Longtime 4Runner/Tacoma owner...looking into Tundras

I've been a lifetime Toyota owner (95 4Runner and currently 2011 Tacoma) who's looking to move up to a Tundra. I thought I wanted to go with a lightly used 2nd gen (19-21) but after checking out a 3rd gen I'm now on the fence. I've been over on Tacomaworld for years but joining up here to read through all the good info and help inform my decision on what to buy!

Cheers,
Nate in the Raleigh/Triangle area

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome! You might find some strong opinions on the 2nd vs 3rd gen topic, but in reality they're both great trucks. Get whatever agrees with your wallet and needs and enjoy the ride!

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Via TW and Tacomas, if you’re a 2nd Gen Tacoma simplicity guy, get a 2nd Gen Tundra.

If you like the new 3rd/4th gen tacos, the new Tundra might be for you.

Just in case you’re old school like me and hate beeping the 2016-2017 was the first years of larger fuel tank (unless you get an SR) but last years before standard TSS beeping.

Cheers.

 

I've gathered that already! Trusted reliability in the 2nd gen vs. new tech and upgrades with the 3rd gen but I'm still not completely sold on the new engine and some of the other issues that seem to be common so far...At the end of the day, still a toyota though!

 

I'm not following on the beeping...

If I go 2nd gen I'm definitely planning on the 38 gal fuel tank. I like some of the upgrades of the 3rd gen (panoramic moonroof and updated interior, etc) but also worry about there being more things to potentially break. I like the simplicity of my '11 Tacoma which I've been able to do all the standard mx on over the years.

 

The new trucks beep at you constantly for various reasons, have all the lane/brake/etc. assist.


If you can’t decide shopping around may help. I got my 2016 for 20k. Most new ones I could have gotten two (or three) old ones for the same price. Maybe different in your area.

I like the cabin sizes, turn radius, ride, and simplicity of the 2016-2017 era Tundras. Have only taken short test drives in the new ones but wasn’t a fan of the less spacious back seat if you want a real bed and all the tech. Others love them. Only you can decide but I’d go sit and drive both and compare in person. A fancy new thing is just another old one soon after. Used one will cost less to buy, insure, and probably even maintain. New one… probs has some tech some people care about? My phone plays music on my old SR just fine, I don’t know.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/gen-3-vs-gen-2-5-disappointed.123699/

 

Hi,

There are many variables and you dont specify what configuration you like nor your uses, but in general I like the 2nd gens better because like less tech, and the rear seat space in the crewmax on the 2nd gen is bigger. I also prefer the V8 vs V6 turbo. For what I do, it tows plenty more than I use and the price difference between a used 2nd gen and a new 3rd gen is significant. I also like the looks of the 2nd gens (2.5gen) better. As to reliability on the 3rd gens jury is still out but I would not buy a low miles 2022 or 2023 in a few years when is out of warranty because the issues that have come out on some of them are really expensive to deal with if you are out of warranty and have to pay them yourself. But if you like the new techs and the looks and can afford a brand new 2024, be happy and get it. What makes you lean one way or the other?

 

The turn radius difference is no joke. My long bed 2nd Gen parks about as well as my DC first Gen did even being so much longer. The new ones turn like a school bus.

 

Gotcha,
Yeah all the new alerts and safety features drive me crazy in new cars. I would immediately turn all that off. I just test drove a '23 1974 LB yesterday. First time in the new gens. Interior was nice but I didn't really have the time to look through all the features. It was also on 35" MTs which I wasn't a fan of, it drove pretty rough and looked like the average gas mileage was around 10mpg. So that one is out. The look of the 3rd gen has grown on me and although the back seat is a little smaller it's still an upgrade in space from my tacoma.
Overall my biggest hesitations with the 3rd gen are the engine and the price tag, although even some of the 2.5 gens I've looked at are mid to high $40's for the nicer trim.

So I've got a quad cab short bed TRD Offroad Tacoma right now. I do seasonal towing of my ski boat and periodically tow other things as well. The Tacoma has always done ok, but it's definitely hard on it.
Ideally I want to have a little better towing ability and I really like the bigger rear seat in the 2.5 gens, although even the back seat in the 3rd gens would be enough of an improvement over the taco.
I've pretty much decided I want the platinum or 1974 trim. Might sound trivial but although I use a truck for it's utility, I'm at a point where I'd like some of the nicer features such as the leather and the ventilated seats (it's hot as shit here in the summer).
The one specific feature I like with the 3rd gen's is the option for the long bed. Not a deal breaker but I do haul my motorcycles in the bed sometimes and being able to fit them with the tailgate up.
The improvement in gas mileage with the 3rd gen is pretty negligible in my mind.
All that being said, it's looking like roughly a $15k difference between a used 2.5 gen (less than 60k miles) and a lightly used 3rd gen from what I've found in my area.

 

This past weekend I finally closed the deal on the truck that I wanted: 2021 MGM Platinum Tundra with just under 70k miles.
Sad to see the Tacoma go, but looking forward to learning all the ins and outs of the tundra.


Overall it seems really clean. The tailgate did have a pretty good dent right on the top lip that I saw in the dealer photos but by the time I looked at the truck in person they had fixed it.
Only thing that pissed me off is that I didn't catch that the little arm going from the driver's door to the body is broken right at the body so I'm gonna have to replace that.


Tires are 295/55/20 Toyo Open Country ATs and they're extremely close to the UCA (can barely get my pinky in between them) and they have very little life left anyway so I'm planning to go with 275/70/18s on SCS F5 wheels. From my quick calculations I can drop about 100 lbs total of rotational mass with this depending on the tire.

Bullbar, running boards and ARE bed cover will be coming off and adding a Softtopper like I had on my Tacoma.
I'm sure this will be just the start of going down the rabbit hole of mods and upgrades...

 

Congrats on pulling the trigger @Nrm. I'm in a similar situation, sort of...

I currently have a 2017 Tacoma Off-Road, which I sold my 14' 4R SR5 for because we moved to a farm and needed something with a box. We are expecting our first baby soon, though, and once I put the car seat in there, I realized how tight it is in the back. I'm now torn on either going back to a 5th Gen 4R or looking at a 3rd Gen Tundra.

The 4R is tried, tested, and bulletproof, but the new tech and power of the Tundra are night and day. Prices are relatively comparable for a 2019-2020 4R and 2022 Tundra in my area, but I am hoping to see if others have made any similar leaps and what their experience has been.

There is one in particular that I have been eyeing up (2022 Tundra Crewmax Sport with 5.5 box and 105,000 KM), which would cost me about $10,000 CAD to upgrade from my Taco. Is it worth it, or do I try and "make it work" with the Taco until I can afford a newer year?

I know the 22' Tundra's have had some horror stories, and their longevity/ reliability is questionable, which is why I am hesitant in the first place.

 

Preach on

 

As others have mentioned, it totally depends on what really matters to you. I decided I wanted the reliability of the 5.7 and forego all the fancy tech upgrades with the new gen (and questionable roll out of the new engine). This '21 is still a significant upgrade from my '11 Tacoma as far as updated/nicer interior and some added tech features. Good luck with the decision!

 

Welcome from NC