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

[Ryanmb21]

Welcome to the Expo! I live in El Segundo, cool to see some local guys...

As for your decision, not sure I can add anything constructive. One consideration though, if you go with a tacoma you'll get a traditional transfer case and lose the traditional AWD (torsen type diff) that is SO cool on snowy roads.

 

[silvercruiser]

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:

Robb,
I'm guessing there will be a lot more room for gear in the bed of the tacoma. Currently in the 80 I have a rear drawer system that holds all the tools recovery gear, and camp stove and other small camp items. On top of the drawer system is the fridge and that takes up 1/2 of the remaining cargo area. Remember, I can't store any gear in the middle row cuz of the 2 kids. Balance of all the gear (light stuff) goes on the roof...clothes, tent, sleeping bags.

I do need to find a local tundra close by to take a good look. I'll buy someone a good meal (including beers) in So. Cal if they are even in the neighborhood. It would be great to see Tacodoc's truck up close and personal. Heck, you might even want to trade for a landcruiser:jumping:

cheers,
David...

 

[silvercruiser]

Welcome to the Expo! I live in El Segundo, cool to see some local guys...

As for your decision, not sure I can add anything constructive. One consideration though, if you go with a tacoma you'll get a traditional transfer case and lose the traditional AWD (torsen type diff) that is SO cool on snowy roads.

I like the thought of a traditional transfer case. BTW, I work in the Gundo...corner of Sepulveda and Maple.

 

[Cackalak Han]

If you're a family of 4, the 05+ Tacoma's would be a better fit, since they are bigger. If you could do with the 5' bed, the Off Road models come with rear lockers. They ride very nice, and the 4.0L V6 is an excellent motor. Since you won't be pulling any trailers and you said you live in a town of tight garage spaces and parking slots, I'd suggest skipping on the Tundra. Plus, as another member mentioned, much more aftermarket support for the Tacoma's vs. Tundra's.

As far as selling the 80, you will want to part out as much of it as you can to maximize profits (for your next mods ). Good luck with the sale.

Also, Tacoma's and Tundra's already come with 265's. I'm guessing you meant 285's?

 

[Pskhaat]

I can't store any gear in the middle row cuz of the 2 kids.

I strap quite a bit of stuff down on the floor underneath the carseats in my 80 & 100 using the front and rear seat brackets as attach points. At least for 66% of the backseat you could do this, don't know about under the 7YO's.

I even have the hi-lift on the floor of the 2nd row--it's bracketed and doubly strapped for redundancy.

 

[heeltoe989]

Robb,
I'm guessing there will be a lot more room for gear in the bed of the tacoma. Currently in the 80 I have a rear drawer system that holds all the tools recovery gear, and camp stove and other small camp items. On top of the drawer system is the fridge and that takes up 1/2 of the remaining cargo area. Remember, I can't store any gear in the middle row cuz of the 2 kids. Balance of all the gear (light stuff) goes on the roof...clothes, tent, sleeping bags.

I do need to find a local tundra close by to take a good look. I'll buy someone a good meal (including beers) in So. Cal if they are even in the neighborhood. It would be great to see Tacodoc's truck up close and personal. Heck, you might even want to trade for a landcruiser:jumping:

cheers,
David...

Sounds like you carry allot of gear like me.

Killer cruiser by the way!

I have an 06 double cab long bed. I love it. It carries all my gear I need for camping and traveling and as well as some of my friends gear when where out. I have a 9 month old baby boy (the main reason for buying a double cab) and he has quite a few things that we need to bring with him camping and there's lots of room for his gear too. I can see your need for change and if you don't have room for a trailer like me the truck has to do everything and carry everything for you. I have a 24' holiday trailer that I also pull with my truck on occasion and I love my truck for towing it.

TACODOC is a great source for questions too for 05+ Tacomas. He's helped me a few times.

PS - An older tundra is a good truck but the new Tacoma is a better truck I think. Sure the box is bigger, but there are allot more after market goodies for the Tacoma. And as I see by your cruiser you like after market goodies.:wings:

 

[Jacket]

Robb,
I'm guessing there will be a lot more room for gear in the bed of the tacoma. Currently in the 80 I have a rear drawer system that holds all the tools recovery gear, and camp stove and other small camp items. On top of the drawer system is the fridge and that takes up 1/2 of the remaining cargo area. Remember, I can't store any gear in the middle row cuz of the 2 kids. Balance of all the gear (light stuff) goes on the roof...clothes, tent, sleeping bags.

I do need to find a local tundra close by to take a good look. I'll buy someone a good meal (including beers) in So. Cal if they are even in the neighborhood. It would be great to see Tacodoc's truck up close and personal. Heck, you might even want to trade for a landcruiser:jumping:

cheers,
David...

There's no question that the truck bed becomes the primary differentiator here. More storage, and external storage are great benefits for traveling, camping, wheelin - you name it. But with that, you get a longer truck with a longer wheelbase, and some might consider that a drawback, depending on what types of terrain you drive on.

I think that the bigger size and interior refinements of the 05+ tacomas have put it into a new market for traveling. They are efficient, comfortable, spacious (for people and cargo), yet you are still not commiting yourself to a full-size truck. I do find myself occasionally longing for even more storage space, which I will eventually accomplish by getting my FSS out of the bed, and/or adding rooftop storage.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

david,
sad to hear you will be selling that awesome 80.

anyway, the 05 Taco is nice. Honestly, I am a little skeptical of the plastic bed. I have heard several owners say they crack. It is quite a bit lighter than steel tho. Maybe not a concern for you.
Otherwise, it's a really cool truck in every other way.

another really nice 4 door pickup is the Nissan Frontier. Very similar stats to the Tacoma. I was really impressed by it and actually like the styling more. Can't beat the Taco's interior tho.

The older Tundra 4door is HUGE. I would think it would be a real handful in the city (especially westside) and on the trail... I am not sure but I think the Tacoma's front suspension is stronger than the old Tundra's.

The old Tundra's IFS is based off the 3rd gen Tacoma, while the new Tacoma is based off the Land Cruiser Prado.

If you can get a 2002-2004 Tacoma Double Cab TRD 4x4, I think those are really, really hard to beat overall. Plenty of mods avail for it too. It doesn't have the comfort or power of the '05 but overall I really like them.
It might be near impossible to find a low mileage clean 4x4 tho.

 

[silvercruiser]

Thank you all for your advice

Well, after putting lot's of thought to switching into a new vehicle I/we (wife and kids) decided to try and fall in love with the cruiser again. We are going to get some new leather seats, headrest DVD, and diagnose the cooling issues. We are also going to work on packing lighter and take the backpacking approach to car camping. So...we will commit to at least one more year of the Cruiser.

Based on the recent car shows it seems as though there might be a lot more options for exploration type vehicles including the diesel option. We will just have to be patient.

Thanks again for everyones input.

cheers,
David...

 

[Scott Brady]

Based on the recent car shows it seems as though there might be a lot more options for exploration type vehicles including the diesel option. We will just have to be patient.

I agree. Some cool stuff is coming

 

[Cackalak Han]

The Cruiser will always be a classic. If you can do without the truck bed, keep that Cruiser.

I am looking forward to the diesels coming, too, but upon checking the gas prices today, diesel is ~$.80 HIGHER than regular gas. With more diesel cars coming, I'm going to assume that the diesel gas price will even rise higher? :smilies27

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Send locwrln a p.m. he had an 80 series, sold it for a tacoma sold the Taco after a few trips and has ended up back in an 80 series.


I say keep it and see what is on the horizon.