TOYOTA T100

In 1995 the Toyota T100 pickup swept aside the competition in the Initial Quality Study from market research firm J.D. Power & Associates: first in full-size pickups.

It was the second straight year the T100 had been ranked first among pickup owners reporting the number of problems they experienced during the first 90 days of ownership. That same model year, Toyota added an an extended cab version of the T100 pickup.

Truth is, the T100 never had a problem with build quality or reliability. But exceptional quality wasn't enough to make the T100 a best-seller, or even close to one. For one thing, the original T100, launched in 1993, lacked power. For another, Toyota waited two years to offer an Xtracab version. For a third, the T100 was pricey compared to the competition from Ford, Dodge and General Motors.

Well, prices didn't go down in '95, but power went up. A bigger V6 (3.4-litre) was rated at 190 horsepower and 220 pounds-foot of torque. That compared to the previous 3.0-litre V6 that developed 150 horsepower and 180 lbs-ft of torque. A major league jump, but no V8 was ever offered with the T100.

The revised '95 V6 was essentially the old engine bored out for more displacement (stroke stayed the same). Toyota's engineers also threw in longer intake runners, a bigger air cleaner and played with the fuel injection to boost power while maintaining essentially the same fuel economy.

So if you're looking at a used T100, the first tip I offer is to shop for V6 models offered from '95 onward. At the same time, if power is in any way an issue, avoid T100s with the 2.7-litre inline four-cylinder engine. I'd also recommend the Xtracab, which comes with a rear seat divided into two sections.

Both seat sections flip up to allow a choice of passenger/cargo configurations. Each outer seating position in the rear comes with three-point safety belts, while there's a lap belt for the centre position. As well, the rear seat backrest has a 15-degree recline instead of the usual bolt-upright arrangement. It's a small thing, but it makes a difference. Nicely done.

And there are a few other reasons to look for '95-and-newer T100s. Among them a standard driver's side airbag arrived, along with optional four-wheel anti-lock braking that works both in two- and four-wheel-drive mode.

Other than that, the T100 was in 1995 what it was in 1994 and '93. The cabin was tidy and comfortable, if not exactly luxurious. All the pieces of the hard plastic dash fit together well, as do all the pieces of this truck -- period. The seat fabrics have proven especially rugged, although a bit of lumbar support for the seats themselves would have been a welcome addition.

The engine- The extra horses under the hood will be welcomed by any pickup owner, particularly for those of the trailer-towing ilk. Speaking of which, the tow rating was 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds).

But the T100 was always best working with Martha Stewart-like gardening loads, where its road manners were very good. There is nothing particularly sophisticated about the T100's suspension (the rear layout is, as expected, made up of good, ol' leaf springs), but the whole package was well-tuned for ride comfort.

Speaking of packages, the best equipped SR5 models came with tilt steering, a full-size spare, AM/FM stereo with four speakers, adjustable shoulder belts, front tow hook, a rear step bumper, front/rear splash guards, and a six-foot cargo bed.
What you're not likely to get with a T100 is a whole lot of problems. There was never a recall for this pickup phased out in '98 and only a handful of service bulletins - the most noteworthy of which concerns a cylinder head gasket issue that also applies to many other Toyota V6 truck engines of the same generation. Overall, though, if you're looking for a reliable truck for light applications, a used T100 would be a nice find. 

CURRENT RED BOOK PRICING (avg. retail): TOYOTA T100 XTRACAB SR5 4x4 unless otherwise indicated
1999-NA
1998-$24,450 ($33,778 original MSRP) 
1997-$21,275 ($33,218)
1996-$17,575 ($32,208)
1995-$13,975 ($24,678) regular cab
1994-$11,775 ($23,448) ibid
1993-$9,400 ($23,448) 

BUYER'S ALERTS: Be aware of a head gasket issue with V6-powered trucks (EG00298, Feb. '98; TC99002, Jan. '99; BO01597, April '97). Also look for automatic transmissions that may produce a chatter noise when shifted out of reverse and into either neutral or park (TC00198, Feb. '98).
For recalls: None

THE VERDICT: the T100 is Toyota's first entry into the North American full-size pickup market. Lack of a V8 engine hurt sales at launch and continues to do so. But for medium duty, the T100 is a reliable performer with average ownership costs and a very good crash test rating.

CHECK THE SPECS
1995 TOYOTA T100 SR5

Market segment: full-size pickup.
Typical market competition: Ford F-series, Dodge Ram and General Motors C/K pickups (Chevrolet and GMC).\
Engine: (front engine/rear wheel drive) 3.4-litre 24-valve V6 with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC); electronic fuel injection; 190 hp at 4,800 rpm; torque rated at 220 lbs-ft at 3,600 rpm.
Transmission: five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic.
Steering: power-assisted, recirculating ball.
Brakes: front disc\rear drum with optional four-wheel anti-lock braking (ABS).
Tires: P235/75R15 Dunlop mud & snow radials.
Fuel economy: (litres/100 km) 14.3 city/ 11.3 highway or 20/25 mpg.
Wheelbase: 3,095 mm (121.8 in.).
Curb weight: 1,832 kg. (4,040 lbs).

Pros
* Tops in quality 
* Among the best of its time for ride and handling
* Nifty jump seat in Xtracab

Cons
* No V8 
* No drama in the styling (for drama, think of the Dodge Ram)

OVERALL SCORE: 8.0 (out of 10)

ROAD TEST REPORT CARD for 
Access: B
Driving position: B 
Instruments/Controls: B+ 
Visibility: B+
Climate Control: B 
Steering: B-
Brakes: B
Handling: B 
Acceleration: C 
Engine: B
Transmission: C+ 
Interior space: C+
Trunk/Cargo: B
Noise/Vibration/Harshness: B+

DURABILITY/RELIABILITY REPORT CARD 
Overall: A-
Mechanical: A- 
Hardware/Body/Paint/Trim: B+

SAFETY REPORT CARD
Anti-lock braking: available
Airbags (driver/passenger): yes/no ('95) 
Traction control: part-time four-wheel drive available
Driver/Passenger Front Crash Protection (0-5 stars with five stars the best): four stars/five stars ('95)

INSURANCE HISTORY
Collision cost rating: NA
Comprehensive cost rating: NA
Theft claim cost rating: NA