opinion for hunting tacoma or 4runner (already have a big truck)

[rockwind1]

keep looking at a 4runner for short hunting trips where i don't pull my big fifth wheel with my f350. has anyone gone from tacoma to 4runner or vice versa and why? i usually drive my f350 with my atv in the back. was hoping a 4runner would do it all (mostly)

 

[Jimss]

I have a full size Tundra and love it. I certainly like having the elbow room! A lot depends upon what type of hunting/scouting/trips you do close to home? How would you use a Tacoma/4 runner vs your truck plus ATV?

 

[Jebuwh]

I'm on my 2nd Tacoma, and have also had a 4Runner and still have a 100 series Landcruiser.
I think the 1st Gen Taco/3rd Gen 4Runner make killer hunting rigs. Lightweight, reliable, great off road. Easy to tow an ATV too.

I bought a regular cab 4 cyl just for Solo or two man trips. Getting a shell and building sleeping and storage in the back. Easy to sleep in a 4Runner too.

If you have any specific questions about them, let me know. I've tried to learn everything possible about those gens

 

[rockwind1]

I have a full size Tundra and love it. I certainly like having the elbow room! A lot depends upon what type of hunting/scouting/trips you do close to home? How would you use a Tacoma/4 runner vs your truck plus ATV?

my truck is a 2001 diesel 4 door longbed, so the 4 leaf spring suspension is pretty rough. the long wheel base and width is great for pulling a trailer, but in those tight twisty in the trees road, i scratch it up pretty bad and i have to go really slow. about half to 3/4 of the places i go, i could get a 4runner into,,,, it is just the tight tree roads that are a problem. i just thought at 55 i am looking for a bit more comfort sometimes, i just thought 3/4 of the time i could be comfy in a 4runner but 1/4 of the time i would bring my atv for the the really hard places.

dont get me wrong, i hike my ass off but some places just need an atv ( i have an older 2011 550) and there are some really cool roof top tent systems, i would love a tundra or sequoi for the extra room but i don't believe they come with the locking diff and crawl control options plus, i already have a big truck so it would the defeat the purpose a bit.

i've really been leaning towards a 4runner but a tacoma has more bed space and i if i bought the longbed version could maybe even fit in my atv. just don't watn to spend 30-50k and be like, (i shoulda got the other one)

 

[Overwire]

Similar situation to what you are looking into. I’ve got a full size crew cab and a 5th gen 4Runner now and have owned a 1st gen Tacoma and 2nd gen Frontier in the past so pretty familiar with the smaller trucks.

The 4Runner is a great solo rig. Comfortable to sleep in. Short wheel base makes it easy to maneuver and the traction off-road if it’s sloppy spanks any truck I’ve owned.

If it’s more than just myself for any extended period of time then I’ll typically use the truck as the 4Runner gets cramped. I’m not much of an atv guy as I prefer to get my main rig into the places I go and the 4Runner facilitates that vs a full size truck but if using an atv anyways then I might as well drive the truck as the 4Runner provides no real advantage and a number of trade offs at that point.

Comparing to the smaller trucks I’m on the fence whether I should have stayed with a Tocoma vs the 4Runner. The 4Runner is more comfortable to drive but it’s still basically a truck. Off-road it is a little better in many situations but the ground clearance on the new ones isn’t great. The 3rd gen and older are better in that regard. The Tacoma has more space for gear but does give up some maneuverability. Fuel economy on the newer 4Runner is worse than pretty much any of the newer trucks aside from 3/4 ton gassers which are probably similar. If looking at older models it’s probably comparable.

If I could only have 1 4x4 it would be a truck no question. Already having a full size 4x4 truck the 4Runner works well for me. My wife drives whichever I’m not using though. If they we both just for me the 4Runner isn’t worth the extra cost. Especially if you have an atv.

 

[BRTreedogs]

So from what I can tell you want new or newer.
You should really get a membership on Tacoma world if your thinking about a 2016 or newer Taco.
They seem to be really love or hate and not as reliable as the older ones. Maybe it just that people with bad experiences are the ones that talk.
They also seem under powered and in 18 or 19 they put something on called tss and it a bunch of electrical safety garbage they seem to have problems with.
I believe the 4runner has a much more vetted and powerful engine. If it was me I think I'd look for a lo mile 12-15 taco.
Or better yet the 4runner and a 10ft Trailer.
I think 4 runners are great.
But without a trailer idk how I'd want to get a smelly tick infested critter home.

