'01-'04 DC Manual Tranny conversion?

[shawkins]

IIRC, first gear is 3.83. 5.15 would be rediculously low I think. 4.31 wouldn't be too bad, expecially if you have your rig weighed down.

I have a extra R150 sitting in the garage that I have though about having rebuilt with the lower 4.31 first, but Marlins rebuilt trannys are expensive!

 

[ChuckB]

4.31 wouldn't be too bad, expecially if you have your rig weighed down.

Does starting off with 140lbs worth of dogs count??

 

[a.mus.ed]

I'm curious why you liked your '01 better than your '07? I have considered by 05+, but I like the classic lines of the 1st Gens better.

The '01 was more pure truck, IMO. Seating position was more like a truck - higher and with more visibility. It was smaller, but used it's size much more efficiently - the back seats, for instance, at least felt just as big as the back of the '07. The '01 was lighter and peppier, even with the auto vs. the manual in the '07. Better mpg in the '01. Even with 96k on the clock, vs. 12k on the '07, the '01 felt every bit as new and tight.

I did not like the seating position in the '07 at all, and over the hood visibility is really poor. The '07 felt big. It was longer than my 80 is. I traded my '01 for it because I thought it was exactly what I wanted: 4WD, 6spd, TRD, shell. In the end I just never fell in love with it the way I thought I would, and sold it for my 80 a year ago.

Although I love my 80, I still find my self missing my '01 Tacoma every time I see one on the road. I would love to own one again.

 

[ChuckB]

The '01 was more pure truck, IMO. Seating position was more like a truck - higher and with more visibility. It was smaller, but used it's size much more efficiently - the back seats, for instance, at least felt just as big as the back of the '07. The '01 was lighter and peppier, even with the auto vs. the manual in the '07. Better mpg in the '01. Even with 96k on the clock, vs. 12k on the '07, the '01 felt every bit as new and tight.

I did not like the seating position in the '07 at all, and over the hood visibility is really poor. The '07 felt big. It was longer than my 80 is. I traded my '01 for it because I thought it was exactly what I wanted: 4WD, 6spd, TRD, shell. In the end I just never fell in love with it the way I thought I would, and sold it for my 80 a year ago.

Although I love my 80, I still find my self missing my '01 Tacoma every time I see one on the road. I would love to own one again.

Thanks for the insight. I am finding myself very torn between an 80 and a 1st Gen Taco. I love driving a manual tranny (miss the 60) but need a little more comfort now that I'm older (almost 30 eepwall and would like to expand the family in the near future so safety is an issue.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet, but it seems the perfect compromise for my situation would be a 3rd Gen 4runner. I'm not sure if the 4R is the route I want to get though.
Part of me is really likes the idea of having a truck bed (but I have never owned one at this point). There are obvious pros and cons. The other part of me is a staunch Land Cruiser fan and doesn't want to stray...

 

[toyota_jon]

The '01 was more pure truck, IMO. Seating position was more like a truck - higher and with more visibility. It was smaller, but used it's size much more efficiently - the back seats, for instance, at least felt just as big as the back of the '07. The '01 was lighter and peppier, even with the auto vs. the manual in the '07. Better mpg in the '01. Even with 96k on the clock, vs. 12k on the '07, the '01 felt every bit as new and tight.

I did not like the seating position in the '07 at all, and over the hood visibility is really poor. The '07 felt big. It was longer than my 80 is. I traded my '01 for it because I thought it was exactly what I wanted: 4WD, 6spd, TRD, shell. In the end I just never fell in love with it the way I thought I would, and sold it for my 80 a year ago.

Although i don't own a taco (YET) I completely agree with this. I sat in an '06 didn't even bother taking it out. Drove an '04 and '02 both felt great to drive. now i'm just debating between DC and AC.