Considering going from my 1996 Landcruiser to a Tundra or Tacoma...any thoughts?

[silvercruiser]

Hi, I'm the new guy on the forum.

I currently own a 1996 expedition outfitted landcruiser. I've invested way too much $$$ over the years into it and have had a lot of fun doing it. Now, I'm considering making a change.

There a few reasons I'm considering a pickup:
-like the idea of extra space for gear in the bed
-I have Hanibal roof rack on the 80 series where a lot of gear is stored. I'm getting older and tired of climbing on top of the truck to get down gear, bikes, etc
-Based on specs either the tacom or tundra would get better gas mileage

Here are a few questions:
- How well does a Tacoma fit a family of 4? There's me, my wife, 7 year old son and 4 year old daughter.
- The Tundra is large. My quick research shows it's nearly 29" longer than my Landcruiser. If anyone has experience with a pre 2007 Tundra let me know.

Other random thoughts/info:
-whatever I purchase will be used. I'm thinking 2004-07 Tacoma and pre 08 Tundra.
-Expedition use for our family revolves around camping and exploring the high desert and Sierras in California. I don't plan on building a rock crawler that's not so much my thing anymore.

Thanks in advance,
David...

 

[Dave Bennett]

First off... Welcome to ExPo and... NICE 'CRUISER!

That being said, I would keep the Land Cruiser that you have invested so much TLC into, and get an Adventure Trailer!

Or, the 05+Tacoma would be the next one for what you have described, probably the 4WD TRD Sport model since you can get that with a full 6ft bed.

If you have any questions on the new Tacoma's I can help.

 

[blupaddler]

David... WELCOME!!! :wings:

If I remember you have supercharger. Thus pulling a trailer won't be such a burden as one of us with the stock engine.

Also, to replicate Doc's suggestions, you'll need a long bed Tacoma. He has the short bed version, he's built it very well, and it wheels just the same. The short bed won't give you enough storage space for you and your family.

Are you totally loaded for trips to Mammoth, etc.? Or just for the camping trips? If the load is mostly for camping trips, I would get the trailer. Thus keeping the load down for those longer trips.




On a side note, David has built a REALLY NICE Cruiser! I was fortunate to me you at SnT a couple years back.

I think he was even featured in 4wd Toyota Owner sometime in its first year run.


Good luck with your decision.

 

[Desertdude]

Yes I remember seeing your killer 80 at SnT...

Tundra as an expedition vehicle thread




:::

 

[SOAZ]

Thats funny. As I read this post I had another window open looking at 80 series for sale. I guess the grass is always greener!
:arabia:
Go for a 2nd generation Tacoma. I would love one.

 

[Pskhaat]

I'd be seriously interested in that SC of yours if you would be keen on parting with it prior to LC sale? Actually, a few other items too of which you may find interest.

 

[Willman]

Welcome to the ExPo!

Nice 80!

First, Keep your sweet 80 and get a AT trailer or military trailer.

That is what i would do if i was you.....You have some $$$$$ in the 80....Keep it and get a trailer!

 

[HMR]

Nice Cruiser!:drool:

 

[RoundOut]

1) Welcome to the ExPo! You'll love it here, for sure.
2) AWESOME 80! I cannot imagine you parting with that.
3) I don't have much knowledge about Tacos, but I know quite a bit about my 1st generation Tundra, as does at least one other ExPo member (he's forgotten more than I know), DevinSixtySeven.

Size wise, the new double cab Tacos look to be almost as big as the 1Gen Tundras. That is just my observation, not a mathematical comparison.

One observation from being a Tundra owner since July of 2003, the selection of lift kits is VERY limited compared to Tacomas, Jeeps, and Big Three trucks.

By your limit to the 04-07 Tundras, I take it you are looking for the Double Cab version? I have an 03 Access Cab, so my comments are mostly related to them. If power is important to you, you may wish to stick to 05+ because they have the VVTI engines which are +/- 10% more powerful than their predecessors. My best power-generating mod is my JBA Headers & Bassani cat back system. Skip the fancy intake in favor of a drop-in K&N, unless you have other bigger plans/needs. That mod was a worthless one for me.

Most expeditioners want some larger diameter tires. The biggest stock tires on 1Gen Tundras are 31", IIRC. Most of them will take 31.5 or 32" tires with little rubbing. To go to 33" tires, you'll need at least 2.5" lift, and might still need the "BFH mod" on the pinch-weld. Because of the extreme angles imposed on the CV joint geometry up front, the economy lifts (spacers or bigger coils/shocks) are limited to 2 1/2 inches max. After that, you may want better UCAs for better extension and compression up front, and maybe even locking hubs to further reduce CV wear. Spacers will run you +/- $225 and spring/shock sets will run you $699 (SAWs) $850 (Camburg) & $1,050 (Donahoes). See www.wheelersoffroad.com for pretty good pricing. They offer better pricing if you get the UCAs with the coilovers.

