best there is

I love mine

2003 tacoma v6 4x4 TRD offroad

My best friend has had two and they provided trouble-free service.

He had a late-90's {'96/'97/'98} 4-cylinder 4x4 Extra-Cab, manual trans, manual hubs.

He had a 2003 or '04 4-cylinder standard cab 4x2, with manual trans.

The CFO of our company, and family friend, has a 2002 Tundra 4x4 Extra-Cab -- no problems.

Mine is a 2005 Tacoma Double Cab TRD Offroad, and I've had no problems in 6,700 miles.

I have a 1980 regular cab with a manual trans and hubs.  It has its problems after such a long life, but they are usually relatively cheap and/or easy to fix.  If you buy an older one, make sure it wasn't treated to rough and any mods where done correctly.  My truck is missing many of the vacuum lines for some reason.  Still runs great though.  I have never had it on many trails but I have no worries in it capabilities even with the small 2.2L 4-cyl.  

As a side note, I also had a 1978 Corolla station wagon that I 4x'ed in a lot and it survived very well.  Wish I had never gotten rid of it for the 1988 S10 Blazer that cost me the worth of the vehicle in repairs before it was sold to a junkyard for $120.

Toyotas ROCK!

i've got a '98 4runner, and a 2000 tundra, both 4x4.

the 4 runner has 105k on it and it seriously feels like a new car.  everything from the seat belt buckles to the engine, to rolling up the windows- a very very solid vehicle.  got it as a toyota certified used car with ~60k on it- thing's a monster.  i've wheeled it a little and it did pretty well for what it is.  the turning radius on it is TIGHT and it's easy to get in and out of tight spaces.

the tundra has 60k on it and doesn't seem to be holding up as well as the 4runner.  it seems a little more used, but it is my favorite of the two.  the v8 in it is peppy to say the least- haven't wheeled it at all as it's absolutely huge and so it its turning radius.  

i like both of mine and have total faith in them- i'd drive cross country in either one without a second thought.  i can't really think of anyone i've ever heard of having real problems with a toyota- which i think says alot.  imo you can't go wrong with one.

edit: i've had no problems with either aside from cooking the O2 sensors on the tundra- which is a common thing.

Quoted: As a side note, I also had a 1978 Corolla station wagon that I 4x'ed in a lot and it survived very well.  Wish I had never gotten rid of it for the 1988 S10 Blazer that cost me the worth of the vehicle in repairs before it was sold to a junkyard for $120. Toyotas ROCK!

Lol, i had a '77 Corrolla that lasted 21 years!! Incredibly dependable vehicles, i think the water pump and clutch were replaced, and ultimately, the tranny failed in year 21.  RIP.

Back to Hawkeye's question,  SF Approved:

Quoted: Why'd you have to go and post that pic.....

Lol...there are LOTS more where that came from ;)

I don't own a taco or Tundra, but I've owned a '96 Landcruiser for about 3 years now. I've had to put some money into it initially, as the previous owner was not so diligent, but i am satisfied with this vehicle.  My brother in law has owned 2 Tacos, and loves them.  Maintenance on MY truck is fairly easy; as is preventative maintenance.  If you want mods, the parts are not as cheap as they are for Jeeps, but there are lots of stuff out there--sliders, lifts, lockers, armor, etc.

for us civvies....

I need to mount a SAW!

Only thing that comes close is a Nissan

Quoted: Only thing that comes close is a Nissan

What he said.  

'85 Toy 4Runner, very popular with the off-road crowd.

You can tell, mine's a mall-crawler....

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


Just turned 176K head gasket redone about 8k miles ago (according to the previous owner).  I haven't had to do anything to it except oil, gas and I'm in the process of tuning it up with new spark plugs, wires, distributor and rotor.  All other mods have been to make it a rock crawler: 5.29 gears, front bumper, winch, sliders, rear gas can and spare carrier, 140 Powermaster alternator, dual batteries, 35"x12.50 BFG's.  I'm in the process of redoing the exhaust and rear shocks so I can install a surplus 26 gallon Blazer gas tank, +40 gallons of fuel, baby!

Pretty simple to work on, even in the crowded engine bay, much better than my '85 Nissan I used to have, what with the Nissan parts being sent off to the razor factory prior to installing them in the trucks.

When my wife gets her next new car, it's going to be a Toyota.

Merlin

1984 with 33x12.50x15 BFG AT, 5.29 gears, detroit locker in the rear, detroit true trac in the front, 5 inch lift, smittybuilt bumpers and nerfs, trimmed fenders, v6 rotors/fj40 caliper conversion, weber carb on the original 22R 2.4 liter 4 banger.

oh yeah, and 264,000 miles without a rebuild

EDIT: pintle mount is going in after I build myself a semi 1919

The problem with the mid 1980's Toyota 4x4s - at least those run in the Northeast - was the tendency for the beds and frames to rot out.  The engines would still be running strong, but the bodies would be falling apart.  Likely the guys running these in the South and Southwest did not have this problem.  I imagine the salt on the roads was the cause, but they did rust faster than any other truck on the road.  I had a 1985 and it was a great truck - super off road and in the snow.  But in the end I was having steel plates welded into the frame to pass inspection.

Currently I'm a service writer at a Toyota dealership, been in the business nearly 20 years and have worked for Ford, GM, Chevrolet, Nissan, Honda, Subaru, Mitsubishi, even Peugeot back in the day.  My personal opinion is that Toyota builds some of the best cars and trucks available today, and I put my money where my mouth is: I'm driving an '06 Tundra Double Cab.
BTW, for those who bought theirs used, call the nearest dealer and have them run the VIN for recalls.  There are still some 80's/90's out there that have the VO6 head gasket recall on them, and there are two steering recalls on the trucks/Tacomas/Tundras also.  Any dealership will perfomr the repairs, for free, for you.

1911fan

PS: I guess the Tundra is really the bank's but they let me drive it.

the 22R platform is one of the greatest ever.

Will run for a zillion miles...just don't ask it to get there very quick!

1990 4X4 V6 with over 300,000 miles and still going without a rebuild. Still gets 20 miles to the gallon, no matter how fast I drive.
TS

Find one with a 22RE 4-cylinder, 5-speed manual, and manual hubs up front.  It won't be a powerhouse, and don't bother trying to tow your 23' center console throught the mountains, but I think you'll be more than happy.