What starter 4x4 mini-truck when I can't afford a Taco?

[TJDukit]

I'm not sure my daughter cares, but since I'm paying for it and it may be 'my' offroad vehicle, I want a truck bed..

I like the way you think Eric.

 

[TJDukit]

I'm pretty sure he wants a truck with a bed, so an explorer or b2 is out.

I kinda had the thought cross my mind after I wrote that but figured there was no point in deleting it. It is sound advice after all.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Well, he does have a mighty fine truck right now, so maybe he doesn't need 2 pickups...

If it's going to potentially go offroad, I'd recommend a model that you can at least get an OME lift on. Some cool trucks have almost zero aftermarket for offroad mods. I know you're not afraid of some fabrication, but it's nice when you have different options.

 

[idahoyj]

Jeep Commanche?

 

[Marsh99]

My youngest daughter now has her permit and would like a 4x4 truck as her first vehicle (she drove half of HITR last year in my JK). The budget is sub $5K, preferably sub $4k. I'm pretty sure this prices me out of a used Taco so maybe a Ranger or something else. I'm looking for suggestions, warnings, offers, etc. Tacoman, you watch this stuff constantly, what say you? The timeframe is sometime in the next year. I'd also appreciate some help with evaluating any candidates. Please educate me.

Thanks,

Eric

I would go with a Toyota 90-95 pick-up extra cab 22re like Steve's old gray truck. That truck is basically the same size of an extra cab Tacoma, but smaller motor and cheaper price. The crappy part is that the Tacoma and Pick-up get about the same gas mileage. With a 4k price range you could find one in really good shape.

 

[Marsh99]

Now I think about it you might be able to score a 3.4 V6 T-100 for a better price than a Tacoma. It has the same motor and rear full float axle.

http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/571701?ad_cid=4

 

[Marsh99]

I might take a risk and buy this Tacoma though....

http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/603728?ad_cid=2

 

[Marsh99]

You can see I clearly have A.D.D because in 26 minutes I have switched my mind 3 times on things.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Now I think about it you might be able to score a 3.4 V6 T-100 for a better price than a Tacoma. It has the same motor and rear full float axle.

http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/571701?ad_cid=4

T-100's are rocking truck and that seems like a fair price, however no such thing as a full-float on any US spec 4x4 Toyota truck.

 

[Kevin B.]

While we're on the topic of T100s, I noticed the other day that the Wiki article says some got factory TRD superchargers in '87 and '88. Anybody ever seen one?

 

[TRD270]

Jeep Commanche?

x2

or a Ranger

 

[cruiseroutfit]

While we're on the topic of T100s, I noticed the other day that the Wiki article says some got factory TRD superchargers in '87 and '88. Anybody ever seen one?

T-100? They came out in 1992. TRD has the 5VZ supercharger but I've not ever heard of a factory install. TRD is a spin-off subsidiary company now owned by Toyota USA. Some of their products are factory installed, i.e. wheels, suspension, etc but I don't know of a SC ever installed outside of the dealer (or independent).

 

[Marsh99]

While we're on the topic of T100s, I noticed the other day that the Wiki article says some got factory TRD superchargers in '87 and '88. Anybody ever seen one?

From Wikipedia: (the supercharger) This power add on was available for 1997–1998 T100s only. Earlier 3.4 V6 powered T100s have different computer and electrical layouts which do not support the TRD device.

 

[Kevin B.]

From Wikipedia: (the supercharger) This power add on was available for 1997–1998 T100s only. Earlier 3.4 V6 powered T100s have different computer and electrical layouts which do not support the TRD device.

Right, I saw that. Hence the question.

Like Kurt, I'd never heard of a factory installed supercharger on any 3.4 truck. I'm curious if anybody else has.

 

[I Lean]

That 95 T-100 could potentially have the 3.0 V6 also....so beware.

 

[frieed]

That 95 T-100 could potentially have the 3.0 V6 also....so beware.

Is that bad?

 

[I Lean]

Is that bad?

It may not be "bad", but it's certainly not good. It's anemic, slow, weak, and underpowered....and that's in the smaller trucks. It also gets poor mileage. Plan on it costing money in repairs down the road too, even if it runs well for now.

 

[frieed]

"3.0 V6 = bad", got it.

 

[SLC97SR5]

T-100's are rocking truck and that seems like a fair price, however no such thing as a full-float on any US spec 4x4 Toyota truck.

For the sake of argument and thread derailment, I think the Toyota 2WD&4WD RV variants sported a FF rear end:

Also, factory literature rates the Tacoma 5vz @ 190hp opposed to the 4Runner 187hp.

 

[bryson]

For the sake of argument and thread derailment, I think the Toyota 2WD&4WD RV variants sported a FF rear end:

I think all the Toy based RV's were aftermarket conversions anyways... Not factory offerings.