Help me decide

[blvdking]

I currently have a 2005 Tundra DC 4x4 with 140K that I have been starting to build but am not sure if I want to continue or get something with a little more aftermarket support and possibly get better gas mileage with same rock solid reliability.

I am considering a 2000> 4runner, 2000> Tacoma DC, possibly an OBDII FJZ80 Land Cruiser or get a loan and get a FJC. I drive on the street 90%-95% so it must perform as well on road as off. This will be my daily driver and must get 15+ mpg loaded out but the more the better. I am trying to make this the ultimate overland vehicle that will need to perform well off road but I want to minimize the major suspension modifications. My top concerns are reliability, capability, comfort, and performance in that order.

The tough part is I only have $15,000 MAX to spend and want it to be fairly capable for that investment. I want to get everybody's opinion on the Ultimate Toyota for the money. Please let me know what your opinion is and why.

Here is my Tundra:

 

[penangtoy]

You cannot go wrong with either the 4runner or Tacoma. I have a 2003 double cab tacoma currently. I had a 99 4runner before and both share same engine configurations. For me the 4 runner as a SUV was top heavy. That was just a personal opinion and I like trucks due to the usability and hauling stuff. I am also inspired by two articles that were written about tacoma and hilux trucks.
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?57724-Toyota-A-Stan-and-special-forces
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/14/why-rebel-groups-love-the-toyota-hilux.html

 

[slus]

I like that tundra. I don't see what you would be gaining with a 4runner or tacoma, except maybe an extra MPG or two on the highway, and losing space. The one advantage I like with my 4runner is sleeping inside, but it looks like you have that covered with the RTT. With most of your driving on the road, I don't really see the point in switching, but if that's what you want to do...

...96-2000 4runner:sombrero:

 

[blvdking]

I like that tundra. I don't see what you would be gaining with a 4runner or tacoma, except maybe an extra MPG or two on the highway, and losing space. The one advantage I like with my 4runner is sleeping inside, but it looks like you have that covered with the RTT. With most of your driving on the road, I don't really see the point in switching, but if that's what you want to do...

...96-2000 4runner:sombrero:

I really like the idea of an suv and the mpg of the Tacoma. My truck gets around 10-11mpg loaded out and under 300 miles which is hard to stomach as an Expedition/overland vehicle.

I just have a hard time deciding on which vehicle to build. There is a lot of awesome Toyota's out there and I want to find the right one to put my time and effort into. Also going further with my build seems to have less and less aftermarket support which costs more and more money.

 

[huntoon]

Is it even possible?

Is it even possible to carry that much and meet your four requirements with a gas engine? Edit: yeah 15 is doable.

Perhaps you could make an expo trailer so your dd could remain free of most of the gas guzzle components until necessary.

 

[SC T100]

$15K will buy a LOT of gas for the Tundra (like 5000 gallons). So even if you put 20 gallons a week in the Tundra, that's close to five years worth of gas. If you're worried about the money for gas, I would look into the trailer idea. Otherwise you won't see a savings on the gas for well after five years, since the Tacoma and 4Runner, even when unloaded run around 17mpg mixed (I had an '03 Taco PreRunner V6). If you do a lot of driving the savings will be realized quicker, but will still take quite a while. You could also look into the T100, but clearly I'm a little biased...but be warned there is little aftermarket support (not really necessary with the T100...it's extremely capable as is). My truck is on-road 90-95% of the time as well. You're truck is awesome by the way, and you might already have an Ultimate Toyota for your needs. If it were me I would just put that money into gas and maybe some suspension and just enjoy the truck...just my two shiny pennies. But if you're set to change, I had the '03 Taco and I loved it. Nimble, quick with the V6, easy to park, holds a decent payload. It will be way smaller than you are used to though. Just something to consider! Good luck!:sombrero:

Ps. Carrying that much weight (your tundra looks pretty loaded) in a smaller truck will not be sustainable for the suspension, and the suspension mods you are hoping to avoid will likely catch up to you.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Not sure about the 4runner, but in my 03 crew cab Taco, 300 miles to a tank is unheard of. I know I need to go through and do plugs and a few other things, but right now I'm averaging between 240 and 260 per tank. 300 would be great.

Edit: That's just an fyi, so you don't think you're going to get longer range out of a Tacoma. Better mileage, yes, but you're working with a smaller tank.

 

[Rando]

I am not sure what modifications you have, but I am thinking you have something pretty horribly wrong with your tacoma. With my '04 xtracab V6 with a wildernest on the back I get about 20-22 mpg highway (so about 350 miles per tank) and only as low as 19 with mostly urban driving.

Not sure about the 4runner, but in my 03 crew cab Taco, 300 miles to a tank is unheard of. I know I need to go through and do plugs and a few other things, but right now I'm averaging between 240 and 260 per tank. 300 would be great.

Edit: That's just an fyi, so you don't think you're going to get longer range out of a Tacoma. Better mileage, yes, but you're working with a smaller tank.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Yeah, I've sort of been thinking the same thing- that something is wrong. It's nearly unmodified, only an ugly bumper guard, spacer lift in the front and 265's for tires. It has the V6 as well. I'm going to be doing some searching real soon to try to sort some of this out....I've only had the truck for a couple of months, but I was figuring I'd get better mileage than 15.

