T-100 vs pickup

For those of you who may have had both, let's hear your pros and cons.

I've never owned an original pickup but I've got an opinion (doesn't every body?!).

The T100 is a great truck. Good compromise in size between a full size and compact. It was the last toyota pickup to be made entirely in Japan (moved to US in 98, vs tacoma which moved to US in 95).

There weren't enough T100s made. They don't have the same support as other models, both in after market and community. Parts are harder to find. Less information is available on mods/swaps. I've run into mechanics that don't even know what one is. And... There isn't the same community out there. You're lucky to get any responses to a post about your T100.

If I didn't need the wider / longer truck, and didn't have a lot of history with this particular car, I probably would have put my time into a first gen taco or a pickup. But I love the T, and it is a great car... I just get frustrated dealing with its age some time without the same support I had with, say, an old jeep I had.

Sorry for the rant!

Cheers,
Rob

Hmmm.... I've asked one newbie question here about my T100, and had a wealth of advice, pointers, and interesting side notes, darn quickly. I imagine that joelm will get just as much community and help here as I did - heck, he even posts pics.

As far as parts being hard to find - well, my previous buggy was a '87 Saab 900 - I loved that car, but I never even bothered to try to work on it myself - took it to a pro, 'cause he knew where to get the parts. Rust finally destroyed the suspension, so I got me a Toy - and am mostly pleased with it so far. But if you think that finding parts for a T100 is tough, well....

Hmmm.... I've asked one newbie question here about my T100, and had a wealth of advice, pointers, and interesting side notes, darn quickly. I imagine that joelm will get just as much community and help here as I did - heck, he even posts pics.

As far as parts being hard to find - well, my previous buggy was a '87 Saab 900 - I loved that car, but I never even bothered to try to work on it myself - took it to a pro, 'cause he knew where to get the parts. Rust finally destroyed the suspension, so I got me a Toy - and am mostly pleased with it so far. But if you think that finding parts for a T100 is tough, well....

I'm glad it's been good so far Danno, and I hope you stick around. I used to be on a very tight dirtbike forum and I probably just got spoiled... I've been discouraged by the high turnover here over the last couple of years. Most people make their post, get their answer, and move along... but I've been seeing more of the same names recently, so perhaps as the T ages more people will be needing more frequent help!

I should be more specific about parts- they're a breeze to find through a dealer and can be had for the right price from a shipping junkyard. Things like gas tanks, bedsides, tailgates, which were only used on the T100 and never non-oem'ed can be very expensive to get.

Sorry for the thread hijack. The T is a great truck and if it's the right size for you than I don't think it can be beat in gas mileage or reliability.

Cheers,
Rob

I currently own both, but that's just cause I haven't sold the pickup yet. Pickup: 92 4cyl manual 2wd regular cab. T100: 96 3.4 6cyl automatic 4wd extended cab. Overall, I like the pickup, but love the T. Here are some observations on my particular vehicles and situation (most are dependent on the truck configs, so won't apply to all).

ENGINE: 22RE is solid and in my opinion, an increadible engine. Easy to work on, but I've only changed oil. Other maintenance was simply not necessary. Uses/leaks no oil at 92k orig miles. I also have nothing power on the pickup (no power brakes, steering, cruise etc). The 3.4 seems solid and is the same size as I have on the 04 Camry SE. It can't compete with the 22REs economy (hell, can go two weeks between tanks when it was an overyday driver!).

CAB/BODY Pickup: Had a hard time putting my two boys in the front seat. With the T, there's plenty of room for three in front (and no need to reach btwn someone's legs to shift gears). The pickup was openbed, the T's bed is about the same length, but has a topper. The pickup was as plain as you'll ever find (has a vinyl floor!). No rust on the pickup, but the frame has some rust. No rust on the T either (cept the back bumper, which will be replaced). The T is also an SR5, which is what I'd call a personal luzury truck.

INSURANCE COST: about the same. But I did add collision and comprehensive to the T, but it's still under $200 every 6 months.

EMISSIONS: inspection not needed in IL prior to 96, so I'll have to deal with those again -- ugh :-|

COST: The pickup was about $1000 cheaper, but I did have to wait for a nice T to come along at this price. Hell, I never thought I'd get a vehile like it for that price, so I guess I was pretty lucky.

Like I said, my perspective is skewed by the truck configs. Just sounding off since you asked.

Did any of the 3.4 have headgasket problems?