T100 History

[H2O_MAN]

After racking up 201360 miles on my 1996 T100 I sold it yesterday.
It was my first pickup truck and should easily go another 200K.


I hope my Tundra serves me as well as my T100 did.

[H2O_MAN]

Originally Posted by H2O_MAN

After racking up 201360 miles on my 1996 T100 I sold it yesterday.
It was my first pickup truck and should easily go another 200K.

If you are interested in the T100 and its history visit My T100 Web Site
while it's still up and running.

I hope my Tundra serves me as well as my T100 did.

The T100 history has been moved HERE

My T100 items for sale are located HERE

[H2O_MAN]

Bump -- T100 history and FAQ's plus items for sale.

New link to replace dead link

[Vell_Bruixot]

Hello H2O man and all the T100 ships at sea:

You [H2O man] indicated that you had more than 200,000 miles on your T100 and I believe that mine (150,000 miles now) should do the same. I like it more than the newer Tundras. I am thinking of taking it with me for the next 5 years at a new job in a dusty part of southern South America, mindful of the fact that there is no dealer support down there (I have to provide my own transportation, has to be substantial pickup, and I acknowledge the criticism I will get for importing an unsuppported model - my second choice would be to buy a Hilux 4x4 diesel down there). I would appreciate comments from knowledgeable folk with T100 experience on these points: Bearing in mind that I am not made of money, I nevertheless would like to invest in preemptive strikes on some "likely to fail" items, either by replacing them now on the vehicle, or by carrying spares. The T100 is third hand and has seen very little off-pavement driving, and while the last owner was very kind to it, I have no service records or technical manuals showing service intervals. Thus a shop manual recommendation is also welcomed. By way of starting the discussion and my list, I would consider replacing the water pump now, before shipping the truck south. Thinking: (1) get the torque done properly on assembly and drive a bit to assure things done right, and (2) know that I have the correct replacement, keeping the core as emergency spare and model for any future emergency re-order. Quick list (besides obvious belts, fluids, plugs, filters, bulbs, shocks, etc) also includes replacing tierod ends now and confirming alignment (was there a tierod recall for 1997s? details?) , replacing alternator and bringing rebuild kit(s) for the core. Any maintenance items that often go overlooked on the T100? Frequent failure or weak points? Your spares recommendations? Good shocks ? (not necessarily the most expensive, please). Headlamp and front end rock protection suggestions? Underside vulnerabilities to rocks picked up while driving gravel ? (no rock crawling, or deep water fording beyond about 20 inches). Places to watch for incipient rust and any countermeasures? I will be near salt water spray. OH YES... very important... would like to add about 10-15 gallon aux fuel capacity - underside, not in bed or in fuel cans. Many, many thanks, in advance.

[THarms]

1) change out ALL the fluids to 100% synthetic (Amsoil highly recommended, shoot me a pm if you can't find a local source). This includes tranny, transfer case, front/rear differentials, power steering fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze (go with the 5year stuff and use a 60antifreeze:40 water mix so you get max additives), and the hydraulic clutch fluid if its a 5sp manual. You should be able to do all of this yourself.

2) Get the timing belt, alternator/AC/power steering belts and water pump changed. The new water pump should be good for 120K+ miles.

3) New shocks (highly recommend Bilsteins... pricey but the best on the mkt).

4) Upgrade the spark plugs to dual platinum.

5) Replace the brake pads/shoes (oem toyota are about as good as anything).

6) Beyond that, everything else would just be considered spare parts (ie oil, oil filters, air filters, belts, possibly a spare alternator, set of brake pads for the front (shoes on the rear should last a long time), Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF), etc.

My '95 T-100 is quickly closing in on 150K miles and all I've done is changed the oil, antifreeze (3x), timing belt (2x), water pump (1x) and brakes (1x). I've also replaced all the tranny, diff fluids 1X. Besides the headgasket recall, the only thing that has actually failed is the Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) went out on me last summer. Truck runs as good now as the day I drove it off the lot with <10miles on the odometer. The are very rock solid trucks if you do the std maintenance on them.

