Thoughts: best Toyota pick up

[jgallo1]

I added Bilsteins to my otherwise stock T100 not long before I sold it (pause to kick myself, and ask why I sold it). The buyer took it to a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. The mechanic cautioned him that since the truck was lifted, it might have been abused offroad. I had to point out it was NOT lifted. But the lack of easy access to the otherwise spacious rear seats/cargo area was a limit to its usefulness. And though I thought the 3.4 and 4 speed AT was OK when I owned it, the much maligned 3.5 and 6 speed combo in my 3rd gen Taco is far more powerful and a bit more economical. Though not as much as it should be for 20 years of progress.

funny I did the same, I added the Bilstein HD's to mine and used a 32" tire. The stance and ride quality were perfect. I remember the 3.4 feeling sluggish. I also had a 3rd gen, the get-up and go seemed about the same between the two

 

[jgallo1]

I think the first gen Tundras were similar?

The biggest thing I miss about the old trucks is ability to see over the hood. Hate the ridiculous vanity hood and grill on the new ones.

Tell me about it in my ram, I can't see ********. I guess I don't need to b/c I can just drive over anything ha ha

 

[dman93]

funny I did the same, I added the Bilstein HD's to mine and used a 32" tire. The stance and ride quality were perfect. I remember the 3.4 feeling sluggish. I also had a 3rd gen, the get-up and go seemed about the same between the two

Wait, 3rd gen (2016+) Tacoma similar getup and go to a 3.4? Maybe at 1500 -2000 rpm ... but the 3rd gen has 100 more peak HP and is way faster in almost any real world situation.

 

[jgallo1]

Wait, 3rd gen (2016+) Tacoma similar getup and go to a 3.4? Maybe at 1500 -2000 rpm ... but the 3rd gen has 100 more peak HP and is way faster in almost any real world situation.

Its not apples to apples.

Going up the pass, in the T100 and in the 3rd gen, I was in the slow lane with pedal down, trying to go faster. Both trucks would hit the peak and then jump rpm wise and of coarse get back to Hwy speed. It was annoying in the T100 but to be expected. The 3rd Gen drove me crazy, I sold it in 6 months.

 

[rruff]

The 3rd Gen drove me crazy, I sold it in 6 months.

I hear a regear does wonders.

 

[toylandcruiser]

Its not apples to apples.

Going up the pass, in the T100 and in the 3rd gen, I was in the slow lane with pedal down, trying to go faster. Both trucks would hit the peak and then jump rpm wise and of coarse get back to Hwy speed. It was annoying in the T100 but to be expected. The 3rd Gen drove me crazy, I sold it in 6 months.

I have a hard time believing that. I’ve towed a camper with a 3rd gen and it held speed going over an 8000 foot pass just fine

 

[dman93]

I have a hard time believing that. I’ve towed a camper with a 3rd gen and it held speed going over an 8000 foot pass just fine

I’ve never towed, but pretty well-loaded my 3rd gen always has power to spare. If you downshift and rev it. And I have driven over 10000’ passes many times in both trucks. I’ll agree that the 3.4 T100, in third gear, had a more relaxed feel, but certainly not faster. Anyway, the great thing is we have choices.

 

[jgallo1]

I am not saying they are equal or the T100 is faster. I was talking about a similar feeling. The 3rd Gen has more horsepower and get up for sure. I think it is more to do with the gearing on the 3rd gen. My buddy had a 2nd gen with a similar build, bumper, ome lift, and 33" tires. He would smoke me going up the passes. I just found the 3rd gen was always searching for gears. I do think they are cool trucks.

I will say my wife's 2018 4 runner is way more fun to drive and seems to handle the passes better IMO.

Interesting 97 / 98 there were a few T100's that came with a factory supercharger.

on another note, does anyone have any experience with an 84-86 Toyota factory diesel?

