2004 Tundra vs 2013 Tacoma 4.0L for Towing?

Considering going from a 2013 Tacoma 4.0L to a 2004 Tundra for towing and overall functionality purposes (size, hauling capacity for firewood, etc). Our Taco is the first Toyota we have owned (bought last year), and we love it but it just feels too small. Any thoughts on making that change are appreciated!

 

You came to the right place for 1GT love. There's a number of owners who made the switch from Taco to Tundra.

Here's the obligatory 1st Gen Tundra welcome brochure:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

That thread covers about everything on this chassis.

Bottom line, check for frame rust, check for timing belt replacement, check for OEM lower ball joint replacement, and enjoy your million mile capable engine.

 

Welcome. The MEGATHREAD mentioned by @Riverdale21 has all of the related FGT info you'll need for the truck. I'll add to this, if you're planning on suspension upgrades and what not, be aware of best rear suspension applications for towing. DO NOT USE REAR LEAF BLOCKS. Here's why Lift blocks and towing? | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com). Plenty of advice in the archives here on towing (1) Search Results for Query: towing | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com)

 

Thank you! I am more wondering about experiences/opinions on whether it's a worthwhile change to the Tundra? Is the Tundra that much more capable or not?

 

I mean, this is one of those cases where Search truly is your friend, instead of asking everyone to basically type something they've already typed, all over again. There's a variety of threads in this very subforum which probably answer your questions. Start readin' ...

https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundra-v6-tows-less-than-tacoma.86631/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/gen-one-1-trucks…real-ability-to-tow-a-travel-trailer-weight-concerns.125345/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/travel-trailer-tow-capacity.138441/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/towing.121608/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2006-tundra-travel-trailer-towing.116425/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-towing-questions-5000-to-much.90214/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/can-you-upgrade-your-towing-capacity-on-these.87202/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/towing-with-older-sr5-4x4.84826/

 

I have a 4Runner with the 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 and the Tundra with the 2UZ-FE 4.7 V8 and I have towed with both of them. The Tundra is by far a better tow vehicle. Better low RPM torque, not a busy and buzzy, and more stabile. Either way, just pay attention to the way they're loaded and get a good brake controller. Also recommend and weight distribution/anti-sway hitch if you're towing a camper over say 4000 lbs. Makes a huge difference in stability on both.

 

I've been towing an ~3,000lb trailer with my 98 3.4L Tacoma for a few years. It does the job.

I'm very excited to start towing the same trailer with my 02 4.7L Tundra. My Tacoma was a manual 5 speed and I'm not excited about the 02 auto tranny, but otherwise it'll be better in every way. If for no other reason than the weight and size of the Tundra making the whole towing experience more stable. The Tacoma is small and light, and could get pushed around a bit by the trailer. Tundra should be better. By sometime next month I'll definitely have towed with the Tundra and I'll know more.

 

What year model 4runner?
I too have had a number of 4runners, all with the 4.0 1GR-FE and there is a noticable difference in the towing between the 4th gen 4runner and 5th gen. I have a 2008 4runner with the 1GR-FE 4.0 and (had) a 2012 4runner with the 1GR-FE 4.0 and i will say without a doubt the 4th gen 2008 pulls a trailer better than the 2012 5th gen. Maybe its the weight of the vehicle, maybe its the trans tuning, not sure exactly. I pulled a trailer less than twice with the 5th gen, my 2008 tacoma with the 1GR-FE 4.0 and 2008 4runner both pulled considerably better than the 2012 5th gen.

I still currently own the 2008 4th gen with 1GR-FE 4.0v6 and the 2005 Tundra with 2UZ-FE 4.7v8 and this is my personal opinion so take it how you want:
The 1GT is FAR BIGGER inside than the tacoma and 4runner. The interior space of my double cab feels like a huge truck compared to my 4r and tacoma yet the exterior dimensions are not crazy out of line but it FEELS and LOOKS so much bigger inside. Leg room is huge, shoulder width is huge, over head height to headliner is huge, it just feels so much bigger and its so comfortable.
HOWEVER, i do tow with both the 4th gen 4R and 1GT and its a toss up on which one i pick really depending on what i am doing. The 4R pulls a trailer so smoothly, it handles it very well, I would honestly rather tow with the 4R if i had the pick between the two but anything heavy or long haul i use the Tundra with the v8. I did however run 6 hours down into florida and back to pick up a Polaris Ranger back in December and i used the 4R with v6 4.0. If its not a heavy load, i pick the 4R all day long. If its sort of heavy i prefer the Tundra.

SIDE NOTE: if you are towing heavy, a 1st Gen Tundra might not be the BEST vehicle, the Tacoma you have is much better braking, the 1GT doesnt have the best brakes on the market and you will likely want to upgrade them if towing is your thing. I have the larger rotors and 14WA calipers and rear brakes adjusted perfectly and it still stops differently than my 4R with TRD brakes all around. After driving the Tundra a few days, and hopping back into the 4r i accidentially lock the brakes up on the 4R stopping on gravel pulling out of the driveway to shut the gate. There is so much less pedal travel, and so much more "punch" in the brakes on the 4R.

 

2011. 5th Gen.

 

Thanks for all the intel everyone! Sounds like added weight/size is a bonus but be weary of the brakes.

 

Thank you! Invaluable information. We have a 6'7" son, so the info on interior size and comfort is appreciated!

