Frontier vs. Tacoma vs. ???

Posted by LengthIcy5881@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 35 comments

Hello all. I'm looking to purchase a truck in a year or two and to equip it with something like a Lone Peak V2 or Topo Badlander. I live in Tahoe and spend a lot of time in the Eastern Sierra backcountry skiing, trail running, backpacking, etc. I make semi-frequent trips to the Colorado Plateau (Escalante/Torrey being my favorite areas) and the PNW. But I'd also like to be able to make more wife-friendly trips with the missus and our 60 lb. dog. In terms of off road capability, I'd like something that can handle trails that are a level above the reasonable capability of your average Subaru (e.g., trails rated rated in the 4-5 range on OnX) but I'm doubtful that I'll want to do any hardcore rockcrawling. I previously had a 2001 Tundra TRD, which is my platonic ideal for a truck (although I wish it got better gas mileage.) I'm not sure if I'd do the kind of mega buildouts I see online--e.g., shelving and battery system, massive awning, refrigerator, diesel generator, etc. I'd probably start minimal and add what I need from there. I tend to drive my vehicles until they are well over 200k and near death.

Here's what I'm looking for in a truck:

Price point around $35k to $42k, which very likely limits me to the lightly used market (under 50k I'd hope).
6' bed is mandatory. I ski most mornings before work and I want to be able to throw my 185cm-190cm skis in the bed without fuss.
Daily drivability. This will be my daily transport. FWIW, I had no issue with my 2001 Tundra as a daily driver.
Reliability is mandatory.
I'd be fine with an access cab (as opposed to a double cab), but the options seem fairly limited. I mostly want a place for the dog in the back and occasional groceries, etc.
I'd love to have a rear locker, but I'm not sure I 100% need it.
I'd also like to keep the OEM suspension if it can be avoided, at least at the forefront.
Manual transmission would be a minor plus, but I don't think it's offered in the models I've seen.
Gas is currently $5-$7/gal in my area, so I'd like something that gets at least \~16 mpg but better is . . . better.
Resale value isn't a huge incentive for me.

With this criteria in mind, the two best options seem to be the current gen Frontier Pro 4x and current gen Tacoma TRD Off Road (but also maybe the SR5?).

2022+ Frontier Pro 4x: I like the looks and old-school truckiness of the Frontier. From what I read, its reliability is great and at least close to the Taco. And it seems to be a great value compared to the Taco. On the other hand, the MPG is minimally acceptable but kind of mediocre. Also, its payload (1,100 lbs) is only okay. It seems like I might have to shell out \~$1,500 to redo the suspension down the road to accommodate a more built-out camper system.

4th-gen Tacoma TRD Off Road: I'm not adverse to the turbo 4 cyl., which works well at altitude and gets pretty good MPG. I also like the increased payload (1,655), which seems like it'd be fine with a heavier (but not extreme) camper system. It seems to be a safe choice, but it's also expensive. While used versions are not currently within my budget, I'm assuming they will be in a year or two.

3rd Gen Tacoma: While I love the look, I don't see much advantage over the 2022+ Frontiers. It has a similar payload and the resale value, while great for owners, is appalling for buyers.

Access Cab F-150 FX5: I've seen a couple used models within my price range. My biggest concern would be reliability.

Any and all thoughts welcome. Thank you!

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Yonaban@reddit

I have a 2018 trd offroad MT with 74k miles I'm about to list if you're interested. It does have a 5' bed though. I'm a few hours west of Tahoe.

JollyGreenGigantor@reddit

Look into the 5G Rangers. They were offered with a 6' bed and extended cab. The engines are bulletproof but some of the early years had transmission issues. If you're driving CO passes, you'll love the power and boost of the turbo engine.

Significantly higher payload and towing capacity compared to the Frontier and Tacoma as well.

LengthIcy5881@reddit (OP)

I've done some searches, but it's hard to find a 4x4 Ranger with the 6' bed. And I think I'd want to get a minor lift and bigger tires because the 8.9" stock ground clearance is on the small size. But the ones I've seen are cheap.

desertSkateRatt@reddit

Not to throw a monkwy wrench into your scenarios, but dont discount a late second gen Tacoma. 2012-2015 or the "2.5" gen.

You'll have significantly more cash to build out a topper/camper to add all the bells and whistles including extra power (you're going to want it, trust me) and upgrade the suspension...

I'm not saying a stock 2nd gen tacoma can't wheel the pants off a lot of other trucks from that same era but I will say, you need to absolutely consider the weight of your camper on the stock rear leafs. You can research what you need for the extra weight capacity but if you DON'T do that, the springs are going to sag no matter WHAT you get -sooner rather than later.

I daily drove my '06 doublecab TRD off road for a solid 7 years and honestly kind of miss it compared to the 2014 volt I have (other than gas prices, lol). Another thought is consider that you can do a rear seat delete on a doublecab and it gives you a LOT more storage capacity, or in your case, a comfy place for your doggo on long trips.

I'd be happy to get an older Tacoma or Tundra. But I'd want to get one with under 50k mileage, which would be tough to find.

