Taco & 4runner Questions

[SaMingTRD]

I'm a newbie, just joined and have been looking to build a expedition rig. Honeslty I never thought of a Tacoma or 4runner as a choice but they do makes sense. I have a K-9 buddy who is about 70lbs and will go along with me when I plan to be on the road for 2 months this summer, but naturally I can't decide on a rig to get...?

Some questions... I've noticed I've only seen ARB front bumpers, is this all thats offered for either vehicle? Same question about rear bumpers w/ tire carriers, all I've seen in Sven's and Will's which I think were handmade and I havent even seen one for a 4runner? I might sleep in the back on the vehicle from time to time, and I'm 6'3, would I fit in the back of a 4 runner or 4door Taco bedliner? Another thing that I havent seen is all rull length roof rack on either or any roof lights?

Other considerations are an Xterra or Land Cruiser (80 or 100)

let me know what you guys think, thanks
-SaMingTRD

 

[Cackalak Han]

Yes, the ARB front and rear bumpers are made for both Tacoma's and 4Runners. Also, TJM, shockworks, and a couple others also make bumpers and tire carriers.

You definitely won't fit in the bed of a 4-door Tacoma. It is about 5', I think. In the 4Runner, you could fit in the back. Simply lift out the rear seat cushion and you will have enough room to sleep.

Both vehicles have a STRONG aftermarket support, where you will be able to find everything you see on any expedition rig. If for some reason you cannot (highly unlikely), there are custom fabbers in here and other forums that will accomodate you.

On you other considerations, I have no experience with the Xterra. The 80 LC's are getting a bit old and you will need to do some major maintenance (usually). And finding one in prestine condition is getting very very hard. The 100's are nice, but if you don't need all that room, it's hard to justify. The MPG's on the LC's are also a killer. With the gas prices predicted to soar above $4/gallon, I'd stay away from them, personally.

I think you're heading in the right direction for an expedition rig. Either will be an excellent platform.

 

[FlatlandTRD]

A good deal of the info you seek depends on the years you're looking at. You couldn't go wrong with a 3rd gen 4rnr, but with a 70# pal and gear, it could be pretty cramped for sleeping duties. A 4th gen would be a little bigger, newer, but of course more expensive.

A Tacoma bed (01-04) will be too short, but you can get the newer ones with longer beds, again more expensive. Plus you'll want a topper or cover for weather considerations.

Finding an 80 with the lockers will be hard, but possible. They're very reliable, and if you're not getting crazy with a lift and tires, they can still get decent mpg (compared to similarly equiped Tacomas & 4rnrs).

ARB makes bumpers for all (but after my experience, I can't recommend them). There's also Armorology in CO, bent-up, all-pro, 4xinnovations, TJM, Slee, etc.

 

[SOAZ]

as everyone had said. You can work with anything.
With a 4runner do a roof top tent and then leave the entire inside for the dog...
Or
Build a platform and sleep with the dog inside and all of your stuff in a roof rack.

or
...

 

[viter]

some other good bumper/armor/etc. manufacturers for taco's/4-runners you might want to check out are demello off-road and all-pro. depending how much comfort you are looking for, technically you could even sleep in the bed of a doublecab pre-05 taco since with tailgate down you get about 6 ft of bed - that's how I sleep if I am by myself (I'm 5'11"). but obviously inside 4-runner you could easily be all enclosed. I think if it's just a dog and you 4-runner will provide plenty of space. oh, and can't dogs sleep outside anyway?

the negative of getting a taco is having to get a cap or figuring out some other means of making an enclosed sleeping space if that's what you want; however, the positive is great versatility of having a bed.

http://www.ttora.com has lots of info and biased opinions on various products available for taco's and 4-runners

 

[HMR]

I'm a big fan of both the 4Runner and LC. My wife and I have a '05 Tacoma Access Cab. We bought a shell and used to sleep in the bed on a homemade sleeping platform. The problem was we also have an Aussie who can find water in the middle of the desert. He's always wet. Sleeping with a wet, smelly dog gets old. We bought a roof top tent and let the dog (now dogs) have the back of the truck. Our pups would quickly ruin the interior of a 4R or LC.

