83 Toyota I'm contemplating. Any thoughts?

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Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald

Hey! Where'd the mountians go?!?!?
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Hey Guys,

I've got a Pig that's still very far from completion and a 100 not really suited for the rough stuff. I have begun looking for something fun to play with until the 55 is ready.

I was thinking early 80's 4runner/pickup when I saw this on Craigslist: http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/3372729125.html

A lot of the parts he has listed read like a foreign language to me (since I'm still in my 4 wheelin' infancy:)). Seems like a pretty fun little truck I could really learn to wheel in. All for around $2000.

What do you guys think?


Thanks,
 
Easily a couple grand worth of goodies on there. The hi steer is probably $400 ish, IFS box (if he bought a reman) probably 2-300. Marlin T-Cases are not cheap either. For a truck to just mess around and go wheeling, I don't think there's a better way to spend 2-2500 bucks.

The ONLY thing I don't like about it is the birf eliminator kit. Why do people take the birfs out and put something weaker in it's place?
 
I've had 2 1st gen pickups, they're awesome. They are a tight fit if you are over 200 pounds. I'm 6'2" and thin, I barely fit.
 
Sam Stewart said:
Easily a couple grand worth of goodies on there. The hi steer is probably $400 ish, IFS box (if he bought a reman) probably 2-300. Marlin T-Cases are not cheap either. For a truck to just mess around and go wheeling, I don't think there's a better way to spend 2-2500 bucks.

The ONLY thing I don't like about it is the birf eliminator kit. Why do people take the birfs out and put something weaker in it's place?
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Cool. Thanks for the info.

TCinVA said:
I've had 2 1st gen pickups, they're awesome. They are a tight fit if you are over 200 pounds. I'm 6'2" and thin, I barely fit.
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Yeah, that's one of my main concerns. I'm a bit over 6'2" and have got quite the beer belly.

I used to drive my dad's '86 pickup everywhere (but that was before I earned my gut). :)

Guess I'll find out during the test drive.
 
Fitzgerald said:
Cool. Thanks for the info.



Yeah, that's one of my main concerns. I'm a bit over 6'2" and have got quite the beer belly.

I used to drive my dad's '86 pickup everywhere (but that was before I earned my gut). :)

Guess I'll find out during the test drive.
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That's another good thing to note. A regular cab is pretty tight. Mine is an '80 and it is extremely small inside. I'm only 5' 10" and it's almost too small for me. But if it's going to be a toy so I wouldn't worry too much about that. If it were going to be a DD I'd look for a bigger truck.
 
Yeah, as long as I can safety fit in there without it being painful, I'm sure I can manage.

Any seating options out there that would give me a bit more leg/head room?

Thanks again.
 
Fitzgerald said:
Yeah, as long as I can safety fit in there without it being painful, I'm sure I can manage.

Any seating options out there that would give me a bit more leg/head room?

Thanks again.
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There are plenty of choices. You can also get creative with brackets and make just about anything fit. Mine has some 80's or 90's seats out of a 2 door car, make unknown.
 
Cool. Thanks yet again.

I'm supposed to take a look at it in Denver this weekend. As long as it shifts well, doesn't smoke, and doesn't make any concerning sounds; I think I'll pick it up.

Cheers.
 
I agree with Sam that the Birf Eliminator is a waste and if I were you I would look to see what it would take to swap it back as well as see if he still has the original shafts.

With that in mind, if it runs good, the Carb seems well tuned and the body and interior are in decent shape, I would offer $2k cash and go from there. Sounds like a solid little truck and for a truck to beat around in, I'd say it is worth it.
 
I had an 82 Longbed. All those pics are valid and easy to maneuver because of the capabilities of that vehicle. That being said if you are looking for a toy to go beat on, then it wont disappoint you. It is tight fit. You wouldn't like it as a daily driver. Every now and again to work or something would be for fun. $2000 grand for a nearly 30 year old truck should be your limit regardless of the goodies underneath. You will be spending money to fix any gremlins that rig comes with. But most fixes are cheap and relatively easy to do. The fun you have on the trail with it will outweigh the maintenance.
 
Im 6'2" and have had a 82 for 30 years. Yep, I bought it new. As for fitment, yes it was a daily driver for 20 of those years. Dang it is a good old girl. She only seemed small when I slept in the cab, bad marriage. With that fixed she still seemed like she was built for me.
 
i'm 6'1 @~225 have a 91 std. cab (can't be much smaller/bigger than that first gen), and it's tight, if i do a long outing, let's say 6hrs., my back starts to hate me, but i could blame that on the corbeau seats a po put in. in addition, my mini's basically only used for b/c travels, so at the end of the day, i can deal pretty well. just my honest opinion. you can always cut the back of the cab out, and make a half topper out of canvas with a couple of bows to add some effective leg room.
anyway, if i had a few bucks, and you weren't gonna buy this thing, i'd be on it. sounds like a good deal.
 
notsomint65 said:
i'm 6'1 @~225 have a 91 std. cab (can't be much smaller/bigger than that first gen), and it's tight, if i do a long outing, let's say 6hrs., my back starts to hate me, but i could blame that on the corbeau seats a po put in. in addition, my mini's basically only used for b/c travels, so at the end of the day, i can deal pretty well. just my honest opinion. you can always cut the back of the cab out, and make a half topper out of canvas with a couple of bows to add some effective leg room.
anyway, if i had a few bucks, and you weren't gonna buy this thing, i'd be on it. sounds like a good deal.
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I've decided to not buy the truck and focus my attention on getting my 55 up and running, so I'll be pouring all extra funds into that project.

I had many people tell me the truck is worth well more than the asking price in parts alone, but I don't have the space / time / patience to try to part it out. Besides, it looks like a fun little truck.

If your interested, send him an email (nice guy).

Thanks to everyone for their input on this. Bummed I have to pass on it, but I have to prioritize.

Thanks!
 
I thought i got a good deal picking up a clean 84 pickup for $900.00. That is a good deal.

BTW, i am 6'4" 275lbs and i daily drove my 82 single cab until i sold it. i miss the old girl. I now have an 80 series which is an equally tight fit. :)
 
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