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

[S.Clancy]

Tbh, if I were him I'd go with a small car or Subaru or something, instead of something with just as bad of gas mileage. Subies can get almost anywhere and will approach 30mpg. The money he saves on the rig and gas will allow him to hunt more.

 

[5MilesBack]

Tbh, if I were him I'd go with a small car or Subaru or something, instead of something with just as bad of gas mileage. Subies can get almost anywhere and will approach 30mpg. The money he saves on the rig and gas will allow him to hunt more.

Ya, but if my options were a Subaru or my F-350 that I already have........I'd take the F-350 every time. And since he already has an ATV.......I'd still take the F-350 with the ATV. I've driven my wife's Subaru Outback, and I hate driving that thing.

I've always thought that if my 1989 Toyota ever gives up the ghost, I'll need to buy a Tacoma or a Jeep to still pull behind the F-350. I've gotten real comfortable with that setup for hunting.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

My go to truck for the past couple decades is the first generation extended cab Tacoma with a 2.7 L four-cylinder and five speed.
If you don’t plan on running larger than 31 inch tires the 2.7 has plenty enough torque to work with factory gears, without sacrificing fuel mileage.
It’s slightly less maneuverable than a regular cab Tacoma, but it gives you extra inside storage for gear or passengers if needed. I can switch back-and-forth between running an open bed, putting and aluminum cap on for truck camping and having a dog box in there when I’m cat hunting.

A couple of my friends run first generation Tacoma’s with the 3.4 L V6 and automatic transmission. It definitely has an edge with power but it uses more fuel and has more regular maintenance need to then the 2.7 L

One of my friends has been running a third-generation 4Runner for a few years now. He’s getting along with it well but it smells horrible inside that thing.

My biggest recommendation is to stay away from Second generation and newer Tacoma’s and fourth generation and newer 4unners because you will eat up ball joints if you’re off road a lot.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Tbh, if I were him I'd go with a small car or Subaru or something, instead of something with just as bad of gas mileage. Subies can get almost anywhere and will approach 30mpg. The money he saves on the rig and gas will allow him to hunt more.

The problem with a Subaru is tires. Usually whatever you save in gas you pop in tires.
They do make some tiny bfgs now you can cram on there.

 

[sneaky]

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.

The engine is shared between the 4Runner and the Tacoma

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[sneaky]

My go to truck for the past couple decades is the first generation extended cab Tacoma with a 2.7 L four-cylinder and five speed.
If you don’t plan on running larger than 31 inch tires the 2.7 has plenty enough torque to work with factory gears, without sacrificing fuel mileage.
It’s slightly less maneuverable than a regular cab Tacoma, but it gives you extra inside storage for gear or passengers if needed. I can switch back-and-forth between running an open bed, putting and aluminum cap on for truck camping and having a dog box in there when I’m cat hunting.

A couple of my friends run first generation Tacoma’s with the 3.4 L V6 and automatic transmission. It definitely has an edge with power but it uses more fuel and has more regular maintenance need to then the 2.7 L

One of my friends has been running a third-generation 4Runner for a few years now. He’s getting along with it well but it smells horrible inside that thing.

My biggest recommendation is to stay away from Second generation and newer Tacoma’s and fourth generation and newer 4unners because you will eat up ball joints if you’re off road a lot.

Ball joints on my 06 Tacoma lasted 225k miles. I'm calling BS on staying away from 2nd gen Tacomas.

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[work765]

I have a 2017 Tacoma double cab V6 4x4. The power is shit. My friends Prius pulls harder and is smoother in shifting than my truck. If I hit a steady grade in my truck, it’s constantly searching for gears.


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[BRTreedogs]

The engine is shared between the 4Runner and the Tacoma

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Not any more in 2016 the Taco went to a 3.5 that was designed for a car and a 6 speed auto.
No bottom end and shifts alot in the autos.

 

[sneaky]

Two things Toyota hasn't figured out on their trucks. Gas mileage and leaf springs that don't sag under weight.

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[TREE ‘EM]

Ball joints on my 06 Tacoma lasted 225k miles. I'm calling BS on staying away from 2nd gen Tacomas.

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Replaced twice by 90K miles on my 2008

Never replaced on my ‘98 which I sold with 215k
Never replaced on my 2004 which got totaled with 316k on it

Mine get used pretty hard.

 

[oldgoat]

I have an old 94 Toyota Pickup with a topper and an 05 4 runner, Its hands down the 4 runner for me for huntin, easy access to gear with the extra doors, I can sleep covered in the back and start the motor up to have heat and have lights etc.

