Tonight a co-worker told me he might know a dude who wants to sell his Toyota pickup. All I know is it's an older model, probably 1st or 2nd gen I'm guessing by his description. 5spd, and a 22re (im guessing, he said he thought it was a 4cyl)
I don't know the miles. I told him to hook me up with his friend so I could get the info on it.

Right now I got a 90 4runner 3.0 5spd with 190k miles. I like the 4runner but I really would rather have a truck partly to lighten up the load and also for the smaller engine, being as I commute more than I go wheelin'.


What do you guys think, take a serious look at the truck, or keep my 4runner? Both ain't an option.

 

look at the truck, if its worth it get it, sell the 4runner and make it nicer, unless the 4runner is the funds for the truck, just make sure its nicer than your current ride.

 

i gotta 91 4runner I love it, but you can make the pickups look so much cooler!!!!!! doesnt hurt that they get better mpg!! only draw back is if you need passenger space, for things like kids and stuff...
look at it, looking cant hurt right????? well mabye it can....

 

4runner is much more practical...

 

isn't it dependent on your personality as well, dude? are you a truck guy or a 4runner guy?
1st gen runners bridge the gap, but keep in mind they made 2nd gen truck up to '88, so it might be more maintenance than your runner
I know I'm feelin the woes of keepin up with maintenance with my 90 runner...
definitely check out the truck, but do ya wanna part with the runner only for possibly better mileage?

 

I do like the looks of the Toyota trucks better, and I don't have kids (thank god) so I don't need passenger room. I guess I meant 2nd or 3rd gen truck, sorry. 1st gen trucks had the solid axle?

Do the trucks do any better or worse when wheeling? I know they have a lighter rear end so I'm thinking it loses traction quicker. Hopefully I'll get a gander at the truck, Is there anything I should keep an eye out for specifically?

 

word to that, more time to ! i use my spare space to store lotsa stuff for sometimes extended periods of time

runners were switched to ifs in 86, pretty sure trucks did too

lotsa runners i've seen modded for wheelin are built to truck-like proportions, and one of the biggest banes of wheelin a runner is the weight, so lighterness of trucks is actually better

other than the obvious things to look for in an older vehicle, the one thing coming to mind is find out about previous head gasket replacements if it's a 3.0 engine. but if it's of 22 flavor without major flaws, all the more power to ya (so to speak)

 

Is there any specific flaws of the 22 engines that are easy to spot or spot before they cause trouble?

 

yep, the timing chain... rev the engine, give it a couple of quick high revs, to see if you can here any scrapping. If you can hear scrapping, time to change the timing chain... If you don't take care of it right away, and the chain breaks it may ending up costing you a bunch for the head work and chain later, since it's a interference type engine. On that same note, if the chain doesn't break, and you wait too long the chain will eat through the cover and mix the anti-freeze with your oil...

Otherwise then the timing chain, the 22R-E Series motor is bullet proof. Very tough engine, and super simple to work on.

G/L

 

im still pretty new to the toyota scene, but my 2 cents is this. ive had alot of cars and trucks, mostly fords and honda's but everytime you sell one vehicle for another you loose about 25 percent of its value. so is it worth 1/4 of your truck to get basicaly the same thing and a couple mpg?

 

4Runner better for daily driver, truck better for 'wheeling

Get to keep stuff inside, out of the weather in the 4Runner

The truck doesn't have nearly as much glass!

 

I bought my 4Runner because I couldn't find a truck in my price range at the time.

I got the opportunity to by a truck a while ago, and I'm glad I did. Sure the 4Runner was nice for some stuff: camping, traveling, and taking people. But for a lot of my hobbies it just wasn't enough.

I love having a box, I can throw my bike in the back and not have to have to pull the wheels off. Load a dead animal in the back, and clean up is a lot easier. I can still "Camp" in the back, just have to get more creative with a roof. And with only 2 seats, I can't get suckered into being the shuttle driver after work.

 

I basically like a truck b/c:
A) you cant take alot of people with you, even an x-cab is to tiny for adults muhaha.
B) The utility of a bed is really, really nice. I wanan throw plywood in it-covered, wanan throw a deer in it and not worry about clean up-yep, haul my bike-fits in there easy, need to take an engine-fits in the bed.

 

I have a 4Runner, Love It, Does Things A Pick-up can't...
However I still want a pick-up for the stuff the Runner Can't do...
I personally have been eyeing some of the 1st gen picups withthe solid axel...
They just keep drawing me in...

 

1st gen trucks and early (1984-1985 appox) 4runners had solid axles. They're easier to lift and a bit tougher than IFS.

Course, swapping in a solid axle to an IFS truck is pretty normal too.


The 22re had a single row timing chain that should be replaced between 100-150k (approx) - some make it longer than that...

Wheeling - talking stock or modified? Stock neither IFS or solid axle had a lot of flex, but both are pretty solid designs... Add a $200 lunchbox locker and the trucks will get you into places that you shouldn't be going.


Back to the truck or 4runner thing - good point is that the 1st gen 4runner is both.. Remove the top and you've got a truck... Put it back and you've got a 4runner... The 1st gens are starting to be worth more than the 2nd gens in my area...

 

get the best of both worlds, a 1st gen 4runner

 

Keep the 90,
And scrounge the money for the Truck!

That way you are covered all around.

You will get rid of one or not get it and then kick your self for the decision later.

Trucks are cool for wheeling, my 83 has designes for some cool stuff ,money and time permitting. I would never get rid of it simply for the fact the day i do about a month later i will have need for it.

Same goes for the 90.

 

You can always find a need for a truck... I only drive mine about 5 days a month, but it's nice to have it when I need it.

Rob

 

That definately depends on your usage. My truck is much more practical for me than a 4Runner would be.