Tacoma?
- Thread starter KIRUXA
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notable, capable rig.. just not a landcruiser. again, nothing wrong with a taco.. how many doors? 4? also depends what your use is.. if you're not wheeling hard, you don't have to worry about break over or departure angles. not like the 100 is superb, but i believe it has a slight advantage.. the 100 isn't a great rock crawler, so the point is somewhat moot.. i've always liked taco's, but again, its not a landcruiser. made in japan, superb overbuilt engineering..
the appropriate question to you is why? what are you planning on using your rig for?
the appropriate question to you is why? what are you planning on using your rig for?
re_guderian
SILVER Star
Well, if you've got an extra $25K in your pocket, why not?
- Thread starter
- #4
Not planning on hard wheeling or rock crawling. 70% daily driver and 30% overland vehicle with some off roading in the meantime.
The reason why is reliability of a brand new toyota which I can mod, knowing there is no rust or mechanical issues and all the current technology bells and whistles.
The two vehicles in our household are presently my 1998 Land Cruiser and my wife's 2009 Tacoma 4x4 Access Cab, so I can provide some informed opinions here.
If we are going on a high-mileage remote trip with just two people and gear, we usually drive the Tacoma. Our four-cylinder Tacoma gets amazing fuel economy and we have had zero problems with the Tacoma ever. It has 40 k miles.
Another advantage to the Tacoma is that you can throw lots of muddy gear, dirty bicycles, leaky coolers, compost, fish, moose parts, live wild animals, etc. in the back without having to tolerate mud or blood or odor while you are driving. You can wash the back of a Tacoma out with a hose. We have a basic aluminum camper top with a ladder rack on the Tacoma.
The Tacoma gets great gas mileage, and I would consider it the more reliable of the two vehicles, mostly because it is 11 years newer and has 150k fewer miles than the LC. If I had to choose one of the two vehicles to use for say, a 3000 mile unsupported trip across northern Canada, I would probably choose the Tacoma- it is newer, more efficient, and has less stuff to break.
The Tacoma wins in the efficiency and reliability departments.
If comfort, style, or performance are considerations, then we drive the Land Cruiser. Visibility, driver position, quality of interior, tight turning radius, smoothness, and V8 power are the main things that I love about the LC compared to the Tacoma. I am a tall guy and the top of the windshield in the Tacoma is right across the middle of my field of vision. I look through the blue tinted part at the top of the Tacoma windshield when I drive; can't see dick out the back of the Tacoma because the Camper top is in the way; huge blind spots in the Tacoma; no blind spots in the Land Cruiser. (You will need the back-up camera if you get the Tacoma).
Also, remember that the Tacoma is part time 4wd and it does not have a center differential. The tacoma is quite capable offroad, but the turning radius on the quad cab longbed Tacoma will be similar to that of an aircraft carrier; in addition, it will hop around turns on pavement when you are in 4wd. If maneuverability in tight spaces is a concern, or if you ever need to park in urban areas, you should rethink the quadcab longbed Tacoma. Many dumptrucks have better turning radii and are easier to park.
The Tacoma has cheap seats made for little people and I feel like I am sitting on the floor of the vehicle and my head rubs the ceiling at the same time. With the 4cyl 5spd manual combo, you really have to work to maintain 75mph going uphill. Whereas in the Land Cruiser, you just set the cruise control and forget it. Obviously, the LC has better acceleration, passing power, low-end torque, etc, etc.
In extreme offroad situations (which we rarely encounter), I have more confidence in the Land Cruiser. The LC also feels a lot safer and more stable doing 90mph over gravel and washboards- it just feels like the LC was made to do this. The weight distribution and high-speed handling are better in the LC. If I ever hit a moose (or a gravel truck) on the highway, I hope I am in the Land Cruiser, not the Tacoma.
The LC is more comfortable (by a lot), more powerful, smoother, faster, better looking, more capable offroad, and easier to drive.
The Tacoma gets better gas mileage, is better for hauling stinky things, and is newer.
Hope this helps.
If we are going on a high-mileage remote trip with just two people and gear, we usually drive the Tacoma. Our four-cylinder Tacoma gets amazing fuel economy and we have had zero problems with the Tacoma ever. It has 40 k miles.
Another advantage to the Tacoma is that you can throw lots of muddy gear, dirty bicycles, leaky coolers, compost, fish, moose parts, live wild animals, etc. in the back without having to tolerate mud or blood or odor while you are driving. You can wash the back of a Tacoma out with a hose. We have a basic aluminum camper top with a ladder rack on the Tacoma.
The Tacoma gets great gas mileage, and I would consider it the more reliable of the two vehicles, mostly because it is 11 years newer and has 150k fewer miles than the LC. If I had to choose one of the two vehicles to use for say, a 3000 mile unsupported trip across northern Canada, I would probably choose the Tacoma- it is newer, more efficient, and has less stuff to break.