 

[IdahoElk]

I'm on my 5th 4runner and they all have been great and are very offroad capable.

 

[sneaky]

Replaced twice by 90K miles on my 2008

Never replaced on my ‘98 which I sold with 215k
Never replaced on my 2004 which got totaled with 316k on it

Mine get used pretty hard.

Same here, I use mine for what it's intended and only one needed replaced at 225k but I did them all. It'll be back in the mountains again tomorrow.

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[S.Clancy]

The problem with a Subaru is tires. Usually whatever you save in gas you pop in tires.
They do make some tiny bfgs now you can cram on there.

That hasn't been my experience, but I may
Be lucky. I do know a 1996 subie wagon will haul 12 elk quarters and 2 dudes.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

I have had two of the smaller tacomas, a 1998 single cab, had 230,000 on it when it got taken in the frame rust call back, all i ever did was change oil, brakes, and one broken leaf spring from hauling way more wood than i should have lol that thing was like a lil 4 wheeler in the woods, great turning radius etc. go anywhere it was the 4 cylinder.

my 2003 tacoma which was a 4 door, got totaled on my way back from montana last year, when that guys tired flew off his car into me. it had 180,000 miles on it and same thing, change oil and brakes. Didnt have as good of a turning radius because of the 4 doors as my 1998 did, it was a v6 I got about 20-21 mpg on highway, alot less driving to work.

the 22re motors are darn near bulletproof!!! wish the toyota frames were the same

I have been scouring trader pages, facebook marketplace, autotrader, etc for a tacoma or 4 runner to drive to work and hunt out of now, I love my new silverado, it's like riding a cadillac, but during turkey season i found myself not wanting to take it places i normally would went with my tacoma, the silverado's sit so low in the front.

 

[Ashy Larry]

I’ll chime in with my experience.

Ive had 3 1st Gen 4Runners. First one I got off Craigslist for $900 out of Breckinridge. I drove that thing all over the state on 4wd roads and even Moab. It spent one winter completely covered in snow and when it warmed, I chiseled it out and drove it more. Damn thing fell off the car hauler in Pittsburg Kansas and rolled through an intersection. That was a spectacle. A blown head gasket was it’s death.

Life has gotten more complicated as I’ve gotten older and I now require a “modern, presentable” vehicle with room for car seat. I got a 2005 crew cab Sierra z71 a few years back. It’s roomy, powerful and has a big bed but I never liked it. A boat to drive, hated the automatic (or any automatic), and it was so big and long it didn’t do well on small forest roads. I recently got a brand hammer new TRD off-road Tacoma 6-spd. It’s smaller for sure but still manageable. I don’t find it to be underpowered (drive a 22re 4Runner at 10,000 feet) but it does have a car-like powerband. I would hate it with an auto. I want to make It a little more capable off road once the warranty expires and do a small life and some sliders. I get about 19 with factory tires and my GMC got 13 with 285’s.

 

[MHWASH]

I’m in the same boat as the OP. I have a 3/4 Chevy diesel, and hate driving it on back roads. It’s great getting me and the fam with our camper to the camp spot, but after that I get rather annoyed with it. I’m going to buy a small truck of some kind. I have a RAV4 as a commuter, but it’s no hunting rig.

 

[COSA]

I have a Tundra, wife has a Tacoma. Tacoma's are great off road, but the seats and ergonomics are terrible for medium to long trips. I'm only 6', I would wait until they fixed this issue in the next generation, as there are many similar reviews. Toyota's are darn reliable though

 

[handwerk]

We're pretty much toyota fans, my wife has an 2011 4runner and I have a 2010 taco 4dr LB after having a couple gen1 tundras which were great trucks as well. I also plow with a 1993 toyota pickup( 248,000) that has been rolled, and just plain beat to hell , yet it just keeps going without issue.
I've had my share of big ford truck,s but now that the kids have moved out I can get by with a smaller rig and don't plan on having anything other than toyotas.

 

[Wellsdw]

my Experience with the 17’ Tacoma is when you put a load on it towing it will shock you with power. Ive pulled a 16” chipper right at it’s towing max 6500lbs around quite a bit. Pulled around the property not on roads as well in 4wd no issues. Hauled a center console to the coast 500 mile round trip no issues. For what it’s worth. Whatever you do buy a longer bed versions 6’ bed. I was told from a tech the yoga is going to essentially put a 4 liter version of the 3.5 taco motor in the new 4runners soon