1996 Toyota T100 Consumer Reviews

Kudos to Toyota!

Written by: Sharky on 12/07/2008

Vehicle

1996 Toyota T100 2 Dr STD Standard Cab LB

Review

Bought it when it had 180000 miles, has 225000, works great. I love the long bed. All handles (doors, back door) are flimsy but if that's the worst I could say that's great. Darn good truck and would buy it again.

Favorite Features

No frills, straight up. Great blower and electrical system. Easy access engine compartment. Reliability!

Suggested Improvements

Arm rest with cupholders. Door handles.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

T100 gets a One-Hundred Score!

Written by: Ed on 12/02/2007

Vehicle

1996 Toyota T100 2 Dr STD Extended Cab SB

Review

This truck is amazing. Bought it a couple of years used in 1998 with 27,000 miles on it. It now has 227,000 miles and still going great. Just regular maintenance, oil changes, timing belt replacements, etc., keep it running well. Only repairs have been: head gasket replacement (a Toyota recall item right after I bought it), replaced shocks about 1 year ago, repl. front rotors about 2 months ago, repl. radiator and 3 hoses about 2 years ago, repl. front O2 sensor, repl. door straps, repl. driver side door handle about 1 month ago. It pulls my 19' boat with 150HP outboard motor on a single axle trailer with no problem (used to tow 22 footer!).

Favorite Features

Ride is solid, smooth and quiet. Plenty of towing power for my needs. Starts reliably. 19-21mpg. I wish all new headliners were the suspended type like T100. The original seat upholstry is still good! It holds a steering alignment almost forever! The tailgate straps are solid metal, not cables.

Suggested Improvements

Seat belt retractors should be a recall item. Rear brakes need to be cleaned and adjusted frequently (maybe I should R&R the rear drums and shoes). The tag lights also had to be replaced. Upgrade fuse box connectors. R&R'd sound system. Prefer metal door straps like my 1990 Camry I sold last year.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Love this Truck, Love this Truck

Written by: Long term driver on 11/18/2007

Vehicle

1996 Toyota T100 2 Dr SR5 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

I have owned this truck since 1997 and it has 140,000 miles on it. I think that this is the best truck Toyota has ever made and the improvements in recent Toyota trucks have not driven me to want to replace it. The size and mileage are great for the year and power (avg. 16 w/ 18 highway) for a 2 mpg improvement on recent models why shell out the extra 30 grand. This truck has spent its time in heavy snow, off road (really sketchy stuff) hunting, hauling wood and driving cross country multiple times. It is a great truck.

Favorite Features

Reliability. Oil/fluid changes, timing belts, and scheduled mantainence have kept this truck running flawlessly. I overloaded it and had to replace a wheel bearing once.

Suggested Improvements

The seat belt retractors and cup holders should (and have been) improved. I would get a new truck if Toyota would improve the back seats in the regular cab trucks and improve the gas mileage. The double cab long bed is a really long truck.

Report inappropriate post

SR5 S/B V6 4X4

Written by: bobbyz on 08/08/2007

Vehicle

1996 Toyota T100 2 Dr SR5 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

I'm 6'4" and bought my T100 in late '96. In 10 yrs and 130K miles I've replaced the clutch and the rear end and the rear end was more than likely my own fault for not keeping up on it. The only flaws in it are the driver door remote open stopped working the 2nd yr and the same seatbelt problem as everyone else although it does retract, you just have to help it. And of course that annoying steering stop noise. But other than these couple of things, the good has far outweighed the bad. I have several vintage cars and trucks including a 41 chevy P/U and a 70 chevy 4x4. The t100 4xs great and fits right in at home. I wouldn't get rid of it for anything. No reason to, we love it. Reliable as can be!

Favorite Features

SR5 pkg. Roomy for a mid size truck. Console. Dash layout. Power. Mileage. Exterior design. Mirrors. Factory speaker layout. Plenty of room for my 6'4" self and plenty comfy.

Suggested Improvements

Rotors, seatbelts, steer stops.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

What happened ?

Written by: hthomas on 02/20/2007

Vehicle

1996 Toyota T100 2 Dr SR5 Extended Cab SB

Review

Bought with 70000 miles in '99, enjoyed every minute of ownership until the end. Changed oil religiously, timing belt changed at 65,000 & 120,000, performed regular Ttrans & coolant services, basically followed owner's manual. What more could I do, right? What I'm getting to is head gasket failure that led to cylinders 3 & 6 getting "burnt" (mechanics term) at 158000 miles. Quite disappointed I am in the Toyota product. If I follow recommended maintenance shouldn't I get at least 200000 miles out of a Toyota product? Quite irritating to take such good care of a vehicle, internally & externally, and have it cough up an engine this soon. Thanks Toyota.....