 

Look into Seat Jackers for the front seat, Desert Does It (good American company) makes them. Chinese have knocked off the product already, but DDI still consistently puts out quality product that surpasses the knockoffs. Not something you want to screw with when your life is on the line.

 

The 4.7 v8 tundra gets pretty abysmal fuel mileage when towing. The stock highway comfortable rear leaf springs are also too lightweight for hauling heavy loads of firewood. So pony up for either overload springs, heavier leaf packs, or airbags. I still love my 1st gen though.

In all fairness, i might tent to over load, rather than load my truck...



EDIT: and if you are planning on towing and hauling on a regular basis, mount up the little base model stock sized tires, which were 245/70/16. Also lower your ring and pinion gears to a 4.10 ratio. By doing those two things, it will give you a ton more pulling power! It will also be easier on your transmission. Plus you should get better fuel economy while towing as well. You’ll also get better braking power with the smaller tires.

 

Yeah these are great trucks but still weren't built as true "work" trucks. I was reminded when I was under the work Chevy 1500. Just the size of that driveshaft is shocking after being used to Toyotas.

I had to do a lot of work to get my Tacoma set up for towing. I expect the Tundra to be better, but still not a truck built for towing. And one of the reasons I didn't consider Tundras for so long was the fuel mileage. My Tacoma always got 19mpg highway. And it got 14mpg towing. While my friends with Tundras got a solid 9mpg whether towing a small trailer, running a slide-in pop-up camper, whatever. 9mpg. I always thought that was insane.

But I guess I've gotten over it.

I've added Sumo Springs to the Tundra, and so far that's all I'm doing for tow modifications. Hopefully it's enough for my trailer.

 

Yes, fuel economy is a necessary evil for reliability and longevity. The vehicle we are considering has airbags installed so that will help the suspension. Again, thanks for all of the insight.

 

The Tacoma 4.0 and the 4Runner 4.0 are not the same. The 4Runner has variable valve timing 270hp, 278tq. The Tacoma has 236hp and 266tq.

There is a reason people call them 4 point n0’s

Side note, I’m coming from a 3rd gen Taco and a 5th gen Runner. Now I have a 1st gen Tundra and Sequoia and wouldn’t go back.

 

None of the 4.0 tacos had vvti?

 

ALL 1GR-FE engines have VVTi
SOME have dual VVTi

the 2003-2009 4runner had the same 1GR-FE as the 2006-2015 Tacoma
The 2010+ 5th gen 4Runner got dual VVTi

I’m telling you from experience owning pretty much everything Toyota sells, and currently owning 5 Toyota’s now, the 5th gen 4Runner needed that extra power because it’s a big heavy turd wagon. It does not and I repeat DOES NOT pull a trailer as smoothly as a 4th gen 4Runner. The engine has more power on paper and yes it will tow stuff but the 2003-2009 4Runner with single VVTi and less hp on paper will pull a trailer more smoothly and effectively than a 2010+ 4Runner with the dual VVTi and more hp on paper. The 5th gen is simply heavier and you feel it. There is no way around it. Go to Google and Google how much that 2023 4Runner TRD Sport 4wd pictured above weighs. It will surprise you. It’s so dang heavy.

 

Isn’t it also true that a lot of that variable timing doesn’t happen in closed loop? Only kicks in near WOT?

 

When i had my 05 we towed my dads 4500lb boat home from pheonix comfortably. It really didnt even feel like it was behind us.

 

After driving the Tundra in high winds the last couple days I think I have some feel for how it's going to be towing with it. Lots of shifting. Kind of annoying.

 

I meant to say “dual” VVTI.

They are’t crazy heavy for a fully body on frame old school SUV. It’s slightly lighter than a new unibody Ford Explorer.

I will say a 5th gen 4Runner is probably the most reliable vehicle ever made. They are fully bullet proof.

I worked with an inspector that started his at 6am and didn’t turn it off till he got back to his hotel at 6pm. Winter it sat there with the heater on all day, Summer it sat there with the AC on all day. At 212 miles the water pump started to weep and he was all upset, I was like bro, this thing has been running for 4 years straight. He bought his used as a Fleet Lease Return.

And sadly I also have an embarrassment of Toyota 1st Gen riches lol. 85’ Pickup, 88’ Runner, 99’ Tacoma, 06’ Tundra, 07’ Sequoia.

 

OP, what are you towing?

 

Just looking at towing a smaller travel trailer (17’-20’). We currently have a 22’ but it’s 6600lbs. We are selling it and looking to downsize.

 

An 04-06 would probably be fine, but you may be served well by a gen 2 as well on the road

 

Are you towing with overdrive on?

 

I wasn't towing. I was just driving a road that wasn't completely flat, in high winds. Truck was doing a lot of shifting. Made me think that's probably what it's going to be like with the trailer hooked up. I'll find out before long. But I guess once I take the OD gear out of the equation, it will do less shifting. So maybe towing will just be high rpm but not a lot of shifting. I just don't know yet!

I'm very curious what it will be like. Tacoma is smaller, 3.4L V6, manual transmission. Tundra bigger and heavier (more stable), 4.7L V8, auto transmission. I expect the towing experience to be very different, but I don't yet know different how...

 

It takes some getting used to if your in tune with your truck, but these motors keep on no matter the sustained rpm.

 

Just get a 2nd Gen crewmax then lol. He will appreciate it.

 

Nope - want a real size box on our truck. Toyota really dropped the ball with their silly configurations after the 1st Gen.