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