jmericlejp

Hey guys,
To introduce myself, I'm Jesse, 18 years old as of current, engaged, and converting from the jeep thing (hurts when I pee....).

I know this gets gone over a lot, but I can't find a definitive idea on what I should be looking at... so any help is great. I know Jeeps, not so much on Toyota's but i'm learning.

Here's my situation. I need a pickup, I need it for work (light fire mitigation and fire fighter response) and for play, but mostly because I'm sick of not having room for gear in my Jeep. Toyota was the first idea, but now I am lost in the years and motors. I live in Colorado, so I go over passes a lot, a lot of mountain driving. I can't see myself towing much, but a pop up is in the future (small and light, nothing fancy). I really like the look of the '84-'88 trucks, and theres a couple in awesome shape for sale right now. The one I figure on looking at tommorrow is an '87, longbed (which is second best to an ext cab I think, extra space is nice), 22re, 200,000 miles and an auto.

I'm now kind of tossing around the idea of a trade plus finance and buying a taco, I like the V-6, driven a few and really like how they feel. I haven't driven an older model yet, ride quality is less important to me, but is some of a factor to the fiance (which has some impact, not huge though.) But, how does the 22rx series do for mountain driving? Will I hate the four banger? I drive an inline six wrangler right now and powerwise it's great for me.

Is it worth finding a great '80s rig and using some extra money to make it a bit tighter, or would I be better off buying a taco with a six cyl? I'm hesitant to finance, but sick of looking, I want a truck, and might take a hit on my trade to do it.... I hear all these legendary claims of toyota mileage, but in the real world, buying used, for the 22re and 3.4 sixes, how much is too much? If I'm trading, I want a good 100,000 left in it to feel pretty even with what I've got. (I don't care how far it's gone, but how far will it reasonably go, without knowing maintenance history, but assuming a good condition vehicle...)

Long post. Hopefully enough information to get started. Thanks in advance for any help you can give, and happy new years to everyone!

~Jesse

jmericlejp

Also. How were the auto's behind the four bangers? I have never driven an auto before, and think I'd like to hang towards a five speed, but, I find a bunch of nice 4 cylinders both newer and older, with auto's behind them. Are they dogs or are they a fairly efficient design? I know most auto's tend to be less efficient in power transfer than palm shakers, but how do they do in the yota's?

Thanks again!

HighLux

Id get the 3.4 taco. Power in the mountains is the key here.
And possible future towing.

jmericlejp

I'm kind of leaning that way... I think as much as I hate to admit it, I might enjoy a touch of the luxury afforded by newer trucks... So, with a 3.4, how much mileage would put me in a good place? I find some that are super clean, but moving towards 200,000 miles... In the Jeep world I'd say no way, but it seems like in the Taco world, it's like a diesel and just getting broke in... My budget is a limiting factor right now, I want a straight trade or just barely more for my 2000 Wrangler (nada is around 8700, I put real world at 7800 due to rust problems on the fenders)... If I wasn't seeking employment, I'd have more room to work on the price, but I see a reasonable limit of around $10,000, for a truck that will do exactly what I need it to, in really good shape, options don't matter, but reliability and 4x4 are key.... so mileage is the biggest question. I hear varying things, all higher numbers, but some are higher than others, and I'm a little more weary of it buying used... I guess the 3.0 pickup is an option, but is the performance on that appreciably higher than a 22rx in reality?

Thanks for the reply!

HighLux

I wouldn't touch a 3.0 with a 10ft pole.

3.4 is a great motor.

keep looking. 8-10k should get you a decent 120k 4x4 xcab taco
easy.

jmericlejp

Alright cool. I looked on autotrader today, haven't looked at the taco's in awhile, been caught up with the older guys there, and in a different area before the move... A few I'll go look at tommorrow that are closer than the other, and with 150-160k, they fetch a pretty good price out here, in demand year round. But they are all around 8k, which if I can get a good dealer, could work... might have to throw a little cash at them, which I don't want to, but I guess first is to see what they'll do.

Thanks for the input HighLux, I don't know if there's a thumbs up or anything on this forum, but if there is let me know and I'll give ya one! You've helped me settle on a type of truck from a wide range!

HighLux

check craigslist in your area

jsamarin

I wouldn't be afraid of a p/u with a 3.0l. They have a bad rep for head gasket failure , but the new gasket design after the HG campaign has really improved the durability of them. Everyone has their own opinion on the motor, but I wouldn't be afraid to buy another. Mine has given me no issues what so ever other than an oil leak and starter contacts. Powers not bad either mated to a 5spd, not sure about the auto as I've never driven one, but they are kind of a bitch to work on. Toyota didn't leave much room to get your hands in places lol

IMO the 22re plastic timing chain guides is just as weak of a link as the hg in the 3.0, but then again that's just MY opinion.

The new tacos are a great truck as well. They ride great and the v6 has lots of power, just look out for frame rot as they do have big issues in that department depending on where the truck has spend most of its life.