 

[Bcaulder]

I went from a 7 seat 4Runner to a Taco. If I had the TRD Pro 4Runner I’d still have that rig. I freakin love that rig. However, it’s hard to beat a Taco for a short hunting rig. One, it’s gets around 19mpg (I drive hard, I could get better) and gets anywhere you want to go. Both rigs after so many after market mods that make for amazing off-roading. I especially love the Ram mount mods for holding my phone/gps. Cheap and easy.

The only question for me is whether you need a bed. If yes, Taco for sure. If no... whichever feels right to you or which ever is the better deal. You won’t be disappointed with either.


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[Titan_Bow]

I’m a Nissan guy, but I traded from a truck to an Xterra several years ago and couldn’t be happier. If you are mainly hunting solo, you’ll find you can set up a sleep and cargo system that allows you to easily hop in the back and sleep. Great for leaving work on a Friday, driving to the trailhead that night. Being able to sleep comfortably, inside the truck is really convenient. Not sure how the 4Runners tailgate opens, but on the Xterra it swings open from the bottom, which then gives you an area to stand under that back tailgate if it’s raining. This is really convenient as well. Off-road, the shorter wheelbase is great too. The back of the Xterra is not carpeted so it’s really easy to clean . I really like the TRD Pro 4Runner, seems it would allow for the same kind of hunting use I’m getting out of my Xterra


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[brsnow]

I am on my 3rd small Toyota truck since the early 90’s. I love the Tacoma and have a 09 4 door short bed. If you go long bed you give up the shorter turning radius that I feel is a huge benefit to the Tacoma.

 

[rockwind1]

So from what I can tell you want new or newer.
You should really get a membership on Tacoma world if your thinking about a 2016 or newer Taco.
They seem to be really love or hate and not as reliable as the older ones. Maybe it just that people with bad experiences are the ones that talk.
They also seem under powered and in 18 or 19 they put something on called tss and it a bunch of electrical safety garbage they seem to have problems with.
I believe the 4runner has a much more vetted and powerful engine. If it was me I think I'd look for a lo mile 12-15 taco.
Or better yet the 4runner and a 10ft Trailer.
I think 4 runners are great.
But without a trailer idk how I'd want to get a smelly tick infested critter home.

i am looking newer for sure. in the last many years, every single animal has been quartered or boned out into a cooler, but some folks have mentioned some sort of tailgate device they put an animal on with a suv.

 

[rockwind1]

I’m a Nissan guy, but I traded from a truck to an Xterra several years ago and couldn’t be happier. If you are mainly hunting solo, you’ll find you can set up a sleep and cargo system that allows you to easily hop in the back and sleep. Great for leaving work on a Friday, driving to the trailhead that night. Being able to sleep comfortably, inside the truck is really convenient. Not sure how the 4Runners tailgate opens, but on the Xterra it swings open from the bottom, which then gives you an area to stand under that back tailgate if it’s raining. This is really convenient as well. Off-road, the shorter wheelbase is great too. The back of the Xterra is not carpeted so it’s really easy to clean . I really like the TRD Pro 4Runner, seems it would allow for the same kind of hunting use I’m getting out of my Xterra


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i have defintely looked at those, however, word on the street is that they are low on storage space compared to the 4runner and i do have a fam of 4 plus medium dog,, not that i will be bringing everyone, it is usually just me and a kid but still. i think if i was a single guy, sure but i do love my storage space for apocalypse packing. and they are harder to find clean,,,

 

[rockwind1]

I am on my 3rd small Toyota truck since the early 90’s. I love the Tacoma and have a 09 4 door short bed. If you go long bed you give up the shorter turning radius that I feel is a huge benefit to the Tacoma.

i agree, turn radius is very important

 

[rockwind1]

Similar situation to what you are looking into. I’ve got a full size crew cab and a 5th gen 4Runner now and have owned a 1st gen Tacoma and 2nd gen Frontier in the past so pretty familiar with the smaller trucks.

The 4Runner is a great solo rig. Comfortable to sleep in. Short wheel base makes it easy to maneuver and the traction off-road if it’s sloppy spanks any truck I’ve owned.

If it’s more than just myself for any extended period of time then I’ll typically use the truck as the 4Runner gets cramped. I’m not much of an atv guy as I prefer to get my main rig into the places I go and the 4Runner facilitates that vs a full size truck but if using an atv anyways then I might as well drive the truck as the 4Runner provides no real advantage and a number of trade offs at that point.

