The Toyota T100 is the Forgotten Truck That You Should Buy

[@zachc8706]

I have a 1995 T100. 3.4 six, long bed, 5 speed, and 4 x 4. The thing has 282k miles; It won’t die. This was the best 4 grand I ever spent on a car.

[@Trustme-im-forklift-certified]

You wanna sell it? Lol... seriously though

[@isaaccarlson7109]

just hit 240k on my truck exact same!

[@zachc8706]

@@Trustme-im-forklift-certified The funny thing is, if I sold it I’d buy the same exact truck. Haha.

[@djjumpe]

@@zachc8706 IKR!

[@mwgcubs]

I like how you stated that the Tundra success all Started with the t100. Very true man

[@HeiloBrandes]

This truck is so underrated. I am glad I own one of them

[@ypk1580]

Well said! The T100 is very much overlooked when people are in the market for a Toyota truck. We got a midspec 96 DLX 2wd and it pulls well for what it is. Without the extra weight of the front diff on the 4wd models, from a stop it has plenty of power to get up to speed. 295k miles and runs strong. Will be in need of a tuneup soon

[@charlesbarr3561]

My 97 T100 has 309k+. She had 287k when I bought her. Everything works: A/C, power windows, etc... I'm trying to repaint it, one panel at a time. Hopefully by the time I get to the last panel, I'll actually know how to do it well... LOL

[@johnm4579]

I had two of the T100 pickup trucks. By far it's best pickup I've ever owned. The 3400 V6 engine was more then enough for me as a daily driver and doing work around the house. I had a DX, and then traded it in for SR5 extra cab and it was loaded. I liked the T100 old style look to it. I'd buy it again if Toyota put out new T100, My old truck is still on road with 235,000 mile and going strong.

[@heinzkitzvelvet]

Outstanding review. I have a 97, white SR5 4WD, just like this one, but automatic. Bought it at auction for $1800 8 years ago and I will NEVER get rid of it. First pickup truck I ever bought, first 4wd too. Had 267,000 miles. Speedometer cable was broke for 4 years, then I finally fixed it. I'm sure it has well over 300,000 by now, but doesn't show it on the ODO. But today, TODAY I got, in the mail, a full set of OEM mudflaps!! In PRISTINE condition. I've been looking for them since I bought the truck and now I finally have them. I'm so excited to put them on.

[@shigashide]

If you're out in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery, a friend can push the truck and then you pop the clutch with trans in 2nd gear to start the motor. That's why the button is labeled "Clutch Start Cancel". Thank you for the down to earth reviews of forgotten goodness!

[@americanchallenger]

Thanks for the comment. The owner had to do that once when a shop incorrectly installed the starter in his car.

[@levigarrett5614]

The clutch start cancel is for difficult hill starts. Just put it in gear and the truck will briefly be driven off the starter until the engine takes over. It's in the owners manual

[@mrbriggs68]

Clutch start cancel is not for pop starting it to start without having to hold a clutch to start

[@speeedy95]

​@mrbriggs68 or if clutch goes out my dad and his brothers have had the clutches go out while driving in the past they had to use that to restart.

[@dp9948]

​@@levigarrett5614what??😂😂

[@katieg1763]

I bought a ‘96 T-100, manual, 4x4 x cab in ‘99. I still have it. It does have a 2 hour back seat. Whenever I’m at a gas station, someone always asks me if it’s for sale. I always say “sorry no” ❤ 284,000 + miles and runs like a top! aww

[@drwisdom1]

