any Taco to LC/LX owners here?

[SaMingTRD]

I am noticing here and other places a lot of folks converting from LC's/LX's to Taco's...But are there any here that swtiched from a Taco to LC/LX?

I get it that the Taco has more room, better mpg, better aftermarket support etc...

I'm torn between the two myself and see that an LC/LX can get me in the game for cheaper, plus dough left over for mods...rather than a Taco, which I think would better suit me (I have a K-9) but does cost more upfront.

Let me know what you guys think.
-SaMingTRD

 

[mountainpete]

Talk to Mlachica. He went from a Tacoma Double Cab to an 80 series LC. Both very nice machines I might add...

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

I went (not directly) from a 99 Taco Ex-Cab to a 93 80 series.

Both VERY different vehicles and not all that comparable.

Main reason i got rid of the Taco was its interior space.

I am 6'4" 285lbs and just felt way too crammed in it and the seats, IMHO were horrible.

The taco was a great truck, never an issue and fun to drive offroad but I prefer the 80 series

 

[hks3sgte]

I am noticing here and other places a lot of folks converting from LC's/LX's to Taco's...But are there any here that swtiched from a Taco to LC/LX?

I get it that the Taco has more room, better mpg, better aftermarket support etc...

I'm torn between the two myself and see that an LC/LX can get me in the game for cheaper, plus dough left over for mods...rather than a Taco, which I think would better suit me (I have a K-9) but does cost more upfront.

Let me know what you guys think.
-SaMingTRD

I'm guessing you're talking about the 80 series?

I still can't see how a Taco has more room than any Land Cruiser... unless you're talking about the bed space...

 

[ckkone]

I switched from a 01' taco to a 99' Landcruiser. I switched because I needed a vehicle that if need be could seat more than 5 adults. My wife and I have no family in UT so we often have visitors and taking two cars everywhere gets to be a pain. I also have dogs and there is plenty of room in the back of an 80 or 100, only downside is if your dogs stink then you smell it. As far as storage, I just bought a trailer so for me it's a non-issue.

 

[SaMingTRD]

I'm 6'3 and my pal is about 70lbs. Never sat in a Taco before, they seem plenty big on the outside looking in...

I am referring to the 80 series, although I've seen some 100 series that are cheaper w/ same milage as a 00-04 Taco. Bed size is what I assume is the deciding factor. The shell option and sleeping in it or minus the shell and throwing up a roof tent over the bed is appealing. Not sure how my dog could ever get in a roof top tent on an LC...my guess is I'd have to set up camp on the ground like the old days.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

I will also mention that the newer style taco, not sure of the year break, are MUCH roomier and have MUCH nicer seats then the 99 style

 

[SaMingTRD]

as a note- my dog never stinks, very short haired breed, he's a jungle dog so wet smelly fur isnt a problem and second I'm not interested in a trailer, I'm looking to stay east of the mississippi (technical, thick wooded areas) and not planning on wide open places like desert runs.

 

[tacollie]

There are two reasons I have not gone to the 80. The biggest being money. My taco is paid off. The other being a more diverse after market support. If I had the money I would have one right now.

 

[brittan]

I migrated from the 01 D-Cab Taco to a 97 Land Cruiser. I did it for the following reasons:
-The LC is more capable and comfortable offroad...feel free to disagree...
-More after market parts for the LC (Off the shelf - bumpers, sliders, Aux tanks, etc.)
-I found a 97 LC (42K) with fewer miles than my Taco (76K). I know I got lucky.
-More interior room for a growing family.

Given the choice of the newer Taco and an an older LC? Personally I'd go with the LC. I am helping a neighbor shop for them right now and they have come down in price(<$10K). Add the after market goodies ($7-10K) and you would have a very capable rig for under 20K. I don't think you can do the same with a new Taco, however I didn't do the numbers.

The deciding factor would be if the LC is going to be your daily driver...My Taco was a DD...the LC is devoted as a trail rig. For me it would be cost prohibitive to drive the LC on a daily basis (12-15MPG)...so was my Taco (15-17MPG). When I made the LC a trail rig I purchased a Mazda 3 (34MPG) and it became my DD.

Good luck either way SaMing...

 

[locrwln]

I went from a '97 LX450 on OME med, 285's to an '02 Taco ex-cab, sr5 trd back to a '96 FZJ80.

The 80's are way more comfortable and solid. JMHO.

Jack

 

[calamaridog]

01 - Tacoma (extra cab, TRD 4x4) to 00 - UZJ100

We had a kid and needed a larger vehicle. The Tacoma is a good truck, but the LC is much nicer. For the type of wheeling I do, the LC does just as well or better.

The LC is a great used car value.

 

[SaMingTRD]

I live and work in the Daniel Boone NF in Kentucky so I dont do the typical daily commute, although I do visit my parents once a month which is only 2 hours away...I'm a young guy with no plans on starting a family, but I do have my dog who goes everywhere with me, even to work...

i guess one of the main confusions I have is how to set up a sleeping situation for the both of us? Theres no way I could get him up in a roof top tent (unless I fab some stairs for him), but if I turn the inside into sleeping quarters of an LC where do I put all my field gear?

I've seen what Scott has done at Expeditions West with his, by just putting the roof tent over the bed, that way we both can get in and out of it easily. Or getting a shell for over the bed to sleep, then cram all the gear into the cab when its time to call it a night.

the two main deciding factors I have is total cost + mods and sleeping arrangements (not going to retreat to the ground tent anymore)

-SaMingTRD