What truck to build out? 3rd gen 4Runner or 1st gen Tacoma?

Hello all! i recently picked up a 1999 4runner limited 4x4, its an auto with the 5vzfe. its not in amazing shape, there is a miss fire on #4 i haven't pinned down yet as well as some bucking/jerking from the tranny in some gears when im on the accelerator going 45-60mph. NOW to the main question. i have a 2003 taco 5 speed 5vzfe as well and i want to go crazy on one of them/. Im talking full rock crawler, SAS, dual cases, 35s maybe 37s and what not. im unsure what truck i want to build out. i may end up selling the other to get a tow vehicle and trailer to take the crawler to the trails. but again im unsure what i want to do at the moment. if anyone has any insite on what truck would be better to build out and or just tell me what you'd do and why'd you'd think one option is better then the other.



Heres a picture of the 4runner.





And the tacoma.

 

Drop off, turn key crawler or you're doing the work?

It's very well involved.

 

i plan on doing all the work myself. i am a fabricator and aware of the work thatll go into the job

 

If you’re going to smash up the body a bunch, the Tacoma may be better with a bobbed bed to shorten it up.

otherwise, I’d probably go with the 4Runner.

edit: why - shorter wheelbase and overall vehicle with the 4Runner.

now, the engine and trans issues you have with the 4Runner… not going to touch that.

 

2nd the 4Runner if it’s a straight up crawler- shorter wheelbase, better departure angle, has a sunroof, better stereo, if it’s got leather you’ve got a super cush trail limo

 

i wonder if it would be worth it to manual swap the 4runner...that would solve my trans issue. it dose have leather but i need to re due the front seats. Maybe i will make the runner the crawler.......

 

Both?

 

Looks like the Tacoma already has a steel bumper

 

The biggest question will be:
Leaf or Link


Regardless, have fun.

 

Haha that sounds like a money pit but not a bad idea.

If I go the taco, I'll prob go leaf just to keep it simple. If I do the 4runner I think I'd go link since the rear is already linked. That's the idea at least.

 

If you Bob the Tacoma you'll end up around the same length as a 4runner. The 4 runner already has a linked rear so some longer arms and you'll have all the travel in the world. The 4 runners will probably weigh an extra 300ish lbs due to the extra bulk of the cab vs the bed. The Tacoma is probably better for RTT and truck things while the 4runner has more inside room for passengers and carrying extra parts and supplies that need to be kept inside. You could probably keep both. Use the Tacoma to pull the 4runner or vise versa. Either are good choices and have the same after-market support. Really depends on if you want inside or outside storage. My advice would be to gut it to save weight which really helps offroad and cage it for when you roll it. 4X innovations sells pre cut cages.

 

Thanks for your input! would the 3.4 pull that much? ill have to try it. i did just take the runner on a trail for the first time today and it seems itll do pretty well for now. maybe ill get a tow bar and tow it that way. if i am to keep both i like the idea of having one more "stock" for reliability, and the tacoma is more reliable atm. i am still thinking so well see what i end up doing in the future!

 

This doesn't make sense; the front is 95% identical on both vehicles.

Both vehicles will be limited in the rear if you keep it stock (based on your response of keeping the 4R links and Tacoma leaf pack) if you go SAS up front.

May as well go full ham in the rear; the 4R's rear is comfy and great for some respectable travel out of a mid-travel setup once you go custom lower rears, address the panhard bar location, go taller coils, longer shocks (relocate even), and F150 tank.

The Tacoma however gets great rear travel with a simple 63" swap, again talking mid-travel.

But going SAS, dual case, and all and to keep the rear as it came from the factory sounds...

 

thats what i haven't looking into yet. if i go SAS i will most likely try and make the rear on par with the front. just haven't gotten that far on the research yet. atm the runner has a pan hard correction, rear shock relocation, 5100s, ome heavy weight coils and a weld on brace/skid for the lower link mount.

 

I would venture to say 90% of the folks who want to SA and do the research end up not doing it. The other 10% who do the SA just do it without asking others their opinion.

Just my opinion

 

Understandable. thats why im asking, i like to hear others opinions. i real want a toyota rock crawler with solid axles so i will most likely do it just gonna save up and slowly start getting parts ready. i think ill keep it toyota as well. i think going 4 link on the runner would make it much more stable on road for short trips. but i am still looking into things and seeing what people think so things may change. maybe ill do it to the tacoma and put those 63s on it front and rear. but well see. i will probably trail them both a bit more and see what id like better. if anyone else has any better opinions ill listen to what yall got, i appreciate everyone's input

 

This statement got me thinking...

 

That was the first red flag you noticed?

 

What?XD what dumb thing did i say haha what red flag, i know im a dumb ass haha