same with my wife's car, just because why not upgrade and start at 0 miles if it's basically free.

 

it is really nothing to do with who made the Wheel any wheel will warp even steel Rims so it all about Properly installing the Lug nuts without "slamming" them down tight with a 1/2 inch drive Air Impact wrench on full torque setting, I spent a bit of time in a High line Car shop and the Only thing the Impact wrench gets used for is Disassembly.

 

The only thing I could think of is where I purchased mine you did pay msrp but had to wait for it to come in, most will buy new vs buy used for the same price maybe I don’t know. Carvana was $280 more. I stopped there. I can try it out for a year or 2 and not loose that much money I guess.

 

Mine behaved this way since new. I'd occasionally get a bit of steering wheel shake between 59 and 62mph. Not consistently. Took it to my trusted independent shop that has a road force balancing machine and they told me that two of the wheels are warped. My truck has 4k miles and this is something I noticed since new. They had to use a fair amount of stick on weights to get those two wheels to balance which looks ugly. They mounted the warped wheels on the back and the two good ones on the front. No more steering wheel shake. I'm tempted to leave things as is because I don't want to deal with potential BS from the dealer who is likely to blame me for damage to these wheels. My truck has never been off the pavement and I certainly have not damaged the wheels.

 

That's OK to do for now However I personally would start looking for a Pair of replacement Rims because tire rotation is important to do on 4Wheel drive machines, unless you plan to just deal with the abnormal wear to the tires... Just saying.

 

Looks like something I could use! What color did you order, is that gray or black?

 

It's the Matte Black one.

 

I loved my Tacoma's, first a 2010 AC, then a 2018 TRD Sport, both in MGM. But, I realized I wasn't using the bed of the truck often, and I own a nice utility trailer. Prior to my Tacoma's I drove a 4Runner and loved it. So, when the crazy trade value offers started rolling in, and with a reasonable amount of patience, I decided now was the time. I don't yet have 500 miles on my new 4Runner, so I don't have an established MPG yet. And, I haven't really gotten to the point that I can definitively say there is anything I don't like versus just things I haven't gotten used to yet. I will say, I prefer the pull handle on the e-brake in the Tacoma versus the left foot e-brake push pedal. I don't have the hood bulge on my 4Runner, did have on on the Tacoma. Never had an issue with glare. And, at least in my SR5 4Runner I do have an overhead sunglass storage place. I bought a console organizer and a glove box organizer and both have been very useful for organizing my "stuff".

Before:



And After:



I am surprised to find so many folks who are making the transition from Tacoma to 4Runner. I hope we all find we made the right choice.

 

I had a very bad wheel shimmy around 60mph. I got very lucky and got a talented tech at the dealership that rebalanced all my tires. She runs smooth as glass now. 2019 TRD Pro here. In 95% of the cases, the tires just need a proper balancing.

 

Love it and welcome!

 

I can’t live with it for the next 30 years, mines going back and if I take it 4 times and it’s not fixed they can buy it back. My 01 Tahoe @ 200k & F250 work truck should not be a smoother ride. I never in my life had to have wheels balanced every 150 miles.

 

Mines going back in 2 weeks to the dealer, they want to keep it long term to deal with my needle bearing issue & now that my wheel shaking is back that’s tacked on as well. 4 times and they can have it back unfortunately. Shouldn’t have to have wheels balanced every 150 miles. Just makes me mad that my 01 Tahoe @ 200k & F250 work truck is a smoother ride with no issues.

 

No "transition" necessary. Have both!

Tacoma does some things better (within that access does somethings better then the 4 door), 4runner does others better. They both excel at certain tasks.

4runner is a better ski wagon, Tacoma is more fun going shooting out in the pawnee.
Access cab wins hands down 4 dogs. U can put back seats down make a sick nest 4 wet dog feet.


Side note... anyone else have the rear wiper issue in the photo? Service department said "that is considered proper nesting" I thought it nested all the way off of the glass

 

Mine is properly nested and is NOT visible!

 

I knew it! I can see yours is off the glass

 

that certainly is not proper "nesting" all the up out of view as it was designed for. Does it always stop there?

 

I can confirm it is not normal.
my rear wiper goes completely hidden when not in use

 

I'm surprised also, but like me, I see many did the switch for the combination or excellent trade in money on Tacoma's, and the comfort and practical reasons.

 

weird, my '22 does only nests like that for a short while when i use the rear wiper. after ~7 seconds of not using (rear wiper turned off), it retracts out of view. was your rear wiper turned on by chance?