Thinking about a mini truck build

[Tennessee80]

Hey mud,

I have been on this forum since 2007 and have had a lot of different Land Cruisers. Lately I have had my eye on the early mini trucks and have been inspired by a lot of the builds on here. My daily driver is a 200 series, and have no interest in turning it into a wheeler.

That being said, I'm either going to build up another 60, or get into the mini truck world and build up a camping rig with low gears and cool camper mods. I also can really use a truck since I'm at the recycling and dump ALL OF THE TIME.

I know this is a biased sub group, but will I regret a 2 seater with only room for me and one of my boys? If more people want to ride, the 200 will get the bill (which it does anyway, due to comfort and climate control).

cheers!

Joel

 

[Mudder]

If I was doing a mini truck build from scratch I’d be looking at An 89 or later extended cab personally. The standard cabs are tight especially on the earlier models. I’m 5’ 6” for reference.

 

[aztoyman]

I agree with Mudder here. I have only had 2nd gen pickups (84-88) but my son built a 3rd gen extended cab (89-94 or 5?) since he is 6'5". Definitely rides better with longer leaf springs on these compared to the earlier ones. A noticeable increase in room and comfort inside the cab. Not really a comfortable ride for passengers in the rear but it is doable. It's not in the 2nd gens. More room for your stuff as well. We had the same powertrain otherwise. I'd definitely go with the 22RE over the 3.0 and definitely a manual trans. Good luck with whatever you decide on. Looking forward to your build thread.

 

[Tennessee80]

My problem is, I just spotted a '79 that needs work but is dripping with original sun baked paint, rust free body, and vintage graphics...

I need to find something local to me in Nashville and just sit in it for reference. I am 6 foot tall. My first Toyota was a 1985 2wd long bed and I loved that rig.

 

[aztoyman]

It's hard to not like a 1st gen Toyota pickup. Hard to pass on a rust free one too. They are definitely small and it's getting harder to find parts. Not impossible, just tougher. Good luck with your dilemma.

 

[pappy]

My problem is, I just spotted a '79 that needs work but is dripping with original sun baked paint, rust free body, and vintage graphics...

I need to find something local to me in Nashville and just sit in it for reference. I am 6 foot tall. My first Toyota was a 1985 2wd long bed and I loved that rig.

I used to own a 1982, which is the same generation truck as the 1979. I'm 5'10". That was pushing it. They are a very cramped truck, and there is nothing comfortable about them.

 

[Tennessee80]

I used to own a 1982, which is the same generation truck as the 1979. I'm 5'10". That was pushing it. They are a very cramped truck, and there is nothing comfortable about them.

Good to know. I barely remember my 1985. It was a great little rig.

Sounds like I need to sit in a few and go from there?

 

[Beams37]

I've had 60's, 100's, and 200's. I also have a 82 pickup. I just love it. I don't think you'll regret it, as long as you go into it with honest expectations. It's got 2 seats, a small engine, and a small cab. That being said, it's so much fun to drive, easy to diagnose/fix, and extremely capable.

 

[clx16]

Personally I think the even earlier pickups that were still called hilux here pre 79 ... are the best looking but for what you want, you would have to sas it. The 79 has a small trans tunnel.... I think you want a larger trans tunnel... i would avoid the side shifter trucks like the 79.... I think 82 and 83 have the larger tunnels and would give you more room for the stuff you plan on putting in. Of course putting in a new tunnel might not be daunting to you.

Now this will likely get me yelled at but if you want to drive comfortably.. get a 05 or newer regular cab (which are pretty hard to find) and you will have a nice short wheelbase and plenty of legroom.

 

[Mudder]

Now this will likely get me yelled at but if you want to drive comfortably.. get a 05 or newer regular cab (which are pretty hard to find) and you will have a nice short wheelbase and plenty of legroom.

Blasphemy!!

I’m just kidding. Honestly, I know my current project is a s*** show that has caused me some additional strains, but if I did it again I would’ve scrapped my old truck and gone with a mid 2000s Tacoma or 4Runner for both comfort, a better engine, and honestly better supported. Minitruck stuff is getting annoying to find. Outside of TG (who now owns pretty much everything) the options are limited and costly from when I first got into these in 2013.

Even just having something as simple as cruise control is amazing And that option seems hard to find in the older ones. Plus around me (PNW) the old ones cost as much as a Tacoma because it has a 22RE which are “bullet proof” which is true because it doesn’t have enough power to hurt itself.

 

[pappy]

Even just having something as simple as cruise control is amazing And that option seems hard to find in the older ones. Plus around me (PNW) the old ones cost as much as a Tacoma because it has a 22RE which are “bullet proof” which is true because it doesn’t have enough power to hurt itself.

Having driven a 22re for 36 years I get the allure of that engine. Easy to work on. Parts mostly available. And, bullet proof. But ... I would take a 3RZ, or a 2TR, in a Tacoma any day over the 22re. Assuming I wanted to stay 4cylinder.

IF a 3RZ, 5-speed, rear locked 4Runner became available near me, and I had the funds, I would be all over it.

 

[Stompyou]

I'm 6'3 and have had a bunch of toyotas.. 1st gens have more leg room than 2nd gens. The extra cab use for any human bigger than a toddler is laughable. But they are great for added legroom for tall people. Personally I'd pick a 1st gen for wheeler, as the sheet metal is thicker and you don't have the I touched a tree with my door and the outside handle doesn’t work anymore problems.

 

[Tennessee80]

Here's a little rig I'm talking to a guy about....

I also found a 1985 Xtra cab and its built, bobbed, geared, 4.3 swapped, 37s

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Now this will likely get me yelled at but if you want to drive comfortably.. get a 05 or newer regular cab (which are pretty hard to find) and you will have a nice short wheelbase and plenty of legroom.

The above would also be my preference for the future.
I owned a ‘92 single cab for a few years and it was adequate for my size at 6’5”.
Sheet metal on these is very prone to rust, a common theme with older Toyota 4x4s.

 

[clx16]

That is mint man. I couldn't wheel that nice of a rig but wow. you're gonna have to get both proly.

 

[clx16]

The above would also be my preference for the future.
I owned a ‘92 single cab for a few years and it was adequate for my size at 6’5”.
Sheet metal on these is very prone to rust, a common theme with older Toyota 4x4s.

I hope you mean along with your 80 right? you aren't thinking blasphemous things are you?

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I hope you mean along with your 80 right? you aren't thinking blasphemous things are you?

No plans to ditch the 80 anytime soon!

 

[Tennessee80]

there's this one also....

1985, regular cab. Clean truck

 

[toy_tek]

I've got an 83 so I'm biased to that body style...but that 85 there would be tempting especially if someone kept up on the maintenance.

Agree w Pappy tho - plan for a later powerplant for a whole bunch of reasons. Mine has a 3rz sitting in it.

 

[Tennessee80]

The bobbed 85 with the 4.3 swap on 37s is cool, and looks like that’s a pretty desirable swap.

Any input on a 4.3 swapped rig with R151F transmission?