NDMORETIME

Here is my situation. My neighbor has a 85 4x4 pu with camper shell that has been sitting under his carport for around 6 years. It has around 92k original miles on the 22re engine. He says that it needs a new carb, master cylinder, and tires. He wants 1k for it. I am only semi mechanical (lift kits, oil changes, brakes, sort of things). I would like to learn more and I am thinking that this might be a good starter vehicle. What sort of issues am I looking at with this vehicle? I am basically looking for a good commuter vehicle that I can convert into a decent rock rig in the future. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

ozziesironmanoffroad

other than rust.... VACUUM LINES!!! and the 22re eats timing chains.

Mic09dcsm

For a solid axle PU I would buy it and put a 7M-G(T)E in it. Jump on that thing

turboyota1

if its a 22re id say it doesnt need a new carb lol

NDMORETIME

Sorry about the RE part. It has been a long time since I have had one and was not sure if that was correct. I have not actually looked under the hood of the vehicle yet. I just happened to catch him out in his yard the other day and thought I would ask him if he was interested in selling.

I am assuming rust won't be a big issue as I live in Arizona and the truck has been under cover but I will look into that before I agree to purchase it. Just out of interest how much work do you guys think would need to go into this thing to get it running other than the carb and brakes parts. I figured I would need a new battery, fluids, and I am assuming I would have to pull and clean out the fuel tank. No idea on how to do the fuel tank cleaning but I am hoping to find some reading material on that. Anything else you guys can think of or recommend doing? How difficult is the timing chain install on this motor?

ozziesironmanoffroad

get the old fuel out, drop the tank, take it to a radiator shop to have em clean it

scuba

with a factory service manual (not a haynes or chiltons) a timing chain would be easy, but if its only got 92k, i wouldnt worry about that for another 50k

vinnymac

Sounds like you found a gem, you lucky dog you. The truck will probably start and run as is, but not reliably. I have "rescued" over half a dozen trucks since I was 16, and I am 22 now. If you want to drive it reliably, go ahead and spend the bucks on a Weber carb. I am not sure about AZ emissions standards and if it will comply, but almost all of the vacuum hoses can be eliminated with one of these kits. It is a piece of cake to install as well. A timing chain AND COVER would be a good idea as well. The covers are a "stressed" part and will develop wear spots, especially if the timing guides have broken and worn into the cover. An aftermarket kit and cover works just as well as OEM Toyota. Look for ITM brand. Go ahead and run a compression check too. The tank will need to be dropped and cleaned down to the bare metal. This part blows goats to say the least. Be careful not to scrub too hard because the metal is pretty thin. Grease everthing well and clean and tighten the drag link as well. Grab a master cylinder from NAPA and bleed the brakes until you are ready to pass out. Enjoy yourself on this endeavor. The end result will please you and impress others, along with be an absolute joy to drive.

notanymore

if it isnt rusted to hell i would say go for it, an 85 in decent condition for 1k is a pretty good deal even if it does need a carb, being carbed its a 22r, not a 22re.

the 22r isnt too hard of a motor to work

rdlsz24

Clean the carb out and give it some fresh gas and it will probably fire right up. Heck it might start without doing that.

Rob

jeopardy98

I thought the 85's were the last year of the solid axle and the first year of fuel injection? If it has a carb wouldn't that make it an 84? Either way I'd buy it.

soarerjzz30

Yes it was the first year of EFI but you could get them with a 22r up until 87 I believe.

85toy

id say go for it, BTW i wouldnt say they eat timeing chains, its just part of the maintenance, if your like me you prolly will never have to change one, I like to buy and sell trucks every couple years.

NDMORETIME

I think that I will most likely purchase the truck if everything looks ok underneath. Does anyone know what it would cost and how much work it would be to change it over to a EFI or where the best place is to get a re-built carb? Would it help my fuel economy to change over or would it be a waist of time and energy? My experience tells me that the biggest difference would be at altitude and when the truck is on an incline when offroad. Anymore info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and this is why I like this website so much

nomiss05

i have a 85 PU with EFI, 270,000 miles.. runs perfect. i love my truck, id say get it and do what the other posts say, clean the fuel out and clean hoses and radiator and ittl be fine.

Volcom

For the 4Runner only. In 85, you could get the 22R or 22RE in the pickup. I owned an 85 truck with a 22R in it. It sat for a couple of years and just took a jumpstart to get it running

infiltrator

Go for it man! Take us some pictures!