UZJ100 vs. 05 Tacoma AC
- Thread starter CBeckFJ
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- 100 series comparison tacoma
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Well, you can overload a 100 series to the brim without any worry stressing out stock parts. Tacoma, well, you can overload it up to a point.
I don't think you can go wrong. Both are very capable and reliable. Can have a nice sleeping setup in both and capabililties won't be that different. Comfort - Land Cruiser, Technical off roadings - Tacoma (locking dif), want a manual - Tacoma, want a land cruiser- land cruiser.
C'mon man, you really want a Land Cruiser...
You don't want to end up saying in a few months, "I coulda had a V8!"
You don't want to end up saying in a few months, "I coulda had a V8!"
98-99 LC has a locking rear diff. My understanding is that the front diff in the 98-99 is weak - perfect excuse to throw a harrop or arb in the front as well.
Any particular reason? That is believable but I am interested why
Somebodyelse5
16124-75030
i got my 100 because I couldnt find a reasonably priced used tacoma... they are a hot commodity and guys price some pretty beat trucks for way too much and refuse to deal.
You get a lot more for you money with the 100.
You get a lot more for you money with the 100.
Having owned both, at the same time, for a while, I like each for what they are. However An "oldass" 100 is still light years ahead of most Tacomas aside from the newest. It WILL drive and feel better than ALL Tacomas, newest included, assuming you're getting a good, well loved version and not some clapped out beater. Simply look at the front clearance and how nothing hangs below the frame. They are fairly different in that regard.
The 100 is a global platform, built not with the USA in mind. The Taco is a NA vehicle. The Tacoma 4.o will definitely roast the 100 on a speed challenge, but when is that a concern. The Taco will also feel like a farm truck comparatively, despite being much newer.
There is really not much of a comparison, buy what you like. You either need a mini truck or you want a 100. Both are solid and have great aftermarket support.
my .02 cents
The 100 is a global platform, built not with the USA in mind. The Taco is a NA vehicle. The Tacoma 4.o will definitely roast the 100 on a speed challenge, but when is that a concern. The Taco will also feel like a farm truck comparatively, despite being much newer.
There is really not much of a comparison, buy what you like. You either need a mini truck or you want a 100. Both are solid and have great aftermarket support.
my .02 cents
My 100 isn't just more powerful than the Taco, it feels more powerful. Beyond that, it is a pleasure to drive. Fit and finish were never something I cared about before having my LC, but I am spoiled now.
I also felt like the visibility wasn't great. Could have been just me. It's not as bad as an FJ, which feels like you are driving a football helmet, but I didn't like it.
My old truck - sold it to buy a 100:
Current 100 -
Tacoma
Pros:
- More light and nimble (if you're not overloading it with unnecessary gear)
- Truck bed (if that's what you want)
- Cloth seats (I prefer these for a utility/offroad vehicle)
- Can get a manual transmission
- Traditional suspension setup (No torsion bars)
- Not too hard to fit 35s - 37s
- Normal Toyota lug pattern
- Long/mid travel available ($$$)
Cons
- still pricey, even when used/lots of miles
- Regearing necessary with bigger tires
- Truck bed (if you realize, like me, that you don't want a truck bed and would rather keep everything locked up and dry inside)
- Really can only fit two people in access cab. I wouldn't even put a kid in there for longer trips than around town.
- Limited interior cargo space
- Rough ride (it's a truck)
- As far as I know, lighter duty than Land Cruiser (that might just be the weight differences)
100
Pros:
- More comfortable
- Better quality construction of interior
- V8
- Shorter wheelbase
- Quieter on the road, smoother ride
- Space for passengers and cargo
Cons:
- No manual transmission
- No cloth seats
- Heavy
- Weird lug pattern, less choices for wheels
- Limited suspension travel (but shouldn't be a problem if you're sticking to mild-medium trails)
For me it all came down to the truck bed. Depends on what kind of car camping you want to do. If I would have picked up a Flippac or similar I might have kept the Tacoma. For around town stuff I was just tired of not having space to put stuff inside and lock it up/keep it dry. Sleeping platforms are cool, and either would support a rooftop tent - but with the Tacoma you'd have to decide on a bed rack or a shell. And then if you do that, you lose the utility of a truck bed for hauling big stuff. Anyway I think the 100 is more convenient for my uses.
