Tacoma or four Runner

[jeepmedic46]

I've pretty much have always had full size pickups with the exception of a 89 and a02 wrangler and a 04 liberty. My question is which is better a 4 door Tacoma or a 4 runner. Have a back that requires 3 surgeries and 1 surgery is going to fuse about 1/2 my spine. My question is which would be better for me as far as getting in and out. What year would be good as I can't afford a new vehicle.

 

[Last1Left]

I have a bad L5 my 4runner was better for my back than my Tacoma. I would tell to a buy aTundra, it is the only thing that is going to make you comfortable. I had a 16 tundra most comfortable hands down. The Tacoma has a low seating position.

 

[Tex68w]

I have a bad back, L3-L5 and S1, one surgery, I am sure another is to come in the future. I found the seating position in the 4Runner to be more comfortable than the Tacoma. That said, Toyota seats in general are not very comfortable in comparison to other manufacturers. I found the few Lexus products we have owned over the years seem to be much better made and more comfortable than those of their Toyota cousins. If I had pick between those two the 4Runner would win hands down.

 

[jeepmedic46]

I have a bad back, L3-L5 and S1, one surgery, I am sure another is to come in the future. I found the seating position in the 4Runner to be more comfortable than the Tacoma. That said, Toyota seats in general are not very comfortable in comparison to other manufacturers. I found the few Lexus products we have owned over the years seem to be much better made and more comfortable than those of their Toyota cousins. If I had pick between those two the 4Runner would win hands down.

What year 4 runner would you suggest? I can’t afford a newer one.

 

[vintageracer]

I have always found ALL the Tacoma/4Runner's to be uncomfortable due to the seating position that puts your feet out much more flat to the floor from the seat bottom that any other truck/SUV I have ever sat within. For ME to be comfortable a seating position needs to be more chair like in the seating position with my feet below my seat bottom.

I tried another Tacoma 2 years ago that was a steal to purchase just to see if it was me. Nothing changed. Sold the truck 2 weeks after purchasing the truck. It was just as uncomfortable as all the others I have previously owned or ridden within.

A friend of mine has a Toyota Tundra which has a little more of a chair like seating position than the Tacoma/4Runner that was more comfortable than any Tacoma/4 Runner however still not comfortable enough that I would consider purchasing a Tundra. I personally find the seating position in the Nissan Frontier and Domestic produced PU's and SUV's to much more suited to me for driving comfort.

Given your medical condition I suggest you spend extra time sitting in and test driving whatever you are considering making sure the seating position suits your long term medical and comfort needs.

Time to go to Carmax and test drive a bunch of vehicles to find a vehicle that best suits your needs and medical condition!

 

[Tex68w]

What year 4 runner would you suggest? I can’t afford a newer one.

While the 4Runner still has a bit more of a low or relaxed seating position than a domestic truck, it still sits more upright than the Tacoma.

In regards to which year, well that depends on your budget. 4th Gens with the V8 were great vehicles but finding an affordable one that isn't ratted out will be difficult. Like I said, I have no idea what your budget is, but I'd look for the first era of the 5th Gen, 2010-2013. Those models can be found for less than the 5.2 5th Gens 2014+. I saw a 2011 TE, which is the first generation Trail/TRD OR at my local dealer a few months back that had 98K on the odo and it sold for $20K.

 

[bkg]

While the 4Runner still has a bit more of a low or relaxed seating position than a domestic truck, it still sits more upright than the Tacoma.

In regards to which year, well that depends on your budget. 4th Gens with the V8 were great vehicles but finding an affordable one that isn't ratted out will be difficult. Like I said, I have no idea what your budget is, but I'd look for the first era of the 5th Gen, 2010-2013. Those models can be found for less than the 5.2 5th Gens 2014+. I saw a 2011 TE, which is the first generation Trail/TRD OR at my local dealer a few months back that had 98K on the odo and it sold for $20K.

Seeting positions are the same in both. Seats are different, but up through 02/04 redesign, Identical. I’d challenge they were almost identical until 5th gen 4Runner releases.

 

[Tex68w]

Seeting positions are the same in both. Seats are different, but up through 02/04 redesign, Identical. I’d challenge they were almost identical until 5th gen 4Runner releases.

My commentary is only regards to the 3rd Gen Tacoma vs the 5th Gen 4Runner as these are the most recent vehicles.

 

[redthies]

Maybe try an LX470 as well? It will have the best seats of the “affordable” Toyota products, and the ride with the AHC is very very smooth. They can be had quite inexpensively these days.

 

[Tex68w]

Maybe try an LX470 as well? It will have the best seats of the “affordable” Toyota products, and the ride with the AHC is very very smooth. They can be had quite inexpensively these days.

Not a bad idea if you can find one that isn't completely ragged out.

 

[Wallygator]

Yeah this question is so wide open depending on which generation of both vehicles being discussed. As far as the current generation goes, hands down the 4Runner is the better vehicle. YMMV but I'm right.

 

[Clutch]

Yeah this question is so wide open depending on which generation of both vehicles being discussed. As far as the current generation goes, hands down the 4Runner is the better vehicle. YMMV but I'm right.

It is so subjective...most everyone hates the Tacoma for seating. I have a bad back, herniated L5, vert was cracked and slipped forward. Prefer the lower position of the Taco over the more upright position of my Trooper. Proof is in the pudding, last year put 30K miles on the Taco, and only 3K on the Trooper.

 

[jeepmedic46]

Thank you, I know this is a wide question. I have to have a fusion in my neck and have 5 or 6 herniated discs. I know this is a personal preference as well.

 

[Clutch]

Thank you, I know this is a wide question. I have to have a fusion in my neck and have 5 or 6 herniated discs. I know this is a personal preference as well.

Will have to go test drive a few to see what works, might be hard since you need to spend some time behind the wheel, quickie around the block probably won't do. Didn't realize I hated the Trooper seats until spending 2-3 hours in it. Makes my sciatica act up.

Good luck with the surgery. Bad backs are no fun.

 

[Tex68w]

Good luck with the surgery. Bad backs are no fun.

Agreed, living with the pain on a daily basis blows, but I prefer to feel the pain instead of being drugged up and drooling on myself as the alternative. Personally, I am holding off on surgery again until I can no longer bring myself to get out of bed in the morning. At the end of the day I would prefer to have a bad back over bad knees or a bad hip.

In regards to the best vehicle of the two as others have suggested I would agree that you need to get some extended seat time behind both in order to truly know. But before that you need to decide which generation vehicle you're considering and go from there. I do think that the area of your back injury plays a role as well when it comes to which seating position might be more suitable for your comfort.