4Runner or Half Ton Pickup?

[sveltri]

I smoked a deer with my 23 Tundra a couple nights ago, could be out of commission for a couple months. I have to have a vehicle and wasn't interested in renting one. I got lucky and found a 2001 4 runner with 261K miles that is almost perfect in every way. Interior doesn't smell nor are there any rips/tears in the seats, no dents and very little rust on exterior.. No more beating my truck up in the mountains and running around town just got a lot cheaper and easier. Best of both worlds for me.

 

[Davyalabama]

Cade, you're thinking of keeping it 7-10 years, that's a good time frame. You've decided on a 1/2 ton, good choice in my opinion. There are trade-offs to everything, the 4-runner would be great and nimble, but the truck is more versatile.

Now, you get to reading about all the transmissions, engines, gears, etc. that are tearing up and nothing is lasting including the new Tundra's. What does one do? They get on a forum like this and read even more horror stories about a truck's engine/transmission lasting 35k or 60K, or "my truck has 750K miles and all I've ever done is change the oil," stories. You and your dad probably know a few "small" transmission and auto guys, talk to them about what they are seeing. Talk to them about what it costs to rebuild a transmission or drop in a new one that is probably better than the one the manufacturer put in to start with. The same with the engine. Ask the auto guy about electrical gremlins in certain vehicles. Talk to several of each, not just one, unless you really trust them. I have an auto guy and a transmission friend from church I trust.

Then, you have to decide what size engine, you have these trains of thought: A) A .223 is just fine for almost any animal in N.A. types so the 2.7 engine is just fine for them. B) I'm a happy medium, a .270 or a 3.5 V6 engine. C) You have us old guys that shoot .300's or .338's, don't give me turbo boost, don't give me eco nothing, what is the biggest V8 or V10 you will put in that thing? D) "Wait, you didn't mention the 6.5 creed!" Yeah, they are running Tesla trucks. They look nice, but whatcha really going to do with it besides looks? (That last paragraph should get this thread really rolling.)

 

[HiMtnHntr]

The problem with suv is all you smelly gear has to ride with you unless you put it on the roof. If I had to have just one I’d choose the truck,

 

[justinspicher]

I don’t think you could give me a pickup of any sort over a 4runner.

Unless I am going to use it as a work truck where I’d need a bed, it’s just wasted space.

 

[StuckInTheEast]

I smoked a deer with my 23 Tundra a couple nights ago, could be out of commission for a couple months. I have to have a vehicle and wasn't interested in renting one. I got lucky and found a 2001 4 runner with 261K miles that is almost perfect in every way. Interior doesn't smell nor are there any rips/tears in the seats, no dents and very little rust on exterior.. No more beating my truck up in the mountains and running around town just got a lot cheaper and easier. Best of both worlds for me.

good beater vehicle. That old 3.4l is a gutless gas guzzling little hunk of metal...but if you keep fluids in them and change the timing belt every 90-100k with oem grade stuff they do keep on going a long time. Rust was the biggest nemesis of that generation 4 runner. If you got a clean one do preventive rust treatment and it'll be solid for many years to come.
Have seen numerous radiator failures and transmission cooler failures in the radiator on those as well...I consider radiator replacement routine preventative maintenance on those things if over 10 years/100k miles on radiator. About every one of them I've seen with blown headgaskets has been from a leaking radiator that wasn't caught, rusted out rear heater supply lines or a water pump that wasn't repaired when it started leaking.
Most of the 3rd gen 4 runners that get condemned to scrap yard around here in the rust belt are from neglect or literally just rotting away from the bottom side up and even the majority of those are well over 200k miles at that point.
A clean, low miles, low rust 3rd gen 4 runner with a trd supercharger to get it out of its own way would be worth a premium price for sure

 

