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Quirky differences between 4Runner and Tacoma

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by LJGibbs, Feb 9, 2022.

  1. Feb 9, 2022 at 12:27 PM
    #1
    LJGibbs

    LJGibbs [OP] New Member

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    Have a 2017 Tacoma and a 2022 4Runner and I have noticed that that they are very similar but different in some weird ways.

    The Tacoma does not have any grease zerks but the 4Runner has 6 of them.

    The Tacoma does not have a gas cap holder but the 4Runner has one.

    The Tacoma has leaf springs and the 4Runner has a four link.

    The Tacoma has a C channel frame and the 4Runner has a boxed frame.

    The Tacoma has rear drums and the 4Runner has rear disks.
     
  2. Feb 9, 2022 at 12:32 PM
    #2
    TrailGuy2016

    TrailGuy2016 New Member

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    4Runner > Tacoma
     
  3. Feb 9, 2022 at 2:42 PM
    #3
    rangers1976

    rangers1976 New Member

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    I own both and I agree 100%
     
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  4. Feb 9, 2022 at 2:47 PM
    #4
    kwill

    kwill New Member

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    I went from a 2014 4Runner to a 2019 Tacoma and back to a 2021 4Runner. I really disliked the Tacoma. It is also weird that they differ so much in the electronics and other details.
     
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  5. Feb 9, 2022 at 5:37 PM
    #5
    LJGibbs

    LJGibbs [OP] New Member

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    I have a Taco a TRD Pro and a 4Runner limited. The Pro is a manual so I tend to favor it.
     
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  6. Feb 9, 2022 at 5:45 PM
    #6
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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    The manual in the Tacoma and not in a 4Runner is why I have my 2017 taco and not a 2017 4Runner. And now I’m willing to give up the manual if I can find an ORP in an acceptable color.
     
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  7. Feb 9, 2022 at 6:48 PM
    #7
    Climber

    Climber New Member

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    I've got both as well and enjoy the ride more in the 4r. The taco seats feel lower and are not as comfortable as the 4r. The 4R also feels like it has a larger interior even though they are roughly the same size space. I came very, very close to getting a 2022 Tacoma and I'm very thankful I ended up switching at the last minute to the 4R.
     
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  8. Feb 9, 2022 at 6:55 PM
    #8
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    Leaf springs and rear drums are Soviet tractor technology from the 40s.
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2022
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  9. Feb 9, 2022 at 7:19 PM
    #9
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I'm still convinced the Taco has rear drums because of the MT option. The emergency brake on the 4Runner is garbage compared to the one on my '15 Tacoma.
     
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  10. Feb 10, 2022 at 3:24 AM
    #10
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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    Mike Swears said it’s for off roaring if I recall correctly
     
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  11. Feb 10, 2022 at 3:54 AM
    #11
    WarTurtle357

    WarTurtle357 You're killing me, Smalls.

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    My second gen Taco had grease zerks.
     
  12. Feb 10, 2022 at 4:24 AM
    #12
    can0nfan2379

    can0nfan2379 New Member

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    Having come from a 2013 Tacoma to my current 2019 TRD ORP 4Runner, the fit and finish of all dash parts etc. in the cabin of the T4R is head and shoulders above the Tacoma, 4Runner has a 1 piece drive shaft versus the 2 piece and carrier bearing of the Tacoma (I had to swap to the IEDLS carrier bearing).

    One thing I did notice was the amount you can crank the front wheels over - seems like the Tacoma front wheel turning angle allows you to crank the wheels a lot more into a turn whereas in the T4R, front wheel turning angle is considerably less but made up for by the shorter wheel base. You could argue by having less front wheel turning angle, the components of the steering rack might be less likely to be severely stressed in an offroading situation since they can't turn to the same degree.

    I do miss the overhead sunglass holders from the Tacoma and the especially the up top inverted oil filter location on the Tacoma 4.0. The oil filter on the T4R is retarded.
     
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  13. Feb 10, 2022 at 4:43 AM
    #13
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Lol, off roaring. :D

    Who's Mike Swears?

    If it's for off-roading, why wouldn't they put them on the 4Runner?

    Edit: How would it be beneficial off-road?
     
  14. Feb 10, 2022 at 5:15 AM
    #14
    BionicRandy

    BionicRandy New Member

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    GOOD POINT! Lmao I never thought about that.
    Henry had both on the Model A!

    D6B365FC-401D-4875-939F-8641C5F96EBE.jpg
     
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  15. Feb 10, 2022 at 5:45 AM
    #15
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ------------

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    In defense of Taco!!!