Favorite Features

Great look, paint held up really well. Ease of installing after market hitch myself. Ease of installing new in dash radio as well. Got many compliments on appearance and ride over the years

Suggested Improvements

Engine that lasts!! Transmission shift actuator was made of plastic and had to be replaced with metal one, imagine that! Not expensive, but a hassle when it failed.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Last of the true Japanese trucks!

Written by: peterD on 02/03/2007

Vehicle

1996 Toyota T100 2 Dr SR5 Extended Cab SB

Review

Like so many here, I originally wanted to buy a Tundra but the T100 fits my needs perfectly. Tight turning radius, torsion bar suspension gives a controlled taut ride. Excellent fuel mileage with 19 city and 22 hwy. It can haul anything I need, Automatic transmission has a legendary bullet proof record, Dated interior yes, BUT its been perfected so no problems. Cupholder is interesting and most hate it. I love it, Its sturdy and can hold anything I want it to and its easy to get to. Stock speakers are excellent, Bench seat is comfy and not as high as the Tundra. Much better payload than Tundra ( 2150 pounds!) You don't find many for sale because no one wants to sell!

Favorite Features

Gas mileage, durability, reliability, looks, cup holders ( yes!! look and judge them compared to others), automatic is bullet proof, very good resale but who wants to sell??

Suggested Improvements

Difficult to find without them being beaten to death. Find one thats in great condition BUY IT!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Unbelievable reliability

Written by: aaron on 01/08/2007

Vehicle

1996 Toyota T100 2 Dr STD 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

162,000 miles and I've replaced nothing but one timing belt (routine) and a U-joint. This truck looks the same year after year and there are only a couple very small rust spots starting around the wheel wells that never seem to get any worse, even with the NY winter road salt. Eleven years old and 162,000 miles and I would not hesitate to drive this thing across country and back. It's been an excellent truck.

Favorite Features

Very capable 4WD, smooth ride as compared to the Tacoma, comfortable during long trips, never breaks down, always starts, and rarely needs repairs of any kind.

Suggested Improvements

Seat belt retractors, I've replaced the throttle cable 3 times in 5 years because it starts to stick and gives the gas pedal a 'sticky' feeling, brakes wear out fairly quickly. All minor issues, really.

10 out 10 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

T100

Written by: Ted on 12/31/2006

Vehicle

1996 Toyota T100 2 Dr STD Extended Cab SB

Review

I bought it new in 1996. Best truck I've ever owned. Never left me stranded. Sporty for a truck. Good acceleration for a 6. I've pulled a 19' fiberglass boat all over Fla in the summer heat and the tranny stills shifts like new. Can't beat Toyota.

Favorite Features

Engine performance, styling, and comfort.

Suggested Improvements

Seat belt retractors stink.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

1996 Toyota T-100 auto

Written by: matt on 11/28/2006

Vehicle

1996 Toyota T100 2 Dr STD 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

I have owned everything from a GMC 3/4 ton diesel to a 2000 Civic Si and this is the most fun to drive. Needed a vehicle for college, drove it for 15min and bought it. I will own this truck till the wheels fall off. Best truck I've ever owned hands down.

Favorite Features

Reliability, smooth ride, gas mileage for a mid-sized truck, quality - nothing rattles or squeaks on the interior - surprising for a 1996.

Suggested Improvements

Wish they had a TRD package and at least a 3rd door on the ext. cab model. Other than that absolutely nothing.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

T100 SR5 4X4

Written by: Nick on 11/06/2006

Vehicle

1996 Toyota T100 2 Dr SR5 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

This truck is great. I added michelin LTX tires and front bilstein shocks, and wow what a difference. These trucks have had problems with front brake rotor warpage, so I put on a set of cryo power slot brand rotors and hawk severe duty/towing pads. The truck is now complete. I love the ride, handling and stopping power. Not a heavy hauler, but a super family vehicle.

Favorite Features

Nice v6 engine note, great in snow/bad weather. Nice ride and great handling.

Suggested Improvements

Seat belt retractors defective. Never rewind properly. Cheap factory shocks, defective undersized rotors for greater tire size.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post