RVApunkROCK

Ok so long story short when I was little my aunt had an older Toyota Pickup, 80s something not sure of the year, and used to take me everywhere in the thing and I lovvvvvved that truck. Well she sold it a few years back and I'd always really wanted one and I happened across on locally on craigslist the other day. It's an 88' with a couple problems and thats what I need help on.
The following is from the ad. "1988 Toyota Pickup 4x4
22re fuel injected 4cyl, 5spd, regular cab
184K miles
Strong engine, needs fuel filter reinstalled to run (have filter). Valve cover gasket leaks some oil, not bad. Transmission popping out of gear (synchros?). Some rust on bed (good condition compared to others I've seen), cab rust-free.
Bucket seats from 4runner. 31x10.50 tires - 2 BFG MT's good tread, 1 BFG MT 1/2 tread, 1 Goodyear Wrangler 1/2 tread."

Now I talked to him yesterday and he already replaced the fuel filter, but I'm a bit worried about the transmission slipping out of gear. I'm getting the truck very cheap ($500 and some power tools I don't use) but I can't afford any major repairs. Is this a common problem or a sign that the tranny would need replacing in the near future? Is it a cheap fix (if its a common problem, obviously not if it needs a new trans)?

Any help would be great, thanks.

83

$500 seems like a fair price for it, but that truck does look like, if nothing else, it's sat for a while. That rust isn't bad. A used transmission can be found either somewhere online or local junkyards or whatever for anywhere from $75 up to $300 or more. I found one for that year truck on craigslist this spring for $75 that had been rebuilt 20,000 miles ago. If you had the tranny rebuilt it would be up towards $600-700 or more, probably, and if it doesn't need that now, it will probably before long. So.....I would say that if, after driving it and looking it over closely, it runs and looks pretty good, $500 is a very good price, but you will be putting money and time into it. It doesn't sound like a truck you'll be able to buy and then drive for a year or more trouble-free. IF you can find a good cheap tranny and do the work yourself, that truck is most likely a great deal, if everything else is in good shape.

bxlt

Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! If it runs well (the motor) buy it right now. I paid $1500 for mine and it needed a new bed, hood, cowl, and about another $500 worth of parts to be the daily driver that it is now. If all that truck needs is a new tranny then $500 is a steal. Look on craig's list and you can find all the parts you need.

Also if that truck wasn't in VA it would be on its way to my drive way right now, but then I am always looking for another project.

rdlsz24

Looks pretty good and you can't hardly beat that price. I also would hunt for a used tranny.

Rob

blackspyder

I gave 500 for my '88 down here in the Roanoke area and it was in similar shape.

tranny should be fine. try shifter bushings ($6 for the lower one) it may fix the popping out (2 outta 3 times its fixed the issue for me, note the 1 non fix was my toyota)

well worth the money.

RVApunkROCK

Well I'm out of work (back problems, long story) and needed something drivable for now and wound up getting an 88' Jeep Laredo for $400 with basically nothing wrong with it. But, the guy was interested in some trades i had to offer so I might be trading old tools for the Toyota, and if I can find somewhere to keep it I'll just turn it into a project truck, hate to lose the thing.