Advice needed on 1986 Toyota 4wd pickup price

[weathergirl]

Someone we know gave us a small camper a year ago, and I've been wanting to get a small truck to put it on.  I've had my eyes out for an older Toyota pickup, and I found one close by.  It looks really well maintained, etc., but it seems like the price is high (granted we'd offer less).  However, it also seems like older Toyota trucks hold their value.  Can you give me some feedback on a price for:

1986 4wd Toyota w/extra cab, 144K miles, $4750.  Clutch replaced a year ago, new tires, sunroof doesn't leak, oil changed every 3000 miles, brake fluid recently replaced and brakes bled, and they say the mechanic says there is nothing needed.  Just a little crack in the windshield.  The photos make it look really nice, especially for the age. 

Any thoughts or opinions what it might be worth?  Thanks for the help!

[bearpaw]

That seems like a buy to me, make sure it runs good, my son has a similar truck with around 500,000, you just replace parts/engine/tranny when they break down and they live forever.


Toyotas hold value better than any other truck! 

[James]

Assuming it is what they say, a low mile well maintained Toyota from that generation is a desirable rig and tough to find.

What helps you is it’s not a straight front axle truck, otherwise it would be worth a lot more.  For me I would be stoked to get that for 4K assuming it’s what they say, doesn’t have ton of owners, has maintenance history, etc.

http://bringatrailer.com/search/?s=toyota+4x4

Be careful not over load it with a camper, their payload capacity isn’t great.

I picked up a low millage 1988 4runner a few years ago and love it.

[Mudman]

I love the older Toys.  Great truck.  Nothing better in the 1980s.  That said it seems overpriced to me?  I can say it will take a camper but airbags or suspension upgrade of some sort is required.  I have ran 300hp v-8 engines in toyotas and axles and such are plenty strong. Im thinking 3500-4000k price is legit.   

[weathergirl]

Thanks for the responses...that really helps!  The camper is a tiny, old camper, so wondering if it will be OK with that (?)

[bearpaw]

Thanks for the responses...that really helps!  The camper is a tiny, old camper, so wondering if it will be OK with that (?)

How heavy?

My son beefed up his rear springs by adding a couple leafs because he carries 500+ lbs often.

[bearpaw]

Air bags or even air shocks might be another good option. 

[weathergirl]

OK, I guess I can ask if has had anything done to it already...who knows maybe it has.  Lokidog is estimating the weight of the camper to be maybe 500-700 lbs. (?)

All this advice is very helpful...thanks!

[Mike450r]

It is pricey but they are all getting that way pretty fast.   I always have some toyota 4x4's,  3 right now.

What usually gets them up in that price range is being low miles,  clean, straight, good interior, unmodified.   seems like this meets all the above criteria.  Every time some knucklehead kid wrecks one there is one fewer toyota out there and they are truly one of the best vehicles ever made.

Really depends on the weight of the camper.  If it isn't too heavy just get a 2 inch larger shackle for the rear springs and it should hold a small camper just fine.  Adding a leaf spring would help too. I have had a few shackle lifted toyotas and their springs were plenty tough for hauling a load, full load of firewood made them sit right about stock height and the ride was perfect.  When the camper is off it will sit just a little higher in the rear.

[Woodchuck]

Be real careful with the clutch depending on how heavy.  The truck seems like a good buy as said before. Maybe scale the truck and then with the camper to see what it weighs.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Seems priced right with low miles and being maintained. Also they are sought after rigs.

[James]

Weigh the camper then look up the payload capacity/GVWR of the truck. Don’t forget to add the weight of you, your gear, passengers, etc.

Even with air bags or other upgraded suspension if you are over the GVWR of the truck you are illegal.

GVWR/GCVWR is derived from the GAWR, suspension capacity, frame bending, startability, gradeability, tire capacity, and brake capacity.  Legal issues aside if you just upgrade only one (like the suspension with air bags) you are leaving yourself open to the possibility that one of the other systems is now compromised.


Seems like a sweet truck, just make sure everything is legal and safe.

