83 Toyota

[Fitzgerald]

With the Pig still so far from completion and the 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 get for around $2000.

What do you guys think?

 

[black95]

That's an interesting rig.

He's got some money wrapped up in the birfield eliminator kit and the marlin dual cases. The extended shackles means he's got a 3" lift kit he extended to 4" with the help of shackles. That's going to take away caster and make for quirky handling on the road. Those huge rear shackles are going to hang and drag on everything. The thing I'm most worried about is that it doesn't say it's been regeared, which is probably why he's getting such poor gas mileage and burning so much oil.

This one is a tough call. The price is so cheap it's just about worth it, especially if you wanted to get more hardcore with a junker/ buggy. However, if you like your rigs to ride nice and not have to be on a trailer, this one is going to need lots of love. All the good trails seem to be 150 miles away or more, I doubt you would feel comfortable driving this truck that far.

You could part this rig out and get your money back easily if you didn't like it and had the time and place to tear it apart.

 

[CO_Hunter]

He could have some fun doing the gulches, little Moab, snow runs (if that ever happens) and getting more comfortable picking lines etc. Then when his 55 is ready he could sell it and get most of his $$ back.

 

[RLMS]

he has 3 times that in retail bought parts! it

Justin

 

[Fitzgerald]

he has 3 times that in retail bought parts! it

Justin

Well, I was saving the money to have you guys work on the 55 for me, but if you think it's to good a deal to pass up, I guess I'll get it .

 

[RLMS]

LOL, snag it up, have fun with it!!

 

[Fitzgerald]

Well, looks like I'm going to meet with the guy in Denver on Sunday to check this baby out.

Anyone think of anything I should be on the look out for on '83 Toyota beater?

Thanks.

 

[black95]

That year has the semi-troublesome G series 5 speed. Check out the play in the stick. Ask if he's replaced the bushing under the shifter. If he has and it's still loose, it could Point to trouble. Shifting those transmissions is like stirring a pot of soup. Those trannys are also bad about jumping out of first (it'll scare the sh*t out of you leaving a stoplight) and the fifth gears burning up. Listen closely to fifth on and off power.

Listen for the dreaded timing chain rattle. Ask if its been changed and where the kit came from. Parts store replacements don't have metal backed guides.

If its burning a lot of oil, honestly, I wouldn't buy it without doing a compression test. Takes ten minutes to take four spark plugs out.

Grab the tops of the front tires and give them a hard shake to check the bearings.

Good luck man, looks like a fun little rig.