spectre6000
Observer
The two most popular Toyota expo rigs by far seem to be 80-series Land Cruisers and Tacomas (a fairly distant second). What blows my mind is why 4Runners (I'm thinking specifically 3rd Gens due to their available factory options up to '00) aren't more popular?
Land Cruiser Upsides:
• World platform
• Lots of secure space (though somewhat limited by the confines of the vehicle)
•*Extremely capable
• Luxurious
Land Cruiser Downsides:
• Poor (dismal if we're honest) fuel economy
• Head gaskets, heater hoses, and knuckle wipers
• Big
Tacoma Upsides:
•*Lots of available space (not so secure)
• Bulletproof V6
•*Decent fuel economy
• Smaller
• Capable
Tacoma Downsides:
•*North American-only platform
• IFS
• Doesn't have the Land Cruiser's dictator-toting swagger
• Open frame
The 4Runner has the best of both worlds! It's a world platform, lots of secure space, just as capable as the Tacoma (if not a little more so), luxurious (in the right trim), smaller than the Land Cruiser, has the bulletproof V6, fully boxed frame, etc. etc. The only negative things compared to the other two do is the lack of swagger from the Land Cruiser, and the IFS of the Tacoma. Assuming the Land Cruiser IS the best there is, why is the Tacoma #2 and not the 4Runner? You could even argue that the 4Runner is better because it doesn't have the mechanical flaws of the Land Cruiser, gets much better fuel economy, has parts available everywhere, and has the fully boxed frame... The only downside between the two is the IFS, which really isn't that much of a downside with proper preparation and care....
Land Cruiser Upsides:
• World platform
• Lots of secure space (though somewhat limited by the confines of the vehicle)
•*Extremely capable
• Luxurious
Land Cruiser Downsides:
• Poor (dismal if we're honest) fuel economy
• Head gaskets, heater hoses, and knuckle wipers
• Big
Tacoma Upsides:
•*Lots of available space (not so secure)
• Bulletproof V6
•*Decent fuel economy
• Smaller
• Capable
Tacoma Downsides:
•*North American-only platform
• IFS
• Doesn't have the Land Cruiser's dictator-toting swagger
• Open frame
The 4Runner has the best of both worlds! It's a world platform, lots of secure space, just as capable as the Tacoma (if not a little more so), luxurious (in the right trim), smaller than the Land Cruiser, has the bulletproof V6, fully boxed frame, etc. etc. The only negative things compared to the other two do is the lack of swagger from the Land Cruiser, and the IFS of the Tacoma. Assuming the Land Cruiser IS the best there is, why is the Tacoma #2 and not the 4Runner? You could even argue that the 4Runner is better because it doesn't have the mechanical flaws of the Land Cruiser, gets much better fuel economy, has parts available everywhere, and has the fully boxed frame... The only downside between the two is the IFS, which really isn't that much of a downside with proper preparation and care....