We moved to the Colorado mountains and I decided I could use a pickup truck, so I got an 88 Toyota Pickup off craigslist. I used it much more than I expected, but it was a stripper that had no features, not even a cigarette lighter. Its two problems were it was RWD so I couldn't use it in the snow and it didn't have cruise control and my right leg would get tired. So I got a green 97 T100 off craigslist like in this video (4WD, manual) and sold the 88 Pickup. It is really handy for my needs - carrying things, when we get a lot of snow, and Home Depot runs. While the steering wheel is still in great shape, I got a nice leather cover so I don't have to touch plastic. After 25 years the driver's side of the split bench seat had sagged some. So I replaced the driver's side seat with a Recaro Style I had laying around. It gives me an excellent view and is super comfortable. I got a bluetooth dongle off Amazon for $18. It goes in the cigarette lighter and you tune your radio to it. Now I can stream and have hands free phone conversations (except you still have to use the phone to dial and pickup incoming calls). I also got a phone mount which sits just above the center vents. I scan the local pick-a-part junkyard and a few years ago a wrecked green T100 showed up. I got the matching Leer topper made for the T100, with Thule roof racks, in great condition for $90. I got a set of studded snow tires off craigsllist with about 67% of the tread on 3rd gen 4Runner alloy wheels for $175. Registration is $65/year. The T100 is cheap to operate! The only thing that really costs is gas, but it gets about 20 mpg which isn't terrible for a pickup, and it is my second vehicle.

[@americanchallenger]

Great story. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@jjohnson2560]

Should of kept both

[@drwisdom1]

@@jjohnson2560 But I had too many vehicles. Plus it was perfect for the kid I sold it to. My wife wouldn't ride in the 88 pickup because it lacked air conditioning. She couldn't drive it because the bench seat would put my face in the windshield.

[@Kyle_AZ]

My father has a green model almost identical to this one, however he has the supercharger that was a dealer option. Only has ever changed the head gasket and oil with some smaller stuff that I cant think of as of now. Even the clutch is still factory lol. We went skiing in it as I was growing up every season with other camping/fishing and offroading mixed in. It has put on almost 289k milesand still counting. Runs like a champ and will (probably) never die.

[@dsteward85]

My old neighbor still has his 1997 T-100. It's a base model, blue, standard cab, 2wd automatic with the 3.0l V6. Such a cool truck

[@jaden5137]

I've got a 1996 3.4 4WD T100 automatic with 182k Miles. It's a pretty rough truck and it has it's problems but I love it. It's a beast off road and it's got decent power.

[@cember01]

My 97 T100 is almost identical to that. Just 2wd and auto. Had it since new. Only about 70kmi. Yeah, great truck..looks nice, runs nice, not too exciting. Yeah, that motor is gaining quite a reputation. It's a keeper.

[@willytodd2750]

never sell that lmao

[@curtgomes]

I bought my T100 SR5 almost 30years ago. It's exact;y like the one in this photo, including color, except mine is a 2 wheel drive. I still own this truck and I absolutely love it. It has never failed me in 30 years.

[@jasonrojas2176]

I had a 4cyl t100 stick shift 8ft bed , ohh how I miss that truck , got it free off of Craigslist , just had to pay for back taxes , clutch was slipping, I didn’t have money to fix it when I found it, nor did I know how to drive stick . Literally had to learn stick and started working in bee keeping , the owner paid for a new clutch so I could be a asset to his company 😢, was such a blessing. I fucking love humboldt county California,for that ! I currently have Toyota Sienna 2009 and I want a t100 now for off roading 😅, thank you for the video, brought back so many memories 😊

[@sweetwilliam49]

I own this truck in a 97 automatic, my second one actually! Can’t beat em! They are becoming very hard to find!

[@adamhubbard9702]

This truck was also available in the 2.7l 3RZ which I is a 4 cylinder. That’s what mine is and gets 20+ MPG

[@MattMorris481]

Clutch start cancel is for starting on a hill off road or where ever you don’t want to roll backwards into something.

[@ThroughTheTreesTTV]

I'm currently working on a 96 sr5 t100 so the 3.4l 4wd. Honestly I'm in love and it's getting better every day. Soon to be an overlander. My only complaint so far, everything works and is easy to be repaired the parts are cheap if you know where to look so it makes me feel like I'm not doing anything and I find myself scouting for some "project" to do to it

[@swamp_rat_fla1126]

I don’t miss my manual in my 99’ Tacoma 4x4….especially in gridlock traffic on the interstate highway! Bought new Tacoma SR5 4x4 in 1999….drove it for almost 18 yrs and 350,000 miles. Bought 17’ Tacoma TRD Pro…..Toyota makes the best trucks bar none. I’ve always wanted a T-100 4x4.

[@carolynhinson7648]

I love my T100. Paid $2800 for mine and it's still going strong. 3.4L 6.5ft bed, 2wd, automatic. It's perfect for my needs and does not miss a beat. 253k miles so far, hopefully another quarter million to go.