Comparing to the smaller trucks I’m on the fence whether I should have stayed with a Tocoma vs the 4Runner. The 4Runner is more comfortable to drive but it’s still basically a truck. Off-road it is a little better in many situations but the ground clearance on the new ones isn’t great. The 3rd gen and older are better in that regard. The Tacoma has more space for gear but does give up some maneuverability. Fuel economy on the newer 4Runner is worse than pretty much any of the newer trucks aside from 3/4 ton gassers which are probably similar. If looking at older models it’s probably comparable.

If I could only have 1 4x4 it would be a truck no question. Already having a full size 4x4 truck the 4Runner works well for me. My wife drives whichever I’m not using though. If they we both just for me the 4Runner isn’t worth the extra cost. Especially if you have an atv.

hmmmmmmm, now i am back to overthinking this. my current set up is working fine,,,but the 4runner HAS to get better milage than my 7.3L crewcab. the best i have ever got is 16 mpg, that is unloaded. with a 33ft fifthwheel,,, it's single digits and 45 mph up any real grade.

 

[5MilesBack]

So you tow the 5th wheel when you take the F-350? What would you use if you take the Toyota or 4runner?

I use my 2001 F-350 to haul my wall tent and all the rest of my gear, and tow my 1989 Toyota 4x4. So I have the best of both worlds.

 

[rockwind1]

So you tow the 5th wheel when you take the F-350? What would you use if you take the Toyota or 4runner?

I use my 2001 F-350 to haul my wall tent and all the rest of my gear, and tow my 1989 Toyota 4x4. So I have the best of both worlds.

that's a great system. and reminds me of my '85 toytota 4x4 extra cab when i was young (which i drove into the ground). took the kids thru yosemite and the redwoods and we camped out of my old little van so the 4runner isn't too much different. just tent it for shorter trips or even inside (doubtful for 2 people). my fifthwheel is a toyhauler and i got it for family trips to california beaches, frontsight, summer trips to utah and it works great for 4,,,if the kids and wife are happy, it makes for a happier trip. it just has turned into my hunting rig as well, usually i put my atv in the trailer, drive up to hunting area, set up trailer and put atv in the back of truck, then go off hunting, if road gets bad, out comes the atv. works great except time wise, it is a lot of work to do (for instance, taking out the fifth wheel hitch) and riding 2 on the atv is cramped with a lot of hunting stuff, in fact, several times i have had to go all the way back to camp or truck to get the cooler if we get an animal

i am going to downsize to a tt smaller hunting dedicated trailer sooner or later


thanks for all the tips everyone!. i am leaning towards 4runner. the only thing is is missing is a truck bed!.

 

[TRD1911]

I have a 2010 Gen II tacoma with canopy and roof rack. Small 2.5inch lift and some all-terrain tires. All tasteful/useful modifications. I've used it for some early season bear hunts. I'm 6ft and have slept in the 5ft bed (angled a bit) relatively comfortably. I absolutely love this truck and it's perfect for decommissioned and/or logging roads. I wouldn't hesitate to get one for a dedicated hunting rig

 

[Rich M]

It often comes down to what we have is good. I loved the older Tacoma and S-10 size trucks. The newer Tacomas aren't much off from the Tundras. I drive a 2012 Tundra and get 15 mpg. Not gonna save much mileage wise going to a 19 mpg Tacoma. Sure 4 mpg will pay over the long haul but not if I was just buying a hunting rig.

 

[S.Clancy]

Why would you buy another vehicle, you already have one?

 

[BRTreedogs]

Fuel mileage is actually pretty poor on Toyota's usually.
If I were you I'd see if you can find one to rent for a week.
Load your gear in it, see what kinda mileage you get with your driving style.
Sure if may cost your $500 but that's cheaper then buying it and not liking it.

 

[Sportsman]

Why would you buy another vehicle, you already have one?

When your primary vehicle is a 3/4 or 1 ton long bed, a second vehicle that is smaller but still off road capable is nice.

I have an F-250 long bed extended cab to haul the 5th wheel but a Jeep TJ for non-hunting off road and daily driver. Neither gets great mileage but a truck is a pain to park in many places and the wheel base can be a problem going through washes. AZ pin stripes from narrow roads are part of the package as well.