Used Toyota Tacomas - mileage and bed length?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I'm looking at used Toyota Tacomas since they seem to be the closest to a Hilux.

1. I get pretty wary when the mileage is over 100,000. There's no rational reason behind it though. Are Tacomas pretty bomb proof even into the 150,000+ range?

2. I would like to seat 5 people just in case I get passengers (very likely). From what I understand, if I get a crew cab or access cab the truck bed will only be 5ft, correct? In which case I will no longer be able to use it for sleeping in... can anyone confirm? If this is the case it's an instant deal breaker for me. I'd want a truck that can seat 5 people and still have enough length to sleep in the back (I'm 5'5")

EDIT: I think I'm wrong. Looks like the Access Cab can still do ~72" of bed length?

3. I'm confused on the differentials for trucks. Subaru has that AWD system that's on all the time and dynamically shifts differing amounts of power to each wheel as it feels is needed. Are trucks and the Tacoma the same way? Or do you just have to straight up LOCK the rear differential to get the 4WD capability? And then power to each wheel becomes locked (versus dynamic compared to Subaru)? And you'd have to manually switch between modes depending on driving conditions?

Tacoma = part time 4WD, meaning for normal use it's a front wheel drive vehicle until the center differential gets locked manually
Subaru = full time 4WD aka AWD, meaning it's always on, all the time, for all driving conditions

 

[jlee]

Tacomas are not good for fitting 5 people. They're small trucks.

That said, mine has 270k on it. I replaced what appeared to be the OEM alternator last week. It's fking awesome.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Tacomas are not good for fitting 5 people. They're small trucks.

That said, mine has 270k on it. I replaced what appeared to be the OEM alternator last week. It's fking awesome.

I know. I don't plan on hauling 5 people regularly. Just for small trips here and there. 95% of the time it will only be 1-2 people.

What year is your Tacoma? Did you have to do any other kind of maintenance or repair on it? I heard that they recalled some Tacomas due to inadequate rust-proofing.

If it got 270k miles with only regular maintenance and no repairs, I'm really astounded.

 

[Jumpem]

The Tacoma is RWD unless 4WD is enabled. A truck can not be driven on bare pavement when 4WD is enabled. The driveline will bind when turning.

That is the main reason I choose Subarus. The AWD system is always working, and bare pavement or snow doesn't matter. With a truck, in snowy conditions, you have to constantly switch in and out of 4WD as the road conditions change.

 

[Throckmorton]

You pay a big Toyota tax because of their reputation.

You might want to get a camper for it to sleep in

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

A truck can not be driven on bare pavement when 4WD is enabled. The driveline will bind when turning.

Depends on the truck. Some of the new trucks can be in 4WD and go on pavement up to 50mph.

AWD and 4WD are two very different things. AWD is the sissy stuff that you mentioned like the Subaru. 4WD is when you have to lock it in.

 

[Jumpem]

Depends on the truck. Some of the new trucks can be in 4WD and go on pavement up to 50mph.

AWD and 4WD are two very different things. AWD is the sissy stuff that you mentioned like the Subaru. 4WD is when you have to lock it in.

Well "the sissy stuff" works much better for road conditions that are snow and ice. And is much more fuel efficient at the same time. Subarus also have 8.7" of ground clearance. Only half an inch less than a 4WD Tacoma.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Well "the sissy stuff" works much better for road conditions that are snow and ice. And is much more fuel efficient at the same time. Subarus also have 8.7" of ground clearance. Only half an inch less than a 4WD Tacoma.

The Subarus have 8.7" of flat ground clearance throughout. Does the Tacoma have that fat center differential watermelon sticking out the bottom, lowering the effective clearance to something lower than 8.7"?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

You pay a big Toyota tax because of their reputation.

You might want to get a camper for it to sleep in

I'm OK with the Toyota tax if the thing is still running at 250k miles with only minor maintenance... Which some people are actually doing.

