Toyota T100?

[Clark White]

So a friend of mine has a T100 and wants to expeditionify it. I know all the normal gear suppliers, but what about vehicle specific things like lifts or bull bars? OME doesn't look like they carry anything lift wise, and I don't think ARB carry's bull bars for them. Whats every ones suggestions? Anyone have pictures of modified T100's?????? :archaeolo

Thanks!
Clark

 

[CA-RJ]

Downey Off-Road sell kits.

 

[juicebox]

If I had a T100 and wanted to expedition-ify it I would totally do a solid front axle swap.

They great thing about the T100 is that they have the awesome 3.4 engine, and the suspension configuration makes it alot easier than a tacoma to do a solid axle swap. I have had dreams about a T100 with a SAS and a mild lift, just enough to barely fit 35's, I saw 35x10.50r16 tires that I think would be awesome for a swapped T100.

So, that, a good pair of sliders and bumpers front and rear, swing out tire carrier, both axles e-locked, gears, maybe even a crawler and a roof top tent would be my dream T100. :safari-rig:

 

[XL Bar]

I recently bought a T100 and spent a year researching them before I made my purchase. Other than ARBs for the front and rear axles pretty much everything else will have to be a custom job.

There just aren't enough T100s out there for any of the off road equipment companies to produce T100 specific products.

Fortunately they are pretty capable rigs stock. Good ground clearance and a very reliable engine with just the right amount of torque for off roading. The extended cabs have alot of interior space and surprisingly good leg room. The flanged hubs can be easily swapped out to Aisin manuals and the ADD system can be bypassed to give an all mechanical 4wd system.

I really like mine and will be using it extensively during the fall guiding season.

Brian

 

[EXP-T100]

Yep most every thing will need to be custom, but it is nothing but fun :sombrero:

 

[HongerVenture]

Front end lift:

Best approach for lift that I've seen is bodylift and tire increase.

The ball-joint spacers net you some good front end lift as well... the merits/risks of a BJS are at your discretion to evaluate.

The IFS lifts for the T100 are kind of a joke... they drop the front IFS resulting in less ground clearance without a tire change. So before tire swap, you net a loss of ground clearance. The 4" IFS lift kits do allow 33" tires with no problem... 35" tires with some trimming/tweaking in the fenders.

You can also crank the torsion bars to give yourself some lift... but this limits down-travel and creates poor angles on the front axles (not an issue if you install manual hubs).

Rear end lift:

Ideal solution I've seen so far is Alcan custom springs. Dial in the load you'll be carrying for expedition travel and the lift you need... they custom arch springs for you. The guys who have done the measurements right and researched well have ended up with a great product. I'm sure Deaver would work with you as well, though I'm not aware of a Deaver set up on a T100.

Protection:

If you can find a TJM you are lucky... I was. TJM's aren't winchable, they have to be modified if you don't want the winch to deform the bumper. A custom bumper is the best bet.

Sliders will need to be custom... skidplates will need to be custom.

Here's a link to my skidplate webpage, including a JPG of a fab drawing for the front skidplate.


More thoughts...

I love my T100... arguably one of the best trucks built by Toyota. Hino is the actual builder for T100, and it shows in the all around build quality.

Lots of room in the extended cab.

My wife and I love camping/exploring in the truck.

With a winch, 31" tires, a fridge/freeze, and a developing camping setup, my wife and I have been able to go where we've wanted so far.

My favorite T100 expedition setup... KC's with a 4 Wheel Camper.

My second favorite T100... mine.

 

[kcowyo]

So a friend of mine has a T100 and wants to expeditionify it...

I don't think ARB carry's bull bars for them. Whats every ones suggestions? Anyone have pictures of modified T100's??????

Oh, I have pictures..... eepwall:


I think everyone answered your questions about lift and armor. He's better off going custom all the way around when it comes to modifying a T100. But at least they're unique.

Here's some additional info you can pass along -

• TJM did make two models of a front bumper but they are sold out and are no longer offering them.
• There never was a commercially sold built-up rear bumper option for it. Custom only. Same for sliders. Rockstomper out of CO, sold a front end skid plate ( I have it) years ago but I believe they're discontinued.
• Kennesaw Mtn. Accessories still sells a nice looking front bumper with a brushguard, but my understanding about KMA is buyer beware.
• I know of two T100 owners who have made an ARB bumper for the 80 & 100 series Lancruisers, fit with some trimming & grinding.
• Warn sells their Transformer brushguard and winch carrier for the T100, it fits over the stock bumper and cradles an 8K winch.
• ARB, Aussie & Lockright all offer a rear locker.
• You can run 33's stock, with minimal rubbing. I did it for years on 285 KO's. 35's & SAS are possible & well documented.
• 2" and 3" body lifts are still available from Performance Accessories.
• The Safari Snorkel for the '96-'00 Tacomas is an ideal fit on the T100.
• A 45 qt Engel fits perfectly in the rear seat as Joel shows in his.
• I use the RAM Laptop mount made for the Toyota Sienna van in my truck since it wasn't offered for the T100. An excellent fit.
• T100 bed toppers are hard to find, but the '98-'02 Tundra's bed measurements on the 6.5' bed are identical. Tundra toppers are easy to find on CL, eBay, etc.
• If he has a '97 or '98 model, he can add the TRD supercharger to the 3.4ltr.
• Several CB and/or 2M location options in the large DIN in the center stack.

If I had to name 3 things that I didn't like about this truck after all these years I would say -

1. the lack of rear doors on the ext cab
2. the seat belts that never...... never ever, retract
3. ...... I can't think of 3 things

On to those those pictures -


My favorite kitted out T100. 6" SL & 35's. Owned by a guy in VA -

Solid axle & snorkel in Alaska -

The TJM with brushguard-

The TJM bumper -

LC 100 Series ARB on a T100 -

Custom winch bumper, sliders & skid plate on 255's -

Joel's other T100. TJM bumper, 4" SL, rack, etc. -

Tomas' T100 and Four Wheel Camper -

 

[ntsqd]

Dang, I'm wishing I had pics of my friend Rod's T100. When he sold it it had a 9" front and rear with the IFS! Scott E @ Rockstomper is the only other person I know of to have done this, though his was in his first white mini truck, not a T100. Currie told Rod's fabricator that a 9" couldn't be made that narrow (short side). This was after he'd already done it!

Rod's T100 was the first R&D vehicle for the 3.4 supercharger. Magnusson actually developed the kit for TRD. I think Rod might have pushed this along. It was his style to find a niche need and develop or cause the development of a product to fit. It was also the first to get Marlin's Crawler adapter for an Auto trans.

SAW used to, and may still offer a dual rate torsion bar kit for the T100's. I would say don't bother unless you're absolutely determined to try it and then I may know where the set that came off Rod's truck is sitting.

From what I gather there are few differences between the T100's front suspension and the IFS mini-trucks. Any of the parts & tricks for them is very likely to work & fit, except those things that specifically are affected by the wider track width.

I see Rod's T running around on occasion. Last I knew it lived in Ojai, CA. Tomas may have seen it since he's close by.

 

[Clark White]

You are all awesome! Those links are great, especially for ideas since I can see the light of having custome work done. And those pictures are awesome!! Thank you all again!

Clark