ok, so as the lone H3 driver here (I think), I'll try and answer your questions...
It's full-time 4wd. 60/40 split in the xfer case (60% power to rear, 40% to front). In regular driving there is no torque-steer. You can (via button, not stick) put it in 50/50 split, which works much better in sloppy conditions, but does tend to torque-steer a little. I have the adventure package, so it does have the electronic rear locker. It's been confirmed that 2009 H3s (SUV & Truck) will have F/R lockers. Assuming that doesn't cause the front dif to grenade, that is...
I've ridden in taco's, not a lot, but i'd be willing to bet that the H3 is significantly more comfortable for long hauls. This is also my DD and the family makes 3-5 long (2k+ mile) trips each year - comfort for not just me but wife + 2 kids + 2 dogs.
From a reliability standpoint, I've had nothing that would leave me stranded, and my entire family has 2006+ GM trucks (a tahoe, silverado, and 2500) - I put the least amount of miles on our vehicles and so far (knock on wood) I'm the only one with any warranty work done (and it was minor). While data seems to indicate 'yotas have better quality, my personal experience is that GM has really done a much better job over the past few years in this area.
Not sure where the taco is built, but the H3 is built in Shreveport for an American company. All major components are built in the US. I'm not a buy-american fanatic, but where I can I prefer to support my neighbor first.
Never wheeled with a taco, but everything I've read is that for stock capability it goes Rubi, H3, then everything else. Not sure how the H3T will do now that it's got a much longer wheelbase, but the basic capability is there.
And I've always prided myself on not having a run-of-the-mill vehicle. My Cherokee was heavily modded, and my Sub was heavily modded for longer North America based camping trips (we won't go into my short-lived BMW phase :smilies27: ). Tacos (and many other models) are nice pickups, but they aren't a Hummer. I don't have the time right now to spend a lot of time/effort modding a rig, so out-of-the-box is what I get.
I'm not blingy show (i HATE chrome), I prefer modest-unique-capable, and most trucks give me capable & modest, but not unique. Of course I do have to put up with the occasional finger and egging (yes, been egged twice :violent-smiley-031: )
When we finally start going on longer land-based expeditions out of NA, we'll likely switch over to a LR for all the reasons everyone does. Until then, might as well have a capable, unique rig that satisfies all our current needs.