 

[herm0016]

it is rear wheel drive until you engage the transfer case. after engaging 4 wheel drive you will have power to the front and rear diff. if you are planning on any off road, find one with a locking rear differental.
you can use regular 4x4 on the road usually, but not 4x4 low.


and i can nearly garentee in the picture above, the truck is overloaded.

 

[jlee]

I know. I don't plan on hauling 5 people regularly. Just for small trips here and there. 95% of the time it will only be 1-2 people.

What year is your Tacoma? Did you have to do any other kind of maintenance or repair on it? I heard that they recalled some Tacomas due to inadequate rust-proofing.

If it got 270k miles with only regular maintenance and no repairs, I'm really astounded.

Every vehicle will require repairs. What's your defining line between "maintenance" and "repair"?

I replaced my 269,400 mile alternator last week. I just lost my AC belt today (assuming the compressor seized, but I haven't checked yet). Do you consider that maintenance (replacing wear items after a quarter million miles) or repair?

My last one I bought with 171k on it and Toyota bought it back at 199k due to frame rust. Since I'm now in Arizona, rust is not a concern. On my last truck, I had to replace the driveshaft carrier bearing and o2 sensors. On this truck, I've done tie rod ends, ball joints, and an alternator (and maybe an AC compressor soon).

 

[AdamK47]

Japanese vehicle, AnandTech.

 

[Greenman]

I know. I don't plan on hauling 5 people regularly. Just for small trips here and there. 95% of the time it will only be 1-2 people.

What year is your Tacoma? Did you have to do any other kind of maintenance or repair on it? I heard that they recalled some Tacomas due to inadequate rust-proofing.

If it got 270k miles with only regular maintenance and no repairs, I'm really astounded.

270k isn't astounding, it's the high side of normal for a modern engine. I've never not had a vehicle go 250k miles.

 

[ElFenix]

do you plan on driving this around the world?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

do you plan on driving this around the world?

Yup

 

[Throckmorton]

Stop wasting time on this forum and sign up on Expedition Portal http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/

You have no idea what you are doing or what you are getting into. You don't understand the very basics of offroading or expedition travel (like how 4WD works or even that a truck is not FWD) and combined with your naivete that is very dangerous. Has it even occurred to you that you might not be able to find a gas station and will die of thirst in the middle of a desert somewhere? 6 seats to carry passengers should be the LEAST of your concerns. You really really really need to get on that forum and post your plan and ask questions. There are people there who actually do this.

 

[BudAshes]

Stop wasting time on this forum and sign up on Expedition Portal http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/

You have no idea what you are doing or what you are getting into. You don't understand the very basics of offroading or expedition travel (like how 4WD works or even that a truck is not FWD) and combined with your naivete that is very dangerous. Has it even occurred to you that you might not be able to find a gas station and will die of thirst in the middle of a desert somewhere? 6 seats to carry passengers should be the LEAST of your concerns. You really really really need to get on that forum and post your plan and ask questions. There are people there who actually do this.

Seriously, right now I'm feeling like fbb is staking his claim as member most likely to be dead by this time next year.

 

[apac]

Stop wasting time on this forum and sign up on Expedition Portal http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/

You have no idea what you are doing or what you are getting into. You don't understand the very basics of offroading or expedition travel (like how 4WD works or even that a truck is not FWD) and combined with your naivete that is very dangerous. Has it even occurred to you that you might not be able to find a gas station and will die of thirst in the middle of a desert somewhere? 6 seats to carry passengers should be the LEAST of your concerns. You really really really need to get on that forum and post your plan and ask questions. There are people there who actually do this.

Yup. This. I was just talking to a friend of a friend who bought a Wrangler last year. I asked him if he had d35 or a d44 in the rear, he laughed and said "I dunno I just drive it". Then he told me about how it's currently in the shop because he supposedly got it stuck last weekend, alone, in the snow, without a winch, and blew up his tranny trying to get out. He was lucky to only have to walk 5 miles in the snow before getting to a town.

Don't be that guy. Learn and then go on an adventure, it can be expensive and life-threatening to do it the other way around.

 

[herm0016]

He wont. We have told him to go there before.