Change plan from 4runner to Tundra?

[LX_VA]

I’ve been slowing building my 1999 3rd gen 4runner over the course of the past year with the intent as using it as both a dd and travel vehicle. To that end I have kept the build pretty moderate. She is not a rock crawler but is certainly a capable vehicle both on and off road. I never expected her to get great gas milage and I’m sure that my ARB bumper and heavy BFG ATs cost me a little bit there. What has always bugged me though is the lack of range resultant of low MPG and a small tank. I see lots of guys jumping through hoops to figure out ways to carry gas cans or add extra gas tanks but I’m just not into any of the options that I see there.

Enter my new (to me) 2003 Tundra access cab. I bought it recently mostly to haul stuff and train my son to drive, but I’m finding myself driving it more and more and wondering if maybe I should change my plans and make this the Overland vehicle. It’s a much more comfortable drive, milage still sux but with a 26 gallon tank my range is significantly increased, it is plenty capable off road, and could certainly carry everything I’d need on a long trip. It’s an access cab so the back seat is minimal but still plenty for my dog.

What do you all think? Should I change focus and plan to build the Tundra? My first long trip is planned for this summer ( DC to Oregon via New Mexico) but I could still do a lot before then, especially if I can find a good bed cap.

Hmmmmm


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[99Discovery]

I'll bite. I don't own a Tundra, nor a Tacoma (I'm looking to get one, hence my lurking in these forums), so I'm probably not qualified to say much. But then again, nobody is talking? I've had some experience with the 4Runner on the trail (my cousin has a 5th Gen. TRD Pro.)

Anyway, it comes down to math for me vs. what type of technical terrain I want. The 4Runner has superior width (narrower), approach/departure, and breakover angle. The wheelbase is 105". The Tundra 1st gen is 140" (at least for the double cab, I can't see access cab stats) , depending on if you have the long bed or not. Width is 75" vs. 67" for the 4Runner.

My main issue with the Tundra is the approach angle from the low bumper valance. This can be remedied by aftermarket though.

At the end of the day, if you are primarily using your rig for getting to campsites chewing up large amounts of highway with some mild forest service roads thrown in, you are going to enjoy your Tundra much more. If your terrain takes you across shelf roads, Tight forests, technical climbs, and areas where your width and length are going to be an issue, I'd stick with the 4Runner.

 

[bwycoff]

I don’t think I could give you an answer either but looking into the same thing as you. I own a 2002 Toyota Tundra and have been extremely happy with it. As you stated, they are a comfortable driving truck and mine has been very reliable. I have had zero mechanical issues, just O2 sensors to replace. I am just not sure about how it would do, once loaded with the things I would like to put on it, for Overlanding. I have looked around and haven’t found any 1st gen Tundra Overland builds.

 

[Smileyshaun]

I don't have a tundra but a sequoia so basically the same thing and I can tell you 10-15 hours of driving in that thing is no problem whatsoever even loaded down full of gear and whatever else you want to throw in it the V8 just sucks up the extra weight compared to a smaller motor tends to struggle once it's all loaded down and the mileage will suffer less fully loaded . the stock bumper hangs way to low but a aftermarket bumper will solve that and it just looks way better lol . I will agree with the other statements if you're doing a lot of very tight technical trails that it may be a little big but in all reality it's actually just slightly bigger than a 4Runner but I do know that they love to soak up Forest Service Roads and light trails with no problems.

 

[LX_VA]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Yeah - I guess I should have better described the kind of overland travel I’m planning. For me it is looking more and more like long distances with camping and accessing interesting sites along the way. For instance - I have long dreamed of traveling down the Pan American Highway through Central America. On a trip like that I would want to be able to eat up lots of Highway but also be able to traverse the dirt roads and bad highways that are often deeply rutted and feature crumbling asphalt. Accessing remote towns and Mayan ruins would be among the highlights of such a trip. In places like that purposefully crossing the equivalent of black/red rated 4x4 trails would be something to avoid if I’m traveling in a vehicle that is essentially everything I have with me far from home. Faced with trails that tough... I’d just turn around.

The other benefit of switching to the Tundra is that I can then change the build plan for the 3rd gen 4runner to one that is more hardcore Offroad oriented.



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[SportsmanJake]

What do you all think? Should I change focus and plan to build the Tundra? My first long trip is planned for this summer ( DC to Oregon via New Mexico) but I could still do a lot before then, especially if I can find a good bed cap.

You have two great Toyota 4x4s. I would consider the following:

• Which of the two do you believe is more reliable.
• Do you want/need a wagon or a pickup for your travels?

Anyway, it comes down to math for me vs. what type of technical terrain I want. The 4Runner has superior width (narrower), approach/departure, and breakover angle. The wheelbase is 105". The Tundra 1st gen is 140" (at least for the double cab, I can't see access cab stats) , depending on if you have the long bed or not. Width is 75" vs. 67" for the 4Runner.

Wheelbase for the tundra is 128 inches. Everything else is correct though.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Do you want/need a wagon or a pickup for your travels?

I'm a dyed in the wool pickup owner but I think this is the fundamental question. There are compromises with a pickup and if you don't need the utility of a bed (primarily to carry a camper for example) it's probably easier to live in/with a wagon/troopy/SUV/van configuration over the long haul.

A 3rd gen 4Runner is pretty small and a Tundra is pretty big, so it's not really a straight across comparison, but even as big as they are the cab of a Tundra might start to feel small on the road while the bed feels limiting. Drive a Land Cruiser or Sequoia and it's like driving your living room and everything's reachable from inside.

