Dilemma re: replacement for TDI -- 4Runner or Tacoma

[pinkocommie]

Here is the quick story... First, hi, first post here.

Second... My 2014 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI is getting sold back. I can't not do it, given what they are offering. Ever since I got the TDI (which I have loved), there have been times when I've missed my old '05 Tacoma, but I made do and was glad to be getting 40+ MPG. But then I moved to the western slope of CO, and I live too close to unbelievable camping, hiking, and off-roading to not take advantage of it. So I am looking at replacing the TDI with a new Tacoma or 4Runner. If I go with a 4Runner, I'm thinking about a good full-length rack (along the lines of the lines of the Frontrunner, or Rhino, etc), and a roof top tent. If I go Tacoma, I am thinking about an aluminum shell with a good rack, hopefully one that extends over the cab, and also a tent on top.

I drive up and down I70 between the front range and the western slope a lot. The new setup has to be a good daily driver, and an easy "holy crap, all my plans for the weekend went away, see ya" kinda machine. The camping may or may not be done with my wife, and will often be done with two kids, currently 7 and 9.

Thoughts?

Here are some I've had so far...

Tacoma:
-Which shell? Can I get an Alu Cab here? (not the tent, the shell) If not, which one of the aluminum shells would be best? Do any have racks that extend over the top?
-Short or long bed? How much real difference off road? What about lifted, in the future?
-more versatile than 4Runner on the account of the bed, especially long bed, easier for camping setup, etc.
-Newer (and new-school) engine/tranny


4Runner:
-Trail or Trail Premium? Leaning toward Trail (leather is just not important to me)
-Better ride comfort than Tacoma, better driver seating position, somewhat better visibility, a little quieter
-Engine/tranny may be old-school, but tough and proven
-Better day-to-day kid-hauler, etc

Either:
-Which tent? Frontrunner seems nice, but James Baroud seems like the right way to do it to avoid future regrets. Others? Must be fairly lightweight.
-What upgrades right off the bat? Rear bumper with swing-out tire carrier, etc? Or only rack and tent at first?
-Good shop that will be good to work with in Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Rifle, etc? Should cary tents, racks, do bumper/suspension kinds of upgrades.

I am curious what perspectives the brain trust here can raise that I have not thought of. Talk to me!

--PinkoCommie

 

[jalbrecht55]

Just my opinion - I'd lean towards the 4runner.

-It's smaller and more maneuverable
-Despite it being shorter than a double cab short box there is still room to sleep in the back.
-I feel like for "truck" type uses like hauling stuff to the dump, mulch, wood hauling, etc a small trailer is more useful than a midsize pickup bed.
-The 4runner may cost a little more but truck canopies are pretty expensive - so I think that's close to a wash.
-The new taco does have a nicer interior and feels a little more modern, but, the 4runner has a better (higher) seating position and is more comfortable in that regard to me.
-I'm not sure what to think about the drivetrain old school 4.0 vs new school 3.5. Driven both, they drive different from each other. Not sure I have a preference, but I do like the motor in my chevy pickup a lot better than both of them.
-If you are going to get an automatic, then the 5 speed in the 4runner seems to be a little better 'dialed in', it seems like Toyota is having trouble getting the 6 speed auto working right, at least based on all the internet complaining I've read and multiple TSB's issued.
-For being similar platforms it seems like the pickup drives a little better. It seems to handle a little better (comparing an OR DCSB to an SR5 4runner without KDSS) and the steering seems a little more responsive to me. I've yet to find a 4runner trail to test drive.

For me personally it comes down to the transmission. An auto is a deal breaker for me, but I appear to be in the minority on that one. I would buy a 4runner tomorrow if it had a manual!

 

[evilfij]

4r has the 4.0 which I have way more confidence in than the 3.5 in the taco. If you can do the 2.7 158hp and all, I would do the taco with the manual trans.

--guy who has a 2.7 taco as replacement for my TDI sportwagen

 

[red EOD veteran]

Overall size difference is minimal, both will do just fine on the trails.

Versatility of the pickup wins with me. Better fuel economy due to the lighter weight, the 6 speed bugs seem to be mostly worked out.

Bed length depends on your preference and uses. Long bed is big enough to lay down and sleep in so you don't have to have a tent.

 

[dman93]

AluCab canopies are available in the US. See the AluCab thread in the RTT section.

 

[calicamper]

Front range? We talking altitude climbs? Your going to miss the turbo mitigating Altitude sickness you get in the non turbo engines. There is a reason why Colorado is the top state for light diesel sales.

Comfort? And Taco dont really go well together. That puts the 4runner at the top of your Toyota list.

I would find diesel Canyon SLT and spend a typical few days with it. Chances are you'll be contemplating what Toyota offers for the toyota tax. Dont get me wrong my last three trucks were toyotas. But today I see nothing of interest on the yota lot for the prices our dealers are demanding.

 

[Dalko43]

If you need a pickup bed, get the Tacoma.

If a pickup bed isn't so important, get the 4runner. It's hands down a better vehicle than the Tacoma. Made in Japan. Fully boxed frame. Disk brakes. coil-sprung suspension. The 4.0L V6 and 5 speed tranny combo is a bit dated at this point (and it could have used an extra gear to help out the mediocre fuel economy and grunt), but it works with very minimal upkeep. Manual transfer case shifter too.

The 4runner is as about as old school as you can get nowadays with a modern 4wd truck. And I love it for that reason. Mine is currently stock and I've taken it through all kinds of terrain (rocks, mud, snow)...it has gotten me out of situations where I otherwise would have gotten stuck. The ATRAC and rear locking diff provide great insurance against tough, potentially difficult terrain. It has started up in -25F weather without a block heater.

Like I said, the fuel economy is mediocre (you're lucky to get over 21mpg on the highway) and it definitely lacks passing power (especially when you start to load it up with gear and cargo). But when you get it on a dirt track and throw the transfer shifter into 4wd High or Low, it feels right at home.

 

[p nut]

Which trails are you looking to do? Do you really need a $2k rear bumper? Most stock trucks are plenty capable for majority of the trails out in the west.
_
Are you set on these two vehicles? I would really look at going full size with the two kids. Space and comfort win big here, and with the available V8's that get similar MPG as the Taco/4Runners, it seems to be a no-brainer. Even something like an 05-06 Tundra, or any of the new Ford/Chevy/Dodge would be capable enough and much more comfortable. I recently went domestic after years and years of Toyota trucks. For my family of 4, rear passenger space was very welcome and the extra comfort in ride was also well-received. I would at least test drive some of the full-size offerings before making a final decision.

 

[WU7X]

I've owned a 2000 Taco Xcab and now own a 2011 4Runner. I really appreciated the smaller dimensions of the Taco, but love the lushness of the T4R. If I had two young kids I'd go for the T4R hands down. On the Taco I had a reinforced fiberglass shell with a Autohome medium sized Columbus tent. Great for two, not so good for four. Now I tow a first generation Freespirit Recreation Journey XL Basecamp trailer. In two years I've put over 14,000 miles on that trailer and its held up very well. That company now makes a second generation with 31" tires and a 9 foot RTT; mine has only 28" tires and a 7' tent. I think one of these setups would be much safer for you and the kids, but that's just my $0.02 worth. Either way, have fun and be safe.

 

[JLee]

If you're looking at 4Runners, consider a GX470 as well.