Looking at an 83 4x4 to buy

[g14it]

So im going to go look at an 83 that needs an engine and was curious if there is any thing I need too look out for outside of the obvious stuff... this will be replacing my 96 4Runner that got in a fight with a car, fence, and power pole and lost badly ($14k in damage)
The seller claims its rust free and only needs an engine (perfect opportunity for a 2lt swap) so the things that come to mind is are these known for going threw axle seals like my 96 did? Are the axles beefy enough to put up with 33's with a rear locker with a stubborn driver(im smooth and easy until I get in a position that I gotta get ridiculous... got threw a bunch of trails in AZ and southern CA that people said lockers, and 33's are the bare minimum (most had fully built rigs with 35s and arb's) in a stock open diff 3rd gen 4Runner on 31s (got some funny looks) Sorry for the rambling but im not exactly flush with cash and the only way any one can come close to answering the durability question is if they know my driving style.

Yes I searched but I couldn't seem to find many definitive answers that I felt comfortable basing any real purchase decisions off of. I know mud is normally a LC forum but you guys seem to be the most knowledgeable about older yotas.

 

[Combat Chuck]

Welcome to the first-gen disease.
Don't worry, it's mostly harmless!

As an owner of a daily-driven 83 4X4, I can safely say that this is the best damn truck I've ever owned.

Rust is the biggest concern. there's a joke amongst Toyota enthusiasts that some rust must be factory installed (likely a side-effect of the boat-ride here).
Another concern is electrical. The stock wiring in a Toyota is bulletproof, but previous owners have long managed to screw that up.

As far as the first things I would do, this is my list:
1. Axle seals all around
2. Since the engine's gone, drop the transmission and press in new bearings. These are the L52's weakest link, but as long as the bearings are maintained, it's a really sturdy gearbox.
3. new clutch master and slave
4. check the brake master. Sometimes the seals degrade with lack of use, and it could leak.

33's are fine on a stock axle, but if you bind it up, you could break a birf.
Any 22R would fit into there.

When putting it back together, I recommend a stock clutch.
There are HD clutches out there, there are crawler clutches, but all the hardcores I know still run stock gear. Hell, Larry, the mechanic who built my truck, swears by them.

Hope this helps!
PM me if you have electrical questions, I have a pretty good understanding of the 83 wire loom by now.