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Tundra to Tacoma switch?

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by Tundra Dude 45, Sep 20, 2022.

  1. Sep 20, 2022 at 9:45 AM
    #1
    Tundra Dude 45

    Tundra Dude 45 [OP] New Member

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    I’d like to get a new TRD 4x4 Tacoma with led/hid factory headlights. I do love my ‘19 SR 4x4 Tundra but I don’t like how big it is (parking at work is a pain & most places) and I don’t need all the extra interior or bed space anymore. Has anyone made the switch from a Tundra to a Tacoma? I really like the electric lime green color that is available on the ‘23 TRD off road Tacos now.
     
  2. Sep 21, 2022 at 9:18 AM
    #2
    Bob

    Bob Member Staff Member

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    Moved to the general section for you
     
  3. Sep 21, 2022 at 9:21 AM
    #3
    Taco-Spike

    Taco-Spike Gateway from Tacoma World ~ ended up here

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    If you want to go smaller, Tacoma is a great little truck.

    Have you gone to test drive any? What cab config with 5ft or 6ft bed?
     
    Tundra Dude 45[OP] likes this.
  4. Sep 21, 2022 at 9:25 AM
    #4
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    Paging @GODZILLA!

    Personal thoughts:

    If I had to tow at all, say, even just a 3k trailer, I would not make that jump. The Taco has to work for any and every load. It makes its power high in the RPM band, and it will have to rev and change gears a lot on hills.

    Have you test driven one? It’s less a 4Runner with a bed (which is what I thought it would be before my test drive) and more a Camry with a bed. That’s not a slam on the truck at all; it just doesn’t have the spacious interior of a 4runner, and its seats are on the floor, not elevated like a chair as in the 4Runner.

    I would do it only if I didn’t tow at all and was constantly fighting small parking spaces or tight Jeep trails in my Tundra. Otherwise, hard no from me. And I like the Tacoma. YMMV.
     
  5. Sep 21, 2022 at 9:28 AM
    #5
    bcr308

    bcr308 New Member

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    I drove a 2013 4 dr 4x4 Tacoma with the short bed for 10 years and just recently went to the Tundra and wouldn’t want to go back. Get the longer bed if you haul anything and only carry small people in the back.
     
    Tundra Dude 45[OP] likes this.
  6. Sep 21, 2022 at 9:54 AM
    #6
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Trying not to mod it
    I'm actually Looking at downsizing as well. If I do it'll be into a Pro to compensate for the shrinkage. :oops:

    In all seriousness, my plans and needs have done a complete 180 from when I bought my Tundra. I have almost never had a passenger in the back seat, and when I did they were kids. I'm not going to buy a travel trailer as I truly prefer my RTT. The Tundra is a tank off road. It won't fit between anything, but it'll go straight through it. :rofl:

    I recommend test driving a few Tacos. My major concern was it feeling slow and underpowered, but after test driving a TRD Off-Road with nearly 50K miles and spending a few days driving my buddy's SR I can safely say this is not the case. The powertrain is not as smooth as a 4Runner and that's disappointing, but its definitely livable.

    You say if you had to tow at all, but how frequently are we talking? If you tow 2-3 times a year with a light load would you still write it off? Can't you use S-mode and control your gearing to stop the bouncing shifts? Or get a stick?

    Anyway, I appreciate thr different perspectives. So fat I haven't found anything that'd be a deal breaker, but I'm open to more info, for sure.
     
  7. Sep 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM
    #7
    Taco-Spike

    Taco-Spike Gateway from Tacoma World ~ ended up here

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    Yes, if towing the power is at the higher RPM band, that's why you use the ECT mode that keeps it at the higher RPM with less gear hunting
     
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  8. Sep 21, 2022 at 10:20 AM
    #8
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    Yes. I’ve already been spoiled by the Tundra. IMO, I can just do a ton more in the Tundra, and it just shrugs at any work I ask it to do, even when I’m over GVWR :anonymous:.

    Plus, if you build the Taco out—which you’re gonna want to do—you’re back in Tundra mpg range.

    Only situation a Tacoma would make sense to me is if we switched our family adventure rig to a Sequoia and I downsized for commuting. But the Sequoia isn’t rated to tow very much, and I know I would miss the Tundra when towing or hauling.
     