 

[Cackalak Han]

I'm a big fan of both the 4Runner and LC. My wife and I have a '05 Tacoma Access Cab. We bought a shell and used to sleep in the bed on a homemade sleeping platform. The problem was we also have an Aussie who can find water in the middle of the desert. He's always wet. Sleeping with a wet, smelly dog gets old. We bought a roof top tent and let the dog (now dogs) have the back of the truck. Our pups would quickly ruin the interior of a 4R or LC.

This is a great point. And it is the reason why I'm looking to pick up a Tacoma (hopefully this week) and sell my 4Runner.

 

[spikemd]

I just measured my 2003 4Runner the other day with the seats down. From the seat cushion (which swings up so the seat back folds flat) to the door is 5' 9". If you take the seat cushion out, you could get more space, probably another 8-12 inches. It folds nice and flat, but I still think I will be sleeping in my tent (on the ground). If you go diagonal, you will have more space.

My buddy has a 100 series and yes it is wider, but the cargo area isn't much bigger than my 4Runner. I looked at the 3rd gen 4Runners, but they are narrower and in my opinion, much less comfortable to drive. The 4th gen (03-on) is a big improvement in on-road ride quality and much more space in the drivers compartment. Gas mileage is significantly improved in the 4th gen 4Runner over a 80 or 100 series and I have the V8. The 4R weighs 1000lbs less than the LC.

 

[SaMingTRD]

I checked into all of those aftermarket companies and only one - armorology seems to make custom rear tire carrier for a Taco or 4runner.

I very rarely sleep with my legs extended out anyway, so sleeping in the back wouldnt be a problem. Besides I normally use a good ol fashion ground tent anyway and would only sleep in the rig if things got hairy. Those roof top tents are really nice, but theres no way I could get my dog up there.

based on all those pics of members vehicles here I've noticed that everyone seems to live out west, going to the desert and mountians etc...also no one carrieis any fuel cans with them, neither on the roof or on a rear tire carrier- what gives?

my plan is not to spend more then 25k plus most of the mods, maybe this can help narrow down my search

 

[HMR]

also no one carrieis any fuel cans with them, neither on the roof or on a rear tire carrier- what gives?

Depending on the trip, I carry 5-10 gals of fuel & 5-15 gals of water in the bed. If you look at my photo above, all that stuff packs neatly inside the shell (above and below the wood platform) leaving room for both dogs while still allowing visibility out all of the windows.

I finally ditched my worthless CARB-compliant gas cans for these:

 

[Streakerfreak]

I checked into all of those aftermarket companies and only one - armorology seems to make custom rear tire carrier for a Taco or 4runner.

I very rarely sleep with my legs extended out anyway, so sleeping in the back wouldnt be a problem. Besides I normally use a good ol fashion ground tent anyway and would only sleep in the rig if things got hairy. Those roof top tents are really nice, but theres no way I could get my dog up there.

based on all those pics of members vehicles here I've noticed that everyone seems to live out west, going to the desert and mountians etc...also no one carrieis any fuel cans with them, neither on the roof or on a rear tire carrier- what gives?

my plan is not to spend more then 25k plus most of the mods, maybe this can help narrow down my search

CBI Off Road also makes swing out bumper carriers. He does quality work. Also he will make what you want, you just have to ask and you don't even have to be there. He made the first swing out bumper for me because I asked him to do it, now he is making a bunch of them. All you have to do is ask.

Second, not everyone is out west. You will find there is a growing EXPO community everywhere, for instance there is a large community forming in the Northeast.

As far as fuel, some people have aux tanks, some people keep it in the bed to keep as much weight off the roof as possible, other dues carry there gas up high, but it is not the most practical way. Check out my build thread in my sig to see what I have done. Do the same for other build threads, which is a great why of seeing what people have done.

If your budget for mods is 25k you will have no problem. I am only at $5,000.

 

[Rock-Wear]

I finally ditched my worthless CARB-compliant gas cans for these:

Where did you get those?

 

[HMR]

Where did you get those?

Here.

 

[viter]

$10 - that's quite a deal!

 

[SaMingTRD]

so the only tire carriers for a taco or 4runner are custom made, does any company actually manucature them?

and I saw no one has a full roof rack on their taco, is that a no no bolting it to the cab then extending it over onto the shell?