[Fatcamp]

good beater vehicle. That old 3.4l is a gutless gas guzzling little hunk of metal...but if you keep fluids in them and change the timing belt every 90-100k with oem grade stuff they do keep on going a long time. Rust was the biggest nemesis of that generation 4 runner. If you got a clean one do preventive rust treatment and it'll be solid for many years to come.
Have seen numerous radiator failures and transmission cooler failures in the radiator on those as well...I consider radiator replacement routine preventative maintenance on those things if over 10 years/100k miles on radiator. About every one of them I've seen with blown headgaskets has been from a leaking radiator that wasn't caught, rusted out rear heater supply lines or a water pump that wasn't repaired when it started leaking.
Most of the 3rd gen 4 runners that get condemned to scrap yard around here in the rust belt are from neglect or literally just rotting away from the bottom side up and even the majority of those are well over 200k miles at that point.
A clean, low miles, low rust 3rd gen 4 runner with a trd supercharger to get it out of its own way would be worth a premium price for sure

Bypassing the radiator and installing a separate trans cooler was my solution. Did that before I even drove it home from Colorado. Then did LBJ once I was in my driveway.

 

[FGB]

Any reason for not going with an old second gen Tacoma?

 

[sveltri]

good beater vehicle. That old 3.4l is a gutless gas guzzling little hunk of metal...but if you keep fluids in them and change the timing belt every 90-100k with oem grade stuff they do keep on going a long time. Rust was the biggest nemesis of that generation 4 runner. If you got a clean one do preventive rust treatment and it'll be solid for many years to come.
Have seen numerous radiator failures and transmission cooler failures in the radiator on those as well...I consider radiator replacement routine preventative maintenance on those things if over 10 years/100k miles on radiator. About every one of them I've seen with blown headgaskets has been from a leaking radiator that wasn't caught, rusted out rear heater supply lines or a water pump that wasn't repaired when it started leaking.
Most of the 3rd gen 4 runners that get condemned to scrap yard around here in the rust belt are from neglect or literally just rotting away from the bottom side up and even the majority of those are well over 200k miles at that point.
A clean, low miles, low rust 3rd gen 4 runner with a trd supercharger to get it out of its own way would be worth a premium price for sure

The one I bought is def not low miles. It was great great for a couple days, still seems to run fine, but my dash lit up like a Christmas tree a couple days ago. Took it to the parts store to pull the code and was told most likely the cat convertor?

 

[StuckInTheEast]

The one I bought is def not low miles. It was great great for a couple days, still seems to run fine, but my dash lit up like a Christmas tree a couple days ago. Took it to the parts store to pull the code and was told most likely the cat convertor?

Don't ever get a diagnosis from codes pulled at a parts store...
Unless it's a P0420 or p0430 it's not likely being caused by a catalytic convertor...You can PM me the codes and I'll try to steer you right direction...but don't ever replace parts based on parts store clerk scanning codes. Always a good way to waste money.

 

[sveltri]

Don't ever get a diagnosis from codes pulled at a parts store...
Unless it's a P0420 or p0430 it's not likely being caused by a catalytic convertor...You can PM me the codes and I'll try to steer you right direction...but don't ever replace parts based on parts store clerk scanning codes. Always a good way to waste money.

sent a PM

 

[DLIP]

I’ve got both. 2019 4Runner TRD ORP and 2018 Sierra 1500 crew cab.

Like them both but for comfort, power and convenience with more than one occupant, the pickup wins hands down.

If I was going a solo trip or heavy trail riding, the 4Runner is great. But it’s gutless and is no better on fuel than my half ton.

If I could only have one, it would be the pickup.

 

[timeskos]

Drove both and for most things an older 4runner you can beat on works best.

 

[Fatcamp]

We just rented and lived out of a 2024 4runner. Dang they are proud of their buttons and electronics. Pretty basic version that would cost 50k. No way I would go that route, and I really like my 4runner.

Hate to say it but my vote changes to the truck, if we are talking late model anyway.

