Is a Tacoma Better off-road than a Land Cruiser?

TL;DR: Does a lighter 5 speed Tacoma have the advantage off-road or is a heavier Land Cruiser preferable for its durability? Which model has the greater drawbacks overall as a DD/weekend warrior?

Pictured are the two rigs I've ran in the last year and a half or so. Obviously they both have their pros and cons. I'd say the Tacoma was way more fun to drive around town with the 5 speed manual, and to me it seemed more capable on local trails than the Land Cruiser. It weighed literally a ton less, and in 1st gear lo I could walk it up just about anything, no lockers needed. The engine compression was a lot better for steep descents also. Finally the short wheelbase made it much more maneuverable on tight trails around here. Just an amazing fun vehicle which I would've kept were it not for the rot starting inside the frame.

On the other hand, the Land Cruiser's frame is far more durable and much less prone to internal frame rust. The coils all around are also a plus for the nice ride, and the solid front axle is legendary. Overall it's just built a lot tougher than the Tacoma and seems like it'd stand up better to prolonged rough-road abuse. No LBJs to worry about either.

But being so heavy I've found it's easier to get stuck in. Sure, the axles flex better, but it still loses traction in fairly tame situations where all four wheels are still on the ground. I also don't like how the automatic behaves in 4lo. There seems to be more hesitation whereas in the Tacoma I could just put it in gear and go. At least I don't have to worry about stalling I guess. Finally the interior always seem to be gross on the LCs too compared to Tacos. And that big tractor engine always seems to be coated in gunk and oil (what tractor isn't?). Mine also has an annoying greasy/sulfury smell from the engine bay which I assume is fluids burning off. My 3RZ was the same age and was basically dry underneath.

I've come to the conclusion that Land Cruisers were designed more for prolonged use on dirt roads while carrying a bunch of people and gear, in other words "overlanding" or touting. Meanwhile Tacomas were made more with daily driving/weekend trail bashing in mind. I'm thinking of getting another single cab Taco, but am I missing something?

 

@Speedytech7

You own both of these; What's you're opinion?

 

Yea I know we've been over this in other threads but I'm just a bit confused since everyone's been telling me the Cruiser should be way better off-road and it just hasn't been my experience.

 

No. The Landcruiser is a superior off road vehicle. Solid front axle, some models came with front and rear lockers. Larger constant velocity joints(Birfields), 9” rear ring and pinion. Heavy but rock solid. If you are talking dessert running a Tacoma would be better.

 

My opinion is that OP isnt going to be convinced. I wheel my Tacoma, this has long been because it is cheaper, easier to maintain, easier to drive fast on rough terrain, and quite frankly it's worth a lot less. But I love driving the LC and have wheeled it, it's formidable, in fact it rivals a well built Tacoma and it is stock as can be.

 

I feel like I must be doing something wrong. Pretty sure my CDL is working, maybe I need to let more air out of the tires and give it another go.

 

Does it matter? Toyota sells neither a Land Cruiser or a 5spd 2dr pick up truck in the US.

Between the two vehicles you are referring to the Tacoma is probably faster off road lighter and more nimble. The LC is probably more capable off road more weight more torque, more lockers giving it more traction.

Maybe something in between would be the best off road. Jeep Wrangler perhaps.

 

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CfAIRTrgKi0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Linked is a vid showing where the big Cruisers weight can be a detriment. That’s with a rear locker and at 15 psi. I feel like a Tacoma might’ve fared better due to its lower weight, but I could be wrong.

 

Yeah I’m not talking about new trucks. Also mine has only the Center diff lock. It does have more torque, but the power to weight has to be about the same as a 3rz Tacoma.

 

A stock Land Cruiser pulls better travel numbers than a mid-travel equipped (read upgraded) Tacoma.

Not to mention full-time 4WD.

The number 1 reason why I got rid of both a Tacoma and 4Runner, both equipped with nice suspension, is due to the Land Cruiser's off-road capability.

If you really think a Tacoma is better for off-road than a Land Cruiser, you don't wheel enough, or hard enough, or both.

 

There's definitely more nuance to it than that. But yeah, I definitely wanted to still wheel a pickup and mid travel wasn't enough, can't stock with stock equivalent or bolt in parts and still be tit for tat. That why we learned to weld right

 

Amen

 

I don’t do hardcore trails, no. But on the trails I have done, the Tacoma seemed a lot more nimble FWIW. The LC has never left me stranded but I’ve had to put in more effort to get it over certain obstacles, possibly because of the heavier weight and longer wheelbase. I acknowledged the solid axles flex better but they’ll still lose traction in slick conditions even with all wheels planted, especially without lockers. Same with the Taco of course but I found it easier to “send it” and/or adjust my lines in that truck with the sweet 5 speed and gocart-like handling.

I don’t understand the complaints over the stock Taco suspension tbh. No it didn’t have crazy flex but it worked well for me in the woods. Again I don’t do extreme wheeling so YMMV. I imagine the Cruiser holds up better when you start adding armour and beating it up on the rocks.

 

No complaints about a stock Tacoma; in fact I still stand behind my statement that a stock Tacoma's capabilities outclass what most drivers can do.

When the "what should I upgrade" threads are posted, you'll see most suggest - maintenance, then quality tires. Not to mention some experience behind the wheel.

The stock suspension does have it's limitations however, but that's once you're really pushing harder trails and even then, you can overcome that with larger tires. @Wulf is a great example of that as she's wheeled her truck in gnarly places on 35's and I think with just OME suspension.

Anyway, I really think you just need to get rid of your LC.

You've never said you don't like it, but the way you go about it just screams "get me out of this thing".

Sell it, buy a Tacoma, and be done with it.

Seems like a Tacoma is more than enough for you and that's fine. Some of us don't have it as easy.

 

I still think I'll be really sad to see it go though. Probably the only time I'll own such a vehicle with the last year f the OEM solid axle from Toyota in the US. Overbuilt to the max, unlike a mass-produced Tacoma. Oh well, the grass is always greener I guess.

 

Yeah but you can always say and know you owned one.

Like I was just telling a friend, I definitely had fun off-roading with a Tacoma, or even a 4Runner. I haven't gone as gnarly of a trail with the Land Cruiser but the little wheeling I've done (before upgrading suspension) told me "this is too easy".

Could lead to "boring" but that just means I'll have to find something more difficult to do. I guess I'm just not ready to break parts

Widen your Tacoma search to out of state and get yourself a clean one at a decent price. Take the remaining cash and put some nice goodies in it.

 

Coiled straight axles are far superior offroad than an IFS on leafs. Drawbacks? The LC isn't a truck, but you can still fit plenty inside.

 

I sometimes dream of making my Land Cruiser into a ute.

 

In my book anything body-on-frame is a truck.

 

Ford Crown Victoria might be a good match for you then