93NMyota

iTrader: (1)

Hey everyone I came across a guy who wants to trade my electrical work for his 2 1985 pickups. He asked me because he is short on cash and knows I like Toyotas however I don't know if it's worth about 2200 of my labor in time, open to your input good or bad idea, of if someone is really interested in one or both of these. Idont need anymore projects but I know these are desirable models. I know it's hard with no pics but i will describe them to you best I can.

The first one I like best is a 1985 white extended cab sr5 with solid front axle and auto hubs, it's the fuel injected 22r with a manual trans, got about 241k on the odometer. The bad, needs a transfer case and the bed and tailgate have some rust.

The second one is a 85 single cab deluxe in primer gray with 22r carbureted with solid front manual hubs an a manual tranny which is needed. Better body wise no real rust just a couple dents and needs a passenger window,

Both are stock on oem wheels and have been sitting for about 10 years and said both engines ran fine before they were parked. I know there can be put together to make one solid truck or find a bed and trans/tranfer and fix both. Personally I don't mind mechanical work but try to stay away from body work. Opinions? Thanks in advance!

ksti

Pictures would really be nice.

toyquad

how are the frames and cab floors?

93NMyota

iTrader: (1)

I know I was thinking I should have taken pics after I left. I'll check the cab floor for rust spots also the frame just looks dirty/ surface rusty not bad. These are local trucks and rust usually isn't a problem here but I guess if anything sits long enough.. Thanks for the reply! Anything else to look for?

toastyjosh

iTrader: (1)

I think you will sell them very quickly! The toyota market here is way over priced.

If you replace the t-case on the one, and the trans on the other your looking at 2-3K each easy.

Vang530

Personally, I'd just take the cash and run.. your opening a whole can of worms with those two trucks and they will just give you a headache and take up your time IMO...but thats just me.

StumpyJohnson

I'm a carpenter and I sometimes get similar proposals. Often I'm left with a yard full of projects that take more time to see a return on than I have. Plus I don't have the cash to work on them cause I traded my labor.

That said, I'd love to have a bunch of parts to rebuild and put on a shelf for a rainy day. And an efi swap has been sounding fun.

93NMyota

iTrader: (1)

Yeah Im still on the fence about this trade/ maybe half cash and the other half for the extended cab. Vang I agree I'm afraid what i have to put into bodywork especially because thats not my line of work, but then i see nice running 85's and get inspired also for ideas for my own trail rig..??

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Cash is 100%

Trading labor, 50%. No way I'd trade full value in labor for a what if.

I'd trade a set amount of work like "Rewire this this and this" and not a $$$ amount of your labor.

:wabbit2:

93NMyota

iTrader: (1)

Bringing this back from the dead I ended up picking up the extended cab and have done some work to get it running, dump and clean the fuel tank and lines , new fuel pump, oil change plugs & wires, coolant flush and a new exhaust. And a new clutch tranny and tranfer case. Seems to run great and smooth but I'm not sure if I have the time or wanna invest more into it. Anyhow here are some pics let me know what you guys think also if I was to continue with a buildup what would you guys do!? Thanks!!

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

hopefully you got 50% of your money on the deal since you had to put money into this rig. after the work done, i'd say the rig is in good enough of a state to drive around regularly. i would probably just do some simple things like service the axle fluids, repack wheel bearings and flush out the brakes of all the old fluid -- basically everything that gets "old" when the rig sits for so long. other than that, looks like all you need is a bed/flatbed.

building the rig up will cost you a lot more $ - probably more than you want to spend after having just sank so much into it. next step would be to get enough lift under the rig to increase tire size (or cut metal to make them fit)....but IIRC a pre-IFS rig takes just as much work to upgrade to hi-steer as it would to do an outright SAS on IFS rig. to accompany the tires would be gears and lockers. then might be dual t-cases if planning to crawl. the rest is basically armor like f/r bumpers, rock sliders, flatbed, etc etc. I think you really need to decide what your plans are for this rig first now that it's back to driveable condition.

good luck!

Logan81Pickup

I would put a flatbed on it and drive it. Or sell it to me, but I don't have any money.

93NMyota

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the input, ya I didnt trade on the labor I did the work got paid cash then a couple months later he called me and asked if I was still interested and went to pick it up for a killer deal:-)

Good idea I was planning on all the fluids and grease shafts/ bearings next, maybe the brakes too. I was very surprised that this thing doest leak a drop of anything!

I also have the bed I just removed it to do the fuel pump. Do these all run so stiff?

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

stiff because you have solid axle rig with leaf springs up front which add to a stiffer ride than usual...plus the rig sat for 10yrs and the suspension didn't cycle during that time. check to make sure shackles are actually moving when the leafs cycle, they could be really stiff with old grease or even rusted in place since there's a metal sleeve inside the bushings. also adding to stiffness could be all worn out rubber on the rig (like body bushings) that's hard and brittle. this is a 28yr old vehicle we're talking about

Toyota had excellent build quality back in the day and they use some of the strongest FIPG gasket sealant known to man....so i wouldn't expect much to leak on its own after time unless its a seal over a moving part (like front main seal, pinion seals, etc) or something like the valve cover seal which is kind of a joke considering how little torque you can put on that cover before it hits the rockers.

93NMyota

iTrader: (1)

thanks guys it just seems a little stiff compared to my friends 91 that has an sas and 5" trail gear leafs, and this 85 is all stock and rides much stiffer. Yeah I'm very surprised to see how everything works after 28 years and 308,000 on the odometer