shisha1999

I am looking to purchase a BTTF replica truck and was hoping to get some help as I have never owned a Toyota before and have been a multiple Honda owner during the past 20 years. I have numerous questions so appreciate any feedback and hopefully this is the first of many posts to come.

I am eyeing an 85 manual 22RE 4 x4 solid axle that has 171K miles and comes with all of the factory options including cruise control, sunroof, A/C, and power windows asking $6500. In talking to the 3rd owner who has owned for the past 2 years, he indicated that the truck runs fine with no issues and starts normally. He also mentioned there is no rust and like any 30 year old truck, it has some basic wear and tear but nothing that is a show stopper cosmetically. The last work performed was a timing chain change. Beyond that I dont know what (if any) engine rebuild type of work was completed. The truck itself does not look like from BTTF so I calculated I would need to spend around $4K separately for paint, rims & tires, bars, and lights.

The one thing that concerned me when I ran a Carfax report was the emissions report. The first test failed on June 1991 at 63K but subesequetnly passed, the second failed on July 1993 at 76K, the third passed on April 1995 at 83K, the fourth failed on June 2011 at 163K with a long gap in testing then subsequently passed, and the last two tests passed in 2013 and 2014 at 170K and 171K, respectively.

So here are my questions:

1. Should I be concerned with the multiple emissions failure and does this suggest something else wrong with the truck?
2. Is $6500 a reasonable price considering the age and emissions failure?
3. For resale purposes, what does a fully converted BTTF truck go for these days? If I spend $10K total, is there a possibility to recover total cost assuming not a signficant increase in mileage?
4. For BTTF purists (and this will sound like a dumb question), does an 86 22re auto make a difference because there is also that truck available for $5K that has undergone an engine rebuild and has a solid carfax? From a cosmetic standpoint, both the 85 and 86 look the same but the 86 auto obviously doesnt match the 85 manual BTTF truck which I am wondering how
   that impacts from a resale standpoint.

Thanks again and appreciate any tips for inspecting.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

I am quite slow What is BTTF is it some government agency ??

Most times buying and building a truck is a money losing project.

AustinTaco

Just my opinion. You will not get your money back, but you will have a nice truck. He's asking $1k-$1500 too much. It's a fair price, but not a deal.

old87yota

wyoming9 - BTTF is the Back to the Future movies from the mid 1980's.

Nervo19

How can anyone advise you on emissions rules when we have no idea what state you live in? In my state it varies by what county you live in.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

The emissions would be easy to get solved, but how are your mechanical skills. Mostly a cleaning of the intake and sensors needing cleaned or replaced.

Each states emissions vary. Some easier then others so that would help too. From what I understand, California emissions nearly need a factory catalytic converter to pass. As far as resale, that would seem like a gamble to me as the price is up there already and service or repairs that you may need to do.

shisha1999

Sorry, forgot to mention that detail. The emissions testing is in CA. Didnt know the tests varied so much across the nation.

Nervo19

Yeah. CA is a lot tougher. You probably have a different catalytic converter from the rest of the nation. I'm in VA and only certain counties have emission inspections.

shisha1999

I have been looking at different 85 and 86 trucks and a lot of them have emissions issues. Almost seems like its common with these trucks especially in CA. I talked to one owner who said it was a visual failure so the emissions tests can vary.

Conversely, I happened to find another truck that I want and even has some of the BTTF mods completed but its a 22R engine. Has anyone done a conversion to 22RE? If so, what does it cost and is it simple?

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Ok I was much to busy working back in those days.Traveling the Country.

Converting from a Carb to EFI depending on your skill level can be simple wrenching to a night mare of problems.

Upgrading the Fuel delivery system for EFI pressures .

The intake system from the air cleaner housing through the manifolds.

Upgrading the electronics to the EFI version.

I am sure there are other little things I forgot.

AustinTaco

Don't forget that that there is an early 22r block and a late 22r block. I think the switch happened in 84 or 85. My 84 22r is an early block. The early blocks won't work with just slapping an EFI head and fuel components on them. If you plan to convert, it would be much easier if it is the later style block. Just a heads up.