Opinions on 1980s Toyota Pickups...

[Pete112288]

So I had a 1985 Toyota Pickup, 2WD all stock for several years, got it with 250k miles. Replaced the clutch and other simple maintenance stuff. When I found out I was going to be a father I decided it was time because I was raised with the mentality that no matter the rig, if it has over... lets say... 160 or 170K miles, its time to think about getting a newer one because its going to bite the dust soon.
I ended up buying my dads 2000 Ranger 2WD 5 speed. At first I liked the change, was newer and my dad had it since it had 40K on it, now it has 170K. A lot of work has been done on it over the years and still does not run quite right, now it wont run cold very well at all. A LOT of rattling and squeaking and just funky things that happen randomly that I cannot describe. Overall, I really regret selling the Toyota and feel like it would probably still be running better than this Ranger, and getting better MPG at the same time, Yota never got less than 25MPG, I have not got better than 19 MPG on the Ranger.
I never had an issue with the older Toyota PU and have always heard that pretty much as long as you keep putting oil in em, they run forever. I feel like they earned that reputation for a reason. Not to mention when I had that pickup it was so much easier to work on and had so much less complications, I actually could do all the work myself. Replaced the clutch just from a Hayes manual and hadn't done one ever before.
Based on what I have found on craigslist, dealerships, and a few friends that sold similar pickups recently, I feel I can still get between $2000 and $3000 for the Ranger, even with its quirks.
For that I have found A LOT of 2WD and 4WD Toyotas from the 80s and a couple early 90s.
Thinking about trying to sell the Ranger for an old Toy again.
Opinions? Is the reputation on those Toyotas something worth paying attention to?
Heck, even found an 84 Toyota 4WD all stock with 170K on it for that price range. If the reputation they have is worthy of what everyone says, that pickup would be a steal.

[jdb]

Between me, my dad and my sons we own 5 Toyota pickups we have owned one ranger and I would never recommend one ever they're not even in the same league. I'd take a Toyota with 200k over a ranger with 100k

[syoungs]

I would go with 89-95 if you wanted an older 2wd toyota, more refined, same basic engine, buy fuel injected, easy to work on, reliable as can be, with better options generally, ac and cruise control!

Rangers are decent rigs, buy toyota does out class them. The 4x4 versions are super expensive because of their cult like following in the offroad crowd

[Jonathan_S]

Rust is the only real big drawback. Plenty of bullet proof combos in the engine/drivetrain. If you go newer, stay away from the 3.0

[Pete112288]

I would prefer 4WD as I work in the hills at about 2000 ft elevation and live at about 200 ft. And its DNR roads, so winter time, 4WD is almost a requirement. Otherwise would like to keep it stock, I don't have a big reason for a lift besides "looks cool" lol. I almost wish I could find one that is lower but 4WD, like the same height as a stock 2WD. Like my great uncle's old Luv, it was just as low as a 2WD but was 4WD.

[papisjeep]

85 and older 4wd version are great trucks super simple and still have a solid axle

[BeWitty]

84-85 are the best! 82-83 are good too with the 22r but the trans aren't quite as strong as the 84-85. 79-81 lack in power due to the 20r.

Buy a 84-85 extended cab and never sell it.

[yum tag soup]

They're good rigs but don't get me wrong, a 80s rig will nickel and dime you  that being said, pretty easy to work on and pretty easy to find  parts cheap. If you don't want to lift it don't pay big$ for the straight axle 

[TheHunt]

I had a 1985 Toyota 4X4 and I put on 337,000 before I sold it.  It had cancer pretty bad.

[Pete112288]

At this point I would rather have simpler repairs I can do and cheaper to find parts.
Right now, I had the Toyota for the same amount of miles as I have had the Ranger give or take a couple K.
Money in parts/repair (not normal maint.) I put into the Toyota $250. I put into the Ranger (and its still not right) $1500.
I like hearing both sides of things, esp since I wasn't expecting too much of anything to be said against the Toyotas in this aspect. Maybe my Ranger is just one of the worse ones of the lot. Maybe I was lucky for the time I had that Toyota. Or....

[Bean Counter]

I had a Celica with a 22R engine and IIRC they use that in a lot of the pickups or the 22RE which should be similar 

Damn stury engine. Not very powerful, but I wouldn't hesitate to own one with 200,000 miles.