Familiar_Opposite_29@reddit

Find an older 2015 Tacoma.. personally I sold my 2006 taco and bought a Ridgeline haha

noname87scr@reddit

this is honestly the best option for a tacoma if you don't want to buy a brand new one. 4.0 and either transmission is a better option than the 3rd gen and it's 3.5

out of all of those, the 3rd gen tacoma would be my last choice. if you spend a lot of time at elevation, the 4th gen tacoma may be your best option since forced induction doesn't suffer from power loss as much as N/A engines. 3rd gen frontiers have proven to be reliable but lack ground clearance in stock form. a simple 2" lift from Alldogs Offroad or equivalent will help a lot. whichever way you go in the midsize market will need an upgraded leaf pack or coil spring for a camper build.

genuinecve@reddit

Counter point: I, along with a billion other people in Colorado (accurate number don’t fact check), have a 3rd gen Tacoma and have no issues with power at elevation.

Sakins1@reddit

Yea idk why everyone thinks they need 400hp, 3rd gen is fine at elevation for all normal off-roading/overlanding/highway driving

SoundofPsithurism@reddit

Yeah this guy is completely detached from reality. Probably drives like a dick too.

compared to the other 3 options, the 3rd gen tacoma is the truck with the least power and also has an automatic transmission that you have to spend money on just to make it function properly. just because it's popular doesn't mean it's the best option.

Mine has a manual transmission

I have an automatic and have not spent money to make it "function properly".

so you just deal with the gear hunting? every single person i've ever known that has a 3rd gen and done any type of modification to it has bought a tune to make the truck stop gear hunting.

Kleoes@reddit

Only time I’ve had problems with gear hunting is when the pedal is on the floor.

If you don’t drive like a jack wagon, the truck is fine.

Does it happen? Sure, some, but not to the extent that it ruins my day. 2.5" lift and 33s for the mods if that matters.

have no issues with power at elevation.

You might not but the rest of us trying to pass you at elevation do. - signed with my twin turbo Ranger.

You're comparing a truck that costs nearly $60k to a truck that costs $43k (what I paid). I could have added a super charger and the same lift and tires I installed for essentially the same price and have nearly the same specs and have 0 turbo lag... I have 0 issues going over the speed limit up the highway into the mountains...

taking my 4th gen tacoma over cottonwood pass last fall and wheeling in the san juans was infinitely more enjoyable because of forced induction compared to my 2nd gen frontier. even on 35s and bone stock, my tacoma runs circles around my regeared 2nd gen frontier on 33s.

ASassyTitan@reddit

I have a 2025 Taco in the off-road trim. Great little truck, I average 20mpg. I would also never put a camper on it. I can feel when my badland jack is in the bed lol. I'd say the hardest it's done is a lvl 3. Could prob do a 4 slowly, but I'd prefer not to without some modifications.

I'd look at full sized trucks if you wanna put a camper on it. We went everywhere in our 4th gen Ram

physicshammer@reddit

I love Tacomas. Maybe a wildcard: used Rivian R1T?

tcgJimmy@reddit

I’d buy another Tundra. Or possibly a gas Titan.

losinator501@reddit

Btw the 4th Gen Tacoma doesn’t have a 1655lb payload. It’s 1200lb I believe

CalifOregonia@reddit

1655lbs is what Toyota's website is saying for the 2.4 Turbo only model with a 6ft bed in the TRD-OR trim. That said, I would love to see a door sticker that actually lists that figure as Toyota is well known for underdelieverying with payload for models that make it to the lot.

Thanks for the correction. That's what a google search indicated.

BiteImmediate1806@reddit

My 185 fit a short bed corner to corner. 190?

I'd much prefer to maintain the bed space for the camper build out. Plan is to build an 18" to 24" bench lengthwise in the bed for ski/pole storage in the winter/spring and general storage the rest of the time. I have a couple pairs of 189 cm BC and resort skis. I'd hope that I can fit those skis under the bench with a little diagonal orientation so that I could have full use of the rest of the bed without having to clamber over skis.

xiiicameljockey@reddit

Ford fuckin ranger

Zealousideal-Way5100@reddit

Get the frontier and don’t look back. The 3rd gen is just an incrementally improved 2nd gen. They look identical chassis wise and under the hood.

I’m biased as I own one, and I’ve only had it for 15k miles, but I’ve been happy during that time. I had an 05 fronty for 5 years before getting my 2023.

IdaDuck@reddit

Used Nissans are great deals too, and their trucks and truck based SUVs have always been really solid and reliable. I bought my wife a 2023 Y62 Armada last year for a huge discount over what a prior gen Sequoia would have cost and it’s much nicer.

Don’t sleep on the Titan either. If the size isn’t a problem you dove up much mileage for a lot more space and capability vs a Frontier.

mistephe@reddit

I own three (well, two and an Xterra) and can concur. Have about 380k miles across all three, and I'm quite satisfied. 3rd gen adds some nice polishes on top of the 2nd, without losing the essential fundamental design (but the view angles suck - as do all modern vehicles). I'm excited to see if the new Xterra will be true to the design, or if they're going full hybrid (without a NA/gas option).

RipRelevant9616@reddit

Just get a 3rd gen manual Tacoma and call it a day

I wouldn’t get a 4th gen Tacoma. Just get a 3rd gen sr5. That will do everything you need to do and won’t be completely basic.

I have a manual 3rd gen Tacoma with 90k on it that I bought new and have never had to repair anything. Plenty of power at elevation to drive like a normal human being. Make your build light and it will rip. I have a moonlander x on mine and barely even notice it’s there.