Current 100 -
Tacoma
Pros:
- More light and nimble (if you're not overloading it with unnecessary gear)
- Truck bed (if that's what you want)
- Cloth seats (I prefer these for a utility/offroad vehicle)
- Can get a manual transmission
- Traditional suspension setup (No torsion bars)
- Not too hard to fit 35s - 37s
- Normal Toyota lug pattern
- Long/mid travel available ($$$)
Cons
- still pricey, even when used/lots of miles
- Regearing necessary with bigger tires
- Truck bed (if you realize, like me, that you don't want a truck bed and would rather keep everything locked up and dry inside)
- Really can only fit two people in access cab. I wouldn't even put a kid in there for longer trips than around town.
- Limited interior cargo space
- Rough ride (it's a truck)
- As far as I know, lighter duty than Land Cruiser (that might just be the weight differences)
100
Pros:
- More comfortable
- Better quality construction of interior
- V8
- Shorter wheelbase
- Quieter on the road, smoother ride
- Space for passengers and cargo
Cons:
- No manual transmission
- No cloth seats
- Heavy
- Weird lug pattern, less choices for wheels
- Limited suspension travel (but shouldn't be a problem if you're sticking to mild-medium trails)
For me it all came down to the truck bed. Depends on what kind of car camping you want to do. If I would have picked up a Flippac or similar I might have kept the Tacoma. For around town stuff I was just tired of not having space to put stuff inside and lock it up/keep it dry. Sleeping platforms are cool, and either would support a rooftop tent - but with the Tacoma you'd have to decide on a bed rack or a shell. And then if you do that, you lose the utility of a truck bed for hauling big stuff. Anyway I think the 100 is more convenient for my uses.
From someone who looked into getting a 3rd/4th gen 4Runner, or a 1st/2nd gen Tacoma, I can say after a month of ownership I would have chosen my 100 any day of the week. Like @Somebodyelse5 said, you really do get a hell of a lot more in a Land Cruiser for the price (especially compared to the former, which are in my opinion overpriced as hell considering most are beat to death...), but really that should be a given. Plus you get the satisfaction of owning one.
I drive by loads of Tacomas and 4Runners daily and think "yeah, I'm glad I didn't get that."
My advice; go with the LC and don't look back.
I drive by loads of Tacomas and 4Runners daily and think "yeah, I'm glad I didn't get that."
My advice; go with the LC and don't look back.
- Thread starter
- #15
Thanks Ikarus for your detailed write up. Ive read through your entire build thread on your 100, nd some of your posts on TW. The truck bed is a disadvantage when car camping because it pretty much requires a RTT and Bed rack which are pricey (I dont like shells). The 100, I can just sleep in on the side of the road on a long road trip.My old truck - sold it to buy a 100:
Current 100 -
Tacoma
Pros:
- More light and nimble (if you're not overloading it with unnecessary gear)
- Truck bed (if that's what you want)
- Cloth seats (I prefer these for a utility/offroad vehicle)
- Can get a manual transmission
- Traditional suspension setup (No torsion bars)
- Not too hard to fit 35s - 37s
- Normal Toyota lug pattern
- Long/mid travel available ($$$)
Cons
- still pricey, even when used/lots of miles
- Regearing necessary with bigger tires
- Truck bed (if you realize, like me, that you don't want a truck bed and would rather keep everything locked up and dry inside)
- Really can only fit two people in access cab. I wouldn't even put a kid in there for longer trips than around town.
- Limited interior cargo space
- Rough ride (it's a truck)
- As far as I know, lighter duty than Land Cruiser (that might just be the weight differences)
100
Pros:
- More comfortable
- Better quality construction of interior
- V8
- Shorter wheelbase
- Quieter on the road, smoother ride
- Space for passengers and cargo
Cons:
- No manual transmission
- No cloth seats
- Heavy
- Weird lug pattern, less choices for wheels
- Limited suspension travel (but shouldn't be a problem if you're sticking to mild-medium trails)
For me it all came down to the truck bed. Depends on what kind of car camping you want to do. If I would have picked up a Flippac or similar I might have kept the Tacoma. For around town stuff I was just tired of not having space to put stuff inside and lock it up/keep it dry. Sleeping platforms are cool, and either would support a rooftop tent - but with the Tacoma you'd have to decide on a bed rack or a shell. And then if you do that, you lose the utility of a truck bed for hauling big stuff. Anyway I think the 100 is more convenient for my uses.
- Thread starter
- #16
Yeah it really is. I can get a good southern 100 for round 6-8 grand. A half decent Tacoma is like 15K.
- Thread starter
- #17
Yeah the weak front diff is a great excuse for a front air locker, especially since im gonna be putting a lot of miles on it, through cross country road trips, commute to HS, and some wheeling in Moab/CO.
- Thread starter
- #18
Almost all of my families Toyotas are land cruisers, so we're very familiar with the quality and overbuilt-ness of cruisers.
