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Should I buy this 1988 Toyota 4x4 Truck

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Old 02-16-2007, 02:12 PM
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Question Should I buy this 1988 Toyota 4x4 Truck

Yes this is my first post on this particular site. I have been surfing here here for a couple of weeks gaining info about this particular truck. Anyway, a buddy of mine is selling his 2nd owner 1988 Toyota Truck 4x4 regular cab that has had a body off restoration and has roughly 140k miles on the original 22RE motor and trany. I believe I am able to get it for Between $2k and $2500 based on discussions I have had with the owner.

The Pros:
1. Manual 5 speed trany
2. It has new paint and seems to be a real solid truck
good tires,
3. drives well and clean motor and motor compartment
4. Nice interior and no visual leaking underneath the truck
5. 4x4 works good as does the heater
6. New steel/wood stake bed
7. Everything on the truck seems to work well

The Cons:
1. At idle I can hear changes (decline in the idle), I assume this is due to vacuum issues, but not sure.
2. Doesn't have stock bed, i think I am ok with this though, even though the gas tank seems to be open and exposed since the bed is missing even though it sits inside the frame rails
3. It doesn't have a spare tire/wheel, nor does it have a jack, lug wrench
4. The truck is very light in weight and was spinning pretty good on the snow today even in 4 low, so I am wondering if this will be an issue
5. It still has the Caty Converter, but the muffler has been hacked off to pass Virginia state inspection, so i will need to replace this right away
6. Piece of window trim is missing
7. Brakes seem to be weak, but then again I am not used to this truck
8. Battery is dead and needs replaced

Other than these things above i couldn't really find anything else wrong with it even after spending 3 hours with the truck driving and inspecting it. I have attached pictures below so that you guys can see the truck. Please let me know what you think I should offer.
Thanks.






Last edited by Glockem; 02-18-2007 at 07:21 AM.
Old 02-16-2007, 02:55 PM
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You would be a fool to pass this up.
Old 02-16-2007, 03:02 PM
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x2 on that one. I cant find one around here that nice any where close to 2500
Old 02-16-2007, 03:03 PM
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It's so cute!

$2k is a good deal I think.
Old 02-16-2007, 03:13 PM
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Looks bueno dude. I don't remember, is it stick or auto. 5Speed is great I had an 89 yota pickup... i love it until the frame rusted through( that truck saw a lot of salt water and road salt). If it is an auto I would think about it. old auto trannys can be a little frustrating.

The stake bed looks good, but aren't you required to wear a flannel shirt if you drive a truck with a stake bed? ah nevermind that...

In conclusion 5speed..buy it.... automatic... think about...

of course car fax it and have a pro check it out...
Old 02-16-2007, 03:14 PM
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that would be sold in az already, get on that. $2200 i would say
Old 02-16-2007, 03:21 PM
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buy it or dissapoint everyone here at yotatech!!! throw some sand in the back
Old 02-16-2007, 03:21 PM
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buy it!
Old 02-16-2007, 03:24 PM
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Great deal......... Are you new to toyotas or something??
Old 02-16-2007, 03:24 PM
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I just bought one this week its an 86 But just as clean if not cleaner then that with a low mileage motor for $1000 down in Staunton Va. But I think $2500 is def fair for that truck
Old 02-16-2007, 03:25 PM
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better get it before someone else does!
Old 02-16-2007, 03:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 4rnr
Great deal......... Are you new to toyotas or something??
I am absolutely new to Toyota's. My current truck is a 2004 F-350 Superduty Diesel. So yes, Toyota's are extremely foreign to me.
Old 02-16-2007, 03:41 PM
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GET IT!!! Thats a great deal and a fine lookin Rig!
Old 02-16-2007, 03:50 PM
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I think maybe a little high but it looks pretty clean if interior is good and engine runs well id say buy it.
Old 02-16-2007, 04:13 PM
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looks nice needs a little meatier tires
Old 02-16-2007, 04:16 PM
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GET IT- and for the love of GOD! do the WORLD a favor and take off the wooden crap and make it a TRUE FLAT bed!

Prob mount some 45 lb work out weights somewhere or some other kind of weights on the back to supplement the weight of a bed, but I would keep it a flat bed if i could get away with it...
Did you say the gas tank had a leak? um get that fixed first- serious environmental stewardship issues there.
Get a 40 series flowmaster for the muffler...

That's about it- get it if you got the means to do so.
Old 02-16-2007, 04:21 PM
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Inspect the frame, sometimes people turn these trucks in flat beds because the original bed rusted away hence the frame rails might have rot also.
Old 02-16-2007, 04:24 PM
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I'm not getting something: the muffle was cut off to PASS and inspection?

Looks good though, motor not as clean as the rest of the truck appears, but 140 ain't bad. As for the bed, you could do alot with what its already got. Build up the sides, or building a roll cage/tire carrier off it would add some much needed weight(and LCF)
Old 02-16-2007, 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by AUYota
GET IT- and for the love of GOD! do the WORLD a favor and take off the wooden crap and make it a TRUE FLAT bed!

Prob mount some 45 lb work out weights somewhere or some other kind of weights on the back to supplement the weight of a bed, but I would keep it a flat bed if i could get away with it...
Did you say the gas tank had a leak? um get that fixed first- serious environmental stewardship issues there.
Get a 40 series flowmaster for the muffler...

That's about it- get it if you got the means to do so.
Nope the gas tank is fine. I was just saying it seems exposed more since the OEM truck bed is gone.

I would like to make it into a steel flat bed and get rid of the wood bed. I wonder if there are kits out there that would fit the stock mounts off of the OEM frame rails. I know there are kits out there for the full size trucks, but maybe someone makes it for this truck.
Old 02-16-2007, 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill
I'm not getting something: the muffle was cut off to PASS and inspection?
I agree it makes no sense to me. If a muffler has holes in it, it must be replaced or removed. As long as the exhaust pipe which exits from the Caty Converter sticks out past the cab of the truck, there is no need for a muffler apparently. I don't believe this, however it has a brand new VA inspection.


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