[@Snake_theJake]

Good video, man. I'm currently driving a 98 model just like this, except mine is automatic and has a camper shell. Almost 300k miles on the original engine. Just had it serviced at my local Toyota dealer and they said engine and trans still looks great. It is pretty sluggish, but otherwise a great truck. Believe this was the last Toyota truck made in Japan and imported for sale in US, which is part of what resulted in higher MSRP/low sales for the T100.

[@garyg.3391]

Hey Snake do you have any info on the camper shell? I'd like to get one for my 97.

[@donnovicki9771]

I drive an 07 CM 4x4 as my daily driver, with 222,000 on it, but I have been looking to find one of these as a collector truck. A clean one is hard to find but I know they are out there. The T-100 was a great truck.

[@speeedy95]

Same I've been looking for 1 to mainly for a daily. My current is a 13 5.7 Tundra TRD 4x4 crewmax 194,779 miles 6mpg plus constant money pit radiator 5 just exploded on me.

[@danhuss1099]

I found one of these gems last year down in Kansas. Regular cab 4c4 5 speed a real truck! Amazingly the truck only had 119k miles very low for a 30 year old pickup

[@davidschmitz2920]

I purchased my 1998 T-100 SR5 brand new from the dealer and still love it. It only has 171,000 miles since I have a second better gas mileage vehicle that I drive as well.

[@douglaspalmer8188]

I have two of these, both 96' models. Both the same color, both with ladder racks. One with 530,000+ miles which I have been driving since 2015. The other with under 200,000. I bought the other as a backup but "Trusty" won't quit!!😎

[@armankordi]

Best pickup I've ever owned. I have the 59 Xtracab 3.4 with a 5 speed but 2wd. Still a great pickup for hauling. Have pulled smaller cars behind it.

[@aGoodDisguise]

The 97’ was my first car at 16 and I still have it running 4 years later. This truck is the best vehicle I’ve owned (I’ve had a 2020 mustang btw)

[@cometcal2]

I really like the "notchy" shifting on early Toyota stick shifts.

[@americanchallenger]

@@cometcal2 I agree!

[@BBQROCKSTAR178]

I’ve got an all original 2001 Tundra SR5 w/ the 3400 engine. Bought it w/ 4 miles on it. Now about 274k…pulled a trailer for about 18 years too. I just cannot justify giving up on this truck when there’s so much life left, when my new target vehicles are around $80,000.

[@Strawman333]

Great truck. Times are so different now unfortunately. Thanks for this!

[@heismyrefuge1027]

I had a 1995 T100, really great truck but was a 2wd. I ended up selling it to buy a 2004 1st gen tundra double cab 4x4 with the 4.7… I really love the tundra with the more powerful v8 and I built it for over-landing. If I was to do a rock crawler build id love to pick up a t100 and swap in solid axles turn it into a truggy with 40s.

[@CharlieThatsMe]

I have a 97 t100 4x4 manaul in white. I also live in New Mexico. Great vid!

[@charlesbarr3561]

Oh, I need to throw this in, in case anyone runs into it. I was under my truck spraying some rust inhibitor when I noticed the inside of the rear right wheel was wet. When I took off the wheel and the drum, it was SOAKED in gear oil. ...Long story short, there is a vent tube on the rear diff housing that can clog. If that happens, pressure will build once the diff gets warm, and force the gear oil past the axle seals. Easy, free fix. Removed the tube (it's really a valve, all metal), clean it and reinstall.

[@indydave1849]

Thanks for the tip. I have a '98 4wd with 144k on it. The only items i have had to replace is the timing belt, starter, and one rear axle seal, front brake pads. shocks and 1 set of spark plugs. Being 6'1'' and now in my 60's I do wish truck had more leg room and higher door frame opening for ease of access. Ride quality could be better as well.

[@CK-sh9cd]

Nice review just got one of these, can’t wait to start my adventure with it

[@americanchallenger]

Thanks dude. You will love it :)

[@TheShowtime85]

What year and mileage?

[@garyg.3391]

Nice review, the 5vz-fe is under powered by today's standard. They do have that longevity though. In our little county of 20k I've seen 6 others running around. 342k on my 97 T100 and 400k on my 96 4runner.

