Hello not sure If this is the right forum to post this on but I have a 02 Tacoma extended cab 3.4L v6 TRD and I was reading around and I would like to get in to rock crawling and I wasn't sure if I had the right kind of truck for that so I was wondering if someone could let me know if I should try and get a 1st gen 4runner. Or keep what I have and put work in to it. Any help would be great thanks!

 

1st gen 4runners (84-89) are all around better trucks than anything after 1995.The frames are boxed and its WAY cheaper to do a sas on the 86-89 ifs 4runners than any tacoma. But on the other hand the tacoma can be a better daily driver and have more power. The 79-95 toyota 4x4 is by far the best platform to build upon for hard core off roading.

 

Look at trail-gear.com for kits, and there is a ton of info on this exact topic but its going to take searching to find it all. Use the search function top right of page to search these topics. they are already discussed hundreds and hundreds of times. Tacomas are nice but like stated will cost you alot more time and money to get it into a rock crawler. the 3.4 power is nice compared to any pre 96 trucks and 4runners youll like that part for sure. search search search

 

It all comes down to just what your budget and time allows.

we all pretty much need something to drive to work and go get parts while the other vehicle is in pieces over the garage and kitchen table.

If you can afford another vehicle i would go that route that way when making upgrades and changes the pressure is not near so great like needing some thing finished to get to work.

If you have the place and time to build your Toyota for off road adventures go for it.

For me If I could only have one it would be a truck because I need to haul things all the time.

 

i got a 98 tacoma and im mildly fixing it up for offroad but since i bought this truck for work more and im using it for work more im slowly thinking of just buying an older 86-89 4 runner for more serious offroading unless i end up gettting a FJcruiser.

 

I wheel my 87 4runner and use it as a daily driver. I also have a1992 f150 2wd (dmn good truck) that pays it's own way in home projects and side jobs. I think that I need a motor cycle now.

 

My sas'd 88 is my dd (10 years) for a while its all i had to drive. I drive 50 mi a day mostly on I95. Compared to a newer ifs tacoma its slow, rough riding and kinda squirely with the rear locker at times depending on weather. I would not trade it for the world my 05 corolla hardly ever gets driven but its my back up. After seeing top gear killing a toyota and have worked at a junkyard i'm certin that the 1979-1995 toyota is by far the best truck ever made for its size and intended use. The 96- current tacomas are good trucks they just lack the beef of the older ones. In the north east a rotted yota is a perfect platform for cheap fun. Chop it to fit tires weld the rear diff and wheel with out a care in the world. My advise buy a trailer and a beater or just a beater.