Advice on T-100
 

Hi all,
I'm obviously new to this forum, but not new to Toyota's or offroading. I'm looking for some opinions on the T-100. I'm looking for a 95+ T-100 Xtra Cab 4x4 (prefer manual).

What I like is the styling, it can tow 5,000 lbs, it's a V6 (should be decent MPG), it's a TOYOTA, it's affordable.
What I don't like is that I live in Alberta Canada, so I'd probably have to buy one in the US and drive it back. I can fly for free with aeroplan miles so this cost is minimal. I would buy from Arizona, Cali, or Nevada preferably. Is there anything else bad about these trucks? How many miles can the drivetrain last for?

I would use it for daily driving, although I don't commute. I have a ex-CDN Military 4x4 (Bombardier Iltis) that I use for offroading, so this truck would be for towing my 4x4 and maybe some recovery. Lots of winter driving up here in Alberta. No serious wheeling. I don't care about power locks, windows, or A/C. Would you trust it to tow for 3 hours on the highway (~110-120km/h)? The 4x4 is ~2,600 lbs + a dual axle trailer.

Advice, opinions, & recommendations are much appreciated.

NOTE: I had bought a 2007 Tacoma in August. Double Cab, 4x4, TRD + towing, manual, short box. This was the vehicle I really wanted, but now due to divorce I don't have it and although I'd like another one... due to divorce my budget is reduced.

"If it has tits or wheels it will drive you crazy and cost you money"
-Ryan

not to sure about all the advice

but a better one is

"if it has wheels or tits itll give you problems"

:)

too bad about the divorce... at least you got to keep the Iltus...
personally i love those things though I'd probably re-power it with a 1.9tdi if it did'nt already have the diesel, I heard bomber built them with gas engines and vw had diesels in euro-models...
so far as the T-100s go where you said would be the best option for a good rust free truck but you might have some import/reg. issues when you get her back here. You can find some descent rust free trucks here in Ont. with that vintage. The stick is going to be the hard part there just are'nt that many of them [that I've seen].
Same motor/driveline as tacoma of that vintage [as far as I know] so what is true of one will apply to the other.
Finding a bed cap [if you want one] might be a bit of an issue now if your truck does'nt have one when you buy it [your selection may be limited, I know it is for the older 89-95 Hilux.
Welcome to the family by the way...

All the Canadian Iltis are 1.7L gas. The stock diesels are essentially the same performance, so I'm not always sure why everyone gets so horny about diesel ;) Mine is all Mil-Spec, so I'd never do a engine swap. You'd be surprised what it can do with 75 HP. Really surprised.

So if it's the same engine (3.4L) as the Taco's then maybe just getting an older Taco would do? I was thinking they wouldn't tow as well as a full size T-100. I dunno I'm kinda hooked on the subtle T-100 styling. I don't need a manual, just prefer it. I've yet to meet an automatic transmission that downshifts properly when you're towing in the mountains.
What kind of towing can you do with an older 3.4L Tacoma? I probably need 4,500-5,000 minimum.

5000 with a 3.4 equipped one

Since yer looking at the manual...I'd check over the clutch bracket and the vacuum solenoid valves.

Don't you have to pay fer an import fee bringing a vehicle into Canada? :(

There's a few on Craigslist and Autotrader. It's kinda hard to check them out before yer ready to buy though... :(

http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html
yeah, ~$200 + gas to drive it + pay for modifications (something like $100 to switch the tach to km/h) it all adds up.

