which rig to get next? 100 series vs 1st gen tacoma?

[sixstringsteve]

I'm trying to decide which rig I want next: a 100 series land cruiser or a 96-04 tacoma

I don't plan on doing much rock crawling in the future, but I'd like the rig to be able to handle rattlesnake and hell's revenge. I'm mainly going to be using this vehicle for exploring, cross country travel, camping, vacations, etc.


I already have a 100 series (wife's car). It needs new tires anyway, so thinking of a 2" ome lift and 35s.

Or I could get a 96-04 x-cab taco. My '01 taco was probably my all-time favorite vehicle I've ever owned. If I get a taco, it'll be an x-cab trd with auto, and I'll do sliders, rear bumper, ome, and 35's.


Trying to decide which one I'd like more. I'm leaning heavliy towards the tacoma, but there are some cool 100 series rigs out there.

 

[Cascadia]

You always say that you have to have a truck bed. Last time you didn't have one that was one of your major reasons for selling it. Doesn't a Tacoma have better gas mileage? Not that that's a deciding factor. Would you sleep inside or get a RTT?

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'm not interested in a RTT (for now). I think you're right, I'd probably miss the truck bed too much. But I could build a sleeping platform in the 100 series. It's big enough to sleep in, but it'd have a ton less storage space than the taco.

Gas mileage is within 2 mpg.

 

[Cascadia]

And why have 2 of the same thing? You could always build your wife's up just enough to be capable but enough that it is still the same comfy ride around town. And you could still have a taco too that is built similar but more capable. That way you have a choice every time you go out. Maybe if you could rotate which one you took every time it would help you to keep your rig twice as long.

 

[pELYgroso]

steve....you might start thinking about resale value when you buy rigs. Which one can you sell for the most after you've built it and decided to go another direction.....haha, funny but kinda true, too.

I vote Tacoma.

 

[sixstringsteve]

And why have 2 of the same thing? You could always build your wife's up just enough to be capable but enough that it is still the same comfy ride around town. And you could still have a taco too that is built similar but more capable. That way you have a choice every time you go out. Maybe if you could rotate which one you took every time it would help you to keep your rig twice as long.

believe me, I've tried to talk her into a 2" lift and some 34" all-terrains, but she doesn't want her vehicle lifted AT ALL. And yes, she would notice if I did it while she was at work

 

[Spork]

I'd do the Tacoma unless you're planning on having 4 kids to fill the Land Cruiser...

 

[Stephen]

Go all the way:

Mercedes Gelandewagen Entdecker

But seriously, as much as I love the Taco, I'm kinda a fan of wagons. I'd go with the 100 series.

 

[sixstringsteve]

yeah baby! that thing is sweet.

After more research, I hear that the 100 series diff is weak in reverse. I think I'll keep the 100 stock and get a taco.

 

[Stephen]

How weak? Didn't we have this conversation last night about a certain somone else freaking out because they read that Sidekick IFS's are weak? For what you are planning on doing, is the 100 Series diff really that weak?

 

[sixstringsteve]

good point. I've heard it's actually pretty weak, even SLEE addresses it. Who knows how they were driving, but a handful of people mention that if you tug someone out in reverse, don't be surprised if you blow the front diff. Now, if you have a front locker, then it's a different story. But I don't want to have to do all that.

 

[Cascadia]

How hard is it to tub the front fenders to fit 35's without rubbing? Does the interior carpet fit weird after that? I'm rubbing with 33's when it flexes at all. But I think it's only rubbing on the pinch seam. How far can I cut that back?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

2 pinion diffs in early 100's are weak but people wheel on them for hundreds of thousands of miles before they go (Paul May for instance). Get a later model or add an ARB and its a non issue. Being in a similar shopping mode myself (100 vs 2nd gen DC) I can tell you your going to get far fewer miles for the dollar on the Taco.

 

[sixstringsteve]

My 100 is a 2000, and according to slee's page, it should have the 4-pinion diff. Do the 4-pinion front ends hold up pretty well?

Being in a similar shopping mode myself (100 vs 2nd gen DC) I can tell you your going to get far fewer miles for the dollar on the Taco.

You think the 100 series will be more bang for the buck than a taco?

 

[sixstringsteve]

How hard is it to tub the front fenders to fit 35's without rubbing? Does the interior carpet fit weird after that? I'm rubbing with 33's when it flexes at all. But I think it's only rubbing on the pinch seam. How far can I cut that back?

it's pretty hard to tub the front firewall. Knowing your preferences for clean, stock looking rigs, I don't think you'll like it. I cut mine all the way back, and even hacked into the body mount to clear my 35s. Yes, the carpet fits weird after. And you have the potential to get leaks in the foot area, and it hurts resale value. I cycled the control arm with the shock removed so I could tell where it would rub and where it wouldn't. However, I would totally do it again. That truck flat out worked with 35's. In fact, after tubbing I could fit 35's with zero lift. It was a great vehicle. Here's my writeup:

http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144603

happy reading.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

My 100 is a 2000, and according to slee's page, it has the 4-pinion diff. Are those stronger than the 2-pinion diff?

Yup, 100% stronger. Non issue. Let's put it in perspective, the Gen 1 Tacoma has more of what I would consider weak links than even the 2 pinion diff and the 4 pinion is not a failure point.

 

[sixstringsteve]

that's great news. I really enjoy driving the 100 series, it's a great rig. Very solid feeling.

 

[Stephen]

This: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=5655605 Is almost to good to be true.

 

[sixstringsteve]

yeah, I'm 99% sure that's a scam. I see it at the top every day.

 

[Stephen]

Thats what I figured. I thought, "Bye bye Pathy! I'm pickin' that sucker up!"