Taco, 4Runr, Xterra, what to buy?

SHINTON

SHINTON

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Location
Triad area of NC
I do my best to do tons of research on my own about the various rigs before buying but time is running short and hoping some of you just 'know' some of this stuff.


I am looking at trading the Excursion, possibly this weekend...got the seats fixed now... have a couple 'hits' here and craigslist to sell directly but otherwise it could go unless dealers just offer me so little I would rather Ebay and wait a week.


What I "want" is something that is tow rated for 5k, my camper is that much, but we store it at beach now so I prob won't tow it but maybe once a year or every other year, but would like to be "able" to.

Even with that in mind...I keep thinking of buying a Wrangler and just borrowing a truck if I need to tow, but for now, assume 5k tow rating desired.


Xterra, Tacoma and 4 Runner are my top three thoughts at the moment, all are 5k+, and can be 'lightly' wheeled.

Wheeling for now is gonna be most of Uwharrie, Callalantee, etc on the easy to medium at most trails, so stock + hopefully a rear locker and winch on front will get me thru most of those.


Xterra - I know the 05-07 now have an offroad pkg that "allows" the person to then order a rear locking diff? Is this impossible to actually find in real life on used lots? Pricewise they seem to be 15-20k with 30k miles or less...so in my budget.

Does Detroit make a locker for them? I know ARB does...rear only...other thoughts on them in general?


Tacoma seems to fit the bill, especially if I can get a TRD with rear e-locker, except I really want a sunroof and I don't think "any" of them have one? Ext or Double Cab is my preference...this is close to my #1 choice.


4Runner...anyone know when they quit putting in rear lockers? I assume this really is the proverbial needle/haystack, I assume I will have to put in a locker later. My biggest issue is they hold their value so much that it is nearly impossible to find one with under 45k miles for under 20k?


Final thoughts... Xterra vs 4Runner? Xterra certainly has 3-6k better prices for same mileage, biggest downside for me is my Uncle is Toyota mechanic, but not sure that is 'worth' the 3-6k?

Both are solid rear axle and IFS...IFS done the "Hatton" school of driving will get you anywhere you need to go...

I hear that the 4runner has become pretty citified...and that the xterra / fj cruiser are pretty comparable now, decent ground clearance, etc?

Then...the Tacoma...only thing really against it is the no sunroof deal and I know I can get one put in for $1300ish that will be nice/power, etc? Might be worth it to have the taco since we know they are good rigs...

Other rigs are considered, heck it is all open at the moment. Jeep Grand Cherokee is a thought too, sunroofs, "trail rated"..but no-lockers from factory and D35 or alum / funky D44s in rear is a bit of a pain?

Put this in chit chat because it is purely that, but hoping to buy/do this in the next few days, next 2 weeks for 'sure?'

(I do have a YJ at the moment, stockish, rear lockright...depending on what I do above whether I keep it too, or sell at the end of summer, buy wrecked ones/build one each spring, sell in fall, etc)

Sam...in a quandry...Hinton
 
My dad had a 2000 Tacoma ext cab with a factory sunroof, so they are available.

I like the 2001-2004 Tacoma's best, the front bumpers/grilles just look nicer than the 98-2000's. 95.5-97 looks good, but probably too old for you.

It it were me, I would get a Taco Double cab, the ext cab's are worthless for anything but more room (not more people), and the bedspace shouldn't matter too much, doubt you would be hauling that much in it. PLUS, Taco's are easy to find with rear lockers already.

My dad got a 2003 Tacoma TRD a few months back, automatic V6, it is a REALLY nice truck and has plenty of power, they are so light in the rear you can't hit the gas too hard starting off or they will just spin, but it seems to tow nicely.
 
i don't think ARB even has a locker for the 05+ models yet. i have wheeled with several newer X's and with the right factory options (locker) they perform VERY well. only problem with nissans, especially newer ones, is lack of aftermarket support. if you plan to keep it simple, no worries. but if you want to go beyond that you are more than likely going to have to go custom.

here is a pic of a nice looking newer X that i wheeled with at Harlan and Oak Ridge earlier this year. it made it nicely through several spots i figured it would have trouble with.

View attachment apic14.picturetrail.com_VOL512_3057962_13326489_245489274.jpg
 
So the "TRDs" have the e-locker for the Tacomas? I realize lots of TRDs stickers out there from ebay, but they will have the dash button and prob some sort of wire going into rear diff?

You reckon you know a guy who can build rocker protection for them heheheh?

