kwaynepotter

thinking about getting one of these. can anyone tell me what kinda mpgs i can look at with some 31s in town. is the auto good and durible? or should i look for a manual. just trying to gather up some good yota info on which i should get

93Xtra-Cab

I'll answer your second question first. The 22re is slow, especially with an automatic. The automatic sucks down a lot of power and fuel economy and based on your question, it seems that fuel economy is an important factor. You will not regret the extra time (and maybe money) that it takes to find and buy one with a 5 speed manual.

As for the fuel economy, I'd say between 16-18 mpg. Many Toyota pickups came with 31s from the factory, however I'm an not particularly sure what year they started doing that and what engine combination they had. Other members on this forum can definitely answer that for me. Most websites that post he fuel economy of cars are generally wrong. The best one that I've found is this one: http://fueleconomy.gov/

I would stay away from the 3VZE V-6 if you can, but I wouldn't take that option off the table. If you can only find one with that engine, buy it. It's not that bad as everyone says it is, in my opinion.

Boon

I was able to get anywhere between 13 and 21 on 31's, it was like the truck just picked a number by the tank. Now on 33's I get 15 all the time.

+1 to waiting for the perfect truck, took me 3 years to find mine and I'm more than happy I waited.

Also, as 93xtra-cab said, don't expect a rocket ship. If you were ~3600+ lbs and had 110hp, you'd be slow too.

kwaynepotter

Power isnt to big of a deal for me, but i can see where that could be an issue, sucking down power and fuel. Fuel is a bit of a factor. Every truck i have owned has been a 5 speed, i love them, better than auto in my opinion. I have been doing HEAVY research on the the pickups and have came across the 22re engines a lot. they have been looking like a real good engine only thing is ive seen really all reviews about 5 speeds and none about automatic. Just seen how good these trucks were and didnt know if that would be a deal i couldnt pass up besides being auto. thank you i am going to keep searching for a 5 speed.

kwaynepotter

exactly what i want to do. ive been reading about these things like crazy. but i want to take my time and find the right one.

ive been looking real hard at this little guy. 1991 with the 22re and 5 speed tranny. 186,xxx and shes a gas saver. the only thing is, when im looking these up i can always find them with 31's never with these little tires. i try to picture it but im not sure if it would look the same if i put some 31's on as the nice ones i see in the pictures. what do you guys think about this truck? no rust. 2200 i might try to talk him down a little bit

93Xtra-Cab

Well the one in that picture there is a 2wd version. With the 22re and a 5 speed, those get about 24 mpg. I wouldn't see any point in putting 31s on a 2wd truck. You would have to lift it a bit to get them to fit and probably have to mess with the gears a bit. You would also lose a bit of fuel economy. When you do all that, you might as well look for one with 4wd. You would put all the effort into the 2wd truck to get the tires to fit and in the end it would basically be a 4wd version...just without the 4wd...With the 4wd version, you could fit 31s with no lift. For $2200, it would be a great deal if you were to leave it just like that. Just my $0.02.

The reviews said "a really good engine"? Obviously they have misunderstood the awesomeness of the legendary 22R/22RE...these engines change lives, you know

kwaynepotter

well i thank you for you $0.02. I agree with everything you said. the only thing is around where i live all i can find is 2wds. how much fuel economy loss we talking about you think? would a 3" lift be enogh to fit 31s on. And how hard are these things to put a body lift on? Would it look the same as the 4wds?

kwaynepotter

the only real 4x4 ive seen is the auto:/

kwaynepotter

or how about a 1987 4x4 5 speed extra cab with 175xxx miles on it. any comments? wants 2500 has some rusted through spots on bed. how much do beds usually run

93Xtra-Cab

I'm not sure about how much economy you'd lose or how much lift you would need. For that you might want to head over to the 2wd truck area of the forum. As for not finding one in a manual, there really isn't much to say, other than...wait...I was searching for almost 5 months before I found mine and it still isn't exactly what I wanted but it was a deal I couldn't refuse. It all matters on how long you feel like waiting.

As for the '87 pickup, post a pic if you can. For that year, it'll either come with a 22r/re since the V6 hadn't come out yet. I'm not sure about the bed. That may be a craigslist or junkyard item.

kwaynepotter

Body is pretty dirty and beat up. He wanted 2500 i talked him down to 2000. what do you think? would it be worth it. i know it mite be kind of hard to tell cause you cant see it in person but with just the body beat up what do you say. Any idea on how solid the frames were on the 87s? or the cab floor rusting out? ive heard a guy say his did an it settled on the frame, are these notorious for that? any comments and info would be a great help! thank you

Inferno451

If it's anything like my 87' 4Runner, the frames are SOLID. With that said, you're getting absolutely RIPPED by this guy. Keep scouring craigslist, be patient, and keep your eyes and ears open. Good ones are still out there. I passed on a few trucks, waited a few months, and finally settled on an 87' and an 89 parts truck, BOTH for 800 bucks. Just my opinion, but PASS.

kwaynepotter

thank you for the input. i think i am going to. good things come in time!

93Xtra-Cab

Pass on it. There will definitely be nicer ones that come along

farmerj

Did you re-gear it also to put it back to factor final gear ratio?

Or did you just put on the bigger tires?

kwaynepotter

whats the most miles i should buy one with. found one with 219xxx

farmerj

How much work are you capable of doing?

kwaynepotter

i can do a lot of things with engines some a little better with a little guidence from the yotatech

farmerj

My view and $5 will get you a coffee @ starbucks.

If the body is good and sound as well as a good frame. Get it then.

Any old truck is going to be a money pit.

If you have the shop, tools and know how, it's a weekend of relaxation

My 4runner didn't go away easily. But not having a shop to work in did make that decision easier. Had I a garage, 3 years later I would still be driving it.

Someone but 31-10.50's on this truck and it was a dog. I went back to the original tires and it was incredible the power and economy I had.

You go bigger tire, you need to change your gearing to keep the final gear ratio the same. But not enough guys follow that process or are willing to put $2Kdown into gears to make it happen.

kwaynepotter

oh shes clean. what could i expect to get myself into you?