Potential 4R buyer - coming from Tacoma - need input

Hello all.

I've got a 2012 DCSB 4x4 Tacoma that has been an excellent truck. I've got 5100's and a small AAL on it and love the firmer ride.

However, since buying we have started a family and I've got a 17 month old daughter and there is the potential in the coming year or two to add to the family. So this really just kills the space in the tacoma. We have upgraded to a rear facing convertible and will be turning it around next spring, but the thought of a second car seat means there won't be any room as I'm 6' and more or less refuse to move my seat due to comfort.

The Tundra is out as the mpg's suck, love the trucks but can't deal with 15mpg hwy. So we circle back to the 4R. I will miss the bed for runs to the dump and lowes, but can get by without one....I think.

I've driven several 14-17 4R's and they all feel "plush" compared to the firmer ride of the tacoma. If I were to get 5100's for the 4R and some spacers for the rear would this firm up the ride? It was night and day once I got back in my truck to leave the lot. Just wanting to see what the feedback is like on firming up the ride some as I start to get to the next stage of purchasing something. The other option is a F-150 Fx4 super crew (mpg's better than tacoma).

 

What MPG are you getting in your taco, I'm getting a little better than I did in my 2008 taco. I used to get around 16 and now I get around 17 all in town though.

 

Get some heavier springs and stiffer shocks and you'll firm it up. I am 6'4" tall amd my little guy can ride right behind me when i drive. My seat does rest against the rear facing child seat, but not hurting anything.

 

Been tracking on Fuelly since 7/14/15 and average 17.35 since then. Last tank was 16.85 and this past weekend drove from Nashville to Lexington, KY and averaged 15.59 doing 75-80mph the whole way.

Running 267/70/17 Cooper AT/3's (load E) on FJ steelies - so there is a hit on the MPG, but I like the combo.

pic for reference.

 

I get around 19-20 at that speed, with mostly flat ground in the 4runner although I have seen 21 a couple of times too, probably just a good tail wind those days. I like that combo of the black steel wheels and the MGM paint color on the truck

 

I like the Tundra's but I can't do 14mpg.

I've got a 50 mi round trip every day.

 

I went from a '14 TRDORDC to a '16 4R TP. I thought that I would miss the P/U bed part of it, but I don't. I built a trail/trash trailer out of a Toyota bed back in the '80's. So if I need a trailer, its there.

Steve

 

I’ve had two Tacomas and now a 4Runner. We put two car seats in the Tacoma and it was tight but it worked. We had a Highlander for longer family outings. My kids are now teenagers and felt a lot more cramped in my 2017 double cab Tacoma (sold in August) and love the extra room in my 4Runner. I miss the truck bed occasionally but the 4Runner’s backseat room and dry cargo space fit my needs 99% of the time. Can’t comment on aftermarket suspension upgrades.

 

I went from a 2014 4X4 Tacoma to my 2106 4Runner. I can say the 4Runner is better in every way. All I have done to mine is add 5100's up front to stop the nose dive and firm up the ride, huge difference. I also added some TRD Pro wheels and I am done. I can see me driving my 4Runner for a decade without the itch for anything else, it is that great of a vehicle.

I also ended up picking up a 5X8 trailer on CL for $800, which gives me way more room than the little taco bed I used to have to deal with.

 

the other trucks made do have much higher MPG than toyota. problem I had with these other trucks was reliability..
the T4R with the V6 is not a good MPG vehicle esp in cold weather . I get 20 MPG with air temp 70 f plus.. when the temps drop like now 30 F MPG is 16 .........

vehicle does have good power when you put pedal to the metal .. driving on a hilly grade the vehicle down shifts esp below 60MPH. If the design was more aerodynamic I believe we could get 25 MPG @70 mph.

the higher you got on lift the lower the MPG .. my 2016 is stock height and tires . I did stiffen up the OEM springs on the cheap so the dive is much less now...

I also use a soft seat cushion ..

 

Stock 4runners usually get anywhere from 17-20 a ford will get 17 no matter the engine. I have a lift and tires and get 14-15 mpg in flat florida. A tundra is not to far off of a done up 4runner. If you go with the ford just a waring stay away from ecoboost!!!!! If i were you if you dont need a bed get a 4runner, if you really need a bed bite the bullet and get a tundra, it will be worth it in the long run.

 

I went from a 2016 Tacoma to a 2016 T4R. My truck is a stock SR5. I would like to firm up the front end, but otherwise no ride complaints. The T4R fits my needs much better. I get 20mpg going to work everyday at interstate speeds. When I drag my 5x8 trailer and 4wheeler over to my hunting lease, the average drops to 16 or 17 mpg. It is really hilly between home and the lease.
There is much more interior room compared to the Taco. All of my gear is dry when I go somewhere too. I have 3 boys, and we all ride comfortably.

 

I'm with @Backslider. If you don't want to part with having a truck bed the Tundra is definitely worth a look. All things considered you are only losing 1 or 2 mpg. If you do go with the 4Runner, you will have plenty of room for 2 kids. I'm 6'1" and I can sit comfortably in the back seat of our 4Runner. If you go with the Ford you will spend all the money you save on gas on repairs and rental car fees