Considering Tacoma to Tundra…

Hi All,

I’m currently the proud owner of a 2011 Tacoma Regular Cab 4x4. Since replacing my quad with a Polaris RS1, I’ve been looking at options for upgrading and since I’ve had a lot of good luck with Toyotas, I’ve been looking at Tundras. This will be a daily driver, work gear hauler and weekend tow vehicle. I’m just browsing around right now, but any gotchas I should be looking for would be greatly appreciated!

 

What year / gen you considering?

 

Definitely not new, probably 2nd Gen.

 

Hello, I owned a 2016 tacoma for 5 years and July 2021 I purchased the 21 tundra crewmax. That was the best car purchase I ever made. Very big upgrade in every way. My tacoma was my daily drive so does the tundra. The only down side is gas milage. Tundra drinks the gas. But I'm still very happy with it.

 

Welcome from Maine!
Im a fellow convert. Had a 2015 TRD Sport Taco and switched to my 2018 TRD OffRoad. Needed the full size, wasnt able to tow my Kubota with the taco or haul nearly what I needed to even with the 6’ bed.
in my personal case I went for the 2018 mainly because it was the last year of the inferno and had the LED headlights. It has the TSS (which I honestly dont use other than adaptive cruise) and was the last year with the trans cooler which is nice since I tow and haul crap here and there.
Each person will be different as far as getting a truck that suits your own needs. My husband has a 2003 Tundra RCLB, also an awesome truck.. and has 300k trouble free miles on it and still going strong.
Good luck with the hunt!

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! I would just stay away from the '22 and '23 models for now.

 

Welcome from So Cal

 

Welcome..

Lotsa threads on going from the Tacoma to Tundra so maybe check some out.

I had Tacomas for 15-16 years before going to the Tundra to haul an RV. I miss the Tacoma for city driving and the Tundra is miserable for off-road around here but it's better on the interstate and has lots of interior room.

Good luck.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

i jumped from a 97 AC 5lug tacoma to a 2010 CM tundra and it is the best decision i have ever made lol. the worst decision i ever made was selling my 97

 

Any way you can keep the Taco and get a tundra? Toyota isn’t going to make a single cab 4x4 mid size truck like yours again. If you do sell it, I’m sure it will go quickly.

 

As nice as that would be, unless I win the lotto it will be one vehicle to rule them all. The Taco is a fun driver, and works well for most of what I need, but in looking at all my options, moving to a Tundra seems like the best option.

 

Having owned 97 and 01 Tacomas, 01 / 10 / 18 Tundras (current), and a 2020 4R here are a few thoughts……

1. Basically no substantial changes to the Tundra from 2007-2021. Anvil reliable trucks. Wouldn’t hesitate at all at looking at well taken care of trucks with 200k miles if the price is right.

2. Unless you need a 6.5’ bed, the added interior room of the CrewMax is amazing. Not only for passengers, but having the covered / secured / climate controlled / easily accessible storage is extremely nice. I have found no cases where the 5.5’ bed on my 2018 couldn’t do what the 6.5’ bed did on my 01 and 2010 Tundras.

3. Don’t ignore other amazing Toyota vehicles like the 1st Gen Tundra, 1st and 2nd Gen Sequoia, and 4Runner.

1st Gen Tundras are a bit bigger than Tacomas, but not as huge as the 2nd Gen. Perfect size really. They have a fantastic reliable V8 as well.

Sequoias are also amazing all around rigs. Especially the 2nd Gen. Extremely comfortable ride, amazing Torsen center diff, fold flat 2nd and 3rd row for cavernous cargo area, etc.

Also have to throw some love to the 4Runner. If you don’t mind the 4.0L / 5 speed, then I found the 4Runner to be a wildly superior vehicle to comparable Tacomas.

Good luck in your search!

 

Welcome

 

Just wanted to agree with this entire list. I’ll add a couple comments to @akmerle ’s points:

1. The most significant change IMO is that Toyota removed the external transmission cooler up front on the tow package Tundras for the 2019-2021 model years. This was very controversial. Lots of us have added OEM parts and a larger aftermarket cooler because we intend to keep our trucks for a very long time. If this makes you uncomfortable, then an older high-mileage truck that has been well cared for is a no brainer.

2. Agreed on the crewmax. As someone who needs to haul lots of gear in a climate controlled and more discreet way but who also still frequently utilizes a bed to haul bikes, mulch, concrete, gravel, harvested deer, etc etc etc, the CrewMax makes the most sense. I have hauled 12’ boards strapped down with the tailgate down and a red flag on the end with my shortbed. In short, you can make it work pretty easily.

OP, you will love towing with a 5.7 Tundra compared to the Tacoma. The 2nd gen Tundra is thirsty, but not having any issues to deal with makes up for the ~3mpg less that you’ll average over a whole tank of gas.

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I’ve had quite a few trucks, so this is not a new process for me. While the Tundra is still #1 on my upgrade list, I’m slowing my roll for now and will be looking for a smallish toy hauler first. Plan is to rent a truck until I can make the upgrade.