Edit: Sorry for the hijack, good luck with your decision!

 

[Haggis]

I currently have a 2005 Tundra DC 4x4 with 140K that I have been starting to build but am not sure if I want to continue or get something with a little more aftermarket support and possibly get better gas mileage with same rock solid reliability.

The grass is always greener over the fence, but really I don't think you'd gain anything by swapping Toys. Sure you'll be able to buy more farkle for a 4Runner or Taco if an "overland" look is important to you but look what you'll be giving up...

*Interior Room and comfort...the Tundra double cab has a lot more use able space over that year of Taco DC. That's not even considering the utilitarian uses of a full sized truck bed. Plus a much nicer seating position. Also to my mind a truck is way more flexible with life's daily chores than an SUV.

*My buddy Jay's DC Taco of that period gets worse gas mileage than my Tundra and when we're both pullin' trailers the difference between the the V6 and V8 is dreadfully evident.

*"There's no Replacement for Displacement"...you'll miss your IForce and will start thinking about superchargers and whatnot to compensate for the loss in power. If you have to put a supercharger on it to tow and haul what you want, your truck is underpowered.

*You've already got a nice rig and with minimal investment(compared to buying another ride) can make it better. A new ride will not only cost you to buy but then will eat more of your income as you mod it out. If it were my Tundra I'd throw a set of HD Deaver springs on, some Timbrens and go from there. Wait, that's exactly what I did.

What will you gain..

*Access to more available aftermarket parts...Tundras are hard enough to find farkle for, but the DC even more so.

*"ExPo Coolness"...Tacos are on the top rungs of ExPo chic while Tundras are more eccentric. Long live the Eccentric.

*A 2000 era Taco will fit places your Tundra won't. Consider the reality of where your heading and if the Tundra won't fit the trails, then it's time to switch to something more suited to you.

You'll find a lot of support for the Taco here, as they are so popular therefore more info will be available for your pour through.

I really like the idea of an suv and the mpg of the Tacoma. My truck gets around 10-11mpg loaded out and under 300 miles which is hard to stomach as an Expedition/overland vehicle.

Wow, my truck averages 17 mpg and on interstate runs hits the 20's. Loaded up and hauling the brick of a trailer of ours we still hit 15 mpg. Your truck looks like it's running larger tires. This will throw your odometer readings off and mess up gas mileage calculations. Check your mileage with a gps to get an accurate tally. Also with that RTT mounted up high your gonna take a mileage hit. If you've already done this disregard completely.

:elkgrin:

 

[blvdking]

Wow, my truck averages 17 mpg and on interstate runs hits the 20's. Loaded up and hauling the brick of a trailer of ours we still hit 15 mpg. Your truck looks like it's running larger tires. This will throw your odometer readings off and mess up gas mileage calculations. Check your mileage with a gps to get an accurate tally. Also with that RTT mounted up high your gonna take a mileage hit. If you've already done this disregard completely.

:elkgrin:

I haven't used a GPS to calculate miles yet but that makes a lot of sense. I went from 18 to 13 with the 33" tires and then 11-12 with the rack and RTT loaded out. I'll need to give it a try to see what my real world miles are.

 

[jim65wagon]

My eccentrically speaking 2 cents: Keep the Tundra. I have to agree with SCT100, I do not see any gain over what you already own by buying something else. Yes, as Haggis said, you would gain some aftermarket support, but realistically, what are you missing that you need?

I also have to agree with Haggis on the gas mileage, you have to be getting more than 10-11mpg. That's mileage you should be getting pulling an overloaded trailer through some PA mountains. I'm averaging 15s and can pull off the occassional 19 on the highway.

You've got a great truck in your hands right now and a set of rear springs (which you would wind up buying on whatever you may purchase), maybe some Stubbs Welding DCab sliders, a set of Skid Row skidplates and you can go a multidude of places.

Granted you won't be "ExPo" cool, but hey, you can post some pics in the Tundrabirds Go! picture thread. Just being one of the Tundrabirds is a rocking status in it's own right!

 

[slus]

My truck gets around 10-11mpg

10-11? Are you driving with the RTT deployed at all times? :sombrero:

Tire size zaps MPG, both from the increased rolling diameter sapping your power, and the fact that you are traveling farther per tire rotation than your odometer is calibrated for. Find the percent difference between your size tire and stock, and factor that in when you calculate MPGs for a rough estimate of what you are really getting. Or GPS it, as mentioned. I drop 2 mpg calculated by the odometer just going from 265-70-16 all terrains to 265-75-16 BFG muds.

For what it is worth, my 4runners all got about 17mpg average. Daily driving, with yakima racks up top, and 265/75/16 tires. Didn't seem to matter between manual and auto, all got about the same. Loaded on a trip through the mountains I've seen as low as 12mpg, usually 14 or 15. I'd say if you're packing heavy, it will be a negligible difference between an underpowered 3.4 and your 4.7, equipped similarly. I have some friends with an 02 tundra with the 4.7, totally stock. It always pulls better mileage than my lightly modded 4runner on camping trips.