[Vell_Bruixot]

Thanks THarms. Some of those items were on my list but you have added details and specifics and that is much appreciated. Regarding front brake pads, there are many aftermarket types but you indicated OEM. Any types out there to avoid? Also, on the subject of below-bed aux fuel tank I have not found anything anywhere. Perhaps someone has stumbled onto something? The reason: gasoline is about 1/3 cheaper on the Argentine side of Patagonia right now, and I will be living on the Chilean side quite close to a frontier crossing. Chilean customs won't let you bring in fuel in anything but the original tank (no jerrycans allowed).
- Also, any thoughts on very high-mileage standard or near standard size tires? Most travel will be gravel roads with some pavement. What is the consensus about injector spares, bearing in mind that I have 150K miles now? Prevailing wisdom seems to be if fuel is kept clean that injectors will normally last longer than 300K miles?
Many thanks again -

[H2O_MAN]

Originally Posted by Vell_Bruixot

Hello H2O man and all the T100 ships at sea:

You [H2O man] indicated that you had more than 200,000 miles on your T100 and I believe that mine (150,000 miles now) should do the same.

Hello Vell_Bruixot,

I sold my T100 with about 201K to a local man and still see it on the road from time to time.
The new owner uses it as a daily driver and hunting truck.

I suggest you get all of your service up to date.
Keep it simple and whenever possible keep it OE stock.
Stock up on air and oil filters.
It would not hurt to have a new fuel filter installed and carry a spare.
Get the updated center/drag link installed.
OE brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums and wheel bearings.
Bilstein shocks
Michelin tires: If you have or can get 16" OE steel rims, I suggest the LT215/85R16/E XPS Traction tires.

Try a local custom speed shop for your fuel tank needs - they should be able to point you in the right direction.

I check in later if I think of anything else.

HTH ~

[THarms]

I've been very happy with the BF Goodrich LongTrail T/A's on my truck. They have just over 70K miles on them now and will probably last another 20-30K miles if I wear them all the way down to the indicators. However, with more offroad type driving I would probably recommend the Michelin LTX M/S tires that have a little more aggressive tread design and I would expect them to wear about the same. They are about $30 more per tire than the LongTrail's.. but you always will end up paying more for Michelins. Either tire is widely available.

[X-runner]

Awesome info on the T100 H20man.

I didnt know they were made in Japan. My dad still drives his '98 T100 and has only around 50k on it.

[H2O_MAN]

Originally Posted by X-runner

Awesome info on the T100 H20man.

I didnt know they were made in Japan.
My dad still drives his '98 T100 and has only around 50k on it.

Thanks X-runner.

That '98 is a keeper!

[ron f]

Originally Posted by Vell_Bruixot

Hello H2O man and all the T100 ships at sea:

You [H2O man] indicated that you had more than 200,000 miles on your T100 and I believe that mine (150,000 miles now) should do the same. I like it more than the newer Tundras. I am thinking of taking it with me for the next 5 years at a new job in a dusty part of southern South America, mindful of the fact that there is no dealer support down there (I have to provide my own transportation, has to be substantial pickup, and I acknowledge the criticism I will get for importing an unsuppported model - my second choice would be to buy a Hilux 4x4 diesel down there). I would appreciate comments from knowledgeable folk with T100 experience on these points: Bearing in mind that I am not made of money, I nevertheless would like to invest in preemptive strikes on some "likely to fail" items, either by replacing them now on the vehicle, or by carrying spares. The T100 is third hand and has seen very little off-pavement driving, and while the last owner was very kind to it, I have no service records or technical manuals showing service intervals. Thus a shop manual recommendation is also welcomed. By way of starting the discussion and my list, I would consider replacing the water pump now, before shipping the truck south. Thinking: (1) get the torque done properly on assembly and drive a bit to assure things done right, and (2) know that I have the correct replacement, keeping the core as emergency spare and model for any future emergency re-order. Quick list (besides obvious belts, fluids, plugs, filters, bulbs, shocks, etc) also includes replacing tierod ends now and confirming alignment (was there a tierod recall for 1997s? details?) , replacing alternator and bringing rebuild kit(s) for the core. Any maintenance items that often go overlooked on the T100? Frequent failure or weak points? Your spares recommendations? Good shocks ? (not necessarily the most expensive, please). Headlamp and front end rock protection suggestions? Underside vulnerabilities to rocks picked up while driving gravel ? (no rock crawling, or deep water fording beyond about 20 inches). Places to watch for incipient rust and any countermeasures? I will be near salt water spray. OH YES... very important... would like to add about 10-15 gallon aux fuel capacity - underside, not in bed or in fuel cans. Many, many thanks, in advance.

