Chop, Cut or rebuild?

[OOOOOOOO]

Found a sweet 80 pickup in Phoenix last week. Just stumbled across it while hangin out at my brothers house. Original owner passed away in 2000 and willed it to his buddy who parked it in his driveway for the last 8 years. Original AZ truck with 98K miles. No rust and everything looks shiny clean. Paint is a bit oxidized but looks like it'll buff out nicely. It needs a battery and the PO broke off one of the fuel pump bolts in the head so I need to drill and tap it. I guess the big question is do I attempt to restore it since it's so clean or make it a buggy/wheeler? Not too familiar with these little trucks so I'll read the FAQ's and brush up. Here's a few pics. I'll update after I get it running and cleaned up. Enjoy

 

[Kris]

I say restore. Maybe do some fun-run type stuff in it. It hurts me to see them all turned into buggies. If you do, I'll take that front axle off your hands. lol.

 

[kling-on]

resto trail truck clean stock looks with LOTS of trail armor and all the body parts

 

[Hiluxonian]

Keep that original as poss just a little buffed up unless you want a Hilux Fatwa issued against you

Trucks like that are rare

 

[liljlandon]

If you dont restore it and want to build it into a buggy, ill trade you straight across for my 84 with aussies and all. Dont fawk that one up man, that is beautiful!

 

[bigndn]

RESTORE!!!!!!!!!! Don't chop that beauty up!!!!

 

[OOOOOOOO]

Looks like the general consensus is to restore. The more I look at it the less I want to "hurt" it. Thanks for all the input. Here's a few more pics.

 

[HJ-45CrewCab]

Resurrect or restore will get you more mud-cred. Make a thread and show us the progress.

 

[liljlandon]

im still up for a trade if you want to

 

[OOOOOOOO]

im still up for a trade if you want to

Pics/specs? Never know.

 

[liljlandon]

Im halfway joking, as im quite far from you, but hey...
84
carbed
aussies f/r
31x10.5 trxus (90% tread)
custom rear bumper
Skidplate
sliders (need to mount them)
huge section of .25" plate that needs to be made into a bumper

just did timing chain, oil pump, carb, plugs, wires, coil, powersteering hoses, fan, brakes, whole front end, etc.
custom hilift mount in bed, locktub, spare tire mount, etc.

paid 3000 and put more than that into it already

Dont think i really want to get rid of it, and i was only trying to save that pretty little things life

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

The Toyota Gods are watching you... that's all I'm gonna say....

 

[liljlandon]

The Toyota Gods are watching you... that's all I'm gonna say....

and after his last sChat post, your gonna wanna stay in their good graces.

 

[gmack192]

BEEEEEEAUTIFUL TRUCK want to trade wheels?? mine are the turbo mags offered by Toyota. my son's 82 has them so does my 83. I love the steel wheels with the little hub caps I am also looking for round headlight buckets and grill. heres a pic of mine when I found it,

, and heres a pic of my sons truck,

 

[gmack192]

heres a pic of mine now. I got alot done but I still have a long way to go. the engine is at the machine shop once thats done I'm going to start on the axels

 

[OOOOOOOO]

BEEEEEEAUTIFUL TRUCK want to trade wheels?? mine are the turbo mags offered by Toyota. my son's 82 has them so does my 83. I love the steel wheels with the little hub caps I am also looking for round headlight buckets and grill. heres a pic of mine when I found it,

, and heres a pic of my sons truck,

No thanks on the wheels. This one came with a set of those in the bed. They were painted yellow too. I thought it was 1980 all over again. Btw nice trucks you have there.

 

[WristPin]

i would keep nice no cuts, but upgrade the steering to marlin high steer and put a 4" lift on it with some 33" BFG MT's

 

[gmack192]

LOL I wouldn't trade wheels either I also have a set of white spokes (my wife like the turbos) I'm not sure which ones I'm going to use I would like to have stock steel wheels though.