Looking at a T100 4x4...what should I know??

[Skniper]

Short intro....i live in the 60/62 wagon forum with my fj62, first time here in Toy Trucks.
Short story....we are looking for a deer camp truck. Our hunting partners have a couple jeep cj's but we want pick up truck capability for ours...and 4x4.

I found a '93 4x4 T100 with about 250k on the clock. This t100 size is ideal for what we need..not too big, not too small.
So school me on this vehicle...I know next to nothing about this model.
Is this v6 prone to having any problems?
Suspension issues?
4x4/t-case issues?
Diff issues?........you get the idea...thanks for any insight on these.

(and yes, my 62, will be a primary hunt vehicle too)

 

[Skniper]

*crickets*

I always seem to do better Searches and answer my own questions AFTER I post a question.
Anyhoo...seems these rigs have a decent enough track record, maybe a little underpowered, but im pretty used to that in a Cruiser, and it won't be going fast anyway.

Still appreciate any comments if any......

 

[Sam Stewart]

If it's a 93 it has the 3.0 V6 which were known to have head gasket issues. They had a recall and have redesigned the head gaskets like 10 times.

Edit: The rest of the truck is very solid from my experience with them.

 

[RWD]

I had a 93 T-100 4x4. Great truck for the most part. I bought it used with about 60K miles on it. I never had any problems except blowing the head gaskets twice. Once at about 90K miles and again at 190k. The first time it was covered under a recall. The second time it happened I ended up selling it to a guy who was going to fix it. I did little more then oil changes and brakes on it for the 10 years or so I had it.

No problems with the suspension, t-case, etc. but I did change the front hubs to Warn manual lock instead of having the front diff engaged 24/7.

I liked the truck and was a perfect work truck for me. I probably would have fixed the head gaskets myself but, at that point, the body was starting to rust badly. I replaced it with a 2003 v-8 Tundra that gets better mpg. The 3.0 is not the most economical engine. I think I averaged around 15 mpg.

 

[Snowheeler]

I've had mine for a 100k, so I'm only 10k short of the one you're looking at. Mine's a 95, so it's got the 3.4 not the 3.0. I'd be hesistant buying a 3.0 with that many miles if the HG wasn't recently replaced, especially if you're going to be in the middle of nowhere with it. Might be worth holding out for one with a 3.4.

Suspension is pretty bomber. Body sits high enough you can stuff 33x9.5s under with just hammering the pinch welds in the front wheel wells. They can take 1800 lbs of payload, and I've never seen one where the tired springs leave its ass sagging. The rear leaf spring bushings are going to be very sad on a truck that age though, but energy suspension makes good polyurethane replacements. Check the CV boots up front, these trucks have the ADD, so they're always turning unless someone put in manual hubs.
Lifts are easy for the rear, but the fronts are a PITA. Ball joint spacers can get you about 1.5" and you can crank the torsions bars for a little more at the cost of a pretty harsh ride and less down travel. Torsion bars can also be replaced with bigger ones which stiffen the ride but you won't lose any travel.

I've had some bad luck with my rear diff. Had a bad wheel bearing that let water in the axle tube, which eventually killed a side bearing in the original diff. I replaced it with a used one out of a taco with about 120k, but killed that one's pinion bearing via u-joint neglect (keep 'em greased!). I kept the original third member (of which the ring and pinion are still imaculate) and had it rebuilt with a truetrac. That goes in early next week. Oh, these have the "8.4 in." diff, so you can't do the 8 in. e-locker. ARB is the only selectable locker for it, I think there's a detroit and maybe a lockright too if you're ok with a mechanical locker, and truetrac's a good limited slip from what I've heard.

The front "skid plate" is laughable, but I think any after market for 2nd gen 4runner 90-95 pickups will work. I think winch mounts for the same vehicles will work too, but I've never really looked into it. You might want to do double check my these last two before you buy anything.

Hope this helps

 

[john505]

hey there still alot of T-100 out there if you look around. the 93's had a bit smaller engines. If i was looking i'd opt for the 96,97,98 years. Those trucks had the better 3.4 liter V6- 190 horsepower engines.
if you not towing or hauling nothing no big deal. But if you plan to go off road then go for the bigger engine with 4 wheel.

 

[notsomint65]

i've got a 97 with ~170k, 3.4, runs really well, rear main leak (not terrible), speedo cable has issues, which from what i understand is somewhat normal, also had a door handle fail once, but easy fix. sheared an axle shaft one day off road, probably the original (i'm the second owner, don't know maint. hist)
i guess it's like any other vehicle, check your fluids before you buy for anything strange, and look for leaks.

 

[Thundra]

Just get an older Tundra. They are more prevalent and you can get a v6 if you want. Also look for one in the desert. No rust issues. I have an 00 with 202k and 0 leaks. Not even the rear main. They are all over the place in Vegas. Don't get me wrong, I like the T100 for its uniqueness but don't get the 3.0l.