Hi... this is my first post here and I don't have a truck yet, but I'm thinking of getting a T100, as I've heard they're great trucks. Just for grins, take a look at some You Tube videos about the Hilux diesel pickup... it's pretty incredible the abuse the truck can survive! You might want to get the Hilux down there! Here are the links...
"Killing a Toyota, pt 1."
"Killing a Toyota, pt 2."
"Killing a Toyota, pt 3."

[jayrock]

I know this is an old post but i need info. I just purchased a 1996 T100 4x4 with 107000 miles. I was wondering were the heat range was on yours. Mine is right in the middle and i didnt know if this was hotter than usual. My last tacoma was lower than this. My other question is what kind of MPG did you receive. At the moment i am getting 12 MPG. I have done everything. New wires, plugs, filter, oil, fuel cleaner. It runs great but horrible MPG. Any thoughts and answered questions would be appreciated.

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by jayrock

I know this is an old post but i need info. I just purchased a 1996 T100 4x4 with 107000 miles. I was wondering were the heat range was on yours. Mine is right in the middle and i didnt know if this was hotter than usual. My last tacoma was lower than this. My other question is what kind of MPG did you receive. At the moment i am getting 12 MPG. I have done everything. New wires, plugs, filter, oil, fuel cleaner. It runs great but horrible MPG. Any thoughts and answered questions would be appreciated.

What plugs did you put in? Did you git the dual electrode Denso or NGK ones? This thread shows what yer plugs should've looked like when you got them. Single ground electrodes fer yer engine are NOT recommended.
How clean is that throttle body?
Did you put it on any diagnostic computer yet? There are a few computer based ones you can hook up to yer ODBII port. Most have a 30 day money back guarantee.
Stock exhaust?
Is the "Check Engine" light on? If so, you'll need to pull the codes.
How good is that O2 sensor? You can have the operation of that checked out through those diagnostic programs.
What tire sizes are you running? Do you know what yer differential ratio is?
Does this have a lift on it?
The current MPG that yer gitting...is this city, highway, or averaged?

That's just a few that I can come up with...

[hotshoe]

Just now retired my 97 T100 from work duty. 241000 miles and still going.All miles were done carrying 1200 lbs of blacksmith/farrier tools. Only ever had trouble with rear axel bearings. Got a 00 Tundra for new work truck. T100 will slowly become a camping expo rig. Watch for build thread.

Long live the T100's!!!!!!!!

[BamZipPow]

I just picked up a former work 1998 T-100 SR5 Xtra cab auto 2WD with 307k on it fer $2200. Had to replace all the shocks, clean the MAF/reset the ECU, clean the throttle body/IAC valve, clean the PCV valve. I got 15ish mpg on the highway fer the first tank before I did all my work. Now I'm just over 21mpg on the highway...slowly gitting there.

I believe the previous owner never changed out the original timing belt/water pump. It's the next thing on the list of things to do...

Gonna Auto-RX the engine, transmission, power steering, and differential when my order gits here.