Hope that helps you out,.

bone collector

Any Yota pickup will be better then a J**P. I have several and they have all been good. Get the newest truck you can afford, Keep it a 5 speed and get an extra cab. And of course make it 4wheel drive. other then that drive and enjoy... then save your pennies for future mods...

jmericlejp

Cool, thanks guys! Yeah, I think I'll lean towards a first gen tacoma, if nothing else because a topper is in my future, and I can find one easily for an '89 plus, but like the way the 3.4 drives; I've only driven one 3.0 in a runner, and it was kind of a dog by my own standards (I may have a jeep now, but I've been a V8 guy up to that, so maybe I have high standards...). I've considered financing a newer taco, but really, I am old fashioned in that I really don't like the idea of composite, I'd rather have a dent from a tree on my box then not have a box (a likely scenario at this point.) I think the V6 will be the way to go, just not knowing what my business will expand to, I know it won't get huge, but a reasonably sized splitter unit is in the cards when the money is looking up.

Thank you all for some awesome input, especially on the frame rot. I think a good portion of these are CO trucks, which, so long as they kept up on washes after snow, lends itself to good metal. I'm looking at two tommorrow. It's not as hard to find these as it was my powerstroke (can't afford to feed it too often anymore), more manuals, bigger year range, and less issues to keep eye for, so I think it's waiting on the right price for a good truck now. Ext cab is essential, plenty of gear and iron to ride with me daily that I'd like stowed handy (and small truck syndrome could be an issue otherwise, used to the big guys.)

I'm rambling. Thanks again, and I look forward to reading up as time goes on!
Happy new years everyone, I guess it's new years eve in many places now!

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

You have to take in account where you live.

In Colorado or any of the Mountain west it does not take long to put mileage on a vehicle.

3.4 engines around 200,000 it would be time to do the timing belt again so figure on that when making offers.

If you are a V8 person who down graded to a V6 you will hate the 22REC engine with a automatic even more..

Though a 22REC would make a great ranch truck as long as you didn`t need to make any long trips.

Extra cab ?? speaking for myself it is amazing how fast things pile up in there. Depending on just what gear you carry you might be better off with some bed storage boxes.

With me it never fails what I need always ends up hiding on the bottom well I am sure you get the idea.

In any case Welcome!! Good luck in your search

Richard

why is that ?

westjohns yota

a 22re with a 5 speed is the most indestructible truck out there, the 3.0 is a boat anchor, it doesnt have much power for what it is, has a bad head gasket design, and fetches crap for gas milage, a 3.4 is an amazing motor, and behind a 5 speed, its even better, i would try to avoid an auto,

evan711

i love my 85 straight axle it may be carburated which some people dont like but i do

94Yo-toe

I am a HUGE fan of the 89-94 Pickups and 4Runners. I have two 94's right now (runner and truck) both 3.0 5spds and BOTH GREAT trucks. I know the 3.0's arent winning any races, but thats not my intentions. As far as mpg's, I get 18mpg in the 4runner with the 5spd and auto lock hubs (hate them), and around 20-22 in the truck depending on load (manual hubs, BUT 33 14.50 tires) The truck has 226k and rolling strong! I use the truck to haul my 19ft. Rinker ski boat with gear, and it CONSTANTLY has around 300lbs of tools in it (between the tool box in the bed and tools in my bag in the back seat), I pull the boat at highway speeds 65-70mph over 1.5 hours all summer with zero issues. I bought the truck with 192k on it, and IMMEDIATELY did water pump, timing belt, idler/tensioner pullies, cam seals. Since then (and on BOTH vehicles) I have had to change the series of 3 o-rings that seal the oil cooler to the driver side block. Parts cost $12 through my local dealer, and aside from the loss of antifreeze and a few drops of oil, its a pretty quick job. Aside from that I have done basic maint. Brakes, tune up and oil. And upgraded to a huge aluminum radiator. I LOVE both of the trucks and the 3.0's have served me well. My cousin (lives with me) bought a 91 22re 5spd 4x4 short bed reg. cab, and because of gearing, doesnt get any better mpg's and has less power:-) I would like to SAS my truck, but really, I dont need that so the ifs is fine for now, plus the ride is better that way. IMO, 89-94 are the best looking. I also got some Japanese "Hilux" badges for my truck, so it wasnt nameless:-) From my bias opinion I say find a pickup of this gen, but the 3.4 is a nice engine. I've driven a 3.4 auto and had no complaints

Richard

did you know the 4cyl. blows head gaskets too . I agree the 3.0 is not toyotas best engine , but with proper maintenance , they last well over 200k miles , mines got 188k and going strong , when my wifes Tundra is paid off , I will putting a 3.4 in there , by then it will have about 250k on it

HighLux

Lets not get into the 3.0 vs 22re discussion. I just offered the man my opinion, which happens to be the 3.0 is a turd. Im sure some people have
had luck with them. Shows they take care of their vehichle well.

22re's have their issues as well...but at least I can work on it easily, parts
are cheap, and they are worth fixing.

If you own a 3.0 I applaud you. You are capable of breaking your own arm to reach impossible bolts, can drive with one eye on the road and one on your temp gauge, and know all the guys at the local parts store by name.

donomite49

2nd gen xtra cab pickup with a 3.4 swap = best of both worlds.
everything but room inside like a taco.

Richard

I don't want him to pass on a good deal because it has a 3.0 , I agree the 4 cyl. is a ton easier to work on and has great after market support

jsamarin

^^i bet this guy has never owned a 3.0l^^

but on topic, any luck with the trucks u went to look at?