I just bought a '95 Pickup with the 3.0 V6 and I was wondering what the differences of this model are compared to a similar Tacoma?

Here she is:

the tacos interior is diffrent and the body is diffrent, and youd have 5vze instead of the 3vze

I also heard that the Pickups have a fully boxed frame while the Tacomas do not. Is this true?

The differences between the two trucks are rather dramatic, and more than skin deep. Earlier pickups (and all 4Runners) were made in Japan, while the Tacomas were made in the US. Since the US market doesn't typically see the same abuse as third world countries, changes were made to make the Tacoma more refined and comfortable, but at the cost of overall strength. Some of the differences are:

-Torsion bar front suspension versus coilovers
-Recirculating ball steering box versus rack and pinion
-Fully boxed frame versus partially boxed frame
-12 valve SOHC versus 24 valve DOHC

The rear axles, transmissions, and transfer cases are comparable in strength between the two models. When you get right down to it, they are both Toyotas and more rugged than most of the vehicles you will find on the road or the trail.

Thanks for the help, DirtyHarry.

Actually, the 4x2's were until 1991, and the 4x4's until 1992. After that, they were built at the NUMMI plant in California until the release of the Tacoma's.

http://www.nummi.com/hilux.php

I think the 4Runners were still built in Japan until '96.

I have in my possession a 1993 std. cab 22RE that was built in Cali.

The front end of the older trucks is stronger. The rack of the later trucks can develop play in the internal rack bushings and this can happen long before you would see issues with the recirc. ball steering (DAMHIK).

Right now I am in negotiations with my younger son, where he may relinquish the 1993 std. cab and take BlackBean in even trade. (Wife borrows BlackBean all the time and it's not available for me. And it always has fast food dredge in it, but I won't go into that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />). I shall then put the elocker in Shadowfax (which is what the 1993 shall be if and when it becomes my DD).

I know, corny, but it is grey. I can't come up with an appetizing food from south of the border that is grey. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

I prefer the older ones, personally. The 5VZ-FE excepted! I don't get the enthusiasm about the 2.7 personally, and the 3.0 is sorta ok until it dies (but then a 5VZ swaps in rather tidily).

Mole?

I believe it was only partial production of the '91-95 trucks at NUMMI. A lot were still built in Japan, with production increasing at NUMMI in '94 and especially the last old style models built.

My understanding is all 4Runners have always been and are still being built in Japan, along with the new FJ Cruiser, which shares the same platform as the current 4Runner.

Here's an old page on my site that covers the differences. It probably needs some updating:

http://www.brian894x4.com/Hiluxdifferences.html

Just to add to what Harry said, one of the biggest differences is the parts content. Many of the Tacoma parts are designed and sourced by the same companies that supply the "big three".

Nice clean looking rig, by the way.

For instance, the frame and drive shaft are made by Dana.