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  9. Sep 21, 2022 at 10:30 AM
    #9
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Ah, and my situation is a bit different. The Tundra was the first vehicle I modded, and I kind of regret modding more than the addition of armor. I basically have a Pro with tire poke. I'd prefer to have just got a Pro and left it be, so that's the plan for the Taco. Add some armor, slightly better tires (keep weight down as much as possible) and enjoy it as it was designed.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2023
  10. Sep 21, 2022 at 10:31 AM
    #10
    Tripleconpanna

    Tripleconpanna Just an X who bought Bud Light from Target

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    Ahhh... The purest approach :thumbsup:
     
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  11. Sep 21, 2022 at 10:41 AM
    #11
    RCwyoming

    RCwyoming New Member

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    My tundra is a pain in the ass to park so I park away from the main flow & count my extra steps into work as park of my workout
     
  12. Sep 21, 2022 at 10:51 AM
    #12
    Jernik

    Jernik New Member

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    If you have anyone that will regularly be riding in the Taco with you (wife, kid, parent, etc.) take them with you on the test drive. I went in unsure whether I wanted a Tacoma or a Tundra, and wife made the decision for me - we never even drove the Tacoma. The passenger seat was so uncomfortable (actually, it was the seated position that was awkward/uncomfortable) when we were in it looking over dash layout, storage, materials, etc. she said "There's no way I can ride in this for more than a trip across town." We regularly go on 2-4 hour road trips with a couple 14 hour trips to see family, so that was an immediate no-go. Tundra has been an excellent highway cruiser (mpg aside), and we've actually had more need than I thought we would for the larger bed capacity. So it worked out for us.

    At the time, the new Frontier was not out yet. I've heard good things about it. If Tundra is too big and you find the Taco not comfortable, maybe look at the new Frontier?
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2022
  13. Sep 21, 2022 at 10:57 AM
    #13
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    If your truck is anything like mine, you’re into your modded SR5 for significantly less than a Pro. It was just too much of an appearance package for me to want to spend the premium. Especially with that hood scoop.

    I’ll be impressed if you keep your Taco stock. This forum and TW are FULL of those intentions. I predict another “accidental build” thread. :D
    I don’t have any problems parking mine, but I park well away from everyone else like you. Doesn’t matter how big my vehicle is. I did the same with my Prius and 4runner. I just don’t want my vehicles anywhere near other people’s doors. I usually choose an end spot and hug the far side.
     
  14. Sep 21, 2022 at 11:03 AM
    #14
    Tripleconpanna

    Tripleconpanna Just an X who bought Bud Light from Target

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    Our '08 Tundra had been our long term travel rig for just that reason 2-3 dogs, 2 adults, plus stuff.... In 2019 I bought a Limited 4Runner w/the intention of that becoming our main travel vehicle. Our first "short" trip in the 4Runner, and it felt like we were sitting on top of each the entire time. Instead of having plenty of "elbow" room on the center console, etc. it felt like we were constantly banging into each other; and that's not even factoring when a 80-95lb dog decides he wants to lay over the console. At that point we were one and done (with that first trip).

    I asked her if she wanted it for her primary vehicle, and she kinda shrugged it off. So, sorry 4Runner... 'buh-bye'!!!

    Hello '21 Pro.... :cool:

    :burnrubber:
     
    Jernik[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Sep 21, 2022 at 11:08 AM
    #15
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

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    Taco just feel small, but it’s only 4” in width, 16” length and 6” in height.
     
  16. Sep 21, 2022 at 11:15 AM
    #16
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    I am actually right about at Pro money after mods, thus the regret. I do agree the Tundra Pro is too much of an appearance package, but I don't feel the same about the Taco.
     
    Terndrerrr[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Sep 21, 2022 at 12:44 PM
    #17
    70m4h4wk

    70m4h4wk New Member

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    I've had an 04 Tacoma and an 07 DCLB Tundra. I loved my Tundra. It was perfect for doing anything I wanted, except for parking.

    I also loved my Tacoma. It was gutless but it always got the job done. And it was a breeze to park.

    If you don't need the space inside, and you don't plan on towing much, the Tacoma is great. I'd definitely stick to the 6ft box though.

    Personally, I prefer the DCLB Tundra for doing truck stuff, but the Tacoma is way better as a DD and does great for low volume truck stuff.
     
