Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Toyota Extend Cabs, Tundras, T100 for kids?

Awrite boys,

I see alot of Toyota lovers on this board. I used to own a 1986 PU 4X4 years ago, so I know their dependability. Now, I got two kids lunging around my legs, and wanting to get a Toyota truck, been eyeing the Ext Cab. The Tundras and T100 seem to fit the bill also. BTW, not expecting long trips with this (that what the wife's van is for!), but want something I can drive to work, hunt, camping in. Has anyone gotten any gripes from the kids or wife in a Ext Cab, Tundra or T100?

I noticed the 2000 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 are selling for alot of money, when you can get a NEW 2004 Toyota Tacoma Ext Cab for like $17500 or so. This is for the 5 speed.

One other question, I test drove a used Toyota Tacoma Ext Cab in the 2000 year I believe, and I noticed with its automatic transmission it seem to lag the power of a 5 speed? Has anyone notice/felt the auto trans has less power than the 5 speed? I am asking, bec the wife wants the automatic transmission and I like the pickup of the 5 speed.

Thanks...many decisions...many decisions...to make!

Owned a T100 for 5 years and traded it on a new Tundra. Loved the T100. Back seat was ok for kids, or adults on short trip. Tundra is bigger and better, but had no complaints on the T100. For shorter trips, you'll be just fine, but probably wouldn't want to go cross country in the back of T100.

Hunter01










Hunter01

I'd definitly get the Tundra. Lots a room and lots a power. And one of the smoothest riding vehicles you'll ever ride in.

Valad,

I had a Tacoma.. really liked it.. solid dependable truck..BUT.. it ain't aTundra.. and obviously is not intended to be one..

When I was new truck shopping I test drove a new Tacoma and I honestly felt the ride was far worse than my "old" Tacoma..and the cab seemed just too confining ... even though it was the extended cab model. I was very disappointed with the Tacoma and felt Toyota had actually taken a step backward with their newer Tacoma's.

However, I decided to try out the Tundra. Love at first test ride. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I bought a new ( 2002 at the time ) V8 4x4 Tundra... No regrets..

Ample room for the grandkiddies in the back ( extended cab ) , enough power for me, and just a sweet ride.. I honestly believe it rides smoother than my 04 Camry.

I just wish I could afford to swap my 02 and get an 04 version with the 4 doors..

Of course, your mileage may vary.. just offering my $.02..

Hope this helps..

Al..

Al,

I know what you mean, you felt too confining in a new Tacoma. I felt this myself, but I chalked this up to being used to riding in a Grand Cherokee Laredo, which has more room than the Tacoma.

I guess this is right, for short trips this would not be bad. I don't expect to take any long trips with the family, so the Tacoma would do. I drive 40 miles one way, to work, so round trip is 80 miles a day. half of that is in traffic, which moves ok sometimes and slower other times.

At minimum I think the Tacoma will do, but the Tundra or T100 seem to be the best of both worlds for me. I noticed Toyota is not making T100's anymore?

Thanks...

Have you thought of a double cab? Not much room left behind the cab (5' bed), but more than enough room for kids or adults in the back.

Tough as friggin' nails too.

You may want to wait a couple months. The new Tacoma is coming out. Mid sized (like a Dodge Dakota), and will have a V-8 option.

Not sure about the running gear underneath. If it is based on the new 4 runner as rumored, look at losing about 1 1/2 inches of ground clearance up front.

Might be worth a look though.

I would stay away from the V6 double cab if you plan on putting four adults in the cab as you would really feel the power loss. The V8 sounds better, but then I'd opt for the Tundra.

Do yourself a big favor...Go test drive a Full size 1 ton crew cab with a big diesel engine(preferrably F350)...then at least you gave yourself a chance.

IF you only drive the rice burners, they are great, but after you have driven a full size you will know the difference.

My brother has a Tacoma Ext Cab and I have a Tundra Ext Cab. The Tacoma is slightly cheaper, gets slightly better mileage, and is better off-road (Although IMHO the Tundra is the best off-roader of all the "1/2 tons")

If your duties mainly are on the road, carrying people and luggage (in the cab) I'm almost sure you would prefer the V8 Tundra. On the Tacoma Ext cab, there aren't rear doors, which makes putting heavy things and people in the back a pain not to mention its pretty small. The Tacoma double cab has enough people room, but a pretty small bed.

