Howdy!
Currently own an 87 4runner, looking to get a 1st gen pickup 4x4 as well. There are some for sale, but it seems ridiculous that they are listed as much as 5300$ for a rust free long bed 22r 4x4 with ok paint. This specific one has 300k on it, with 120k on the engine. What would the typical price be for something like this? Guy says he has owned it for 20 years. Honestly have no idea how much a decent gen 1 pickup goes for.

 

good ones are getting hard to come by, prices in the PNW range from $800 to $7500
all depends on condition and how bad you want one

 

Similar here in AZ. A good solid running truck that still needs stuff (they all do...lol) would run 2500-4500 pretty consistently. I’ve seen some for less and some for more all relative to condition. But there are so many variables with the trucks, buyers and sellers in this market that it’s difficult what to say something “should” cost. Go with what fits your needs and what you feel comfortable with.

The truck you described sounds like mine (almost to a T) when I bought it almost a year ago. I paid (what I thought was) too much at the time. Then I dumped in another grand just to get it up to daily driver duty. Now I’m glad I have the one I got, and I don’t sweat the maintenance costs that go with it.

 

I gotta say I am curious too. Has anyone on the forum shelled out serious money for a clean 79-83? I had a hard time figuring out what I was willing to pay for my 79. I saw 5,000$ rust buckets and as high as 15-25k for clean rust free trucks. I would never pay that much. I understand the whole " what the market will bear" argument. I had someone offer me 10k for my truck. I immediately said no. It would be very difficult to replace it. Even the clean gen 2 ex-cabs are pulling in 4-6k. You might get 1 for 3,500$ when the deal is done. I believe I read here on the forums that a fiberglass bed for 79-83 pick up is 3,000 and a 2 year wait. Is that accurate? If it is it, it helps explain some of the pricing out there. I would like to see more input on the subject from members who have purchased trucks, parts etc.

 

Mine is a rust free truck that has not been exposed to Midwest salt. Titled in AZ then WI, where it sat with a blown motor. Received a mercedes turbo diesel swap and sat for 2-3 years. Now its an IL truck that is driven daily. I will probably drive my diesel 4runner for the winter. Who else has some input?

 

I bought an '81 short bed earlier this year after searching the local classifieds and craigslist ads with serious intent to purchase for about 6 months. I paid $2K but have had to put an extra $1K in to get it back to being a daily driver (windshield, tires, emissions test, a bunch of seals, etc). The initial asking price was still higher than that total.
I passed up a number of trucks that were cleaner and commanded a higher price ($4500-$5500+) because I'm usually between broke and a paycheck and I could do a lot of the work myself.

I'd say the cost of a first gen is based on what kind of project you want to take on right now. As mentioned, you can get some clean trucks that are running like a top and have solid floors but you'll pay up front for it. Or you can get an abused truck and work your way up to the same price in relatively short time.

 

Driving these trucks for over 25 years it's funny to see them continue to rise in price. I've recently seen many go for over $8k, and saw a '81 trekker sell for $9600 on ebay. Well are they worth it? The old adage applies, its worth what someone will pay. With the price of Mexican built tacos now in the $40K range, $10k for a well preserved or restored 1st Gen 4x4 seems plausiable. I purchased my truck for $1500 10 years ago and I easily have $5k into it over that time. For me well worth it. If you buy a truck (rust free), decent original interior, and original motor, you'll never need a another truck ever again. These trucks are now vintage automobiles and you need to treat them as such. As reliable as they are (were) you'll need money to keep them going. You gotta be passaionate about them like any vintage car or truck. For a decent driver, (minimal rust on the bed) you'll probably pay between $3-6K. Stay away from rust buckets or crawlers if you want a usable truck..I would buy the best truck you can find within your budget.

 

How much more work would a gen 1 be than my 87 4runner? How much of a PITA is the carb? Never owned anything carbed. Im not too worried about the price itself, just that I am paying a fair price that I will get back when I sell it.

 

I've had someone "rebuild" a Carb and Tranny with horrible results. Marlin Crawler finally rebuilt both to a very high standard, but those are the Achilles heal(s) on these trucks. Most of my work (costs) are cosmetic. The tranny (L-52) on the '83 is progressively better than the '81-'82 L-50. Stick with a 5 speed. Again I wouldn't consider buying/selling these trucks if you're thinking of breaking even In the future.

 

^^^
What he said. Don't buy one of these if you want to "break even". You CAN break even, possibly even make a buck or two, but it's not likely.
A really clean stock truck could be a good investment, like, buy it, garage it, and just take it for a spin once in a while to keep it lubed.
You buy one of these trucks because you have an unreasonable infatuation with them.
I plan to be buried in mine when I die.

 

Scrap value to $15000 plus. Mine was appraised at $14000(CDN). I've had one guy offer $7500 cash and another had his cheque book out with $10000 filled in and just wanted to know the name to put on it. They both got told to F off.

 

I understand that there are costs to own, hell any old vehicle does. I just meant that if I pay 4000$ for the truck, and theoretically in two years its in the same condition I could sell it for that same price.

 

Most likely. Maybe make a couple bucks selling to the guy that REALLY wants that truck. Who knows, market on these trucks may keep climbing. Or it could tank out (a lot less likely).

Decent ones are getting harder to come by so if it seems a decent deal to you, get it.

I have a hard time judging what I'd pay for another one. I just know that nobody will pay what it would take to get me to let go of the one I have. Way too many mods and sentimental value.

 

I got my slightly rusted '80 with a Ford v8/Yota V6 drivetrain swap, 6" lift, new 35" MT/R's, fiberglass baja fenders, and some other custom goodies for $2000, and added EFI, lockers, a new water pump, and 3 cans of Krylon to make it a halfway decent daily driver/ weekend warrior.
I'd say I have about $3500 in it now, but wouldn't be afraid to drive across the country, wheel the piss out of it, and drive it home.
I don't think I'd sell it for less than 10 grand.
I have a 2017 Tacoma as well, and only drive it like one day a week, while commuting 500 miles a week in the 1st gen.

 

A couple of days ago we bought an '83 short bed 4x4 with a plastic camper shell for $5700. However, the previous owner provided receipts for over $4000 worth of work he had done on it in the past year--mostly engine work. The truck was originally sold in Kalifornia, so it has ALL the smog control stuff still on it. It's pretty clean, with around 150K miles (broken odometer), original paint, original interior except the radio, some small rust spots on the bed, some brushed-on bed liner, and two sets of tires. All electrics work fine, and no one has messed with anything. Neglected, but not messed with.

However, the engine runs way too rich, and the choke doesn't seem to work. The bench seat is falling apart (dry rot?) too. So I need new seats--buckets this time--and I want to do some de-smogging and put on a Weber 32/36 carb. Lastly, there was almost 2" of play in the steering wheel, so the truck is presently at a good local suspension/steering shop getting that checked out.

Given the prices on other early pickups locally, I felt we got a reasonable deal. At 35 years old, it's in pretty good shape. First & second gen 4x4s run anywhere from $1500 to $8000 locally (Colorado Western Slope--Grand Junction). Most are total junkers that need everything.

Photos to follow.

 

Pics aren't loading

 

Only photo available is this one from the seller's Craig List ad. Otherwise, truck is still at shop--needs a bunch of stuff.
Photo may be several years old, but you get the idea....