My Comparo: Old Taco vs. LC vs. 4Runner

[Martinjmpr]

You know, other than the shift-on-the-fly capability I liked the auto hubs. The nice thing about auto hubs is that if they stop working you can just remove them for $0. Sure, you don't get to unlock your front wheels, but your 4x4 still works. OTOH, with ADD, if it stops working you have no 4x4 until it's fixed.
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Interesting to note that AFAIK Jeep went away from the Vacuum Disconnected ADD when they went from the YJ to the TJ. Basically (as I understand it) on a TJ the front end just turns all the time, whether you're in 4x4 or not. But that means there's no vacuum-actuated ADD to break or need servicing.

 

[Martinjmpr]

You know, other than the shift-on-the-fly capability I liked the auto hubs. The nice thing about auto hubs is that if they stop working you can just remove them for $0 (or replace them with manual hubs.) Sure, you don't get to unlock your front wheels, but your 4x4 still works. OTOH, with ADD, if it stops working you have no 4x4 until it's fixed.
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And to me, at least, it wasn't much of an inconvenience to have to slow down to < 5ph to switch from 2wd to 4wd.
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Interesting to note that AFAIK Jeep went away from the Vacuum Disconnected ADD when they went from the YJ to the TJ. Basically (as I understand it) on a TJ the front end just turns all the time, whether you're in 4x4 or not. But that means there's no vacuum-actuated ADD to break or need servicing.

 

[Clutch]

Not sure about you guys but as much as I wanted to like the 4Runner and the Taco's I could not find them comfortable.
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Opposite here, I like the car like position of the the Tacos...my Trooper is more an upright sitting position. It makes my legs ache if I drive it too long. Can't seem to
find the right seat position with it. I haven't driven my Taco in 3 weeks...jumped back in it today...oh yeah...much better.

We all come in different shapes and sizes...one size does not fit all.

 

[GX470_Prado]

We all come in different shapes and sizes...one size does not fit all.

So very true...

 

[seanpistol]

When I bought my truck in early 2010 I had my heart set on a Tacoma. I couldn't believe how overpriced they are and quickly and easily talked myself into the 1-gen Tundra. I paid significantly less for what I now think is a better rig for my needs. Similar suspension, axles, drivetrain- about the size of a gen-2 tacoma, rear access cab doors that open, fits my 6'3" size better- with a V8.

I've always liked solid axle Cruisers- but they're gutless like you say.

A supercharged 4runner is intriguing, and surprisingly affordable compared to a Taco.

 

[dman93]

I owned an 80 series for 13 years and 100K+ miles. When new, it seemed like a sport sedan compared to both my 4WD Ford Ranger and my brother-in-law's similarly late model Tahoe - and a beast offroad with the factory lockers, only improved a year later with an OME lift and BFG MT's. After 13 years it just felt like an old, slow truck with scary on-road handling and poor braking. After a hiatus from 4WD (driving a Subaru Forester Turbo) I recently bought a 3.4 T100. It rides a bit rougher than my memories of the 80 and the bench seat sucks, but otherwise performance and handling seem pretty similar to the 80 and mpg is much better. I also test drove a nearly new 2nd gen Taco and now IT felt like the sport sedan, but I just couldn't stomach the $$$ compared to the T100. Realistically, if I didn't want to be able to use an open bed, a 3rd or 4th gen 4Runner does seem like the perfect choice. In my part of CA the used cost runs nearly half the cost of a similar Taco. Regarding SOTF my '86 Ranger with manual hubs and chain-drive transfer case could be shifted from 2H to 4H at any speed that you'd want to use 4wd. I certainly did so at 60-65 mph many times. I haven't driven the T in snow or high speed dirt yet, but I assume it's no different.

-dman93