If you have to have the auto, you may find the 6cyl lacking for certain situations, especially if you are at elevation. I agree that with the 6cycl, a 5spd is the way to go.

Any Toyota truck is a good one, and will hold its value so you can't really go wrong.

I have ridden in the back seat of a tundra extended cab for a very short trip.It is extremely tight compared to my old gmc extended cab.I would not make anyone that you like ride in the back seat unless they are a very small child.There is simply no leg room.If you will have larger children or adults in the back seat consider the double cab or a different brand of extended cab.

My reply will probably be met with unhappy faces, but it's needed.

Obviously, most of you are Japanese truck fans. And that's cool. Why not look at Nissan's Titan. Looks like a heck of a truck and has been built cabin space in mind. Yes, it will burn a bit more gas, but it would be safer in a collision and it will tow, if wanted.

Could the Nissan or the Toyota be fixed in Melstone, Montana? No, Jake (the local rig-fixer) would grin, spit a cheekful of tobacco juice and lecture you about the Japanese Revenge.

Personally, I got over imported trucks long ago. The Japs forced Detroit to get better and the newer American trucks are awfully darned good.

My current one is a 2003 Chevy extended cab/short bed Z-71. The engine is a 5.3 liter and it gives just short of 300 HP. I just returned from a 1000 mile trip around Eastern and Central Oregon and I got 19.6 mpg during the trip. Hey, in my book, that is very decent mileage.

I have about 15,000 miles on the Z-71 and it's lifetime average mileage 16.7 mpg. Again, that's fabulous, considering the amount of city driving and trailer towing (20-foot travel trailer) that is added to the mix.

My Z-71 will probably be like its predecessor. Feed it a bit of gas, lube and oil it every 3K and do the periodic services. Flawless and perfect in every way.

Added to that, in the unlikely event that my Chevy should have a mechanical problem, I know that the shade-tree mechanics in the backwater places I hunt, like Jordan, Montana, would be able to get me running again. Absolutely impossible with a slant-eye rig, I bet.

When it comes to room, it's awfully hard to beat the plain ol' full-sized American rig.

Anyway, that's my two cents' worth; take it for wisdom or discard.

Steve

Thanks for letting us Toyota owners down! Your post sounds a bit racist to me.
(thumbs down on you)


MtnHtr

I considered a Japanese pickup until I learned they are not available with a squad car-type barrier between the front and back seat. My huntin' buds are 6'-7" 245-lbs and 6'-2" 235-lbs.

I didn't want to get strangled...

As usual, your SPOT ON <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Steve, I beg to differ with you, but Toyatas (if they ever do need fixing) are easy to find parts for and they are no more expensive than American made vehicles. On another note, "Back woods Inbred Jed" isn't going to touch my vehicle. The best part about rice burners is, they hold their resale, their paint sticks to the metal (contrary to Fords or Chevys) and they don't rust like a Chev. I get sick of all the little parts and nobs breaking off in Chevs and Fords, hence, why I will never own another one. Resale for American vehicles is a joke and you NEVER see an American vehicle make 10 best cars or trucks in ANY report or magazine. I have owned 15 Toyotas over the years. Not one has ever let me down or cost me more than a couple of bucks to fix. Two hundred thousand trouble free miles is a chip shot. You can't say that about American vehicles....especially the high dollar diesels. Oh well, I will stick with "the cramped space and low power," because I know I am going to get there on little gas, no expenses, drive places full sized vehicles can't go, and when it is all done, I can still sell it for near what I paid for it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Oh, and as to the original post, get the double cab or access cab, your kids will thank you. I tried the extra cab for my kids and it just didn't work, although it is nice to throw your guns and gear behind the seat <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Flinch

Steve,



So why is your reply "needed"? Are you feeling so insecure because there are so many Toyota owners here that you felt a flame was "needed"? The crux of this thread was advice on selecting a Toyota PU.



As for Melstone, MT, I would not let some backwoods tobacco spitting Jake work on my rig anyways. I've seen plenty of American hunting rigs broken down on I-80 thru Nevada, Utah and Wyoming on my out of state hunting forays but never a Toyota. BTW, there is a authorized factory Toyota dealer about 2hrs away from Melstone in Billings, MT. Apparently the Toyota market in backwoods Montana is sufficent enough to sustain local dealerships. And Toyota PUs are not imports anymore, more than half of the components are made in America as well as the assembly.



Prestige Toyota Billings MT



Montana Toyota Dealerships



Sorry Steve, but you are a bit misinformed on this topic.



