The good and the bad about 85 toy pickups?

94toy4x4fever · 04-22-2008, 07:31 PM

Im thinkinh about buying a 85 toy pickup! Let me know what you all think about them. And good and bad things about them! Thanks for you time.

eightnine · 04-22-2008, 07:33 PM

Only negative i could think of is rust. Any 79-89 pickup will always have an issue with rust. I cant think of anything really bad about them besides this. Especially if you can get one with the 22re.

scuba · 04-22-2008, 08:29 PM

the engine might be in need of a good rebuild

94toy4x4fever · 04-22-2008, 09:06 PM

I might be getting it for free! From a good friend of mine! It has the 22re in it and I plan on building it into a rock machine. Going to put a 4.3l chevy v6 in it. The bed has some rust. Should I fix or go flat bed?

Dare44 · 04-22-2008, 09:15 PM

i would go flat bed, rocks and a bed dont mix that well

Hasbeen · 04-22-2008, 10:51 PM

The good:
First year with EFI
Solid Front Axle
good strong platform to sequentially build up from

The Bad:
Push pull steering
High potential for rust
Less comfort features than a later model

It has been shown that when building a hardcore trail rig, you aren't really saving any time or money by getting an '85 as compared to later model. But then, yeah, if it's free jump on it man. Plus 84-85 trucks look pimp.

DATTOY · 04-23-2008, 12:03 PM

If it's free than thats one good thing. Other than that its inexpensive to lift, extremely reliable engine and drive train. easy to work on. The Bad... a rough ride (but if its for rock climbing.... no matter), engine is under powered for big tires.

85TurboRunner · 04-23-2008, 01:37 PM

Rust shouldn't be too big of a deal since your from ID.

eighty5yota · 04-23-2008, 05:21 PM

rear passenger spring sag.? thats taken its toll on mine

4WDYotaShop · 04-23-2008, 06:34 PM

Only things I can think of that are bad about them compared to older and newer models is the rarity and price. Other than that 85s are the most sought after Pickups and 4Runners in the Toyota 4WD community, which would explain the rarity, which would in turn explain the price...

TrikeKid · 04-25-2008, 10:17 PM

As far as driving one every day:

Good:
Reasonable on gas
Reliable
IMO, they're cool lookin

Bad:
Noisy
Slow
Not going to ride like a car, ever, doesn't bug me but it does bother some.

luxdlx · 04-25-2008, 10:49 PM

If your making a rock rig just keep the 22R and gear it.

BLKNBLU · 04-26-2008, 12:12 AM

There are advantages to the EFI as it will have a topshifting t case and a w series tranny. These are considered "better" generally but the difference is really minor. You can still get crawler gears and duals for a forward shifter and the 1st gear difference in the tranny is 3.93/3.95 (hardly worth mentioning) The engine itself doesn't matter if you're just going to throw in a Chevy anyways. (I wouldn't) The push pull steering isn't that big a deal either because ifyou want to build a crawler you will want to convert to crossover anyways. Yeah you will need to get an IFS steeing box but you will already have an axle. The only other drawback that I can think of off the top of my head is that the 85 and older stuff has a narrower rear axle. If you can get it for free it's a no brainer.

85 PICKUP · 04-26-2008, 10:33 PM

Hmmm.... Free is good, I am in the process of seeing if I can sell my 85. I found mine with 100k for a reasonable price without really thinking about what I was doing. Previously owned an Acura RL. Anyway after installing lift springs, 33" MTR's, power steering, etc.. Its finally done and I dont really want to deal with the hassle of fixing things on a 23 year old truck every other week. So, time to go....

Pros: Pretty tough, straight axle, easy to lift, etc

Cons: Rides like hell, reliable?, hard to locate parts out of a wrecking yard

Maybe I am just pissed at my truck and I will probably regret selling it but like Jack Burton always says "What the hell".

zlathim · 04-26-2008, 11:24 PM

Keep the 22re. Spend money on gears and steering stuff instead? An '85 for free is a good deal for sure. I'm looking forward to seeing some pics.

04-22-2008, 07:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
94toy4x4fever Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lewiston, Idaho Posts: 244	The good and the bad about 85 toy pickups? Im thinkinh about buying a 85 toy pickup! Let me know what you all think about them. And good and bad things about them! Thanks for you time. __________________ 94 toyota pickup. 22re w/ RV cam pacesetter header with flowmaster 40 series muffler K&N cold air 31" cooper stt's bedlinner 87 toyota 4runner. 22re 33" nokian vatiiva M/T'S 4inch lift things to do: 40 series flowmaster gears custom front and back bumpers sliders lockers SAS one of these days after the IFS cant take it any more!!!!

