Look to get my first truck (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter kcband
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2008
- Threads
- 96
- Messages
- 2,930
- Location
- Freensville
- Website
- www.poolpartydeathmachine.com
I like 55's, but they're a tough sell for a driver just starting out, because making one roadworthy requires alot of financial strength.
As for truck, what're you looking for, and what do you intend to do.
"Offroad" is too broad a term to say one or the other for.
79-85 will be solid beam axle, carbureted either 20R or 22R, early 5-speeds require some love to make reliable, I can safely advise against daily driving a first-gen (79-83) that's not in immaculate shape.
I would gladly sacrifice a solid front axle for EFI, no ifs, ands or buts, though not everybody sees this the same way.
Personally, a thrid-gen would be the best bet for a starter, 22RE, 5-speed, the best build quality, the IFS setup is pretty robust, they look good, and parts are plentiful.
I also think I speak on behalf of everyone here that you should steer clear of the 3.0 V6, they're a maintenance nightmare.
As for truck, what're you looking for, and what do you intend to do.
"Offroad" is too broad a term to say one or the other for.
79-85 will be solid beam axle, carbureted either 20R or 22R, early 5-speeds require some love to make reliable, I can safely advise against daily driving a first-gen (79-83) that's not in immaculate shape.
I would gladly sacrifice a solid front axle for EFI, no ifs, ands or buts, though not everybody sees this the same way.
Personally, a thrid-gen would be the best bet for a starter, 22RE, 5-speed, the best build quality, the IFS setup is pretty robust, they look good, and parts are plentiful.
I also think I speak on behalf of everyone here that you should steer clear of the 3.0 V6, they're a maintenance nightmare.
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2008
- Threads
- 96
- Messages
- 2,930
- Location
- Freensville
- Website
- www.poolpartydeathmachine.com
2 grand won't buy much in Cruiserland.
As I said earlier, I really think a solid Third-gen would be perfect for you.
1988-1995, 22RE, double-wall bed, W-series trannies, EFI, nothing to hate!
good luck!
If I had 2K to spare on a freshly bought truck, I'd sink it into doublers and a lift.
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2008
- Threads
- 96
- Messages
- 2,930
- Location
- Freensville
- Website
- www.poolpartydeathmachine.com
Your parents have a great idea.
Trust me, you will be tapping into that. If whatever truck you buy has been sitting for any amount of time, I can promise you your wheel seals will die within the first 2K miles on the road.
There's alot of PM to do to any newly acquired truck, no matter the make, or mythos; and it's beyond wise to have cash stashed away for a rainy day.
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2008
- Threads
- 96
- Messages
- 2,930
- Location
- Freensville
- Website
- www.poolpartydeathmachine.com
Another thing to mention:
Find your local Toyota specialist shop, they seem to be everywhere.
Before you buy, get the truck inspected, and leaked down. Sometimes it takes discerning eyes to show a potential buyer some reality.
Find your local Toyota specialist shop, they seem to be everywhere.
Before you buy, get the truck inspected, and leaked down. Sometimes it takes discerning eyes to show a potential buyer some reality.
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2008
- Threads
- 96
- Messages
- 2,930
- Location
- Freensville
- Website
- www.poolpartydeathmachine.com
^What CombatChuck said. The closer you can get to a 22re powered 1995 single or xtra cab the better of you'll be in the long run.
- Thread starter
- #12
How does this look? Do you think it is off road worthy? http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/2780533437.html
My first couple trucks were FJ55s and I daily drove FJ55s for almost 10 years. Amazing vehicles. They can make you car-poor though, and if you spend the $$$ to make them more driveable, well...
Driving the mini is easier and cheaper. Currently have a 94 truck. Paid $3K for a truck with 212K, but still runs great and great mileage. Parts are readily available and more inexpensive than any Cruiser's. Simple upgrades make the mini an offroad monster. Look around on this section of the forum, including:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyota-truck-tech/257685-how-build-toyota-solid-axle-rock-crawler-thread.html
Drive a mini and go from there.
