After a year of good fun I traded my 87 xtra cab 4x4 for a reasonably clean little 78 long bed. I've never had anything but 22re trucks, so having a carbed 20r is a whole new ball game for me. Only thing wrong is it won't idle to save it's life and I have no idea where to start. Is there another good forum for these older trucks or is yota tech as good as any?
Thanks!

 

Though I am more familiar with the carbed 22r, I have owned a few 20r's. I sure don't know how comfortable wrenching you are .... but if it were me I would pull the carb, partially disassemble, and clean it. Check the linkages, diaphragms, emission lines etc. upon reassembly. I have always been able to get a truck running smoothly by methodically going through this process. The cleaning usually does it; occasionally new parts are needed.

 

+1, the process should be pretty much the same. The technology is just a little older.

 

So you think it's a problem with a carb rather than ignition? Sometimes it idles just fine, but it seems when I've been driving it a lot in a day it'll just forget how to idle

 

Never had a carb apart either, but I'm sure I could figure it out. What should I be looking for to clean/replace when I take it apart?

 

My 80 20r ran rough and wouldn't idle....tried the carb cleaning route without success....finally replaced the carb with a rebuilt from National Carbureator in Fl. best $200 I've spent....runs like a top now. As far as 1st gen sites this one seems the best.....

 

I had a lot worse luck with National Carburetor, but plenty of people have good luck with them...

A Weber is a better (in my opinion) way to go as far as carbs, but figure out what's actually wrong before you spend too much money.

I'm guessing your problem is fuel related, and probably the carb. But it's hard to say.

There is a forum called Toyota Minis. They deal exclusively with these trucks. There is some good info there, but I've still found this site to be the best. Other than the front suspension, there's really not much difference between your truck and a 79.

The 20R engine is darn near identical to the 22R.

You'll have a slightly harder time finding parts, but most things are available.

 

Well I pulled the air cleaner off and looked down in to the carb, and sure enough one of the jets at the top is just raining in there at idle. Managed to adjust it to stay alive at idle like it is, but a weber is in the works