So between an 80s 4runner and a 80s-early 90s pickup whats better for me? Im going to run 35s and full skid plates. A lot of mud, and some rocks. I will be carying atleast 3 people(including myself) at most times. I also need to haul my quad/dirtbikes...sometimes other peoples to. I dont have a trailer, so ide need to get one with the 4runner. Pickups are easier to find, but I like 4runners because you dont see many. So what woudl you guys do? With about 4,000 in the bank to spend on a truck..What one woudl you buy and why?

 

Depends on whether you have to haul a$$ or just their hay.

Personally, I love my 4Runners, but I sure miss my pickup. I used to haul a few loads of manure every year. Man I miss that truck. If only it was 4wd.

 

PU won't hold but 2 maybe 3 bikes, so it looks like you'll need a trailer anyway, buy the 4runner...

 

you would probably get a truck that is in better shape since they are cheaper, but if you are going to be 4 in it then a 4runner

 

So, your going to have 35 inch tires, have 3 people in the vehicle while pulling a trailer with a couple of dirt bikes and a quad. I hope your bikes and the people you are hauling are light because that 4 banger is gonna hate you. Hope you don't plan on going fast or up hills. I wouldn't even like that in my 3.4 with 31's.

 

If you're going to be hauling poeple around more than bikes, I'd go with the 4Runner. Although, I agree with Tacomanator that pulling a trailer, gear and people is alot of a four cylinder.

If you're hauling bikes most weekends and have someone small to put behind the seats, the pickup would be my choice. You'll get a newer truck with less miles, won't have to spend money on a trailer or find a place to keep it, and can use the money you save on the trailer to buy your mods.

Even though I like 4Runners too, I'd go with the truck in this case.

 

I've had both. The 4runner/trailer combo is more versatile. Sucks to try to cram people into a truck, and only small children will ride in the back of and Xtracab. Also nice to be able to toss stuff in the Runner and not have it get rained on and stuff. Towing isn't a problem with the 22re, if you are going with big tires you are going to change your gears anyway. Sure, you won't have the power of a 3.4, but tens of thousands of 2REs did their jobs faithfully, if somewhat more slowly. I never regretted owning mine, and I towed with it a lot.

 

With 4k in the bank I'd be looking for a nice 1st Gen 4Runner with the V6, and any other options you're looking into. I mean, you can find one in good condition I'm sure. If you're going to haul around 3 people all the time, unless the third is a small child the pickups going to be a little harder for that, plus you can't fit all that you're mentioning in the pickup bed, like someone said, so you might as well go with the one that you like more (for being rarer) and the one that can comfortably carry more people. I'd even stretch to say you can find a 90s 4Runner (2nd gen) for 4k, although it might have a good amount of miles. Mine was a 94 4x4 5-speed 125k miles, great condition, no problems for 4900...

 

a 4runner is a more practical vehicle 90% of the time for most people, but when you need to haul something big, you're sure glad you bought the pickup.

 

That's what having a friend with a truck if for; the 10%

 

im still stuck on the 4runner...I'l be needing to carry people more than bikes 9 times outa 10. We ride like5-6 times a month...but motsly i can ri emy QUAD/Dirtbike to the place...Only 1 a month do i need to drive it...And i can prolly lay the bike in the back of the 4rnner somehow anyway...thx guys

 

change name to: 4Runner750

 

I had an extended cab Ranger before the 4Runner. I used the bed for lots of things (bikes, hauling garden supplies, etc), but the small back seats made it impossible to carry more than 3 passengers. So the 4Runner is nice.

 

there it is

 

4Runner....O think they can pull the same as trucks, but more comfy.

 

I like being able to haul around friends so my choice was easy plus Tacomas don't have the SCOOP. Well,the '05 sport versions do now.

 

Yeah but if you get the scooped Tacoma, you can't get the rear locker!!

 

i hate the time wasted on trailers. ride the bikes onto the bed, strap em and go. no need to worry about special roads that dont allow trailers and all the non sense trailer issues.

get the truck!

 

Yep,my friend is looking at the new Tacomas and we test drove the TRD Off Road version and the Sport 5 speed and both are nice trucks but the Off Road version is what i'm thinking he's settling on. You could always swap a new hood if you don't mind getting reamed a bit by the Stealership.

 

i got a 1st gen 4runner with the 4-banger, and i haul my crotch rocket on a trailer without a problem. if you're talking dirtbikes, it'll have no problem hauling them with the trailer. they weigh a TON less than street bikes. i've moved to and from college with my 4runner full of my crap to the brim while hauling the trailer and the 400lb bike several times. it does the job. HOWEVER, i only have 31" tires. if you're set on doing 35" tires, i would HIGHLY consider getting a bigger engine than the 22re. at LEAST get the 2.7L. which would mean, ditching the 4runner idea or getting the *gulp* 3.slow. personally, i LOVE having my 4runner, even with all of it's lack of power. i can fit 10 people in there if necessary, 5 somewhat comfortably, and i have a giant subwoofer in the back end. plus, for offroading in the summer, taking the top off is a lot of fun.

basically, i'd say go with the 1st gen 4runner if you can live without the 35's. unless you plan on doing engine work before you get the 35's on there. it just won't cut it.