- Thread starter
- #14
This one looks pretty solid as well http://bellingham.craigslist.org/cto/2784126506.html
Piece of advise, look around and dont jump quick unless you are walking!!Biggest thing is to check for bhg and frame rot. something that may need a little work is a great buying trick because most others dont want the hassle of throwing a few hundred bucks on a vehicle they have been in awhile.Hope this helps man
- Thread starter
- #16
cundmud said:Piece of advise, look around and dont jump quick unless you are walking!!Biggest thing is to check for bhg and frame rot. something that may need a little work is a great buying trick because most others dont want the hassle of throwing a few hundred bucks on a vehicle they have been in awhile.Hope this helps man
What is bhg? Are you saying that one of the ones that needs a new head gasket might be good because I could push their price down?
BHG=Blown Head Gasket, why CombatChuck suggested always get a leakdown test done before a buy.
no way,Im saying that alot of things that are needed may be small and if you are handy with a wrench you can save a little money and learn your vehicle at the same time. I've boughtb alot of trucks over the years cheap, that were believed to be bhg but were actually timing chain cover with a hole in it
Both the trucks you linked to look like they have a great potential to be a very reliable truck. It looks like you figured out that a 4cyl 5 speed mini truck is a great first truck (which will last you through college and be a great built rig 10-20 or 30 years down the road)
The biggest mistake you can make with these things is spend too much time building them rather than driving them. The more you mod a truck, the more it breaks. While its really good to keep up on maintenance and repairs, the ones I see with 300+k miles on them have barely had an oil change their entire life.
That said, there are some very reliable modifications which are fine for a daily driver. Like 4.7 t-case gears, locker, bumpers, rock sliders, and a high-clarence skid plate. Either of those trucks on 32's with a rear locker will wheel 90% of the trails in the country (and will be ALOT of fun!)
Just skip the dual case adapter, big lift kit, open intake, aftermarket exhaust, etc for reliability.
When you look at the truck, take lots of pictures, and post them in this thread. You seem to have your head on straight when picking out trucks, so it should be easy for people on the forum to help you find any issues with the truck you want (before you buy!)
The biggest mistake you can make with these things is spend too much time building them rather than driving them. The more you mod a truck, the more it breaks. While its really good to keep up on maintenance and repairs, the ones I see with 300+k miles on them have barely had an oil change their entire life.
That said, there are some very reliable modifications which are fine for a daily driver. Like 4.7 t-case gears, locker, bumpers, rock sliders, and a high-clarence skid plate. Either of those trucks on 32's with a rear locker will wheel 90% of the trails in the country (and will be ALOT of fun!)
Just skip the dual case adapter, big lift kit, open intake, aftermarket exhaust, etc for reliability.
When you look at the truck, take lots of pictures, and post them in this thread. You seem to have your head on straight when picking out trucks, so it should be easy for people on the forum to help you find any issues with the truck you want (before you buy!)
I LOVE my FJ60's and they are tanks but like stated before it will be easier because of the abundance of parts and more affordable to build up a pickup. Not to mention the GAS factor!
Being a young kid you are going to be driving your car around a lot, I know...I did, my neice did, my kid does. So do yourself a favor and buy a 22r or 22re pickup.
After owning a 1992 pickup for a couple years I love it. Lots of parts for them, lots of mods, cheap to drive (18mpg in town for mine). I also have a 1984 camper, 22re.
My first choice would be a Tacoma v6, then a Tacoma I4, but these may be out of your price range. Not sure what you can find down there.
My second choice would be an 22re EFI, IFS 1989-1994 Pickup. V6 in these are problematic.
Do yourself a favor and get a king cab if you can. Mine is a standard cab and I wish I had the extended cab all the time.
Those two in the CL ads look nice. I would go for the 1990's truck.
As you can see it does not take too much to get 33s under them.
Being a young kid you are going to be driving your car around a lot, I know...I did, my neice did, my kid does. So do yourself a favor and buy a 22r or 22re pickup.
After owning a 1992 pickup for a couple years I love it. Lots of parts for them, lots of mods, cheap to drive (18mpg in town for mine). I also have a 1984 camper, 22re.
My first choice would be a Tacoma v6, then a Tacoma I4, but these may be out of your price range. Not sure what you can find down there.
My second choice would be an 22re EFI, IFS 1989-1994 Pickup. V6 in these are problematic.
Do yourself a favor and get a king cab if you can. Mine is a standard cab and I wish I had the extended cab all the time.
Those two in the CL ads look nice. I would go for the 1990's truck.
As you can see it does not take too much to get 33s under them.