MtnHtr

Friend Flinch,



You know, you're probably right. I know folks that have driven imports for years and are just totally delighted with them. And the reputation is that the Japanese trucks are absolutely bulletproof.



Kinda like my shooting, I have to pilot my life by what I've experienced. I just couldn't live without a Mercedes-Benz, so in 1980 (or so). Bear in mind that we never buy a new vehicle until we can pay cash and we suffered for the M-B. What a piece of crap; hard riding and it literally fell apart in the 100,000 miles we drove it. We kept the M-B serviced immaculately and it cost a bloody fortune. Still fell apart.



We've had Volkswagens, Subarus and Toyotas. Actually, the Subarus were pretty good, but the interiors were finished from thrift store cast-offs.



I absolutely agree that the 1970-ish American rigs, pre-the invasion of outside vehicles, were lacking in quality. Today, I believe Detroit is doing a lot better.



Before the Nissan Titan, I'm afraid the imports were just not large enough to tote all the stuff that Karen and I take on a hunting trip. Some folks take a lot and some take little (or pack it better). I simply don't know how you'd put a couple of dead elk, all out stuff and tow a travel trailer with most of the imports.



Frankly, we liiked seriously at the Nissan Titan at the Portland Auto Show. There was a lot to like in the Titan, but I think it would be better to wait for a few years, until all the bugs have been worked out (they HAVE had problems; bed coating that never hardened, window probs etc. Titantalk.com is a good source of info).



By the way, the Nissan Titan is made in Mississippi.



If my Z-71 was not so new, I would seriously consider the 2004 or 2005 crew cab/short bed Z-71. We usually run a rig for a bunch of years before replacing. Believe it or not, we've never had a major repair of any American truck or car. We service according to factory schedule and, other than a dead starter (at 120K) on my 1978 Chevy Silverado, all of out US rigs have been flawless.



As I said, I have to guide off of my experience and other folks have to do the same. Lots of guys, almost everyone here have had great experience with imports. I have not.



Makes me shudder when I remember being stuck in Missoula with a blown head gasket in our VW Rabbit. We were five miles..FIVE FRIGGIN' MILES...over the warranty. Cost me five hundred dollars at the VW garage and we had to wait three or four January days in a motel while the part was bussed in and the shop got around to putting it in. Not good.



Mtn Hntr, Hey, I'm anything but a racist. My daddy was shot to crap by both the Japanese and the Germans and before he died he had both a Toyota (which ran well) and a bunch of Porches and Mercedes-Benz. He loved the imports. Like, I said, you just have to go with your own experience.



I have a few friends who have Toyota Tundras and they love them. At least the size is getting close. Now, if Toyota made a rig the size of a Titan, I might be tempted, very tempted.



Hey, no flame intended here. Just trying to help, as usual. There ARE choices out there, and we spend a lot of our hard earned money for trucks, so it's good to look at all options.



Anyway, If I offended anyone by offering a point of view garnered from forty-five years of driving both imported and domestic trucks, I apologize.



Steve

"Japanese Revenge" ??? You need to get over yourself and join the real world. I think I'll discard your "two cents worth"...

Steve, no harm no foul whatsoever. I was just pointing out my own findings. I too go with my gut, based on experience. My inlaws are all in American auto sales, so I get to see a lot of stuff first hand...both good and bad....mostly bad. Sometimes I just walk away shaking my head at what the "American" factories turn out. Flinch

Hey Friend Flinch,

The value of this and all forums is we can all learn from each others experiences. The original poster was looking for his fellow members to relate their experiences and opinions. Each in his own way, we all were willing to share and to help.

Surely none of us knows everything. It really helps when we can use many experiences and many opinions in our greater purchases (such as a home or a truck).

In gun stuff, it is very well known that Remington 700s shed their bolt handles and the extractors break or fail to work at all. Flinch, I have absolutely no idea how many rounds of ammo through 700s (many hundreds of thousands) and I have yet to have an extractor problem. Nor have I seen an extractor problem.

I shot an unbelieveably hot load through a 700 - .308 several years ago (real handloading screwup) and I pounded the bolt open with a 4X4. The bolt held.

From my experience, the 700 is about as good as it gets. From others, who have had extractor or bolt problems, the 700 sucks. Just depends on what you've personally experienced and what you've seen.

Anyway, my friend, I intended no foul.

Only 27 days until we leave for Montana antelope. Yaaaa <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Steve