Getting back into a Toyota

I drove 'yotas from getting my license when I was 16 until I was 34. It's been 8 years and I have been fortunate to find myself in a position to put a decent down payment on a truck so I can afford to drive a Toyota again. I am a bit torn between a Tacoma and a 4Runner. I have 2 medium sized dogs, a 45# and 75# Huskies, a spouse, but no kids and no plans for them.

The truck will see at least light to moderate off-roading and occasionally maybe even some proper rock trails in Colorado.

Looking at the TRD Off-road Premium or Venture trims in the 4Runner or the Tacoma TRD OR with all the options.

Fuel efficiency is irrelevant to me. I want to be able to get out of it after at least 8 hours on the road and not need a 2 day recovery.

The worst part is I can't drive a 4runner, so it would be a blind order.

 

I've had both but now I'm in a 4runner.
Pros
No laggy transmission
The 4.0 is very reliable
The manual transfer case for 4x4
The rear window that comes down is awesome
Cons
Feels big
A little slow
Mpg isn't the best but I don't mind
Not many features like the taco
Example: blind spot, birds eye view, taco awesome led headlights
Taco has a bit better mpg but nothing special.
If I could start over I probably of went with a TRD offroad premium 4runner. I got a pro model.

 

I moved from a 2017 Tacoma to a 4runner, and unless you need a bed or WANT a truck, the 4runner is better. 4Runner rides better, better drivetrain, more interior space, and looks better in my opinion. You can always use a rubber mat for the rear for the dogs to avoid any mess on the carpet.

 

Thanks for the replies. I think the other sticking point for me is I want a cap or she'll, and adding the price of the ones I like it makes it more than the 4runner.

My spouse has a super clean low mile barebones 2015 wrangler sport with a stick shift, so I can still get my stick shift fix, and I need to be able to keep up with them on trails.

 

There's a lot of members on here that, having owned a 3rd gen Tacoma and a 5th gen 4Runner, would say the 4Runner wins hands down every time.

 

Well if you do get a tacoma pls get it in a manual. The automatic transmission is a nightmare.

 

This is very true. I had a 2020 tacoma and a 2021 tacoma. I'm loving this dinosaur.

 

It's a sin that you can get a Toyota Pickup with anything but manual.

 

amen to that!

 

I did own an '85 Fuel injected 4runner. Also had an 83 LB 4wd, an 85 standard cab short bed 5 lug w/4 speed, and both a std and extended cab 98 5 lug tacos. The 5 lugs were special and they died a slow death. I had Donahoe racing arms on my 85 with a lockright locker and a spring over in the back, was a great little truck for rip snorting around in.

I am in management now, and no longer in construction, though. I am not a homeowner, and when we do go-to buy we are probably going to look at a townhome so we don't have to do yard work beyond a garden. I did have a 1 ton Chevy express work van up until last august, though, and it's been painful going without some ability to haul cargo. The wrangler sucks for that, it has the same amount of space as my previous hatchback.

 

Went from a Tacoma to a 4runner. I love the 4runner over the taco. However I’ll be going back to a Tacoma in 6-9 months (put a deposit down for a Pro). My wife is confiscating the 4runner for herself. The 4runner holds 2 large rufflands in the back without having to fold the seats down.

 

Nice! That's awesome, plus it will still be in the family while also getting to have a Tacoma TRD Pro.

 

I have an appointment on Saturday with Toyota to order a 4Runner OR.

 

Awesome! Congratulations!

 

Thanks! Ordered a Blue Off-road with KDSS. Super excited. Totally over my Rubicon. It's one of the least comfortable solid front axle vehicles I have owned.

 

Congrats on the new ride! Welcome to the forum from Wisconsin!

 

Welcome.