is there such a thing as too extreme-too much crawler??

[austintaco]

I pretty much have both of those trucks. My 84 4runner was bought for nostalgic reasons but it was already built up to a degree (locked 4.88's front and rear, armor on all corners, 4.7 low range...) but I loved the truck too much to put it on its side. However, it went everywhere I felt safe going and then some.
My Tacoma is a milder build. It has better road manners, its much more quiet on the road, and its more reliable.

I thought I wanted to krawl, but I like adventures that take me further down the road and for that, the Taco is winning out. If I am only going to go 200 miles away, either one will do the job, but after that, its the Taco.

BTW, here's a truck that popped up on craigslist here in TX. I think its a sweet deal and I should post it on the CL finds:
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2086930571.html

 

[Scott Brady]

BTW, here's a truck that popped up on craigslist here in TX. I think its a sweet deal and I should post it on the CL finds:
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2086930571.html

Nice find - perfect truck

 

[SilverBullet]

From one rock crawlers' perspective, that is too much money for the crawler. As for yoru question, wheel what ya got.

I used to have an 87 4Runner crawler, got into expo and had a 98 4Runner expo setup, now I traded the expo for another crawler cause I missed it too much. Back in a 95 4Runner crawler and love it, but there are aspects of the expo truck I miss too. I have not found the best of both worlds, but my 98 was darn close.

 

[Naetzker]

Some great insights!

Thanks! I guess I am getting antsy, first real snow of the season and its my first year without a 4wd.


I think the Tacoma is better suited for most of my needs. Has anyone heard anything about the Warn hub conversions on the Tacoma?

Thanks again, this has been the best decision I have made so far towards buying a new rig.

 

[01tundra]

There's a such thing as having a vehicle that's good for both, it's all in the set up .

 

[Patman]

Don't think I can say anything not already said, but I will add my own thoughts.

The 84 is, TOO much, crawler, money, etc.

While the 22r is a fairly bullet proof motor, the more you mod it, the less reliable it is. Add in Detroits front and rear, bed bob, and its approaching trailer queen territory. Not that it can't be driven on long trips, but after a few hours, you'll most likely wish you had a nice quiet, comfy towrig.

Naturally it depends on where you want to go.

I have had the crazy setup crawlers, and now rock a basically stock FJ60(3" lift, 33's, otherwise stock), and I don't miss having 100:1, detroits and 40's. With the addition of a selectable rear locker and some sliders, I would take it anywhere I took my "crawlers" in the past, and I can also get my wife to ride in it for extended periods of time, unlike my old rigs.

A mildly set up "expo" style rig, will go 99.9% of the places an "extreme" crawler will, in comfort, that cannot be said for the otherway around.

Just my $.02, Whatever you end up with, just get out and play.:smiley_drive:

 

[Box Rocket]

I throw in another opinion since I've been on both sides of the fence as well. i've had a built FJ40 crawler, two minitruck crawlers (an '85 and a '93), and currently own more "expedition" style trucks in my '93 FZJ80 Cruiser and my 2003 Tacoma.

I gotta say that the way both of my earlier trucks were set up they were actually very comfortable to drive for longer distances. Even though they were both leaf sprung with ~5" lift and 35" tires. I really enjoyed driving them on the road. Obviously as they were setup as crawlers they were outstanding in the rocks. They could still do higher speed stuff in the dirt but I can't say it was every easy to push higher speeds in them. I think the higher COG was a real detriment to higher speed overland travel.

My Cruiser feels much better at higher speeds than those trucks did. I think that has a lot to do with the coil suspension. But my cruiser is still relatively tall on 4-5" of lift and 35" tires, so it still feels top heavy and can get squirly in corners when pushing speeds in the dirt. If you don't care about going fast, it is a wonderfully comfortable overland rig.

Now the Tacoma.....

The only thing I don't like better than the cruiser for overland travel is the interior room. It rides wonderfully in the dirt and with the lower COG and lighter weight it handles MUCH better at higher speeds. The IFS plays a part in that too I'm sure.

So looking at the two trucks you posted earlier I would go for the Tacoma most definitely over the '84 considering how you described how you'll use it. The advise to drive what you like and what you've got is good advise. If you like something, you'll enjoy it no matter what in most cases. But from my experience, while "too extreme" may not be accurate, you can easily go too far with the direction of a truck build and have a less than ideal experience when truly using it they way you intend.

Just for point of reference here's my trucks that have gone from crawler to more mild overland type setups.

the 40 crawler (this was still my daily driver for 60+ miles per day for 8 years)

the '85

the '93

the FZJ80

The Tacoma

 

[freeze]

It depends on how well it's built as well.