Tacoma, double cab, v6, e-locker / sunroof, that would be my #1 choice. (Well 4runner with same but I imagine that ain't gonna happen)

Sam
 
houdini said:
i don't think ARB even has a locker for the 05+ models yet. i have wheeled with several newer X's and with the right factory options they perform VERY well. only problem with nissans, especially newer ones, is lack of aftermarket support. if you plan to keep it simple, now worries. but if you want to go beyond that you are more than likely going to have to go custom.
Click to expand...

Ok, good to know...yeah the OR/rear diff would be perfect for an Xterra. I plan on leaving suspension alone, at most a 1" body lift someday assuming they have real frames, and prefer a hidden mount for winch. Keep stockish bumpers, etc. Rocker protection is easy enough to get... decent skid protection would be nice though..

Sam
 
skids, sliders, and front bumpers are not that hard find, but as i understand it, the wait list is a couple to a few months.

suspension upgrades do exist, but are very limited at the moment.

offroad package (facotry locker, hill decent mode, etc.) with a 6 speed is the way to go.
 
We loved our 2000 Xterra. If we didn't have so many other vehicles, we wouldn't have sold it. My wife talks all the time about how she'd get a newer one if we were in the market for that style of vehicle.

We had 157k miles on ours when we sold it, and no major problems. Had the fuel pump quit once, but it was factory recall so fixed for free. Had two A/C lines need replacement a little before we sold it.

Had 31-inch MTs on it. That hurt the power a little with the stock gears and stock 3.3L V-6, but was fine for us. With the bigger V6 in the newer models or the SC V-6 in older ones, I think you wouldn't notice as much.

If I were you, I'd be looking at a 4-door JK Rubicon. The tow rating might not be what you need, and it might be out of your budget though.
 
yeah Richard, there is a 2005 Unlimited Rubicon in W/S for $21k with only 13,000 miles on it...hard top, a/c... but that durn 3500lbs.

But still "is" a consideration...especially if the Ex sells outright and I am dealing with cash in hand.
 
The Taco's are fairly cheap and easy to lift (suspension). I wouldn't bother with a 1" body lift. OME sells a nice suspension setup, and they have many options to fit your needs. The OME suspension handles and performs better than the stock suspension.

If you can find a truck with manual hubs, that is what I would suggest, especially if you think about doing any IFS lift (up to 3"). That way your front CV's only turn when in 4WD.

Aftermarket support for Taco's is HUGE as you know, Bud Rosenberger (Budbuilt) makes some VERY nice skids for the Tacoma's, and for good prices too.

As for the TRD, some might have TRD stickers, but the key is the Elec. Locker button on the left side of the dash, AND there is an actuator on the rear diff (on the 3rd member, drivers side top).

Xterra's look nice, and are very popular offroad it seems, but to me the extra wheelbase of a truck seems like it would handle a load better (if there is much difference in wheelbase). Plus, Xterra's seem to be very prone to bending or breaking front suspension/steering parts when offroad.
 
Macdaddy4738 said:
is the Xterra MPG as bad as they say?
Click to expand...

How bad do they say? Is it worse on the new ones?

Our 2000 got 16.5-18 mpg all the time, we kept the MPG recorded just for fun. With the 31 MTs it was usually around 17.
 
thecarman said:
How bad do they say? Is it worse on the new ones?
Our 2000 got 16.5-18 mpg all the time, we kept the MPG recorded just for fun. With the 31 MTs it was usually around 17.
Click to expand...

I thought it was worse then that, I was hearing 10 or lower...

My jeep gets about that much
 
Keep in mind, THe TRD Taco 4Doors are WAY more prevelant in the "Prerunner" (V6, 4x2 with e-locker) than in 4x with Elocker.

something I have found while perusing carmax and what not
 
I was tempted not to write in because I don't have much experience with the other two rigs you mentioned. However, I will say that I've used my taco pretty hard. I've towed my buggy to tellico, mountain city, DPG, Uwharrie, harlan, etc. I feel pretty comfortable with it as a tow rig. I've put some pretty heavy loads in the back too (450 bd ft of lumber) and that wasn't a problem either.

I've also wheeled my taco quite a bit. I've run all over Uwharrie but I've also run trails 4, 5, 6, 8, and slickrock at tellico (and a bunch of other places).

Considering its class, my 03 taco has been a tough truck that keeps coming back for more.
 
vanguard said:
Considering its class, my 03 taco has been a tough truck that keeps coming back for more.
Click to expand...
That's why we buy 'em! I beat the tar outta my taco and it kept on going. Like a timex. Sure wish I hadn't sold it!
 
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