Ditching the Taco for a T4R...also, I'm new! Hi!

Hello,

I'm jumping on over from TW (Tacoma World) and checking out the 4 Runner forums. I currently own a 2016 Tacoma DCLB TRD Sport 4x4 in Super White. I've owned it since May 2016 and only put 15k miles on it. It's my baby...for now. I'm not sure if anyone has seen the shit show, err, I mean fiasco over at TW about the leaking rear differentials but I am apart of that recall along with another that was recently announced (Crank Position Sensor).

Anyway, the moniker "turd gen" is becoming more truth than nickname for the Tacoma's. I've decided to begin actively searching for a T4R and trade in the truck. I'm looking forward to the day I climb into a T4R. In the meantime, I'll be lurking around in the forums!

 

Hi,
I am also a Tacoma survivor. I had a 2017 that I traded for a 2017 4R and I am very happy!

 

I really tried to give the 3.5L Atkinson engine and the new 6 speed transmission a shot on growing on me but I can't begin to tell you how much of a fail the new drivetrain really is. Throw in rear differential recall and it's a no brainier to dump the Tacoma and seek refuge in the T4R and get back that 4.0L VVT V6! Power seats sound really nice too

 

Ditto

 

We are basically a 3rd gen Taco support group over here

 

Good luck with the search. If you like the TRDPro, you probably have a few more months to decide between 2017 and 2018 colors.

 

I ditched my 2016 Tacoma for a 2016 4runner myself. Worst truck Toyota has ever made.

 

Same here. Ditched 2016 TRDOR Tacoma after 18 months of frustration with drivetrain. Now in 2017 TRDOR 4Runner. Soooooo much better. 1 less gear and an engine that doesnt need to be at 4k rpms to get into power band.

 

I'm glad you're all here because you'd get flaming bags of shit thrown at you if any of the above topics were mentioned and discussed in the TW forums. This is my 3rd Tacoma. It's not my first rodeo. Mike Sweers and Toyota screwed the pooch on the 3rd Gen.

The 4runner section of the Toyota website already has the 2018's up to build. I am not sure if I can justify the price though. Between an OR model and TRD Pro is 5k which isn't much but I live in SoCal and stealerships are notorious for marking WAY up. With tax and licensing it's possible a Pro would be 50k+ out the door. That cement color on the 2017's is so sexy though!

 

Same here. Ditched my 2016 in January for a left over 16 4runner and could not be happier.

 

I live and work in a mountain pass. There's a tailwind going into work and it's mostly a small decline and superficial drop in elevation. I get 20-22 MPG's going in. Coming home there's always a headwind to deal with very small, minor inclines and I get between 10-12.5 MPG (depending if ECT is activated). My 3rd gen gear hunts like it's going out of style trying to stay between 65-75 MPH. My 2nd gen never dropped from 5th and cruised along at 2500 RPMs comfortably at 75 mph going home. I'm over this minivan drivetrain.

 

Welcome to the turd gen recovery group, lol! I dumped my taco for my 4runner pro, no regrets here! Absolutely love this machine!

 

I am amazed how much better the 4R drives compared to tha Taco. The shifting and the low end torque are perfect. I just don't get how one model is so good while the other is so bad. I do love the way the Taco looks.

Also, the interior in the 4R is much better for me. The seats feel a little bigger in all directions. I have an adjustable drivers seat! The backseat has twice the legroom for passengers.

Why can't toyota make a 4Runner with a bed and call that a Tacoma?

 

i think a big part of it is the fact that the 4runner is designed and built in Japan. Sure, problems can occur on any vehicle, but there seems to be much less problems overall.

 

For sure Japan built is a plus.

 

The T4R is assembled in Japan but are the parts (including drivetrain) also made there? Or are they using the same outsourcing for the Tacoma's? I read the issue with the rear differential fiasco is because they outsourced to some shitty 3rd party company in Thailand (or somewhere along those lines) and needless to say (but I will anyway), the manufacturing sucks a big one.

