Considering a 1980 SR5 Long Bed - Quick Questions

[Phares]

We are having a baby. In like two months. We decided the wife shouldn't go back to work as a teacher in this state of NC. After child care, taxes, misc. expenses we would be bringing home around 8K at the end of the year. I figured it isn't worth 8K to have to hear the awful stories that come out of a teacher's life. So she is staying home. Fortunately I have a good job that is somewhat secure. But a man does have to make ends meet with some buffer room in between.
Any sane man would sell the 73 FJ40 and use that cash to get by for a while. I guess I have a sick disease for old metal Toyotas because my end of the world, hobby vehicle, sweet ass 40 isn't going anywhere.
We need the Princess' new Rav4 for the family so that leaves the 2010 Taco. So whilst looking for a nice late 80s early 90s replacement I came across a pristine 1980 Pickup SR5 Long Bed with the original paint, decent seats, perfect dash and electronics, and a slightly but not too much leaking 20R engine mated to a 5 speed transmission that the second owner says is stock. It drives perfect and there was only one smaller than a dime spot of rust under the tail gate. I didn't think I wanted it but I have been having day-mares about some punk getting a hold of it and destroying what has to be one of the last unmolested early pickups. If I had a big bay garage it would be a no brainer. So below are my questions:

Is the 5 speed stock on an 80 model SR5? I thought they only came with 4s.
How is parts availability for the 20R engine? I know it is getting harder and harder to find stuff for my F.
Whats the reputation of the 20R? I have only messed with the F an the 3VZE.
Anything specific I should look at before closing the deal?

Thanks!

 

[Sam Stewart]

Yes it should have a 5 speed if it is a true SR5 truck.

I took the 20R out of my crawler and put a 22RE in because I wanted the fuel injection. It's an off road only truck and the carb really sucked on the trails. The 20R (mine was a 4 spd) really wasn't that bad on the road. You're not going to win any drag racing contests or anything but it's got decent gearing and drives pretty well. Parts supply is decent for the 20R but you won't get ANY carb parts. Most people tend to swap over the RE like I did if anything major goes wrong with the 20R. It's an easy swap and can be done pretty inexpensively. You also get more displacement and a bit more power. The best thing for me is not having to deal with the carb, choke, etc. Just hit the key and it fires right up. If you're die hard and want to keep it all original (which I can also understand) you'll just have to supplement the OEM with aftermarket. All in all a great truck and if it's in the shape you say, you need to buy it before someone else does and turns it into a trail truck like mine.

 

[Phares]

Sam, are the FSM still available through the dealer for the 1980 pickup? And did they come stock with aisin carbs?

 

[hairy_apple]

I love my wifes truck. I actually like wheeling it more then I like wheeling the cruiser sometimes... It's a super dependable truck. If you don't count smog crap... the only repairs we've had to do in the 6 years since she bought it was a fuel pump, and rear main seal. I'd say it's the best automobile I've owned actually.

I love my cruiser, but the truck is just awesome. It just never wants anything, and takes all the crap we throw at it. We use it a lot too... it's not a DD.. yet... but it gets used hard when it gets used. We wheel the crap out of it and haul wood and dirt and whatever with it.

I would jump in it right now and drive it to the east coast without a second thought. Can't say that for anything else I own or have ever owned.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Sam, are the FSM still available through the dealer for the 1980 pickup? And did they come stock with aisin carbs?

All the old FSMs are through Helm Inc. They are the manufacturer that provides them to the dealers. We can still order through them but by the time we pay shipping both ways it ends up being more expensive than you just buying them. Actually, I think I may still have the ones I ordered a couple of years ago for my truck. Obviously they aren't doing me any good now since nothing on my truck is original. You're welcome to them if you cover the shipping. (Well, I better make sure I have them first.) And, yes, I'm pretty sure the original carbs were Aisin. I might have a complete one of those laying around as well. I'll have to check. A lot of the trucks I've seen have a Webber carb but those are obviously not original.

I'll look through my stash when I get home tonight. I have a bunch of stuff left over from when I did the swap.