I'm in the process of doing research for a 4x4 truck or suv, though I'm leaning more towards a truck. I'm an avid rockhound, and need a truck that I can depend on that be draining my wallet for repairs every month. I need to find out what kind of truck I should get, year, what to look out for, what mods would be suggested to be able to make it out in the rough. I don't forsee myself climbing rocks or mudding just yet. Thanks for any help you might be able to provide.

Michael. You've come to the right place if you want advice about a dependable, tough truck. I just got my first Tacoma in June of last year. It's a 1997 extended cab, 4x4, 2.7 liter 4 cylinger Tacoma LX. I bought it with 103,500 miles and it now has 123,000 (long commute to work). It gets very respectable gas mileage for 4x4 (23.5 mpg highway, 22.5 city). Offroad it's amazing, even with very little tread left on the tires. During two recent snow accumulations in the area, I couldn't get stuck as much as I tried. You've got to get one, and don't worry about the mileage.

I have a 2000 Tacoma V6 3.4L 4x4. I LOVE THAT TRUCK MORE THAN ANYTHING!!!!! I drive 100 miles a day going to school and it gets good gas mileage and rides like a dream. I like to go four wheeling and it comes with a stock rear locker if youre into that stuff. Toyota makes a damn tough truck and shuouldnt give to problems 4 wheeling for a long time. Timmy