This one looks cool, but high kms...http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=242049956

even a 3.0 89-95 pick-up will handle 5000lbs towing. The 3.4 tacos are just slightly better at it. The taco/pick-up would probably tow better then the T100 because they weigh a little less, brakes and such are the same either way more or less. If you were going to be dragging 5K regularly I'd get a trailer with surge brakes at least, maybe elec. brakes if it was going to be doing a lot of mtn. hauling...

everyone wants a diesel because they are more fuel efficient for one thing lol and it always surprised me that the mil. went with a gas powered model... gasoline quality varies from place to place but diesel is diesel and they can burn almost whatever you put in the tank.
besides with the bomber Iltuses [or is that Ilti? lol] you have to completely replace the wiring to prevent fires so why not drop in a nice turbo-diesel at the same time? :bigok:

The T100 doesn't do to bad towing. Mine is an older 3.0 but did ok towing an enclosed 6x12 tailer fully loaded if not a bit overloaded. the 3.4 should do much better. I think the t100 will tow better than a tacoma because it weighs more. The heavier truck won't get pushed and moved as much by trailer than the lighter truck. This just my opinion but I know that my dad's F-150 towed our trailer better than my truck did. Granted he has v8 and we didn't have as much in the trailer ( but close) and more in the truck but I think it being heavier than my t100 helped too. BTW, you are looking in the right place for a nice not rusty T100. They are hard to find though.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...T/102_0989.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...T/100_1374.jpg

The motorcycle in the back of the truck was in the trailer when my truck was pulling it.

It'll tow fine. My Uncle had a 94 T100 Auto 4x4 and he used to tow his Ford tractor with bucket and backhoe, on his trailer. He had trailer brakes for it and I'm going to bet it weighed more than 5000 lbs

His had the 3.0 too.

Towed with my 97 from SE Idaho to Seattle just fine (packed Uhaul 6x12 trailer) did 70mph just fine, little slower on the hills, the auto does fair for towing, but requires additional cooling, im using two B&M stacked plate transmission coolers and a DIY shift kit, didnt see any temperatures over 180 degrees (F) except on a 10 mile steep climb.

The T is far better than a taco for towing. Longer wheelbase, wider stance, etc.

Thanks everyone! I'm still looking for my T-100. If I can find the right one and get it back here I'll post some pics.

Never be surprised by something the military does ;)
btw the Iltis is ~8:1 compression which is pretty low. It can run on some crappy gasoline. That said I agree that diesel should be better even just to simplify their fuel needs.

I don't know what you're talking about with the fires there. Never heard that one yet?

Mine could tow...
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w.../DSCF0034a.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...0518070727.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...528071524a.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/DSCF1018.jpg

As far as mileage.... I average(d) 16-18, and anyone I talked to who owned a T100 got 15 or so. Stay 96-98 though. And don't be afraid of a truck from AL, GA, or FL. no rust

dude, you have so many 4runners...

I heard from a couple of friends who used to be in the army that the dash electrics on the bomber built Ilti liked to catch fire because the wiring ran hot due to being undersized for the loads. I was advised if I ever got one to re-wire it from scratch. Apparently the third purchase series came straight from VW and did not have this problem or so I'm told.

i have a t100 and i have 200000 miles and there hasnt been a single thing to break or go wrong yet, they are extremely reliable and are very good vehicles

1993 T-100 Towing Conundrum
 

Hey all,

I read up on this thread and had some questions. Hopefully I don't get dragged for this, but I'm not too familiar with the process for determining whether a truck is capable of towing a specific load. I have a 1993 Toyota T-100 Sr5 long bed 2wd.The motor was overhauled about 5000 miles ago and runs strong! I am looking into buying a travel trailer as I am a traveling electrician.

I came across a travel trailer that I really like, but I'm really concerned as to whether my T-100 is capable of towing it safely. The specs for the travel trailer are as referenced below:

2010 Forest River Grey Wolf T28BHKS

Dry Hitch Weight:752 lbs
Unloaded Vehicle Weight: 5296 lbs
Axle Weight: 4544 lbs
Ship Weight: 5296 lbs
GVWR W/ Brakes: 7752 lbs
Cargo Carrying Capacity: 2456 lbs

I realize this may be an absolutely idiotic question, but any help and insight would be GREATLY appreciated.

I only need to tow the RV about 90 miles from where its located now in Odessa TX to Jaal New Mexico. I thought maybe including the destinations would help with topography/terrain questions.

Thanks in advance!!

How much does the travel trailer weigh?