[BUTTER]

Good looking truck I would say 4000,even would be fair

[Bofire]

Looks like a nice little truck. double check your loads and suspension.  SAFE, is the key word here.
Heavy loads need good brakes also.
good luck
Carl

[weathergirl]

So we went and looked at the truck.  Everything seemed nice, except it only seats two...I guess I didn't think about that.  Also, when you turn sharply, the suspension "creaks" or "pops."  They said everyone they have talked to says Toyota trucks do this.  Is that true?  Anyone else experience this?

They were willing to go down to $4000... We said we'd let them know tomorrow...

Oh, and it is rated for 1100 lbs cargo, so it seems like the 700 lb camper should be fine... (?)

Still open to opinions--you are all very helpful!

[Mike450r]

Yep,  the front end toyota creak and pop is a very normal toyota noise and the passenger carrying limitations are a drawback as well until you get to the 89 - 94 models which are slightly better.  The older extended cabs are only good for carrying a little extra gear in the cab,  not passengers.

[fish vacuum]

The popping noise is "normal." The steering has plastic or rubber stoppers that contact the frame at full crank. Those stoppers wear through or fall off. Doesn't really cause any damage. Can be fixed with new stoppers but they'll wear through again. Some people grease the contact point for a temp fix. I just don't turn the wheel all the way.

[BLUEBULLS]

that truck would likely sell for asking price in SE WA. If you occasionally need to seat people in the back you could probably keep looking and find an 89 or newer for right around the same price with room for kids in the backseat. The one you're looking at does appear to be well kept though, tough to find a "nice" one.

[weathergirl]

OK, just to follow up.  Looks like we are buying it for $4000!  Thanks for your help, everyone!

[Timberstalker]

Good choice!  You won't regret it. That's a dandy rig.

[James]

Nice score!

Fish Vacuume is right; those steering stops are the first thing to look at for that noise.  Could be other stuff, but check that first.

700lb camper with 1100lb payload cap, leaves 400lbs for passengers, gear, etc.  Be mindful, but you should be able to make that work. Also I feel like I should point out that while adding suspension upgrades to overload a truck isn’t always the best practice, but upgrading the suspension (overload springs, air bags, sway bars, etc.) to better deal with legal loads can improve safety especially when you have an older truck where the springs might not be quite up to snuff anymore.  That gen of Toyotas are not known for their rear springs being durable.  If you are looking for stock ride height rear leaf spring replacements NorthWest offroad has some good options.  I am currently running them on my 4runner and while not quite perfect and pretty pricy, it’s the best thing I have found available on the market short of having a custom spring pack made. If your current spring packs are in good shape, adding overloads or air bags might be a better option for a truck that has a camper some of the time.

[bod]

It probably needs ball joints that's why the minus $700 on their part.
Is it a carburetor or fuel injection if its a carb it would be very iffy on power sounds like they telling you the truck can handle more than it really can.
 I have the same 1986 toy 4x4 with an aftermarket  weber carburetor 32/36 and an over sized exhaust pipe the only way I would not feel under powered would be on level ground, hills involved a lot of 1st and 2nd gear driving.

[BigGoonTuna]

i must warn you that buying anything from NWOR, aka no warranty or returns,is a big gamble.  i'd avoid them if at all possible.

carb or efi, both are gutless wonders.  efi gets a slight nod because most with factory carbs have never been overhauled, or set up with webers that have never been properly jetted.  the engine is exactly the same other than that, though.  if you want to get the most out of your truck you need to set it up with deeper gears.  hurts more up front but much better in the long run.

hard to believe these things are becoming like early broncos.  i used to dabble around the 4x4 scene and it seemed like it was a thing of pride to find a straight one and chop it up.  my '79 and '91 are probably worth more now than when i bought them 10+ years ago, probably more than what i sold them for too.

[Mudman]

Get a LC engineering catalog.  Everything you could want/need will be there.  Great truck.  Plenty of power with some parts and work.

[huntnnw]

Is it the 22re or V6 that should of been asked first...if its the 4 theres no way Id put a camper on it...hell they barely do 60mph 

[Mudman]

The v-6 isnt very good.  22re is great.  Just needs some help/additions and mods.  Tuff lil engine.