Any T100 fans out there?

Yes I know this is a first gen Tacoma board.

I've owned 2 first gen Tacomas, but I'm thinking of picking up a 1998 4x4 T100 with the 3.4. Whats everyones opinions of the T100? Any known issues that are different than the same generation Tacoma? I don't see many around here, so I'm kind of intrigued. They can be had for alot cheaper than Tundras and Tacomas. I'd be using it as a true work truck that will be used on a farm.

I'd be trying to squeeze 2 car seats in the back for my kiddos for quick trips to the hardware store and what not.


Any opinions are appreciated!

 

I never owned one, but I always thought old Toyota trucks were badass.

 

IT'S A TOYOTA!!! good friend has ole t100... over 300k on the clock, never mentioned any problems with da truck.

 

I have two, one extra cab and one single cab long bed. I have about 150k that i personally put on them. I have owned lots of toyota trucks but the t100s are a cut above the others. All are made in japan(except maybe last year). Can fit a full sheet of plywood between the wheel wells. Uses the 86-95 mini truck front end with better steering feel than the rack and pinion on the tacos. Higher quality front wheel bearings than the unit bearings in the tacos. Easy to retrofit locking hubs. Has the J shift tcase. Fully boxed frame.

Weak point is pass side rear leaf spring perch can tear and leak. But a quick cleanup and weld and it is good as new. And the ADD front axle will have issues, but retrofit locking hubs and then use a hose clamp to hold the add arm in the locked position. Paint sucks on all of them.

Monday I had 22 sheets of 1/2 osb in the back with the tailgate up. Tuesday i had 23 bags of 60# crete in the bed. And today I delivered a yard of 3/4” crushed gravel. All in a truck with 250k on it. I did install air bags years ago.

My xcab with 170k went all the way to alaska and back last year, about a 7k trip with no issues.

That said it will be a bitch to use car seats in the back.

 

I wouldn’t mind getting one. Super reliable and bigger hauling capacity than the Tacoma of that generation.

 

forgot to mention that i have lumber racks. Have carried 100s of pounds in lumber on it and no bed cracks or damage. Cant do that with any taco unless you do a pass thru and mount it to the frame and then the frame will bend, i have seen that happen on a job.

 

Shit, almost forgot the biggest pro, I can actually wear work boots and not hit the damn brake every time I use the clutch like my smaller trucks.

 

Everything this guy said! I'm originally from Saipan and went back home recently. I saw hardly any 1st gen tacomas on the road, even in Guam and Hawaii they're rather rare but I saw a ton of T100s on the road. Some pretty mint, some beat as hell with bodies rusted but frames and engines still kicking. I think they're the most over built toyota trucks since Hino was the sub contractor. I say buy, I'd trade my 2000 tacoma for a 98 T100 if it were 5speed and 4wd anyday.

 

And another pro, the tailgate can actually handle weight. I had 9 60# crete sitting on the tailgate with me another 200# stepping over them. Loading my dirtbike in my taco and the damn tailgate almost folded in half.

 

True about hino. Both of my t100s are from hino and is the main reason I bought a FJ as they were also built bt hino.

 

Just went out and took a couple pics. You can easily invite freinds over for lunch in the engine bay since there is so much room. And the frame is beefy for a 1/2 ton

 

Hell yeah supercharged T100!

 

Its actually a 3.4 swapped SC’d T100. It is a 93 and came with the 3.0. I drove it 50k blew the headgasket, parked it and bought my 97. Then a few years later I ran across a rolled 4runner and swapped it all in.

 

Holy crap you guys are awesome! Thank you. Keep it coming!

 

So single cab long bed T100 with supercharged 3.4? That thing must sound amazing! My cousin had a long bed 93 with the 3vze and I thought that thing sounded good. Stock T100 exhaust is my favorite stock exhaust system. Dude you're straight winning with that sleeper long bed t100.

 

Love it man! Thank you

 

Thank you - gonna save this thread for when I get my truck.
I'll only use car seats for short trips into town...just time I like to spend with my kids. No long car trips.

 

It screams and can spin tires for days. Pulls damn hard. Its hilarious and people are always chatting to me about how Fast it is while looking like an old mans truck.

 

If I get bored enough I ill go move a car seat into the back of my extra cab. But it sits a little taller and is a bitch to wrangle stuff back there

 

YES!! This is what I've always wanted! Single Cab 4wd long bed supercharged T100 and a 2wd version with a LS6 Swap