The Tacoma wins in the efficiency and reliability departments.
If comfort, style, or performance are considerations, then we drive the Land Cruiser. Visibility, driver position, quality of interior, tight turning radius, smoothness, and V8 power are the main things that I love about the LC compared to the Tacoma. I am a tall guy and the top of the windshield in the Tacoma is right across the middle of my field of vision. I look through the blue tinted part at the top of the Tacoma windshield when I drive; can't see dick out the back of the Tacoma because the Camper top is in the way; huge blind spots in the Tacoma; no blind spots in the Land Cruiser. (You will need the back-up camera if you get the Tacoma).
Also, remember that the Tacoma is part time 4wd and it does not have a center differential. The tacoma is quite capable offroad, but the turning radius on the quad cab longbed Tacoma will be similar to that of an aircraft carrier; in addition, it will hop around turns on pavement when you are in 4wd. If maneuverability in tight spaces is a concern, or if you ever need to park in urban areas, you should rethink the quadcab longbed Tacoma. Many dumptrucks have better turning radii and are easier to park.
The Tacoma has cheap seats made for little people and I feel like I am sitting on the floor of the vehicle and my head rubs the ceiling at the same time. With the 4cyl 5spd manual combo, you really have to work to maintain 75mph going uphill. Whereas in the Land Cruiser, you just set the cruise control and forget it. Obviously, the LC has better acceleration, passing power, low-end torque, etc, etc.
In extreme offroad situations (which we rarely encounter), I have more confidence in the Land Cruiser. The LC also feels a lot safer and more stable doing 90mph over gravel and washboards- it just feels like the LC was made to do this. The weight distribution and high-speed handling are better in the LC. If I ever hit a moose (or a gravel truck) on the highway, I hope I am in the Land Cruiser, not the Tacoma.
The LC is more comfortable (by a lot), more powerful, smoother, faster, better looking, more capable offroad, and easier to drive.
The Tacoma gets better gas mileage, is better for hauling stinky things, and is newer.
Hope this helps.
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One more thing- we make payments every month on the Tacoma, the LC was bought with cash.
If I had to spend $35k on another truck, I would look at a 2008 Land Cruiser like this one:
http://www.henrydayford.com/used/To...+Cruiser-a484e21e0a0a00640022023a127c6586.htm
Borrowing money to buy a brand new vehicle is rarely a good decision from a financial perspective.
If I had to spend $35k on another truck, I would look at a 2008 Land Cruiser like this one:
http://www.henrydayford.com/used/To...+Cruiser-a484e21e0a0a00640022023a127c6586.htm
Borrowing money to buy a brand new vehicle is rarely a good decision from a financial perspective.
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BullElk
SILVER Star
Can't understand in the slightest how a human being can go from LC or LX to anything different. That just doesn't register with me.
Tigerstripe40
SILVER Star
I went from a FJ40 to a 1991 4Runner.
The 'Runner was more comfortable for long trips, had AC, fuel injection, and coil sprung suspension. Gas mileage was about 17 or so. Not a bad rig.
Then when I thought the truck threw a rod (I had previously rebuilt the motor and had spared few expenses on that... Yes, the 3.0...) I was sick of working on it, as it took away from doing work and mods to the 40, so I sold it and bought a certified used 08 Tacoma, which I currently drive.
I love the tacoma. Best vehicle I've ever had. Comfortable, powerful (4.0 V6 is awesome), has AC, fuel injection and loads of room. 4 adults can sit quite comfortably in it for long periods.
It's not a 40, though, but, the 40 is really nasty to drive for long distances.
I wish I had a "like" button
phishtaco
Cincinnati
I don't think the locker or TRD offroad package are available for the long bed. The long bed gets the trd sport with lsd.
You're missing out, you should try something new sometime.
I love cruisers and will never have my fill but c'mon. What about a fast and light desert truck? A hi pro sports car? Motorcycles? A Unimog? A Vintage pickup? A Willy wagon? I could go on all day about other stuff I would love to drive and own.
The LC's fill a great nitch, but they are not the holy grail of all wheeled things.
Tigerstripe40
SILVER Star
I have the long bed.
The locking diff uses an 8" diff and the TRD sport LSD uses the 8.4.
The 8.4 trumps the 8" in strength. If you look at pictures of how each is put together, that becomes quite obvious. The main bearing caps are girdled making the assembly stronger.
When I got my truck, there were issues with the TRD Locking rear ends failing. FJ Cruiser guys were having the same problems. The 8.4 was failing, but seemed to be failing less than the locking rear end.
When the warranty on my Taco runs out, I'm pulling the LSD out and putting in an ARB.