Having that back wall of the cab puts a limit to how you outfit the truck and what ends up happening is you get a battleship long wheelbase because you really wanted the interior space of a wagon and put a cap on the bed because all your junk gets wet and stolen if you don't. But you still end up with two difference spaces. That's why I don't see the point of 4 door trucks, just get a 4th+ gen 4Runner or Cruiser and a roof rack or trailer if you need to haul more junk.

 

[SportsmanJake]

There are compromises with a pickup and if you don't need the utility of a bed (primarily to carry a camper for example) it's probably easier to live in/with a wagon/troopy/SUV/van configuration over the long haul.

Here is a good video from Ronny Dahl comparing Wagons and Pickups

 

[99Discovery]

A bit off topic, but after watching Dahl's vid, I wish I was in Australia. I love how not only can they GET a 70 series Land Cruiser new, but the "wagon" is cheaper than the truck. The reason I'm looking at Tacomas is that I can get a TRD Off-Road for $37k. I'd rather have a 4-runner with the shorter wheelbase, but the only option for a locker is the TRD-Pro and I'm pushing $45-50k and with that extra money they don't even throw in radar-cruise/crash avoidance. The 3rd Gen. Tacoma is a huge steal right now.

To the OP, I think your current plan is solid: Mod the truck for your overland journeys and keep the 4Runner for a daily or mod it for more extreme terrain.

 

[sn_85]

A bit off topic, but after watching Dahl's vid, I wish I was in Australia. I love how not only can they GET a 70 series Land Cruiser new, but the "wagon" is cheaper than the truck. The reason I'm looking at Tacomas is that I can get a TRD Off-Road for $37k. I'd rather have a 4-runner with the shorter wheelbase, but the only option for a locker is the TRD-Pro and I'm pushing $45-50k and with that extra money they don't even throw in radar-cruise/crash avoidance. The 3rd Gen. Tacoma is a huge steal right now.

To the OP, I think your current plan is solid: Mod the truck for your overland journeys and keep the 4Runner for a daily or mod it for more extreme terrain.

That's not true. The TRD Off-Road has a rear locker and you can get the base model for about $35K...

 

[sn_85]

I think he means it's the only way to get a locker in a 4Runner.

And like I said, that's not true. A TRD Off-Road 4RUNNER has a rear locker.

 

[Kpack]

Wheelbase for the tundra is 128 inches. Everything else is correct though.

I think the double cab is 140", and access cab is 128".

 

[Trikebubble]

Last year we made the switch from a kitted out Xterra with roof top tent et all, to a 2014 Tundra and Four Wheel Camper. With any decision there are compromises, and I know their are places that the Tundra may not go that our Xterra did...but having said that I'll never go back to a mid-sized suv again. The Tundra is simply amazing, the added room inside for me makes long journeys so much more comfortable, and the added power of the V8 is simply fantastic. Where the fully laden Xterra used to see limitations on steep mountain grades in the middle of a very hot July or August afternoon, or where passing a line of big rigs took some extra forethought, the Tundra simply smiles and hauls ass. Doesn't matter what I load into it, it never complains. My Wife and I decided to compress all our adventure and camping "stuff" into one do it all package (we also sold out travel trailer which we used ot pull with the Xterra) so the Four Wheel Camper is the perfect "one thing to do them all" type of camping unit for us. I know I probably won't be taking the Tundra up Mineral Creek trail or up the switchbacks to Engineer Pass (like we easily did in the Xterra), but the added load capacity, comfort, and tons of power have opened up enough new adventure possibilities to make the few places we now wouldn't access not an issue at all. Mileage isn;t really a concern in of itslef as it's nota daily driver, and honestly our fully loaded Xterra didn't get any better mileage than our loaded Tundra. Range with our small 26 gallon tank may prove to be an issue (it hasn't yet) but their are solutions for that if it becomes a serious problem.

Once you get spoiled with some good V8 power it would be hard to go back to the mediocre power of a V6 powered mid-size anything I feel.

 

[jpachard]

Regarding the size, this see,s to be a terrain and location topic. Since I live out east, smaller is better for sure. I have a 2016 4Runner trail premium(comes with a rear locker from the factory). This is as big as I would want to go out east. I’m already in the habit of folding in the mirrors to fit through some of the tracks I run. That said, I had an early tundra like yours and they are fantastic trucks.

Best of luck with your decision.

Cheers, James


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[LX_VA]

If I’m honest with myself... I’m probably really just trying to justify my way into building another truck rather than just leaving it alone as I should. I still can’t believe how lucky I got with this tundra. The prior owner got it through the frame recall just one year ago and piled on all the parts they would let him add to the frame swap rebuild so it’s practically a new truck ( frame, control arms, brake and fuel lines, radiator, rack n pinion, complete front and rear brake systems... the list goes on an on). I just realized tonight that it also has the factory tow package on it. I knew it had a hitch of course but the high amp alternator and tranny cooler were a pleasant surprise that I didn’t catch when I bought it a couple weeks ago.

Anyway - I really appreciate all of the feedback. I feel like the path forward is pretty clear. In the end the Tundras comfort and range renders it the best long distance overland travel choice and the 4runner can be the fun local runabout / off road rig.

Here they are just in case you were hankering for a look. The 4runner is mostly built... and the tundra is currently a blank canvas.

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