5th Gen 4Runner or 4th Gen Tacoma?

I own a 2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab 4WD, just hit 192,000 miles. I am the original owner. It’s been a great truck, but I finally have new truck fever.

I am agonizing over wanting to get in to a 4Runner, or, wait for the new Tacoma to come out.

The new Tundra is just too huge for me, and to me, a bit “fugly.” I worry about the new Tacomas having first year hiccups or flaws which will need to be ironed out. And, I am not convinced about the longevity of a turbo-charged 4 cylinder engine, which the new Tacomas will have.

I am tempted to go with a 4Runner, and, if the new gen Tacoma turns out to be a spectacular home run, maybe trade for one of those once they are in their second build year after they have a chance to work any bugs out.

I have driven a new Nissan Frontier pickup, and ridden in a friend’s new gen Frontier, but for some reason they are just not tripping my trigger. For one thing, I don’t like the way the transmission behaves when I drove the Frontier. I don’t see the sense of having that many gears to run up through. The trans in my antique ‘06 Tundra suits me just fine, and should basically be the same in the 4Runner, should it not?

My wife has cautioned me about one potential problem area regarding a 4Runner- She says she won’t permit me to throw “crap” and haul “crap” in the back of a 4Runner like I do in the open truck bed of my Tundra.

I must admit she has a point. I told her I’d probably have to invest in a utility trailer if I want to haul any “crap” with the 4Runner. She is not too keen on buying a trailer. $$$$$ more money spent, plus license registration fees on a trailer. Plus, no place to store a trailer inside. I’d hate to buy a nice trailer and have to leave it sit out in the weather and sun to rot away, or, get stolen. Nuts.

I’ve had pickups since 1993. I’d like to try a 4Runner, in its current form, before they go changing it and possibly screwing it up in its next gen.

I guess I’m old school, and I sometimes think newer is not always better. I’m just afraid they are going to screw up the next gen 4Runner.

Thoughts, comments? Thanks for reading.

 

Is the previous gen Tundra too big as well?

I'd probably look to pick up a low mileage previous gen. I think your wife has a point, if you've been driving pickups this long, you'll probably miss it.

As far as the Taco, I wouldn't worry about the longevity of the engine. You're ready to move on from your Tundra at only 192K miles, so chances are the Taco will never hit high miles under your ownership. And I know it's not a direct comparison, but I have a 07 turbo Volvo with 40k more miles than your Tundra, with zero turbo related issues ever.

 

I got a big, thick tarp that earned me permission to load crap in the 4R, along with some shipping pads if necessary.

 

Get a 2023 Tacoma If you need a truck bed, a trailer is a poor substitute.

 

Honestly for what I do now i don't use a bed as much as i used to. If they did offer the current tacoma with a 1gr and the 5speed auto (or if i could have one with a 1GR and 6 speed manual) thats the route i would have went. IMO the 1GR is far superior and proven to the 2GR-FKS. I've had a co-worker with a 2016 (I believe it was) fail completely - timing chain failure - needed a new engine after about 17k miles or so. I've never heard of any such failure on the 1GR. Also the 4runner frame is essentially a Hilux frame and fully boxed - the tacoma is not fully boxed. The 4runner is also built in Japan (yes it does matter imo) and build quality is 2nd to none in my opinion.

 

I switched back in 2021 from a 2011 Tundra double cab to my ORP. Thinking about Tundras again : - O

There Toyotas get the 4 Runner now and if need be trade, they lose almost nothing in short amount of time.

Steve

 

Buy the 4Runner, remove the rear seats and install a pickup bed liner or make an equivalent box...problem solved.

 

Now the inflation-adjusted 2024 Tacoma prices have been released. Have you decided?

 

And here's a link to those prices: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a45964751/2024-toyota-tacoma-prices/

 

Here is my scoop, I’m hard head…
Tried 3 tacos in the last 5-6 years.
First 2018 auto v6 automatic started convulsing on the HWY with under 10k couldn’t figure it out.
traded it in on my 2020 4Runner.
Second taco same configuration, shifted all the time and started clunking in the transmission. Sold it to a dealership for more than I paid for it by a couple grand.
Really wanted a Tacoma so I tried again this time with the manual transmission 6 banger. What I really wanted in the first place.
Still not really impressed with shitty clunky shifting, I know about the delete mod. howling rear end, let off the gas and use compression to slow down and vibrations galore. Shifting from 1st to 2nd not smooth.
Just don’t make the Tacoma like they used to. I have had many of them.
Anyway just traded the last one in on my additional second 4Runner and couldn’t be happier. Way better build quality and immensely quieter.
if I could find a nice 2nd gen taco I’d go for it or a low mile 2006 tundra unicorn or any pre turbo tundra.
Good luck on your journey.

 

Keep the pickup and get a 4Runner.
5th generation 4Runner that is.

 

Had a 2018 Tacoma, traded for a 22’ 4Runner. Taco got 1mpg better then 4Runner. 4Runner is better in all other areas. Also, the 4Runner is the only Toyota available in US that is still manufactured in Japan. The quality control in the Japan plants is better than what is rolling out of the Mexico and dare I say American plants. I think thats why you see more mechanical complaints with tacos. I actually put my seats down and haul stuff in mine , works just as well as my taco did with a shell on it.

 

Here's an update! I ended up buying a pre-owned, Toyota certified 2022 4RUNNER SR5 Premium 4WD, from my local Toyota dealer. 31,XXX miles. White, with the black interior, no third row seat. I am really happy with this thing. She's a beauty! Now that I have my T4R, I'll hope to be posting here frequently. It has Dunlop all season tires on it. I eventually want to go with more of a "trucky" looking tire, and, I am going to get a 1' front end lift. TBC!

 

Can you hold off on a 4Runner until the 6th gen is announced? Should be some leaks by spring time. Maybe some spy shots.

Should be some really good deals on the last 5th gen models.