I've owned two Fj40's and just sold my 94 4runner but am clueless about Yota trucks. I found a 1983 One owner,4wd,long bed,A/C,southern truck. It's tan with old school striping. The owner said he bought with a" bushman" package? from the dealer. It is according to him a hardtop that came from the factory, that he has never been removed. Is there such a thing? He says it has 4:11 gears, is that normal? It is in what I would consider great shape for it's age. The interior is immaculate. It has a blown headgasket, I could get for around $1200. I'm by no means a mechanic. Is this a good buy? I have a new vehicle I DD. This would be my toy.

 

Up to you...blown headgasket could very well mean it needs an engine rebuild. How many miles? It sounds like it's worth it but it will take work to get it on the road. Since you can't drive it you no idea about other possible problems like tranny etc.

If you can't do a head gasket or engine rebuild yourself...well then add $600-2,000 more onto what you're buying it for, just to get it on the road to find out if there are more issues.

For the right person (ie someone either with money and patience or mechanical skills and patience), this could be a great deal. A non-rusty truck with a good interior can be completely rebuilt and be a great truck. But if you're thinking you're picking up a cheap vehicle that just needs a little work...well, you could be, but then again you may be buying a total money pit. I've rebuilt 90% of my '83 that I bought for $1100, thinking that it just needed a timing chain & clutch....Glad I did, but I still look back at the money I spent on what was supposed to just be a cheap, good truck that needed a little work that I could do myslelf...and I kind of kick myself. Absolutely love the truck though.

 

Thanks for the reply. I think that is great advice. I'll keep thinking about it. I might have my mechanic look it over. It's a real beauty..It looks similiar to your avatar, except the topper comes up a little. And yours looks real nice! I guess if That's how I want to spend my money! I'm sure I could put endless amounts into it.

 

Yep, wheelbase is longer on the longbeds. You can find what the actual dimension are if you search for it. Yeah, a longbed with a bob is probably better for a lot of things that a shortbed. Much smoother ride with a longbed, too.

Part of the reason I spent so much on mine is because I love it. I could have found a used engine, used tranny, left the interior trashed etc., but once I got going, I decided I was going to have this truck for a looooong time, so if something needs work, I'll just rebuild it or replace it with a new part, rather than cutting corners. You can do things cheaper. If coolant was allowed to sit in the oil for too long, your bearings, crank etc. are all going to be pitted trashed, which means rebuild, but you could find a cheap used engine and do things that way.

 

I completely agree with '83's opinion.. Are you dead set for a Gen 1 truck? If you are, the unmolested interior might be worth the 1200 on it's own. A quality original interior is hard to reproduce and even harder to find. You're not buying a BMW or Benz... These trucks are pretty solid, not much usually goes wrong. I drove a 1 Gen long bed for 18 years and now I have a shorty..The Shorty has a stiffer ride and is a little more nimble. How many miles? I'd love to see some photos.. Good luck

 

I think I'm hooked. I'm trying to not act to interested. I'm terrible at buying and selling. I buy high and selling low(Dang). The truck is pretty hidden, unless someone spots that sweet powerwagon under the tarp!

 

get us a pic if at all possible

it sort of sounds like a Trekker-an early version of what became the 4Runners.

 

Oh shoot I totally forgot about those parts of your question...If there is a hard top shell covering the bed...is that what you mean? There were some trailblazers and trekkers made, which were basically an early version of a 4Runner. It will have a backseat and be an SUV in that case, that cab won't be closed off to the back. If it's one of those and the body and interior are in great shape...hell yes it's worth $1200 even with mechanical problems.

And yes 4:11 gears are common.

 

I'm thinking it's too risky of a prospect. You should just PM me the location of it and I'll go buy it. It'll save you a ton of money and heartache...no need to thank me, that's just the kinda guy I am.

 

My "buddy" also would like to have specific directions to it's location. Hint-It's in Florida. I think this might be a Trailblazer conversion since the top goes up a little higher than what a Trekker appears. I'm trying not to go back and drive the price up!

 

If in fact it is a long bed like you said in the first post then no it is not a trekker or trailblazer. But if it is in great shape body wise start quoting the guy prices of things that will need to be fixed and start deducting that from the asking price.

 

Either if you pay 12 or 10, or whatever you negotiate, you're buying a special, extremely rare toy...definitely worth investing money into it.. Ah Florida nice no rust, right?? Buy it.. you won't regret it.. Good luck