A friend is looking at a new

Toyota 4 runner with I force V8

or a

Dodge 1/2 ton quad cab with the (currently) free 5.9 litre upgrade.

yes, i know all about the hemi and the 4.7, but this is the config he is looking at.

this will be used as a daily driver, putting 10-30 miles a day on it, and towing his camper (5000#) a 4-5 times during the season.

is there any reason one or the other wouldnt do the job for him? which would YOU choose and why?

Thanks!

It's a wheelbase thing - towing with something like a relatively short wheelbase 4Runner is not something I would prefer to do on a regular basis.

Tell him to get the Dodge.

The 4-runner is a compact vehicle complete with compact brakes, compact suspension, and compact wheelbase. DEFINITE no-go on that. And truth be told, the Dodge, rated at 1/2 ton is only marginal. But, it's a significant step up from the Toy. 10-30 miles a day isn't that much anyway. If he likes the Dodge, have him look at a 2500 series truck. He might also consider the GM 1500HD (which, at 8,600 GVWR is a TRUE 3/4 ton truck), or the 7.700 GVWR version of the F150 (the one with 7 lugs on the rims, assuming it's still available).

If he already had a 1500 Dodge, he could "get by" with it for awhile, or if he found a deal on a used one, same story. But, since he's looking at NEW trucks, no sense in getting one that's marginal (or in the Toy's case, just plain inadequate). He'll never be happy with it.

BTW, trucks of 8,501 or higher GVWR don't have to be emmissions tested in Missouri ;)

TEX

thanks for the info. while im well aware of the other models out there, these are teh only models at this time being considered.

the idea is that this is a daily driver that CAN tow if needed, not a tow vehicle that can be driven daily .

since my friend has a relative at a local (to him) toyota/dodge dealership, ford and chevy are currently out of the question.

Originally posted by ChrisPy
since my friend has a relative at a local (to him) toyota/dodge dealership, ford and chevy are currently out of the question.

Figured it might be something like that since he was looking at 2 distinctly different vehicles. I still say 2500 Ram since he's buying new though.


TEX