Pros/Cons of T100 ?

[hatchman]

Pros/Cons of T100 ?

My son is looking at a 1999 T100 170,000 miles $3800 4X4 extended cab good condition, timming chain, waterpump new regular serverice fluids. Not knowing much myself about these trucks I would like to know the pros/cons of it. I know toyota does not make it anymore. your comments are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Hatchman

 

[Leaping Deer]

Might have better luck asking in the truck section.

If I recall correctly they have the 3.4l v6 which I had in my Tacoma. I think that in the T100 it might be a little underpowered. Mine had 196k on it when Toyota crushed my truck but it ran great. It should have a timing belt instead of a chain.

 

[MoCoNative]

I like my 96, I can tell you that. Great truck. Came out in 93 as I recall and went until late 98, then the Tundra came out. In 95 they got the 3.4L V-6 engine, or an optional 4banger too. Well built, all good Toyota quality, they were actually built at the Hino factory as I understand it, which is the heavy truck branch of Toyota. Somewhat heavier built than the Tundras, in some ways. Retains the same design drivetrain as the other Toyota pickups, just widened is all. When the Tacoma came out and the Tundra, they used a coil strut front end, whereas the T100 still has torsion bars. Very roomy cab, quiet, nice dash layout, etc... The shorter wheelbase seems to give it very good traction for a pickup also. Low end torque is a tad whimpy, she will not crawl like an F engine, that is for sure, but for normal driving it is fine.

The 3.4 is a tad small in it, if you are doing any hauling or towing. It also is a light truck, so heavy trailers do push it a bit. And while it had some of the best brakes ever put on a Toyota truck, up to that point in time, they are still kind of weak Toyota brakes. I have been towing an older Starcraft Tent trailer with mine. Does good on the flats, but I have to shift down for the mtn passes here in CO, sometimes clear down to 2nd. Coming down them is worse, as the engine does not have enough displacement to hold back a lot of load. Running empty she flies, only vehicle I have ever owned that could chirp the tires. What the speedometer says for top speed is probably true too, I can say that. I chickened out at 100 one night this summer, afraid I would hit a deer, but she was running fine.

170K is a tad high, but if it runs good and all the service has been done, I think the 3.4L engine can easily reach 250,000 to 300,000 miles. The front end, is lighter duty than a cruiser though, and I question the longevity of it myself. I see the bushings and such becoming an issue on mine in the future from all the rough gravel roads I drive.

Overall, if you want a large Toyota pickup they are great. Better cargo capacity, much larger cab, good visibilty, but most important, I've been getting a good soild 20-22 MPG out of mine. I know a V-8 Tundra cannot do that. And despite the lack of hauling power, the better mileage and use of a nearly fullsize truck made my choice of a T100 over a Tundra very easy. Only thing a Tundra had that I wanted was the third doors for getting family in the back.

 

[hatchman]

Hey thanks for the replies, I did post in the truck section but this forum get a whole lot more traffic. any more out there?

 

[FJ40zen]

Same as MoCo said. I had a 96 5spd Extracab from late 96 until 1999. Traded it off at 100K and it ran as good as it did when it was new. Not enough low gearing in stock form with the V6 for much offroad crawling, but it drove great and felt solid. I could get 19-20 mpg with my foot in it all the time.

I test drove a Tundra when they became available and other than the extra horses, I could not tell the difference between the two in ride and handling.

 

[jsuthey]

I love my T-100,good power,good on gas.Mine has 170k or so also,it is a 1998 the last year.Are you sure you are looking at a 99 T-100? Sounds like a good price & maintaince is up to date.I have the v-6 SR5 ext.cab 4WD.

 

[Leaping Deer]

As for mileage I used to get around 17mpg with my Tacoma. I can't see a larger truck with the same engine getting any better.

 

[Gumby]

My 96 was a great commuter truck. Flawless for 60,000 miles before I turned it in on the lease.

It is nowhere in the same league as the 07 Tundra I drive now, but it was a good truck. The later model 3.4s are considerably better than the early 3.0s

 

[007-FJC]

I had an extended cab 98 t100 5spd 2wd. oh man was that thing fun to drive, a burnout monster

 

[kcowyo]

Great trucks... I have a '97 x-cab 4wd with 158K.


The manuals had a clutch bracket issue that requires some welding.

The seatbelts never, and I mean never, retract...

The speedo cables dry out and growl (sounds like a can of rocks rolling behind the dash), especially in colder climates. They must be replaced rather than re-greased.

The firewall can "pop" when the vehicles flexes due to some poor welds. Better welds = no more problems.

The hood flexes & flutters at highway speeds, again poor welds.

Starter contacts need occasional cleaning, same issue as other Toyota starters in Taco's & 4Runners

The T100 was included in the steering relay recall a few years ago. Should have been replaced by now.

Before going to 33" tires, I repeatedly got 18.9mpg in town and 21.9mpg on the highway with a supercharged 3.4ltr.

All auto tranny's = 4.10 gear ratio
All manual tranny's = 3.73 gear ratio

No aftermarket support for armor; bumpers, sliders, & skids. Custom only (unless you include Kennesaw Mtn. Fab, who's not well regarded) ARB makes a rear locker for it, TRD has their 2nd gen supercharger to wake it up some, suspension & body lifts are still available as are ball joint spacers. Snorkels for 3rd gen Tacomas fit almost perfectly.

Toppers are hard to find but the first gen x-cab Tundras share the same bed measurements, so those will work on a T100.

The sport bucket seats are the best seats Toyota has ever offered in any vehicle.



I can't comment on the replies of it being underpowered, but mine has been incredibly reliable. I've done some minor modifications to the drivetrain and suspension and even thrown a camper on the back, which I take all over the west repeatedly. They are a plush ride, comfy as hell and easy to drive. My only complaint is the lack of rear doors & the seatbelts.

If the truck checks out, I would feel extremely comfortable putting my son in one. But my boy can't have mine yet!


My ARB locked & TRD supercharged T100 w/ Four Wheel Camper, way above timberline in Colorado on Sept. 12, 2009 -