 

[Boarmaster]

I am looking to get a new vehicle within the next couple years. I am currently driving a 2 door Jeep JK that isn't very reliable and I am headed off to college in the fall so will need to drive back and forth between home and school. My dad is willing to get me either a half ton pickup or a 4runner. I am having the toughest time trying to decide between the two. Being the last car that will be bought for me, the 4runners reliability is a huge plus for me. But, possibly needing to tow my dad's hunting boat to and from school for waterfowl hunting would be much more difficult with the 4runner. Also, heading to Texas A&M, something about having a truck just seems right. Any advice? Thanks in advance!

I’m 62 years old. I drove both full and mid size SUVs for all my adult life. They worked great for my daily driver and all my hunting , fishing and towing needs.

In 2017 I purchased a 1/2 ton crew cab pick up as I got into kayak fishing and only had to load my yak up on the roof of my Expedition about twice before I knew that sucked.
I have found no downside only upside in switching to my crew cab p/u. I will very likely never go back to a SUV even if I give up or age out of my pursuits.
In fact I plan to buy a new one later this year or next. I will keep the older one for running around town and use the new one for my many road trips. The old one is worth more to me than what they will give me on a trade. I took good care of it , kept it in my garage and just replaced the tranny with a new one. If I wasnt traveling so much I would just keep driving this one and not buy a new one. I just feel better with something new out on the road away from home.

 

[Boarmaster]

...how long it take to break a window???
Unless your putting some kind of secure, anchored down lock box in it nothing is secured by glass.
Some of the high end hard/locking tonneau covers are quite secure and more importantly keep things out if sight and therefore out of mind.
Either way, leaving any expensive gear anywhere in an unattended vehicle is always a bit of a gamble.

OP...what's the budget? That will be the deciding factor on what you can get into 1/2ton truck wise

This. Only my opinion but I feel my stuff is safer out of sight. Thats one reason I went for a cover rather than a topper. My next cover will be a hard cover. And of course my tailgate locks.
Nothing is really secure. Out of sight out of mind is where it come together for me.

 

[Speaks]

I drive a tundra but for your use case I would likely lean 4 runner with the possible exception of towing that boat. I would not want to tow over $3k with that 4 runner. Only reason I have not switched over to an SUV is towing my boat and side by side frequently. Honestly my next vehicle is likely a Gx550 for the benefits of the SUV and plenty of towing power.

 

[Thread Savage]

It's the last vehicle your dad will buy for you. That's all I needed to hear. Get the TRUCK.

Here's why- over the next several years, your own income is likely to grow tremendously. The first summer I made over $5K, I truly thought I was wealthy. The first year I made over $40K, I thought it was borderline criminal how filthy rich I was becoming. I didn't own a home to buy stuff for, and I had no need to go on vacations, didn't have a wife or kids....money was burning a hole in my pocket, so I just kept on upgrading my 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup. Shortly thereafter, the real expenses of adult life started emerging, and I realized I was poor, BUT I had a badass truck!!

You can use your own earnings to gradually outfit a pickup to the point where it basically IS a 4-Runner if that's what you like, but you can't do the reverse. I'd definitely have the old man start you off with the guts of any American full size 4x4 1/2 ton (I've owned Toyota's, and I just can't get as excited about them for some reason, but to each is own).

 

[KenLee]

Compared to a jeep it’s not bad, but it’s only about as much as many SUVs.
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I had 2 4runners, then 3 Suburbans. Same mpg and twice the room. Current 05 Burban has 210k miles. Been a great one, but I can't stomach plastic bumpers and the cut off of 4 cylinders which causes engine trouble. Maybe a Suburban with baby max diesel next.

 

[fatlander]

I kill too much stuff to hunt out of a mid sized SUV. I know plenty of guys that do it in an SUV, but nothing beats a truck bed for dead hauling around dead stuff.

Reliability and anything made from Covid to Present becomes questionable. I personally don’t know a single person who has bought a new truck since Covid that hasn’t spent time in the shop.

My wife’s 4runner would be low on the list of vehicles I was purchasing to hunt out of. Any truck would be a choice above an SUV.

How much budget is pops giving you? A 4x4 van with sleeping quarters is a pretty awesome hunting vehicle if you’re going to be doing a lot of traveling to hunt.


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