[@chadschrum1306]

Great video I liked your comment about the manual an about not having buttons everywhere an having character. There a fun truck to drive with manual . I subscribed as soon as I I saw the video

[@americanchallenger]

Thanks so much for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@garybraswell6571]

I certainly love mine! Thanks

[@AimlessQuotes]

You are damn wellspoken, even if you had lines your delivery is great.

[@americanchallenger]

Thank you. It's one of the things I work hardest on getting right. Glad you enjoyed.

[@robertcoleman5149]

I bought mine new in 1997 T100 4x4 SR5 5speed manual. Still have it 132K miles. I will drive it till I kill it.

[@sammylaguna1388]

Great review!

[@Jackdaniel00]

Such a heavenly truck

[@ExtremeRecluse]

I had a 1995 T-100. It rotted out from underneath me. The control arms collapsed while driving it. I junked it for $500.

[@kandaharenglish2595]

Toyotas from the 90’s are something different.

[@Joseph-lb8bt]

Any one can talk but a truck built in Japan is the best. I have a 1998 T100 extra cab 4x4 and I take care of it religiously. Nothing last unless you take care of it. Now a days toyota may have lost its touch by building the new gen trucks in USA.

[@justing6594]

I'm looking to either buy a t100 or a first gen tacoma. Are t100 parts readily available?

[@djjumpe]

Uh, they made base model 2.7L long bed. Just pick one up a 2.7L 5spd w/ 258k miles. A rare gem and only weigh 3320lbs!

[@americanchallenger]

They did! This one in the video happens to be the higher trim. Excellent truck you have! Enjoy it.

[@TheLakers808]

Does the t100 have a full four door and what year and is all the t100 trucks 8ft bed?.

[@heinzkitzvelvet]

No four doors. I believe an 8ft need could be had with all production models. Regular cab, 8 ft bed. Xtra cab, 6 ft bed. Xtra cabs came out in 1995 or 96 I believe.

[@breaku]

I have a 95 just going around seeing if anybody has any suggestions for upgrades

[@3ofus135]

What is your height? Just curious if my 5'8 son could ride comfortably in the back for 4 hour trips.

[@americanchallenger]

@@3ofus135 5'10"

[@devinsalsedo3325]

Love my 3.4 manual 4x4

[@RandyCupit]

Got a Toyota Tacoma 97 T100 3400 four Cam 24 engine Automatic X-Cab truck mine change coil pack ignition module ignition lighter fuel pump fuel regulator injectors spark plugs,crank run but step on gas pedal die every time want run wait hour crank run but soon as step on gas pedal die every time

[@williampinner1893]

Drove one for 18 years.460 plus thousand miles. Wish I never got rid of it.

[@zugzug6773]

a 98 with 200k for 4 grand here, I'm thinking about it

[@willytodd2750]

did you? I just bought a 95 with 270k for 3.5k. It's 1 owner in really clean condition just a lot of miles.

[@JMCSuburbanofficial]

I didn't know this truck existed until 3 minutes ago lmao

[@stevensides88]

When trucks were trucks instead of status symbols.

[@mrbriggs68]

It was always funny when it was called a full size truck it's technically a mid size truck

[@bootscootinboogie4186]

Can’t find a good connection one for under 10k-20k

[@jamesnunez6607]

I have a 1995 4WD DX !!

[@savsnode2811]

Infamous? You should look up the definition of that word.

[@americanchallenger]

Lol, yeah not my best work.

[@DropTheBunny]

Toyota originally wanted to call it the T150 but Ford threatened to sue.

[@rasheedsalako6128]

Toyota actually wanted to call the first generation tundra T150.

[@thebassclef007]

You can still get a new stick shift Tacoma in 2023!

[@drwisdom1]

Used to be the cheapest lowest level versions of vehicles had manual transmissions. Now you have to get the more expensive higher level version to get the manual. Which is an expense I am willing to pay.

[@rodolfodelgado203]

I have one

[@teokastelan2930]

No. The clutch is not engaged in the engine must work harder to start.

[@zoy13]

GV

[@lukerose5190]

Toyota glazer

[@devinsalsedo3325]

Love my 3.4 manual 4x4