I use my 4runner a lot offroad and as my DD (about 2k miles a month). The problem offroad is that I've gone through 3 cv axles in the last 6 months and I've now got a really bad rattle in the front suspension. That has made me consider a SAS which is really expensive... I also keep an engine swap planned because of the 3vze which will also be expensive.

So I've been looking for a donor vehicle/axle. Today I found a 1985 pickup:





It comes with a warn winch and has the 22r carb engine. It has 130k miles and also has a rod knock. No rust and everything else is in good shape other than the a/c which needs a pipe or something. He wants 2k and I will have to drive a few hours to get this (do I need to take a trailer due to the rod knock??).

To do this I would have to buy the truck then clean up and sell my 4runner (wife will kill me if she thinks I plan on keeping 2 trucks). I think I can sell the 4runner for 4k or so after I fix the rattle.

I hate to give up the 4runner's extra seats but I only use my seats currently for holding my gun while hunting.

Any advice appreciated!

 

That truck looks clean, the one thing that concerns me is the IFS wheels on it either he is running spacers or its a late 85 build that is really an 86.

I would trailer it since it has a rod knock.

 

Thanks for the reply. He told me it's a solid axle (and that some kid starting Toyota school told him the axle alone was worth $1800).

I may call him tonight to make sure. If it's not solid axle I won't even bother driving to see it...

Would he really have to run spacers to run those wheels? I had never heard that before.

 

Back spacing is different between IFS and SFA.

IFS hub



SA hub

 

more pictures of truck. The hub looks like my IFS hub but that is definitely a SFA.






I threw in some extra pictures of the underbody. Looks good to me. Most of it seems like surface rust that I will sand off and repaint. Anyone see anything else to worry about?

Thanks so far for the advice. Please keep it coming as I'm hoping to drive tomorrow to buy it.

 

I swapped out the tires and rims from my 83 and put them on my 90 and the 90s onto the 83. everything fit just fine. Makes the 83 look funny cause they are smaller but its in project holding mode.

 

Rod knock means at least a bottom end rebuild. Do you want to buy a motor you will have to put money in right away?

 

at least try to get the price down a bit, 2k is kinda much for a truck that needs a rebuild.

 

Is it just me or does the front leaf spring mounts look a little off? I don't remember the front spring mount being that far forward on my 94 p/u. I'ld watch that it isn't a blind mans sa conversion, you could end up with all sorts of problems if the front end wasn't built properly.
It's late and my memory of the old truck isn't that good, just something to check.

 

Price is now $1800 due to rod knock. If I buy this I would like to:

Replacing 22r with a 22re from Orient Engine
Swap gas tank for EFI tank
Do the rest of the conversion listed on Pirate

How would I know if this was a late 1985 that had been coverted to SA? Any dead giveaways?

 

Looks like stock junk to me...look at the shock towers, push pull steering, saggin springs...and for $2500...if it runs. Used running 22REs go for $650...and that is just running...so if you don't shut up and buy this damn thing for $1800 I'm gonna call him this morning and go buy it myself. Even if it is red.

 

new events:

It has a salvage title. The owner thinks this is because the bed was replaced at one point, possibly due to accident. In SC to get a new title I have to have it re-inspected.

No control cord for winch so no way for me to check that it works.

Only 1 dolly in all of Charleston for rent from U-Haul and they say I can't tow that truck with my 4runner. Something about my 4runner doesen't weigh enough. They are saying my 4runner weighs 3900 lbs. I thought that 2nd gen 4runners were well over 4k lbs. I really don't want to damage my 4runner which does have a transmission cooler but is still 13 years old now...

So I'm still thinking and putting off the purchase until Monday. I think he has a couple of other people looking at the truck who may buy it before then.

 

Yeah I definatly wouldnt tow that truck with a 4runner. It doesnt really matter how much your truck weighs if your GVWR is less than the 4runner loaded, tow dolly and the 85 truck you shouldnt do it. Check the owners manual to see what the GVWR is and the empty weight of your truck and see how much you can tow. How far away is it? If the truck drives and you dont have far to go just drive it. That is if it does drive.

 

Per my owner's manual it states do not tow more than 3500 lb. The dolly (non-Uhaul) will weigh about 300 lb. How much does a 1985 single cab truck weigh?

Owner's manual also states do not use overdrive, avoid towing on hot days, and to watch engine coolant temperature (I won't use A/C that day...).

Oh, and per owner's manual, my gross combination weight (vehicle plus load plus total trailor weight) is 8100 lb which I don't think I will exceed.

I do remember the guy that I bought this truck telling me that he towed a BMW from Kalifornia to SC on a car trailer and the 4runner performed really well. He did that sometime in 2002 or so.

I'm also glad that I spent the time to flush my coolant system really well and flush my tranny fluid.

 

On pirate I found a post stating that the 85 short bed is 3200 lbs. That puts me at my max towing weight once I include the tow dolly.

 

Is the tranny cooler you are talking about the stock one underneath by the transfer case? Or do you have an aftermarket one that you added? If it is just the stock one, that is more for you transfer case than anything. I would suggest setting yourself up with a good aftermarket cooler before you tow. Believe me that tranny gets hot when it is not in overdrive!

 

Yep, just the stock one. How hard is it to find and install an aftermarket one?

 

not very hard pick up one from autozone there cheap!!!

 

Problem solved. Friend loaned me F-250 diesel which pulled the truck home early this morning like it wasn't even there.