[longrangekiller]

I've owned many there fun year around and pretty reliable little guys also the 22r is the simplest motor ever imo. I like to think of it as my secret weapon when that snow falls during elk season lol


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[rainshadow1]

They're pretty durn hard to stop. I have my boys working on an 89 as a homeschool project.

That is getting a little old, but they're amazing vehicles.

(Did you see the british Top Gear episode where they tortured an 80's diesel hilux? Hilarious!!)

[deerhunter_98520]

You answered your own question...go back to toyota you wont regret it...stick with the 22re...the 3.0 in the 89-95 can be a headache if the headgasket issue wasnt fixed......I had this one for a while ...it was an 88 straight axled...one of my favorite trucks I've owned...the only reason I got rid of it was the standard cab..if it was an extra cab I would still have it....it had a freshly rebuilt 22re and ran like a dream..i got over 20mpg on 35s

[Jonathan_S]

You answered your own question...go back to toyota you wont regret it...stick with the 22re...the 3.0 in the 89-95 can be a headache if the headgasket issue wasnt fixed......I had this one for a while ...it was an 88 straight axled...one of my favorite trucks I've owned...the only reason I got rid of it was the standard cab..if it was an extra cab I would still have it....it had a freshly rebuilt 22re and ran like a dream..i got over 20mpg on 35s

Can't believe you sold it.

Sorry, I know, salt-in-the-wound but still

[JimmyHoffa]

I've seen where guys will take later models and then start replacing with 80's body parts to look like the older truck, so they must be that good.

[C-Money]

I've had an 87 2wd Toyota pickup for over 12 years. 22r motor, 4 speed manual. Runs great! I use it to run around town, and even take it out of town from time to time. Runs great, drives great. Needs a little oil now and then, has been a great little truck. Looks rough, but the damage was done before I got it. If you can find one in good shape, should be a good investment. I have put on a fuel pump, and a thermostat.  Lots of people have asked why do I keep that "thing", I just like it...

[trophyhunt]

I have an 89 Toyota 4cly 4x4 with a new motor out of Spokane, has about 22,000 miles on it.  Truck has 182,000.  I can't believe what they sell for!  I'm thinking about selling mine, my friends say ask 3,900 for it? I'd take 3,500.  It's not in perfect shape, runs great, pops out of first gear, syncros? Anyway, I love Toyotas, wouldn't buy anything else if buying an older get around the woods truck.

[Yondering]

My Toyota was an 87 4x4. Great truck, but I never got better than about 17 mpg when it was stock. Granted, it had a turbo. I was getting about 14 mpg in it with 33's. Even with the turbo 22RET, it always felt a little underpowered to me. I went XJ Cherokee after that and never regretted the change.

[deerhunter_98520]

You answered your own question...go back to toyota you wont regret it...stick with the 22re...the 3.0 in the 89-95 can be a headache if the headgasket issue wasnt fixed......I had this one for a while ...it was an 88 straight axled...one of my favorite trucks I've owned...the only reason I got rid of it was the standard cab..if it was an extra cab I would still have it....it had a freshly rebuilt 22re and ran like a dream..i got over 20mpg on 35s

Can't believe you sold it.

Sorry, I know, salt-in-the-wound but still

I upgraded but still sucks to get rid of it

[deerhunter_98520]

My Toyota was an 87 4x4. Great truck, but I never got better than about 17 mpg when it was stock. Granted, it had a turbo. I was getting about 14 mpg in it with 33's. Even with the turbo 22RET, it always felt a little underpowered to me. I went XJ Cherokee after that and never regretted the change.

My buddy had the same truck and he said when going up hill and the turbo spools you could see the gas gauge start moving

[Wolfdog2314]

Really enjoyed my 84 Toyota! Just wasn't practical enough to drive as much as I ended up needing to drive it.

[deerhunter_98520]

Now that's a nice truck 

[Pete112288]

Really enjoyed my 84 Toyota! Just wasn't practical enough to drive as much as I ended up needing to drive it.