 

Welcome to the group. I have a 16 T4R Trail and a 17 Tacoma Offroad. Personally, I love my Tacoma but it's mainly because of the color and how that color looks on the truck. The drivetrain in the 4Runner is better, seating is better, legroom in rear is better, ride is better, off road it's usually better, and it's nice to have the rear storage which is covered.

I can't get away from owning a truck due to my needs, or I'd just own 2 4Runners. If the Tacoma ever figures out a better drivetrain (like a turbo or a diesel, or a turbo diesel), then I'll likely upgrade.

Meanwhile the Camping rig (people call em overland rigs now but it's a camping rig) is the 4Runner.

 

I had a second gen access cab and went to buy a 4 door 3rd gen since my 12 year old has legs and they frown on me cutting them off. Took it for a test drive. Mind you, I loved my 2015. LOVED it. I was VERY underwhelmed with the 2017. Then I saw this 2017 beautiful red SR5 4Runner and took it for a ride. No contest. The 4Runner is so superior to that Taco. No contest at all. I love my 4Runner.

 

So did we take a Japanese design and make it have less power, less legroom, and less drivability?

Haha!

 

[QUOTE="

Why can't toyota make a 4Runner with a bed and call that a Tacoma?[/QUOTE]

They did. It was the second gen tacoma...

 

I just switch from a RC Tacoma to my 4R. I love everything about it more. It just feels well built and it's super quiet.

 

Tried to trade in the Tacoma today. My credit union pre-approved me for the amount needed to finance a T4R and gave me a hard number for trade in (ask for 31k don't go below 30k). Mind you my truck is immaculate; stored in a garage and still in showroom condition. The dealership my wife has bought her Camry from and has been servicing my truck had 2 on the lot that are already dressed up (lift, wheels, tires, nerf bars). They won't budge past 28k on trade in price. We send an email to a rival dealership and they return with the same figure. Salesman at our primary dealership comes clean. Shows me and the wife the recall flag on the Carfax. He said no Toyota dealership will touch Tacoma's right now. They're toxic hence the low-ball offer. He said best bet was to try CarMax. Can you guess what number they came back with? Yup, 28k. Now it's time to finagle with Toyota corporate

Anyway, pics or this post is useless, so here's some eye candy.

 

I know Kansas City is a long ways away but I got 33 for my 17 Tacoma with 4K miles on it when I bought my 4R.
Molle Toyota
K.C. MO.

 

I asked 3 more dealerships in SoCal to give me 30k. No dice. Then I heard back from John Elway in Ontario. They gave me $30,500 and put me into a '17 T4R OR They were extremely helpful and treated me well this time around. I didn't go to them first because I didn't have that great of an experience when I bought the Tacoma with them but they shined this time around.

So, I am now officially apart of the T4R family! I'm not going to lie. It hurt a little bit to trade her in but I had no choice at this point. Between the rear diff recall and shit drivetrain it had to be done.

 

Awesome.
I should have added that I also had to visit 3 dealerships before I found someone that was reasonable. It just pays to shop around.

Nice rig, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

 

Congrats, you wont regret it. I traded in my Tacoma for my T4R and it is such a better vehicle in every way.

 

Hahaha! Makes you wonder, huh?

The Tacoma is Toyota North America designed and built. The hilux/pickup, runners and land cruisers are Japan design and built. No doubt some parts are from vendors, I think only certain Lexus models are built totally in house, don't quote me for sure on that though.

 

Any thoughts on the T4R 2018 Engine? I certainly hope it does not have the '16-'17 Tacoma V6. I'm an Old Turd '98, and it's time to move on to a T4R, but that Tacoma recall scared me a bit. Can't wait to go shopping next month.

 

The 2018 T4R will not change drivetrain. They are currently being built and delivery will be within the next month or two. You can check out the Toyota website and see for yourself. So breathe a sigh of relief! It's absolutely awful what they did to the Tacoma's...shame, shame, shame.

 

Congrats on the new T4R you will love it!