    Tundra Dude 45[OP] likes this.
  18. Sep 21, 2022 at 1:12 PM
    #18
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

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    Lol DCLB Tacoma is 3” shorter then DC tundra
     
  19. Sep 21, 2022 at 1:25 PM
    #19
    Taco-Spike

    Taco-Spike Gateway from Tacoma World ~ ended up here

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    Sometimes that can make all the difference....?
     
  20. Sep 21, 2022 at 1:32 PM
    #20
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

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    that's what she said...lol
     
  21. Sep 21, 2022 at 2:25 PM
    #21
    Tundra Dude 45

    Tundra Dude 45 [OP] New Member

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    2 of my friends have 3rd Gen tacos. One is a TRD sport and the other is a TRD off-road, both 4x4, automatic and in 4 full size door cabs. I rode as a passenger only, I like the ride and the smaller size a lot, they don’t seem slow at all and the smaller bed would be enough for my handful of times a year I actual use the bed to haul stuff. So I’d go with the bigger cab smaller bed configuration.
     
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  22. Sep 21, 2022 at 2:28 PM
    #22
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    Yea but your mods actually do something besides aesthetics and some overpriced shocks :D
     
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  23. Sep 21, 2022 at 2:31 PM
    #23
    Tundra Dude 45

    Tundra Dude 45 [OP] New Member

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    I do like the new frontier a lot, the pro 4x version is very appetizing. I’d rather stick with Toyota for reliability, forum/family, modding reasons though.
     
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  24. Sep 21, 2022 at 2:33 PM
    #24
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

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    You gonna buy the last 3rd gen Tacoma, I think they gonna turbo hybrid the Tacoma in 24
     
  25. Sep 21, 2022 at 2:34 PM
    #25
    Tundra Dude 45

    Tundra Dude 45 [OP] New Member

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    A 4 Runner is another possibility, a former co worker had one and I rode in it a few times, I liked it a lot, he had a small lift and some meaty tires on it, it was really nice, I liked the interior and the back seats folded down for more space which I liked a lot.
     
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  26. Sep 21, 2022 at 2:45 PM
    #26
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

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    1st gen tundras are the same size or just a little smaller than current tacomas, and you still get a V8, and 4wd depending on what you find on the market.....

    Anyways, not sure of your needs from a truck, but just an option for you to consider
     
  27. Sep 21, 2022 at 2:49 PM
    #27
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    Yeah, I’m a big fan of the 4Runner. If I ever downsize, it will be back to a 4Runner. I loved mine. Total mountain goat. I wheeled mine pretty hard for how minimally built it was (2”/1” lift, stock size LT tires, engine skid plate). It was a bare bones SR5 with no locker, and it just refused to ever get stuck. I still have the utility trailer I used to hook up when I needed to haul something too big for the cab. I traded it in on my Tundra because we outgrew it.

    Just don’t ever get one with the 3rd row. Not only can no one over 12 fit back there, there are ZERO vents whatsoever. The only vents behind the front row are on the console between the front seats. You’d think Toyota would have added some rear ceiling vents on the 3rd row models, but you’d be wrong. So stupid.
     
  28. Sep 21, 2022 at 2:56 PM
    #28
    Jernik

    Jernik New Member

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    This is a great suggestion if the OP doesn't need an open bed! We've been very happy with our '14 4R Trail Premium. It's good on road trips too, although not quite as comfy as the Tundra. But we can get right at 20 mpg on the road (running stock size Cooper AT's) - which the Tundra will never see.
     
  29. Sep 21, 2022 at 2:58 PM
    #29
    Taco-Spike

    Taco-Spike Gateway from Tacoma World ~ ended up here

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    Yeah, I love mine. A hear a lot of people on TW complain about no power and gear hunting. I don’t feel it. It was also the first automatic I’ve ever bought.
    Mines a double cab short bed. Fast enough for me. It is small in the back, I took out my back seats years ago and never put them back in. It’s been great for the wife and I (and medium / small dogs) for everything we’ve done.
    Don’t plan to sell it anytime soon.

    Hope you find what you’re looking for!
     
  30. Sep 21, 2022 at 3:22 PM
    #30
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Oh, if you don't have to have a bed, the 4Runner is much smoother. I test drove an Off Road Premium, and it was absolutely slick. I highly recommend getting into a dealer and driving both back to back.
     

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