Now that's a nice truck 

  

[BigGoonTuna]

after 85 or 86 they started galvanizing the sheet metal so they weren't quite the rust buckets the older ones were.  i've owned a 79, 84 and a 91.  by far the '91 was the most practical, my favorite body style was the '79-81 but the inside of the cabs are tiny!(i'm 6'2 and my head just about rubbed on the ceiling).  the older transmissions were pieces of junk as well.

don't bother with the straight axle thing, they're only a benefit if you're doing some hardcore 4 wheeling and they take a bunch of work(crossover steering conversion) to really make worth having.  high school kids love em because it's easier to put a cheap lift on than the IFS of the later trucks.

if you get one stick with the 4 banger, the 3.0 V6 isn't even worth having the block for a door stop.  just make sure the timing chain has been changed recently.

[jackmaster]

We are a Toyota family as well, I hated trading in my 98 Tacoma 4x4 extended cab, it had 358,000 on it when I traded it in for my tundra with the extra cab, even it gets 18 mpg if I jeep my foot out of it, my son had a 93 until he left for the military and my daughter has a 97 and It was in mint condition until she put it in a deep nasty ditch a couple weeks ago and mama is on her second rav4... we just cant seem to get away from yotas... great rigs.. on a side note my 98 was bullet proof, fixed it for my everyday commuter and huntn rig, I am ashamed to say I wasn't very nice to that truck but she never let me down... ever..

[hunter399]

Good rigs ,had mine 20 years cancer rust is a killer and they can dime you to death.but when a new engine is 1500 bucks you can run and run forever.

[deerhunter_98520]

I'm going to have to get another one now...seeing all these pictures makes me miss mine even more

[Yondering]

Really enjoyed my 84 Toyota! Just wasn't practical enough to drive as much as I ended up needing to drive it.

That's one of the best looking old Yotas I've seen in quite a while. Nice truck!

[LndShrk]

You can't go wrong with any Toyota pickup IMO. 

I have owned many from early 80's through my current 2012 tundra.

Every one I have owned has gone more that 200,000 with no major issues.


As mentioned above in this thread that 22R(E) engine is rock solid for many more than 200,000 miles and can be rebuilt for dirt.
It is not a powerhouse but it can take abuse this I know first hand.. 

[Pete112288]

So I appreciate everyone's opinion here. And tips on what to stay away from and what is good. In looking around I found that the similar years of the 4runner also have the same engine correct?
Should I treat the 4runners with the same reputation as the pickups?
Is there anything different I should look out for?

[rainshadow1]

Lots more common to find the 3.0 V-6 in the 4runners. Really consistent headgasket poppers. I had several, they seemed to be ok if you drove them gently. Some have been real lemons, so beware. (I have a 97 specifically because of the 3.4, which is a MUCH better powerplant.) There are a few 22re 4runners. I'm a little leery of them because the 4runner is heavier and make it work harder. Look for one with a stick.

[deerhunter_98520]

 

If you find a 4runner with a 22 re your probably going to pay a decent amount for it as there a little harder to find and more desirable...the only way I would consider a 3.0 is if it was rebuilt with the head shaved...I've owned one 3.0 and it ran great...with that being said I'd still stay away from them and take less power with a 22 re...if you get one with a fresh rebuild or rebuild one you get you won't be disappointed and it will run as long as you will need it

[mikeybuck]

Love my 84 22r
Only thing I'd worry about is a rotted frame or a blown head gasket.

[jmscon]

My dad gave me his '83 2wd with the 22r, great truck! Rusted to hell but great! When I got it there were 260K mi. on it, everything original. I blew the original clutch out doing doughnuts at Alpintal. That truck eventually stopped idling and I got my grandpa's '82 SR5, had that until I rolled it up by lake Kachees. Morphed the two together and had that one until another Toyota totaled it in Seattle. Later I had a '88 4X with the 3.0 V-6. Wish I had never sold it! Not as easy to work on as the 22R but still a great truck!
Someday I will have another for getting into the woods with.

[link]

My favorite rig I've had was a 1980 Toyota, long box 4x4. I got it a couple years out of high school and I put a lot of mountain miles on that thing. It actually got shot up with a 22 one time while I was parked at the mud mountain gate ( army corps of engineers) while I was down on the river elk hunting. I came back in the dark, got in, started it up and it was raining hard and my steering wheel was wet. I got to looking and it was riddled with over 50, 22 rounds. It was shot through the windshield, and front quarter panel and drivers door, unbelievably, no major damage. I was digging 22 fragments out of my seat for months. There was even one through the headlight, and it still worked! So a new headlight, new windshield and she was back good as ever. Even had some battle scars she wore around for the next couple years. You should have seen the face of the guy at the car lot when I went in to trade it in!