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Looking at 83 pickup. Need advice

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Old 12-05-2013, 07:02 PM
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Looking at 83 pickup. Need advice

Ok here's the deal, I've been driving my dad's 93 pickup ever since I got my license and I'm looking to get my own vehicle. I've already been through the ups and downs of looking for a vehicle. Drove an hour and a half to look at an 88 with 7 inches of lift on 35's with a rebuilt 22r. Not only did it look much rougher in person than online but everything was rigged. Did I mention this guy was asking 3,500 for a primered truck that barely gets down the road without shaking? Anyways, I just spotted an 83 with solid axles and 6 inches of lift on 36's. The body looks a little rough and the guy said it needs a little work to become street legal but it does run! He's asking $1,250 and right now I have a budget of about 3 grand. Before I drive down there to look at it I wanted some advice. Is it worth the investment? Will provide pictures tomorrow, comment with any further questions tou have for me.
Old 12-05-2013, 07:12 PM
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Needs a little work to become street legal? Interested to know what it needs. Just because it runs doesn't really mean anything. It could crank up and run but is it drivable? Do you need something now or are you still saving money? I'd say pick which ever year range you like but find one stock and not lifted that's just me.
Old 12-05-2013, 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by JasonYota
Needs a little work to become street legal? Interested to know what it needs. Just because it runs doesn't really mean anything. It could crank up and run but is it drivable? Do you need something now or are you still saving money? I'd say pick which ever year range you like but find one stock and not lifted that's just me.
Sorry I don't know that much about it. I just found it tonight and the guy hasn't replied to my message yet. I totally agree though a stock truck is probably better to start a project with. I actually just found a 79 that has current inspection and is daily driven for $2300. Pics up in a few minutes
Old 12-05-2013, 08:06 PM
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79 will have the 20r if its stock. i'd love to get a 20r head...
Old 12-05-2013, 08:09 PM
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Pictures of the 83

Looking at 83 pickup. Need advice-forumrunner_20131206_000804.png



Looking at 83 pickup. Need advice-forumrunner_20131206_000818.png



Looking at 83 pickup. Need advice-forumrunner_20131206_000826.png



Looking at 83 pickup. Need advice-forumrunner_20131206_000835.png
Old 12-05-2013, 08:14 PM
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Also thinking about a Jeep Cherokee. To give you an idea of my situation I have $3100 cash right now and I'm looking for a 4-wheel drive that can be daily driven and also climb some trails like a badass. So my first thought was there's basically two choices for my budget and specs.: an old toyota pickup (I can't afford sas) or a fairly new (stock) cherokee. All mods. don't need to fall under my budget as I'm getting a job soon but I'd like to get the best bang for my buck and best platform for a build.
Old 12-06-2013, 06:00 PM
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I wouldn't get a jeep just sayin
Old 12-06-2013, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by catfish21
I wouldn't get a jeep just sayin
I thought I'd always be a toyota guy but cherokee's are cheap and probably the newest 4x4 you can get with a stock solid front axle. What's your reasoning?
Old 12-06-2013, 06:18 PM
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Like you said there cheap. Do the right thing and get a yote
Old 12-06-2013, 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by catfish21
Like you said there cheap. Do the right thing and get a yote
Can't promise what I will end up getting but no matter what I get I'll make a build thread.
Old 12-07-2013, 01:39 AM
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I would be very glad to follow your Toyota build on here but please dint put a jeep thread on here lol
Old 12-07-2013, 03:22 AM
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Originally Posted by catfish21
I would be very glad to follow your Toyota build on here but please dint put a jeep thread on here lol
It would be on cherokee forum in case any of you guys wanted to go look at it.
Old 12-07-2013, 05:52 AM
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I doubt we'll go look at your Cherokee build I know I'm not
Old 12-07-2013, 07:27 AM
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Cherokees are fine for noob trails but due to their unibody design, when they fail the whole rig tends to come apart catastrophically. So instead of (sometimes) being able to limp home, you end up leaving your rear axle attached to the rear hatch and only havin it han on by hinges.
Old 12-07-2013, 09:05 AM
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Originally Posted by catfish21
I doubt we'll go look at your Cherokee build I know I'm not
I dont expect you to, just confirming your assumption that CHEROKEE builds go on CHEROKEE forum and TOYOTA builds go on YOTATECH.
Old 12-07-2013, 09:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Rowdydudeman
Cherokees are fine for noob trails but due to their unibody design, when they fail the whole rig tends to come apart catastrophically. So instead of (sometimes) being able to limp home, you end up leaving your rear axle attached to the rear hatch and only havin it han on by hinges.
So body on frame is definitely the way to go? But keep in mind this rig will see more pavement than dirt for sure. But I definitely can't afford to run into big problems like you were talking about with unibody.
Old 12-07-2013, 10:17 AM
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Unibody is horrible for offroad. When you go to weld your sliders and tube bumpers on, where do you attach them? As a whole structure the unibody is stiffer to weight ratio. This makes sense for cars, but you loose a good solid point to mount modified suspension components and armor to.

When checking a first gen, lift up the carpet in the 4 corners of the cab to look for rust.

I have no advice on what to look for in jeeps. But all my friends seem blow up the push rod straight 6 and end up with a lawn ornament.
Old 12-07-2013, 10:28 AM
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If you think Toyotas squeak you need to drive a unibody Jeep. I like how they look but I'd never own one because of the unibody.
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