early 80s toyota 4x4 pickup: long bed vs short bed

gwarble

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Jun 4, 2001, 10:23:28 PM6/4/01

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hey
quick question for you knowledgeable people out there...

i picked up a longbed 81 toyota today... and am wondering if there is
any difference between this and the shortbed (besides the bed
obviously) but is the wheelbase longer or anything?

thanks
- gwarble
gwa...@hotmail.com
www.arcadefanatic.com

ALFRED B

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Jun 5, 2001, 2:21:53 AM6/5/01

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Yes, longer wheelbase.

Reg cab/long bed has the same frame length as the x-cab/shortbed.

gwarble

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Jun 5, 2001, 4:03:32 AM6/5/01

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ah...
do you know how much longer it is?
thanks
- gwarble

Roger Brown

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Jun 5, 2001, 1:13:45 PM6/5/01

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gwarble wrote:
>
> ah...
> do you know how much longer it is?

That vintage truck is only 102" or 112", a tape measure will tell you which it
is pretty quickly.

gwarble

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Jun 6, 2001, 2:08:46 AM6/6/01

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Roger Brown <rog...@pisco.engr.sgi.com> wrote in message news:<3B1D1349...@pisco.engr.sgi.com>...

yeah i guess that makes sense... i measured 109 from center of hub to
center of hub... i'm guessing the 112 size :)

Roger Brown

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Jun 6, 2001, 3:59:42 PM6/6/01

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gwarble wrote:
> > That vintage truck is only 102" or 112", a tape measure will tell you which it
> > is pretty quickly.
>
> yeah i guess that makes sense... i measured 109 from center of hub to
> center of hub... i'm guessing the 112 size :)

I forget the exact number, something in the 109-112 range, you are short
enough to run the short W/B Sierra Trek run!

My '85 4Runner left the factory at 102.9" and its pushing 106" now.

gwarble

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Jun 7, 2001, 12:09:03 AM6/7/01

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cool (thanks again roger)
i didnt know that 109 would be considered short... whats long? like a suburban
or something?

i'm sure long and short each have there advantages... for all around 4wheelin
whats a good wheelbase? how will driving our jeep differ from the toy truck?

Roger Brown

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Jun 7, 2001, 2:34:22 PM6/7/01

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gwarble wrote:
>
> cool (thanks again roger)
> i didnt know that 109 would be considered short... whats long? like a suburban
> or something?

I just mentioned that the Sierra Trek run has 111" as their short wheel base
cutoff, longer and you have to go on the long wheel base run. There are other
runs where over 90" is considered too long, its all relative.

http://www.cal4wheel.com/sierratrek/sierrarules00.html

> i'm sure long and short each have there advantages... for all around 4wheelin
> whats a good wheelbase? how will driving our jeep differ from the toy truck?

I like a medium wheelbase, my 4Runner is about 106" or so now. Its not too
long to make tight turns a big chore, still do my share of 3(+) point turns.
But its long enough to not be twitchy on the road and is OK for steep hill
climbs. I have a buddy with a 122" Toyota Xtra cab and he can climb hills
that I wouldn't even think of. On the other hand, he gets high centered a lot
more than I do.

I figure you have to wheel what you got, learns your vehicle's strong and weak
points and start hitting the trails. Head down to some place like Hollister
and get is AWN!