If it's too purpose built for the rocks, the highway drivability starts to suffer in terms of noise, rattles, heat, speed, and gear carrying. If the person building the Toyota keeps a good balance between very capable and comfortable long distance on highway and dirt then it's not too far off the deep end.

It's kinda like dating a woman and having boundaries. No boundaries and it doesn't' matter how she treats you.... you'll just take it. If you set boundaries.. then you're not going down a road of hell first step. It's like a concept before the plan!

I have a basic concept when I build my Toyota's... have the ability to run the rocks, long distance travel on grave, snow and highway, float on snow and still be able to drive around town... and it still has to look good!

I have an 81 Toyota Truck and a Toyota Tacoma. Both follow the same principal, however, the Tacoma has more luxuries than the 81 which makes it nice on 5,000KM+ trips.

Basic concept includes:

• Skid Plates/sliders/metal bumper with recovery points
• Soft flexy suspension that can carry 500-700LBS of gear
• Beadlocks
• Winch
• Aux lighting for super dark wet roads/unmaintained roads/trails
• One locker min.
• Ability to carry: tools, fuel, spare parts, gear, hi-lift, recovery gear, roof top tent, skis, another passanger
• Heat
• Able to maintain highway speed
• There's more to this but this is the basic idea

This is on top of a solid foundation which is mechanical, electrical, frame, etc.

Is it comfortable, is it quiet (noise will drain you), is it mechanically sound, can it drive on the highway without any issues, can it stop really well, will it sag out if you put more than 200LBS in the bed, etc...

Again no one says you have to have just one though

 

[4Rescue]

That 84 looks AWESOME!!!! Think pf it this way, you can drive wherever you want, unload the camping gear and then go wheel any trail you can find. Not only that, but franjly, if you're like me, sometimes the destination that's most desirable might just require a truck built that way. Dual T-cases will NEVER be a disadvantage, the tires might be a bit big, but hey if the axles are geared right it won't matter too much. The Bumpers/Rack/Sliders are all things that should be on a 4x4 anyway so those are actualy a plus. Just learn the art of packing lighter and that truck would be an awesome Expo/crawler. Personaly I think that truck has alot goign for it. A solid front axle as also a big advantage from a durability standpoint. Find some 35/10.50's to make it a little easier to drive and go for ity mate. It's a Toyota, you're already headed in the right direction

Cheers

Dave

 

[java]

man this is making me miss my 85 more and more.....

 

[RusM]

Something else to consider.
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=935883

 

[RMP&O]

I was in the Gulf Coast of Mexico doing about 70mph on a toll road. I have an 04 Taco that is S/C and it has a lot of coin tossed at it.

I get passed by about a 1985 4Runner on 35's with a SFA and built about like that 84 p/u on ebay. It had Califonia plates. No idea what engine he had but didn't sound like a v8, 22r is my guess and a built one. They were obviously on a road trip, had surf boards on the roof. He was cruisng along at 70+mph and it didn't look to track bad or handle bad at all. It was a very nice truck.

Now I may have been more comfortable in my 04 Taco with the A/C and all that jazz. But there is no reason you can't do up a "crawler" for overland travel. Many have done it, they just may not be on the interent talking about it.

On the other hand....my crawler is nearly 6ft at the hood. With full hydraulic steering & 16" soft coilovers it is not much fun to drive on pavement. So it all depends on how the crawler, expo or whatever you call it truck is set up.

Personally, I think 35/36" tires is a great size for an overland truck. Not to big (38s/40's/44s) but can still do most hard rock crawling. The problem I see with a cross over truck is off road you want a soft suspension. On road you don't want that to much because it will handle badly and you can't carry much gear. This however can be solved with suspension that is built right for the uses of the truck, even if it comprimises the best of both worlds.

 

[JCMatthews]

You should get something that has windows in the doors, so that you can drive it without freezing in the winter.

 

[EricBirk]

I have the same goals/thoughts as Freeze does. I want a decent daily driver but something that I can play with. i have a tendency to "push" the limit a little bit and as such need to ensure I have the capability to make it home if I bang it up a bit.

I do almost all trips with a friend who has an X-Terra. Its an interesting relationship as he simply wants to go see the places, I want to see them and see what I can climb. He has bumpers, a mild lift and tires. I have the same but also a full set of skids and sliders as well.

Its one of those things that makes this so unique. You can drive what you want and what works for you.

I would love to have both those trucks but in my opinion a Tacoma is a better choice as a "everything" truck.

 

[alexrex20]

this one might be a bit "too much" for a daily driver.