Question for the Toyota Guys

[sabatoa1]

I would buy a 96' or newer tacoma with the e-locker and 3.4. This truck will be 10 times more reliable and if down the road you are not pleased with its performance you can always do a solid axle. I wish I would have bought one before I started my 4runner.

 

[Marsh99]

I would buy a 96' or newer tacoma with the e-locker and 3.4. This truck will be 10 times more reliable and if down the road you are not pleased with its performance you can always do a solid axle. I wish I would have bought one before I started my 4runner.

It depends on what kind of wheeling you want to do. I bought a 99 tacoma trd with elocker and decided it was not as capable as I wanted. When I looked at building it I saw to SAS it done right I would be atleast 6k. That's when I decided to build my 4runner. My 4runner is completely built lockers, duals for less than the purchase price of the tacoma.

I will agree my taco was more: reliable, powerful, and comfortable.
After a tacoma sas I think you would loose comfort, and reliablity

 

[sixstringsteve]

It depends on what kind of wheeling you want to do. I bought a 99 tacoma trd with elocker and decided it was not as capable as I wanted. When I looked at building it I saw to SAS it done right I would be atleast 6k. That's when I decided to build my 4runner. My 4runner is completely built lockers, duals for less than the purchase price of the tacoma.

I will agree my taco was more: reliable, powerful, and comfortable

well said, I totally agree. If rockcrawling and hardcore trails are your thing, a pre-96 rig is what I'd go for (unless you have lots of $ to spend). I've had both, and it's surprising how capable the IFS rigs are if you understand their limitations and build them right. In my experience, IFS with an OME lift will do 90% of the trails in Moab, and be more comfortable for daily driving.

 

[STAG]

It is true, your also not supposed to put an engine with a bigger liter size

I've never heard that before, if that's the case, how do they put the 5.7L hemi into a TJ that at best had a 4.0L?

 

[TRD270]

Another point raised, the Chevy 4.3 is not technically a street-legal swap into a Toyota; engines swaps need to be of the same cooperate manufacturer. But many inspectors turn a blind eye to this.

I had a question about this same issue, here is what I was told by an inspector. As long as the swapped in motor can pass the same emissions standard that the original motor had to, it is okay.

It depends on what kind of wheeling you want to do. I bought a 99 tacoma trd with elocker and decided it was not as capable as I wanted. When I looked at building it I saw to SAS it done right I would be atleast 6k. That's when I decided to build my 4runner. My 4runner is completely built lockers, duals for less than the purchase price of the tacoma.

I will agree my taco was more: reliable, powerful, and comfortable
After a tacoma sas I think you would loose comfort, and reliablity

Or just do what I did, buy a rockin built 85 for hardcore crawlin, and a Taco for DD and lighter wheeling trips :greg:

 

[Silly Willy]

I've never heard that before, if that's the case, how do they put the 5.7L hemi into a TJ that at best had a 4.0L?

I've been wondering about this same thing.

I know that there are many people with Chevy V8's in their cj's, YJ's, tj's, and jk's none of wich are related to chevy or have the option (well cj's did)

 

[zukijames]

i know this might sound dumb..

but i think a ifs toyota on 33's lockers front and rear and 4 link in the back(modified wheel wells so tire would stuff into bed at full compression) would be an amazing DD and off road machine..

bob the bed so you dont have much over hang.. and if its a 2nd gen put 2wd fenders on it( narrows the front end and takes 10 mins)

 

[sabatoa1]

I know people don't like IFS but it is very capable of doing the harder obsticles. I have seen a ifs 4runner with 3" body lift, locked front and rear, with 33" BFG do all of rattlesnakes obsticles and constrictor. This includes Waynes World one of the harder obsticles out in this area. I think that an IFS truck with small lift and good tires will work great for hunting and minor off-roading especially if it has selectable locker.

 

[ricsrx]

i know this might sound dumb..

but i think a ifs toyota on 33's lockers front and rear and 4 link in the back(modified wheel wells so tire would stuff into bed at full compression) would be an amazing DD and off road machine..

bob the bed so you dont have much over hang.. and if its a 2nd gen put 2wd fenders on it( narrows the front end and takes 10 mins)

X2

 

[Silly Willy]

Is there too much of a difference between the 96 takoma and the T100?

I found this one
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=13...dy=48&make=205&price_low=3500&price_high=5000

 

[richpblaze]

After I did the 4.3 swap

I started breaking everything Toyota, so plan on putting a Chevy tranny and another t-case some time down the road. Just so you know.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Is there too much of a difference between the 96 takoma and the T100?

I found this one
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=13...dy=48&make=205&price_low=3500&price_high=5000

yes, there's a huge difference. The T100 isn't a bad truck, but it's not the same as a taco. It's got the tacoma motor with the '89-95 pickup suspension

 

[Silly Willy]

yes, there's a huge difference. The T100 isn't a bad truck, but it's not the same as a taco. It's got the tacoma motor with the '89-95 pickup suspension

Thank you very much for the clarification steve.

Its looking like if I'm wanting to get into a 96+ toyota with the 3.4 as recommended I may have to go the rout of the T100.

 

[sixstringsteve]

T100s are great trucks. They are a little tougher to find parts for since they're so rare, and prices are up a bit since they're rare. The aftermarket isn't nearly as big for them, but they're really solid trucks. Make sure you get the one with the 3.4L. Avoid the 3.0.


Here are a few threads to read:
http://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/85448-t100-reviews-thoughts-experience-sought.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/82967-toyota-t100-37s.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/310984-pros-cons-t100.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/310970-pros-cons-t100.html

lots of good t-100 info here:
http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=32