    Some things my base 21 Tacoma has that I prefer over my 19 4R is...

    the soft touch lane change signal that flashes three times

    manual seats

    Android Auto

    476 cupholders

    Nicer instrumentation

    Sunglass holder

    Amber DRLs

    But yeah, I agree the 4R is better build quality....
     
  16. Feb 10, 2022 at 6:03 AM
    #16
    Wyzguy2001

    Wyzguy2001 New Member

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    I have gone back and forth between tacomas and 4runners. Tacoma built in USA and 4runner Japan. Quality is much better. It's too bad because I like the look of tacomas. Even new tundra I hear are having issues with quality.
     
  17. Feb 10, 2022 at 9:36 AM
    #17
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

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    I had a 2011 Tacoma TRD O/R before my 2016 4Runner. I've passengered in a few 3rd gen Tacomas. I wasn't really that impressed. Too bad there isn't a straight up truck version of the 4Runner.
     
  18. Feb 10, 2022 at 10:25 AM
    #18
    TRDLE

    TRDLE New Member

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    Before I started looking into 4Runners, I always assumed they were the same vehicle.
     
  19. Feb 10, 2022 at 10:28 AM
    #19
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    The Tacoma was sort of built to do work (barely) while meeting a cost point and the Runner is mostly for mall cruising. I miss my 2010 Tacoma. It took me everywhere I wanted and never missed a beat. I'd still have it now if someone didn't decide to run a red.

    My Tacoma has 1 less zerk than the Runner.

    The drum vs disc deal doesn't matter. Modern drums are no less inferior for rear braking for pickups and SUVs. The people that complain they are a pain to work on don't work on them anyway.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2022
  20. Feb 10, 2022 at 10:36 AM
    #20
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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  21. Feb 10, 2022 at 10:42 AM
    #21
    suaveflooder

    suaveflooder New Member

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    :rofl::rofl::rofl: That was the first thing I noticed. What is it?? 13 right? I lost 1/2 my cup holders by swapping to the 4 runner!! Lol
     
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  22. Feb 10, 2022 at 10:53 AM
    #22
    DallasTRDPro

    DallasTRDPro New Member

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    I didn't think I would appreciate the sunglasses holder as much as I do. I think I get more use out of that than the crawl control my Pro had.
     
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  23. Feb 10, 2022 at 10:56 AM
    #23
    LJGibbs

    LJGibbs [OP] New Member

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    My Taco and my 4Runner both have the sunglasses holder.
     
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  24. Feb 10, 2022 at 11:46 AM
    #24
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    It still doesn't make sense to me. The Prado has 4 wheel disc. :notsure:

    The 4Runner is a better off-road vehicle than the Tacoma.

    I would be kind of surprised if the manual transmission option wasn't part of the reasoning. It's the only thing that actually makes any sense.

    The 4Runner comes with Crawl Control also, so that video doesn't explain anything.
     
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  25. Feb 10, 2022 at 11:51 AM
    #25
    suaveflooder

    suaveflooder New Member

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    justifying cost savings? :notsure::notsure::notsure:

    I never personally had issues with my Tacoma not having disc brakes in the rear. Same time, I can tell the difference in braking between the two. The disc brakes are a nice thing to have on all 4 corners
     
  26. Feb 10, 2022 at 11:59 AM
    #26
    PennSilverTaco

    PennSilverTaco Encyclopedia of useless information...

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    Especially that last part; Pretty sure the Tacoma is the only truck of any size presently sold in North America that still has rear drum brakes!
     
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  27. Feb 10, 2022 at 12:02 PM
    #27
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    Why does it matter though?
     
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  28. Feb 10, 2022 at 12:07 PM
    #28
    PennSilverTaco

    PennSilverTaco Encyclopedia of useless information...

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    I feel like the braking performance would be a little bit better; I don't know about 3rd Gens, but 2nd Gens only have 1-piston calipers on the front disc brakes. They should at least move up to 2-piston calipers. 4Runners have had 4-wheel disc since MY2003!
     
  29. Feb 10, 2022 at 12:14 PM
    #29
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    6lug 2nd gens have 4 piston fixed calipers just like current 6 lugs. Braking was the best for the category, even beating out the Fronty with rear discs. It's rear braking so it doesn't need to be as powerful as the front. The ABS will kill any lockup so you wouldn't get the full potential of better rear brakes if you're not loaded. In the end, it's a truck and will never stop like a 991 with carbon ceramics.
     
  30. Feb 10, 2022 at 12:30 PM
    #30
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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    I’m just the sucker at the end that handed over 35k for my nice new rear drums back in Nov of 2016.

    I have no issue with the drums. Go over to TW, there is some much shit about this drum brake concern, you could read for a month.
     
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