The bullet proof truck

I may go against the grain here a bit...

I've owned/own a 99, 98 and 04 tacoma, now my 3rd gen 4runner.

In April this year, I totaled my 2015 Tacoma I was daily driving. I hit a tree stump after a substantial build up, it compressed the truck vertically and horizontally. The seat headrests were touching. It saved my life ultimately.

Prior to the wreck, I had complaints with the corporate office for quality control issues. I paid $2500 for the premium audio, which sounded ok for a factory system. It was just easier to roll into financing then dealing with new-edge integration. The truck had HORRIBLE rattling issues. Every door, panel, shit was popping off pillar trim, squeaking. This was from day 1. It was totaled with about 1200 miles on it.

I ended up being told by 5 dealerships they would charge me hourly ($100ish) to disassemble and reassemble the interior and wedge foam pieces in to absorb vibrations? WTF? I spent $400 and bought high quality sound deadening and did the truck myself. Considering it was a $34k truck, I expected better.

EVERY SINGLE one of my 1st gen Tacoma's and now my 3rd gen 4runner have NO rattles, anywhere from 80k-215k miles. My 4runner has no rattles with a 2000 RMS watt system. I still like Toyota, and their value holding reputation, but the newer stuff just isn't as good in my opinion.
 
My mother's 2008 Camry is not even worth wearing the Toyota badge in comparison to my 99 4runner. Not even in the same class. She actually liked the 92 Camry most of all.

As much as I like my 2004 Tundra it isn't built as well as my 4runner.

I'd say a lot of the engineering prowess I have in my 4runner today is found in Lexus, albeit at a much higher price.
 
MONTYMTB said:
I've read/listened to some of his advice, and I don't think he would recommend that you sell a dependable, paid for vehicle that's worth 5 grand.
Click to expand...

I've heard him say it before, more than once. Then again, it was in relation to being gazelle intense in debt elimination, to become debt-free in under 5 years. I've been listening to him for years and have seen him in person at one of his live events. I've got a pretty good idea about what he'd say to my specific situation.

Back on topic:
where does one go about sourcing bulletproof glass? :gun4:
 
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My dad bought a new 96 limited and he had it for 11 years and 330 000 kms. He only changed the starter contacts and the retracting antenna. I have so many memories in that truck, its partially why I just bought one recently.
 
There is definitely a stark difference in the build quality of Toyotas built here compared to the ones that come from Japan.

My mom's '08 Avalon was built in the states felt (in fact, I think all were for this chassis), and I remember so many small bits and pieces on the car were loose and rattling at only 16K miles. The floormats had "Avalon" glued onto them instead of stitched. And, this is supposed to be their flagship model. Right.
 
IDK about you all but 3rd gen are loved so much. I have ppl trying to buy mine from me all the freaking time.. They usually come rolling up in there 2015 Tundra eye balling my rig like a piece of steak drives me crazy. I won't sell it because I hate car payments
 
I hope the 3rd gen sticks around for a while. As someone else just stated, Toyota and other Asian companies now manufacturing in the US has made their quality go to shit. The good old days are gone.
 
99Runnr said:
I may go against the grain here a bit...

I've owned/own a 99, 98 and 04 tacoma, now my 3rd gen 4runner.

In April this year, I totaled my 2015 Tacoma I was daily driving. I hit a tree stump after a substantial build up, it compressed the truck vertically and horizontally. The seat headrests were touching. It saved my life ultimately.

Prior to the wreck, I had complaints with the corporate office for quality control issues. I paid $2500 for the premium audio, which sounded ok for a factory system. It was just easier to roll into financing then dealing with new-edge integration. The truck had HORRIBLE rattling issues. Every door, panel, shit was popping off pillar trim, squeaking. This was from day 1. It was totaled with about 1200 miles on it.

I ended up being told by 5 dealerships they would charge me hourly ($100ish) to disassemble and reassemble the interior and wedge foam pieces in to absorb vibrations? WTF? I spent $400 and bought high quality sound deadening and did the truck myself. Considering it was a $34k truck, I expected better.

