What are the pro's and cons of each? Which makes a better trail rig? Which one makes a butter mud racer?

Pickup / 4Runner / 4Runner that has been bobbed ?

 

Both are very capable.

 

I agree with TOY. I just think its personal preference between a SUV and pickup.

 

the only real difference is the pickup is shorter in the std cab short bed, and the pickup doesnt have much weight when its unloaded. pickup is also alot easier to bob. i have had both and the 4runner feels much more stable off road because of the weight i think. it is all personal preference.

 

The rule of thumb is:

If one has a Pickup, one wants a 4Runner, if one has a 4Runner, one wants a truck.

Both like stated above are very capable and can be built similar. 4Runners do have a weight advantage over the truck but guys with 4Runners don't like the top heavyness of the glass, thus wanting a truck, lol.

I've got a truck and enjoy it for the most part. We just got 6" of snow dumped on us and its continuing and right now, the extra weight of the 4Runner would be nice, thus me looking casually for a 4Runner to compliment the truck.

 

What year range? Because before 1990, the differences are so small as to not matter.

Basically, the difference is the body. Wheelbase and drivetrain are EXACTLY the same for a std cab shortbed truck and a 4Runner.

EWAYota's brilliant observation (about 4Runner owners wanting a truck and vice-versa) aside, you want a truck for mud racing (if you're looking at a 1990 or later rig). Here's why:

- weight. A truck will weigh AT LEAST 500 lbs less than a 4Runner
- being able to run big tires. You can't cut the rear fenders on a 4 door 4Runner

 

pickups are lighter, and because of less weight do better in the mud. 4runners have more space inside for friends and stuff, if your really having difficulty deciding just go for a 1st gen runner, just take the top off and its pretty much a pickup.

 

I love my truck offroad and couldn't see wanting same-year 4Runner for doing what I do. Although, I think almost everyone here would love an '85 4Runner (best of both worlds+ sfa)

 

All things mentioned are valid.

Another thing with a 4runner, although not performance influencing, is the fact you're wheeling with all your gear in the same compartment. Sometimes hearing things banging around behind my head annoys the hell out of me!

 

But you can sleep in the back of the 4Runner, out of the elements, if you build a bed for it.

 

an 85 4runner would be the best of both worlds, if you could find one

 

i prefer the 1st gen. runner for wheeling. i think it is just more versitile for what i use it for. you can throw the seats down and you have a 6 foot bed. put them up and you have room for 4. the top come off for less weight and breathability for wheeling. theres also room for subwoofers in the rear.

 

i own both an 85 straight axle 4runner and a 84 extra cab pickup and honestly i believe the 4 runners are better they go way better in the sand or snow do to the equal weight over the rear so they get better traction i can haul 3 more friends and all my stuff is safe from theft and the elements i still take the top off and fold the rear seat and load my grizzly in the back.

 

I like wheeling a truck better, but I wheel my 4runner. As stated, I want a 94 truck but love my 1st gen 4runner. With a softtop it can turn into a truck, you lose the tailgate internals. I would love to own a Canback, but they are EXPENSIVE!

 

Pre-'89 rigs, it's a matter of weight (IMO, less is better), a slight difference in wheel base, and if you need a bed or not. 90 and up runners have coil rear suspension, not the easiest thing to customize, or the best street handling setup if you've set it up too soft. EWAYota is right, I've got a truck, but I'd love to have a 4Runner of the same vintage, and if I had a runner, I'd probably want a truck.

 

Well, I think the pickups get a little better MPG, and that's about it. I remember back in high school, I always got stuck driving people out to partys, or at least we took my 4Runner, because it's got more room than the pickup, and i could just crash in the back in case for some strange reason I was unable to drive.

 

i have a 4runner and i love it like hell even though it sereausly needs some engin worck...yet i want a pickup now...or maybe its cus the new trucks shure are alot better than my 90 4runner...but yet again i could just save up the cash and rebuild mine and add a trd supercharger....well yeah as u can see its just to hard to choose

 

if body damage is a worry of yours, the pickup is the way to go. build a tube bed out back and once you clear the cab, the rest is no worries. i have both a truck with a tube bed and a 4runner, the rear quarters on the 4runner are fairly trashed due to wheeling.

 

build an exo cage and sliders for ur runner and no more sheet metal straightning

 

I leave mine parked outside, and the box fills up with snow = instant free ballast.

Lower cG with the pickup = less pucker factor at wierd angles.