 

[XJLI]

My buddy towed a built TJ on 35s with his 3rd gen. It was impressive seeing it walk away from my buddy's GMT800 2500 Silverado, which was also towing a built LJ... a slightly heavier rig and a slightly heavier trailer.. but still impressive. Tacoma got much better fuel mileage too.

 

[Doc_]

I'm gonna say that Toyota's best truck was the T100.
Long live the Little Big Truck!
/Discussion.

 

[86scotty]

T100's were great. I had and loved one back before I had kids and realized how useless extra cabs with no 3rd door are. Then 15 years past and I recently re-bought an old T100 since I don't really need a daily driver. Oh boy, you all should try that. It was a great truck then but not anymore. Tiny, underpowered and lousy interior. Time has passed and vehicles have improved, that's all.

2nd gen Tundra all the way for me. It's big but the drivetrain and the interior are completely addictive. Just took a 5k mile trip in mine after a fresh oil change. Oil is still clean. The truck has 120k on it.

 

[Dalko43]

Last generation Hilux (w/ 2.8l diesel) is my favorite Toyota "pickup." I'm not including the Prado's and LC's in that category. Awesome low-end torque. Very comfortable seats and driving experience. Small (tacoma-sized) external dimensions, but 1/2 ton capabilities (at least in terms of payload). Looking at frame rails and chassis components on that thing: everything just looked beefy and overbuilt, much more so than what you see on North American midszied, and even some full-sized, trucks. Spent a week or two driving hundreds of miles in that truck over roads which are far more rough than anything we have here in North America...I was more comfortable driving that thing than I was from driving my 5th gen 4runner for long stretches on smooth highway (granted my 5th gen's seats are not very good).

If we're talking strictly North America: current generation Tundra, no question about it. Great engine, good-enough seats and cabin comfort, great offroad focus (approach/departure angles, ground clearance, shock placement), decent range (w/ 38 gallon tank), well-built interior (few, if any rattles). And to be totally subjective, I think it's still the best-looking 1/2 ton on the market, perhaps except for the Raptor.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I don't have the history of @bkg. Have owned a 1984 regular cab, 1991 XtraCab, 2001 XtraCab and now a 2008 Access Cab. Very good friend has a 1980 long bed and 1985 XtraCab.

If I had to say my favorite is the 89-95 XtraCab. Useful size cab but not a huge truck. I think the T100 was a good truck but it's too big for me, like my 2nd gen Tacoma. Any larger and it would not work for me. I like small trucks because I live in a city, small garage, narrow driveway. Same ol', same ol'. When I park I put my outside tires at the edge of the driveway on the property line and that still means whichever side is next to the house can't open the door completely in my Tacoma. In a 2004 or older the door can be opened fully.

I like the 85-88 trucks but the XtraCab is mostly just so you can recline the seats more and keep a few things day. It's not really big enough to call extra cargo space. But it is the best configuration for a 'wheeling truck since the wheelbase didn't grow much to accommodate it. Still, if I was looking at a truck that wasn't 89+ XtraCab I'd just opt for a regular cab and go long bed instead.

In terms of utility and comfort the 2005+ Access Cab is awesome. I love the suicide doors, absolutely brilliant.

But I don't think think any Tacoma is built as well as 79-95 Pickup or the Hilux. The Tacoma frame is a noodle and I think the quality dropped (I mean geez, still with the frame rot 3rd gens even). If I could have a truck built as simply (like give me back proper tapered wheel bearings that are serviceable) and reliably (manual hubs, manual t-case shifter please) as my 1991 but with the cab configured like my 2008. Now that would be perfect.

 

[Smileyshaun]

It’s not quite a pickup but a Toyota trekker would be the top of my list , but right behind that a first gen can’t beat the round headlights and simplicity

 

[Regcabguy]

I'm gonna say that Toyota's best truck was the T100.
Long live the Little Big Truck!
/Discussion.

Reliable but uncomfortable has hell. Don't get t-boned in one.