EVERY SINGLE one of my 1st gen Tacoma's and now my 3rd gen 4runner have NO rattles, anywhere from 80k-215k miles. My 4runner has no rattles with a 2000 RMS watt system. I still like Toyota, and their value holding reputation, but the newer stuff just isn't as good in my opinion.
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Of note... Tacoma's ...made in the US since '95, all 4Runners...made in Japan. Makes one wonder...

As for bulletproof? I just rolled 520,000 kms from new (323,000 miles)!
And all I've done through it's life is starter once, alternator twice and just replaced the radiator for the 1st time. That's it other than your regular maintenance.
 
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wc11 said:
Of note... Tacoma's ...made in the US since '95, all 4Runners...made in Japan. Makes one wonder...

As for bulletproof? I just rolled 520,000 kms from new (323,000 miles)!
And all I've done through it's life is starter once, alternator twice and just replaced the radiator for the 1st time. That's it other than your regular maintenance.
Click to expand...

I work with a guy who's Tundra(04 I think) just hit 428K miles, original engine, heads, trans and rear end. Lot's of maintenance and it needs CATs, but pretty amazing, and the paint is still shiny except on the hood!

And I have a 95 Tacoma, actually it's my wife's, but 228K and still going strong. Not without some foibles, but it will never leave the family because it was her Dad's before he passed.
 
The Tacoma may be US built versus the 4runner Japanese built.

I don't believe there is major quality differences simply because all 3 of my first gen Tacoma's were great, to my 1 experience with 4runners. My only beef was with a brand new 2015 Tacoma.

I'd definitely side with the "good old days are gone" statement. I also feel the same with my 98 Civic. Tighter car then my 2014 Civic I got rid of for the Tacoma was in general. Gets the same gas mileage too, why spend 10 times the money for the same results?
 
99Runnr said:
I'd definitely side with the "good old days are gone" statement. I also feel the same with my 98 Civic. Tighter car then my 2014 Civic I got rid of for the Tacoma was in general. Gets the same gas mileage too, why spend 10 times the money for the same results?
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I feel the exact same way. My dad has a 1993 T100 standard cab, standard transmission with the extended 8' longbox with only 98,000 miles on it, and it runs better than our 2010 Rav4 that we have. It's unfortunate to see this kind of quality go down hill, even in cars nowadays!
 
This is a true story. The names of the people involved have been changed to protect the innocent.....HAHAHAHA

I ordered a brand new, fully loaded Chevy Tahoe. The Friday I picked it up, I drove 6 miles and the front fender flare blew off. The next day (Saturday) took it to the dealer and they said they would fix it on Monday. Got on the interstate and drove 10 miles and the other fender flare blew off. That Monday (2 days later) I had the window down on the way to the dealership. My cell phone rang and when I went to roll up the window, the motor was burned out. (less than 45 miles on the truck at this point) One month into ownership of this new “heap” the finish rubbed off the leather seats. (Dealer said it was a “wear and tear item). I protested and threatened the Lemon Law. They fixed it. Three months in, the alternator went out on the way to the airport for an overseas business trip. Three months and 1 day later, it was up for sale through a Consignment Chevrolet Dealer. Truck sold after a month. The guy who bought it brought it back a week later and told them it was a Lemon. For what it is worth, the truck “looked awesome” but I would not depend on it to drive me to my mailbox. Garbage/Junk/Trash

Now,….my 2000 T4R LTD 4WD has had zero issues. Same transmission, same engine, same fuel pump, same power steering pump……great gas mileage, no squeaks or rattles, looks as good as the day I bought it. I am all for American made stuff but when I invest my hard earned $$$, I want it to last. I will NEVER purchase a GM product again. 261K+ on my T4R and running like new…..!

There are reasons our 3rd gens get so much attention: they look good and people know they are "bulletproof". If I could find a woman as reliable as my truck, I would marry her!!!!
 
+2.
Talking with coworkers, it seems a large proportion of the 1990s Japanese (Toyota and Honda in my statistical sample) autos were better than their 2000s models. In both reliability and quality of materials.
Enough so that I'm torn between buying a second 3rd gen 4Runner or a 1990s Lexus sedan. Gently used and moderately priced versions of both are going to be hard to find in the near future.
 
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