I’m looking at an ‘83 model and it looks like it has black fender flares and a black stripe or trim piece down the side. Can anyone tell what these are?

 

Just an opinion: In the 80s, a narrow stick-on "rub strip" was very popular. Could explain the black stripes on the sides (in the body indentation). The flares could be add-ons, or more likely a rattle-can paint job.

Ask the seller, or go look at it. I'm sure you see that it needs a new front bumper.

 

The "black stripe" was an option "back in the day" known as "body side moldings". Hard to believe we used to pay extra for such nonsense.

 

thanks!! I will ask. I’m hoping you are right and it’s just rattle can on those flares. I think I’ve found a pretty nice truck with minimal rust and I hope it hasn’t been molested too bad. I also notice some diamond plate on the top of the bed. I’m supposed to talk to the owner tonight. It will be difficult for me to go look at it as it’s a long ways away. I’d like to get better pics and learn more about it before I decide to go look at it

 

almost forgot, does anyone make a replacement oem bumper for front and rear?

 

Yeah the fenders are just painted.

 

Is the body side molding just glued in place or is it rivets/screws?

 

I hope you are right. It looks like a pretty straight truck

 

Blind riveted under the rubber insert. I just removed mine yesterday on my restore using a quarter inch drill bit...I amam just gonna get the 1 inch stick on stuff to replace it after my paint job

 

Would you mind posting a pic? If I end up getting this truck I would pull it off and repair leaving the trim off

 

I can this weekend. It's at my shop on my dad's place

 

thanks! I appreciate that.

 

So I’m curious a ballpark value on this truck.

It’s a desert truck with minimal rust and minor dents. It has new spark plugs, new spark plug wires, new rotor & rotor cap, new air filter, new oil (gear box, transfer case, and rear diff). All major gaskets changed, LC engineering dual timing chain kit with new oil pump, new water pump, new timing chain cover, timing chain guides, new radiator, 4 new tires, a/c converted to R134. Everything works and no leaks.

if everything above checks out as stated then what’s something like this worth?

 

I just spoke to the owner. Everyone above was correct. Someone had painted the flared fender black and also that is a black trim piece on the side.
the truck runs well and doesn’t use oil. The only leak is at the ball joints. He states it’s been in the desert it’s whole like and rust isn’t a problem. He stated it has factory ac and power steering but doesn’t know the model (sr5, dx, etc). He states the only problem is the alternator and voltage regulator need replacing. All gauges work and if the batter would charge he would feel safe driving across country. He states he has had it for 2 years and it’s been a great vehicle.

can I find Aisin alternator and voltage regulator for it?

 

That rubber bumper down the sides actually has a purpose! It's placed on the "high point" of the body to keep the guy in the parking lot from rubbing his door on your paint work.

Molding like this is held on with a high strength "double sided tape" and its a bitch to remove for a color change paint job.

 

Aisin no longer makes those parts new. However there are plenty of rebuilt Aisin Alternators out there with warranty. AC Delco does a good job of rebuilding them. Just make sure you get the right alternator as there were 2 types: a 40 Amp with a Black plug socket, and a 55 Amp with a green plug socket

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...generator,2412

Standard Motor Parts makes very good new replacement Voltage Regulators. Again there seem to be several types (5 pin & 6 pin); just match up what you have on the truck.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...regulator,4884

 

I take it that since it has a/c that the one on there now is the 55 amp. Is this the one that corresponds to the 5 blade voltage regulator? I could have the present owner look. I don't know exactly how mechanically inclined he is though because he kept referencing a mechanic as doing all of his work. If he isn't handy with tools and don't know what to look for is there another way to find out? Ask him to take a pic?

Also should the 55 amp be good for this setup or would I be better off getting something that puts out more amps like a GM alternator? I won't be adding a bunch of lights or anything, but I would like to use the radio and A/C

 

Anyone have any idea about the value range on this pickup with what all he has had done to it? I do think it is high mileage with 270,000 miles but it seems to have been well maintained and I would plan to rebuild the engine soon anyway. I would like to make this a Daily driver. I would prefer to take it back to stock or near stock levels.

 

Value and price are all over the place right now. What is he offering for vs. what are you willing/able to pay helps bring it in focus. He says rust is not an issue but I've yet to meet a 1st gen that didn't have holes in the floor pans near the pedals. Doesn't mean they don't exist but it's worth a visual inspection by you, the prospective buyer. I will say that bed and tailgate look mint!
For these trucks, 270,000 miles is not high. Especially if maintained. Maybe moderate, but I wouldn't say high.
Break it down evenly on a 36 year old truck and that's only 7,500 miles a year.

If he could get it running before you buy, and it really doesn't have any rusted out holes straight through bed and cab I'd say he's got a ~$5K truck for sale; give or take $1K either direction.
If he's eager to sell then you can probably get it for less and if you paid $4K for it I don't see how anyone could argue that deal.
Clearly some cosmetic work on the front needs to happen and we don't know what the interior looks like.
A/C is a rare option and man do they ever blow COLD.

 

Looking closer, the tires have good tread, the exhaust looks to have been replaced. At least at the muffler. Mirrors are shiny. That stuff on the front end can be fixed via eBay easily. All the side markers are there. And again, that bed and tailgate are clean!
Good luck to you and I hope you get it cheap but I sure wouldn't sell if it was mine!