Tacoma Dude

I have a friend of mine who is looking at possibly getting a T100. What is it that you guys/gals like the most about your Ts? What do you like the least? Is there anything he should look out for when he's out hunting?

Thanks!

Glenn

What year?

BigA

The thing that I like most about my T100 is the extra size and that it is a Toyota. But mine is a little underpowered. But I guess thats the same with all Toyotas. Look for one with the 3.4 liter and the extra cab. Its much more usable. Other than that they are great trucks.

Andrew

Tacoma Dude

Is there a preferred year?

He just mentioned it in passing... I don't think he's made up his mind. I was just wondering if there's anything to definitely encourage or discourage him with.

Thanks!

bigbadktm

i am trying to sell mine, but i love it. im in ca. but they are great trucks, a little under powered, but thats why you put in 4:56 like i did. roomy,, comfortable, reliable, easy to work on, i could go on and on, but the seatbelt retractors do suck. and not having the 3rd door gets old sometimes. or the 4th door even

miket223

Get a 95? and newer. Just make sure it's a 3.4L V6. If it's the older 3.0 V6, forget about it. The T-100s with a manual transmission have a tendency to have their clutch pedal bracket fail, look for a welded clutch bracket or one that currently has a failure in progress.

Honger

I'd definitely look for one with a 3.4L V6. Mine has this and I think it is plenty powerful to be honest with you. Sure a V8 would be nice, but the 3.4L works hard! There are some very nice and clean T100's out there to be found.

They are an excellent truck. Many feel they are nicer than the Tundras including me. You can find one for cheaper than a Tundra and they are just typically Toyota in terms of longetivity. They seem roomier in the back of the cab than the Tundra. I've been seeing more and more people SAS them, so there is info on doing that now. Though the selection of aftermarket mods is kinda slim (nothing like the Tacoma or 4Runner).

5speed

I bought my T100 2 months ago, and have been evaluating it ever since. (95 DX xtracab 2wd 5speed $6k) I bought it because I judged it from Internet reviews to be the only used truck made which would be reliable, high fuel economy, quiet, and a soft ride. (Ford= bad mpg, chevy=unreliable, Taco+Ranger=hard ride, Dodge=junk) I fixed the clutch bracket and steering seal to fix the noise and sloppy shifting. Now it's great. I spent around $600 altogether and have succeeded with everything but ride and noise level:

fuel economy - 25-27 mpg, I expected 22 tops.

reliability - drives like a new truck even with 100k miles!

ride - THe "1-ton+ feel " was Below my expectations so far, but I made a 80% improvement since replacing KYB's with stock shocks. I removed the BF Goodrich KOs (for sale) and installed Yokohama Avids on stock 15" alloys. This gave a soft ride but ruined the cornering, so I've ordered some Firestone Destination LE's to reach a compromise between ride and cornering. If fuel economy was not a goal, I would get Bridestone Revos, which fit 235/75/15. Ultimately I need 16x7 wheels to get a better selection on tires, I;d like Falkans on Taco 16x7's for better cornering.

Noise- The v-6 is not loud but unpleasant sounding compared to a v-8, so I repaced the exhaust. This did nothing, so I plan to dynamat the xtracab over the muffler. I suspect a std cab would be quieter.

Unexpected Bonuses I discovered:
1) This T100 is fast, the acceleration keeps me from catching red lights ($430 in San Diego) after switching from my 328i BMW.
2) The rack & pinion steering is xlnt, turns tightly, and friendly steering wheel with tilt. Fun to drive!
3) Panoramic views, the glass and visibility is huge, great for touring.
4) High seating position with stock setup but wide enough not to rollover (like Prerunner Tacos)

I'm really enjoying this T100, stopped driving my BMW which I paid $10k more for, even though it's the best car I've ever driven. One disappointment is the plain-ness of the cab and I hate the blue interior. I am wondering if the 2005 Taco would be a better truck with it's luxurious interior?

bkatziii

Have had T100 since 99 love it. have trouble finding after market parts. Just started looking so dont know if looking in right places.

Joe R

I guess i am in the minority, but my 99 t-100 was a disappointment. Brakes seriously sucked (those drums in the rear just blow), clutch didn't last very long, gas tank pick up valve (i think that was what it was called) leaked - $400.00 repair. Electrical problems. Finally the axle shaft was leaking - not from the seals, and required a new one - which they don't make any more. My mechanic loved me. I wanted to blow up the truck by the time i was done with it - 120k miles.

On the bright side, that was the one and only Toyota I ever had these types of issues with, but then again, I now only buy the ones made in Japan, which the t-100 was not.

Good luck.

kwight

Mine is a 1995 and was the last year of them being made in Japan. I have the 3.4 V6 and cannot complain much. It does lack a bit on power while towing but I cannot complain too much when I hit the pump.

Yes, the 1996-1998 T-100's were built in the USA at the same plant.

Kevin

Joe R

My mistake - I believe it was a 98. I've worked hard to forget that ride ;-)

sloth!

i have a late model 96 in my garage right now with "made in japan" on the door tag. My brother's 98 says the same. onlt the taco was made in the us starting in 95. t100 was always made in japan in the hino plant.

Bagger

Quoted for the truth -

.

topdown4runner

I really like my '95, 4x4, extracab, automatic 3.4 liter V6.
1) I wish it had 3rd & 4th door like the tundra.
2) gas milage sucks. I am only getting 14 or so, city and highway. Does not matter.
Might as well get the V8 tundra with the same milage.
3) At 205K miles, cant complain. Always starts & goes. Regular maintainance is a plus, and it is a Toyota. I expect this truck to run for ever.
4) When pulling my 4Runner and having the camper in the bed, I wish I had the Tundra with the V8. The T100 does the job, but cannot keep up with traffic. About 60 mph is all it can handle easily. Anything over that and it struggles. Oh, and it DRINKS gas with this setup.

98-T100

ive got a 1998 t100 4x4 DX extra cab and i love it. ive had it for nearly 6 months. it does amazing offroad and i get compliments all the time. make sure to get the 3.4L and and if you have the 3.0 ive heard the head gasket goes out?? but i dont know. i get about 18mpg city and 20+ highway which is good for a truck. plenty of power, can pull a 20 ft boat no problem. not having 3 or 4 doors is a bummer but you get used to it.

looking to get toyo m/t opencountrys' on black rock crawler wheels. should be a nice set up.

t10032bf

A arms rust out quick and head gasket seems to go a lot