That Cruiser is a beautiful thing. I actually ended up with my Montero SR (like the Cruiser) after being in Australia going through horrendous roads in one. It's a monster and goes anywhere, but the fuel economy is killing me! I get 14 or 15mpg on the best days on the highway, then it drops fast off road. If it were a standard I would keep it, but it's an auto, so I hate it. My wife loves it with the leather and sun roof and all the good looks.It is a huge rig too. Many of the roads I go on are tight and woodsy, or bad big rocks in the mud. It won't look good for long.

A smaller rig would be nice, with a 5 speed for sure and some fuel economy so it's not loaded in fuel cans. I like the TRD option! Will definitely post a pic of the new rig when I find it.

Here is the Montero that is going away if you're interested.

 

So, I'm going with a pickup over the 4Runner. It will carry more gear and is more flexible for different trips. Plus I can sleep in the bed, under a topper when needed. I liked driving the 4Runners, but they are noticeably heavier than the Tacomas. My dog is pissed to not be going with a 4Runner, but fits well in the ext. cab (only a 55lb. dog).

There are two I am working on prices for.
The first is a 2003 2.7L TRD with a ext. cab and topper already on it. Has 92K miles on it. It is White, so should stay cool in the Summer. At a dealership, so can trade the Montero away.
The other is a 2004 3.4L TRD with ext. cab and topper, and is Black. Has 77K miles. Sold by a guy I grew up with, so a hell of a deal and well taken care of (He reports 19mpg highway fully loaded, with 265/75/26 BF Goodrich ATs. Which I hate for a tire), but then have to sell the montero, which no one has called about in a week.

Both a 5speed standard

My last question is tire size. I like Cooper STTs a lot. They have been my best tire in the past. Anybody tried a 235/85/16 on a Tacoma for offroad use? With the 2.7L I'm guessing my gas mileage would be outstanding? Other suggestions for skinny but rugged sizes/options?

 

Far as selling the montero, drop the price to what you would get by trading it in and I am sure it will go no problem. The reason you sell it privetly though is because you can get a lot more for it then that.

 

Alright, here is the one my good friend has decided to sell. After several test drives and feeling the 2.7L vs. 3.4L on the windy mountain passes at elevation, the 3.4L has one the day (since I have to carry a load of gear). That being said, for anyone reading this thread thinking about the same decision, the 2.7L is amazingly peppy and carries a Tacoma no problem.

It's a 2004, and has been babied it's whole life. Has enjoyed fishing trips, but nothing like what I'm going to torment it on.

Thanks for all of the advice!

 

Having spent some time in the very country you talk about .

My first real Choice would be a few good horses and mules to pack the goodies.

I would guess that is out .

I myself would want neither of those engines going into the places you may venture but things have got a lot more civilized I would guess since the early seventies..

Don`t get me wrong I love the 3.4 as long as the roll back can get to it pretty easy.

The things that I have seen fail all to often (another story) or I am having rotten luck is the ECM and the sensors . Check out Code 1300

If I was going I think I would want the most simple Diesel i could find electric solenoid for the fuel switchable to manual engine wise it don`t get much better

You wanted real world you got it.

I still like the horses and mules the best.

 

wyoming9, thanks for that! I do most of the work by packing once I get out there and go where the civilized can't get to. If horses/mules could get to where I'm going I would take em, but it's too rugged in a lot of the places I wander. Like across the glacier country and the high peaks.

Agreed on the diesel. I've thought of swapping one in to my old 84 pickup, but no room for the family now. I like my 22r since I can rebuild it wherever I'm at, but it doesn't do the highway all that well with a full load and everyone in it.

In that regard, the 2.7L is the most similar to what I'm used to. Maybe I'll drive a few more of those to feel them out.

Thanks for the advice.