Alternatively, there are only two kits available to lift a Tundra above 2 1/2 inches, Tuff Country and RCD, both of which are drop bracket lifts. Tuff Country offers one with (+/-5") and without (+/-4") the beefier knuckles. RCD's kit includes beefier knuckles and is 6". Expect to pay $1500 to $2500 for them, but they are pretty nice from what I've seen and read.

There are always body lifts; I have seen 1 and 3" versions out there. I don't have one, but some people go this route. If you want fancy bumpers, you'll already know that brackets will be needed on them to eliminate the space created by the body lift.

Aftermarket bumpers are pretty limited to ARB front and custom everything else. I think there are a couple other companies that started making them in the last couple years, i.e. Road Armor and maybe another, but they are WAY expensive. Since I already have mine, my input here is limited.

Other than lifts and bumpers, you can do pretty much everything else to a Tundra that other trucks can accept. Sliders are more readily available for Tacos, but there are decent options for Tundras, you just have to look a bit harder or make custom ones.

I am nearing the end of my list of major modifications to my Tundra. You can check out my build thread here, if you are interested.

I hope this helps!

EDIT: OH, and if you must have an off-the-shelf snorkel, get a Tacoma. Nobody makes one for the Tundra.



.

 

[Mc Taco]

Love my 04 Taco

But then again I don't have kids. My double cab is great. Lots off room for me and my stuff. I can't imagine having three loved ones shoehorned into the cab for long trips. 05 and newer Tacos may be different. Can't speak to that. Your rig looks great. I'd keep it unless the milage is too high for your comfort level for long trips to middle of nowhere. Just my $.02.

Welcome to ExPo. Great place, even better people.

 

[Sgt Grunt]

David,

I just sold my very built 80, it was a hard choice to make... For me it came down to a few things, it only came out of the garage twice in the last year, it was aging fast, it didn't like pulling my trailer and the kicker was that I got a premium price for it...

If I had it to do all over again... I would still sell it, it was way to over built for my needs, plenty of cool factor, but I was nervous parking it places because it got a lot of attention...

Just my $ .02

 

[dennisuello]

Nice cruiser, but why are your Xterrains on backwards?

 

[silvercruiser]

Thank you all for the warm welcome and advice

What a great forum...should have been hanging out here a long time ago. :wings:

I have put a lot of thought into a trailer. However, living where I do, Hermosa Beach, CA we have small houses with small garages on even smaller lots. There is just no room to keep a trailer and we have no plans on moving anywhere else in the future. What I love about the landcruiser (or any other truck) is being able to get away from the city for a while and find some wide open spaces.

I need to do more research and look at the financial implications: How much could I get for my truck and how much would it cost me to do the mods I think I would need to an 05 Tacoma? Obviously I've been drawn to the Tacoma based on Scott Brady's truck and I'm also keen to the Sierra Expeditions tacoma and now Tacodoc's rig. I'm fortunate to have a lot of gear that can be transfered to a new truck - recovery equipment, tools, first aid, fridge, gps, 2m radio.
Mods that I would want:
suspension to run 265's
rock sliders
front bumper with winch
rear bumper with receiver mount and spare tire carrier
cargo cover and rack as the sierra expedition truck
on board air (no co2)
on board water
extended range/auxillary gas tank
lockers front and rear?

Robb I do remember you from SnT and always enjoy your posts on the Mud site.

Looking forward to more thoughts from anyone....especially regarding 2 kids in the back seat.

Maybe I'm just having (another) mid life crisis...

cheers,
David...

 

[silvercruiser]

Nice cruiser, but why are your Xterrains on backwards?

You have a great eye! They were thrown on for a photo shoot and quickly changed afterwards.

 

[blupaddler]

I understand your concern about the parking issues in the So Cal beach areas. That added with the attention you draw can lead to potential theft problems, which is a problem with most built-up 80's as Daryl pointed out (and something I have been dealing with, especially with Baja).


Doc has a VERY nice DCab Taco. Those new Tacos are really nice.
Wil's is very well built too.
And of course the Expeditions West Taco.


The only drawback is they are all short beds. With a family it seems as if you would need a longbed, although it sounds as if the trails you want to run could be done with the longbed. Would a DCab Taco really give you that much more space compared to the 80? I think we should take the loaded 80 on a run with TacoDoc, then try stuffing everything into his Taco... see how it fits. (Doc, sorry if I'm volunteering you for stuff )



I personally would stay away from the DCab Tundra simply b/c of their length and width (funny coming from someone who wants a Sportsmobile-which might be a viable option for you, huge bling factor there though). And I wouldn't get the Access cab just because I'm sure the kids want to be able to put the windows down and look out. There's nothing like being trapped in an extra cab with windows that don't roll-down for hours (speaking from experience).


Good luck. I will be curious to see your result, as our 80 is relatively crowded with just us two and 1 dog.
:26_34_3: