rabidbeaverbaby

my brother is looking at buying a toyota truck...i didn't know all the answers to the numerous questions but i told him i would try and find out! he wants a 4x4 and manual, and probably early to mid 90's....

what was the first year that the T-100 and the Tacoma came out?

i assume the engines changed the same in the truck as the 4runners did?

does the bed length change depending on if you have a standard or ex-cab?

and what is the difference between T-100 and the Tacomas?

thanks a lot much appreciatted!!

rimpainter.com

This should answer any question you might have.

1Runner

We need more info!!! Is your bro a big guy? Kids? Whats he like to do... how does he use his trucks?
I LOVED my 96 Taco xtra cab. 2.7 L w/ a 5 spd. I consistanly got 24 MPG, and the 2.7 w/ a stick has more than enough power to get you around. Tow a boat?? Yeah, a smaller one.... I traded mine cuz we (the family) out grew it. I'm probably going to trade my 4Runner next year for a Tacoma double cab. I really like the Tacos.

rabidbeaverbaby

96 Runner-thanks that was some good info

1Runner-my bro is single and in college, he wouldn't do any hard core offroad stuff...just stuff that you could do with a stock toyota truck...he prob wants a ex-cab...whats the longest the beds come in T-100 and tacos with an ex-cab?

i remember reading something about the tacos being made in the US with american parts as opposed to in japan with japanese parts...is their much too this or is it not really a big deal?

also that tacos have rack and pinion steering verses a stearing box...is this a big deal or only if you plan to run larger (33") tires?

thanks!!

Todd E

Well, as far as the parts are concerned, I highly doubt many parts, if any, are actually made here in the US. Somewhere around 92 Toyotas started being assembeled in the US (designated by the vin starting with an "A") before that they were mostly assembeled in Japan (vin starting with "J") and the bed was put on in CA when it got there (taxation thing). As far as bed legnth is concerned, both the std cab and extracab have the same legnth bed (about 6' for the pickups, should be the same for the taco's too, not sure about legnth on T100).
The benefit of the extracab is interior storage space, or as many have done - sub enclosure, etc.
Motors - the Taco was the changeover for the pickups (22r to 2.7L 4cyl and 3.0 to 3.4L v6) I think some T100's had the 3.4L before the Taco introduction though.
Hope this helps,
Todd

Todd E

One thing that site misses though, the change of the 22r to the "lazer block" design in 1985.
The 81-84 22r's have the same block and head heights as the earlier 20R (great for that 20R head-22R block combo), and the 85-95 blocks and head are different (shorter).
Sorry to nit-pic
Todd

rabidbeaverbaby

The more the better!!