I bought this a year and a half ago not running for $300. I did a timing chain and head gasket job on the original motor hoping that’s all it needed. Unfortunately it had a terrible rod knock. It went on hold until I found a donor motor back in May that unfortunately ended up having a bad head. I finally put the original head on the donor block and she runs like a dream. All said I have about $1600 and a lot of sweat into it. It’s a 5-speed manual with a 22re and completely stock. Only 136100 miles on the everything but the donor block. Looking forward to years of enjoyment!

Future plans include rear, and possibly front air lockers, new bumper and winch, new shocks and leafs, and rock sliders. Other than that I’m planning on keeping it mostly stock. Oh, and I will be swapping in a grille from an ‘80. I’m having a blast in it so far though.

 

Glad to hear that it's working right!
It looks really good with all that mud all over it. That's what Toyota 4WD's love to do!

Have fun with it!
Pat☺

 

looks good, and $1600 is a super low investment for one of these.