Josie'sLandCruiser
Stop calling it a "FJ."
Hi all,
I bought a 2007 4wd "Access Cab" (aka extended cab) Tacoma pick-up with the TRD package a year ago.
4.0L V-6, 6 speed manual transmission, locking rear diff, Bilstein suspension.
Very sporty, nice riding truck, with lots of power and off-road potential.
The 6 speed manual is a not a "smooth" transmission by any stretch, but has a nearly "granny" first gear (4.0-to-1 IIRC.)
The "access cab" is huge in comparison to the extended cabs of 20 years ago!
I doubt there is much strength difference between a Toyota 8 inch and 8.4 inch differential, but the e-locker will get you down the trail, while a LSD is more of a tease!
Regards,
Alan
I bought a 2007 4wd "Access Cab" (aka extended cab) Tacoma pick-up with the TRD package a year ago.
4.0L V-6, 6 speed manual transmission, locking rear diff, Bilstein suspension.
Very sporty, nice riding truck, with lots of power and off-road potential.
The 6 speed manual is a not a "smooth" transmission by any stretch, but has a nearly "granny" first gear (4.0-to-1 IIRC.)
The "access cab" is huge in comparison to the extended cabs of 20 years ago!
I doubt there is much strength difference between a Toyota 8 inch and 8.4 inch differential, but the e-locker will get you down the trail, while a LSD is more of a tease!
Regards,
Alan
I agree it really boils down to what you are wanting to do. If you are looking for a better ride the LC is the way to go. I have a 1998 Tacoma Reg Cab 4 cyl and it will beat the heck out of you on long road trips, but it gets 19 mpg on 35" tires.
What and how much do you haul? You can get much of the same things accomplished with a truck as you can with a LC and a trailer. However I don't have the extra room for a trailer and I haul enough dirt/mulch/junk that I need a truck.
Also what does your 2002 LC not do that a brand new Tacoma would do besides possibly give you car payments. I'd love a new car but having that extra cash at the end of the month is sweeter still. Plus with those savings you can upgrade what you've got to have all the bells and whistles you are looking for.
What and how much do you haul? You can get much of the same things accomplished with a truck as you can with a LC and a trailer. However I don't have the extra room for a trailer and I haul enough dirt/mulch/junk that I need a truck.
Also what does your 2002 LC not do that a brand new Tacoma would do besides possibly give you car payments. I'd love a new car but having that extra cash at the end of the month is sweeter still. Plus with those savings you can upgrade what you've got to have all the bells and whistles you are looking for.
- Thread starter
- #17
I agree it really boils down to what you are wanting to do. If you are looking for a better ride the LC is the way to go. I have a 1998 Tacoma Reg Cab 4 cyl and it will beat the heck out of you on long road trips, but it gets 19 mpg on 35" tires. What and how much do you haul? You can get much of the same things accomplished with a truck as you can with a LC and a trailer. However I don't have the extra room for a trailer and I haul enough dirt/mulch/junk that I need a truck. Also what does your 2002 LC not do that a brand new Tacoma would do besides possibly give you car payments. I'd love a new car but having that extra cash at the end of the month is sweeter still. Plus with those savings you can upgrade what you've got to have all the bells and whistles you are looking for.
I would love to get into hunting and the nice ability to just throw things in the box that are dirty and such are nice.
I will mount the tubes to accommodate my roof top tent Above the box.
The payment don't scare me too much as I'll put 50% as down payment.
However the brand new reliability of a vehicle that I can start modding from brand new without mechanical issues and no rust is a nice bonus.
I think the new tacoma is not as luxury as an LC however it wil do.
I love the idea of keeping the interior clean and all my camp gear being on the roof or on the box covered with tent around tubes.
I have been constantly spending a bit of money on LC to keep it up and I'm not even done and it's starting to get old plus better gas mileage and better aftermarket support is also nice.
I would say that the Tacoma is the better way to go for what you want. I guess I get spoiled now that I live outside the "Rust Belt" down here in South Carolina. I don't think you will be disappointed I've got over 200k in my Tacoma and as long as routine maintenance is done it should last you just as long.
- Thread starter
- #19
I'm pretty sure if you go test drive a brand new TRD double cab V-6 Tacoma....Your driving it home, with a huge grin from ear to ear.
I have 11K on mine and it love it. Had an 06, that got traded for this one. I wasn't in love with the body style at first, but the new ones look great. I've had several Toyotas and they all are near and dear to our hearts, but theres no comparing an 11 year old 100 series to a brand new Taco, 2 different animals.
I have 11K on mine and it love it. Had an 06, that got traded for this one. I wasn't in love with the body style at first, but the new ones look great. I've had several Toyotas and they all are near and dear to our hearts, but theres no comparing an 11 year old 100 series to a brand new Taco, 2 different animals.