04-22-2008, 07:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
eightnine Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 864	Only negative i could think of is rust. Any 79-89 pickup will always have an issue with rust. I cant think of anything really bad about them besides this. Especially if you can get one with the 22re. __________________ 1989 Toyota 4runner Special Edition - Rebuilt 22re bored .20 over 4.30 gears, - Magnaflow Performance Exhaust with Magnaflow Hi Flow Catalytic Converter, Monroe Sensa-Tracs Shocks all around, 4runner AALs, Custom Checkerplate front skid plate, Kayline Soft Top , Clear Corners and Turn Signals, Eagle Alloy Rims with 30x9.5x15 mud tires, 2 12" JBL Subwoofers / MTX AMP, Pioneer Premiere Speakers, JVC KD-G730 MP3/CD/Bluetooth http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2422088

04-22-2008, 09:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
94toy4x4fever Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lewiston, Idaho Posts: 244	I might be getting it for free! From a good friend of mine! It has the 22re in it and I plan on building it into a rock machine. Going to put a 4.3l chevy v6 in it. The bed has some rust. Should I fix or go flat bed? __________________ 94 toyota pickup. 22re w/ RV cam pacesetter header with flowmaster 40 series muffler K&N cold air 31" cooper stt's bedlinner 87 toyota 4runner. 22re 33" nokian vatiiva M/T'S 4inch lift things to do: 40 series flowmaster gears custom front and back bumpers sliders lockers SAS one of these days after the IFS cant take it any more!!!!

04-22-2008, 09:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dare44 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: grass valley, ca Posts: 902	i would go flat bed, rocks and a bed dont mix that well __________________ 1997 Toyota 4x4 SR5 4runner 3.4 auto Toytec 3 inch coil spring Lift Trail Gear Rock Sliders Maxxis Bighorn M/T's Amp Custom Rims Cobra CB, 5ft Firestik KC Daylighters http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3008195 Near Future List Bumpers Lockers 1st Gen Roll Bar Winning the Lottery?

04-22-2008, 10:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
Hasbeen Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 37	The good: First year with EFI Solid Front Axle good strong platform to sequentially build up from The Bad: Push pull steering High potential for rust Less comfort features than a later model It has been shown that when building a hardcore trail rig, you aren't really saving any time or money by getting an '85 as compared to later model. But then, yeah, if it's free jump on it man. Plus 84-85 trucks look pimp. __________________ 1985 Extended Cab: 22re, 5spd,

04-23-2008, 12:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
DATTOY Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kona, Big Island Posts: 23	If it's free than thats one good thing. Other than that its inexpensive to lift, extremely reliable engine and drive train. easy to work on. The Bad... a rough ride (but if its for rock climbing.... no matter), engine is under powered for big tires.

04-23-2008, 01:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
85TurboRunner Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 769	Rust shouldn't be too big of a deal since your from ID. __________________ nothin says buck, like a toyota truck

04-23-2008, 05:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
eighty5yota Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: san jose cali Posts: 303	rear passenger spring sag.? thats taken its toll on mine

04-23-2008, 06:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
4WDYotaShop Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 59	Only things I can think of that are bad about them compared to older and newer models is the rarity and price. Other than that 85s are the most sought after Pickups and 4Runners in the Toyota 4WD community, which would explain the rarity, which would in turn explain the price... __________________ 82 pickup, 3" lift, 33" tires, 79-81 headlight conversion, extended diff breathers, and much more to come.

04-25-2008, 10:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
TrikeKid Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Roy, WA Posts: 240	As far as driving one every day: Good: Reasonable on gas Reliable IMO, they're cool lookin Bad: Noisy Slow Not going to ride like a car, ever, doesn't bug me but it does bother some. __________________ '85 Xtra Cab Knobbly tires and such things.

04-25-2008, 10:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
luxdlx Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: CW ohio Posts: 122	If your making a rock rig just keep the 22R and gear it. __________________ Our rides: Beater-86 2wd 22R 4sp 215K+SOLD, My Toy-94 DLX xcab 4x4 22RE 5sp 70K, Wifey Ride-02 Runner SR5 5VZ 4x4 60K and our newest beater - '94 Runner SR5 3VZ 4x4 125K project.

04-26-2008, 12:12 AM	#13 (permalink)
BLKNBLU Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 1,226	There are advantages to the EFI as it will have a topshifting t case and a w series tranny. These are considered "better" generally but the difference is really minor. You can still get crawler gears and duals for a forward shifter and the 1st gear difference in the tranny is 3.93/3.95 (hardly worth mentioning) The engine itself doesn't matter if you're just going to throw in a Chevy anyways. (I wouldn't) The push pull steering isn't that big a deal either because ifyou want to build a crawler you will want to convert to crossover anyways. Yeah you will need to get an IFS steeing box but you will already have an axle. The only other drawback that I can think of off the top of my head is that the 85 and older stuff has a narrower rear axle. If you can get it for free it's a no brainer. __________________ 86 Runner, BFG 31's, custom Sonoran Steel rear bumper, 4Crawler 1" body lift, rock sliders from Richard Stubbs, Downey 3" lift rear leaf springs, SDORI ball joint spacers, rear Lockright

04-26-2008, 10:33 PM	#14 (permalink)
85 PICKUP Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gresham, Oregon Posts: 22	Hmmm.... Free is good, I am in the process of seeing if I can sell my 85. I found mine with 100k for a reasonable price without really thinking about what I was doing. Previously owned an Acura RL. Anyway after installing lift springs, 33" MTR's, power steering, etc.. Its finally done and I dont really want to deal with the hassle of fixing things on a 23 year old truck every other week. So, time to go.... Pros: Pretty tough, straight axle, easy to lift, etc Cons: Rides like hell, reliable?, hard to locate parts out of a wrecking yard Maybe I am just pissed at my truck and I will probably regret selling it but like Jack Burton always says "What the hell".

04-26-2008, 11:24 PM	#15 (permalink)
zlathim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,013	Keep the 22re. Spend money on gears and steering stuff instead? An '85 for free is a good deal for sure. I'm looking forward to seeing some pics.

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