My older son turns 30 next month. I bought him this little 92 Toyota at 16. It was an awesome little truck. He drove it ten years, wrecked it on day one, totaled it a few months later. We kept it and put it back together with a rebuilt title. He’s driving a new Rav4 now And loves it.



7 years later the younger one is ready. I find a 93 just like it only different color. Both obviously 4wd, also automatic and 22RE. Actually kind of rare. He named her “Marge” right from day one. The white was low miles. Less than 200k when we sold it. Marge had 250k ish and now has 315k. The little 22RE is getting pretty weak. We traded for a nice little Scion TC at work and I traded him back the truck for the TC. He was moving out and it was time for something a little more reliable and may be a little more modern. He loves the TC. Still loves Marge too. Marge needs an engine or rebuild though. 80 psi on one cylinder. She still runs but has a bad miss at idle. Drives great still though. Well, as great as a 28 year old 300k truck should. But Marge is taking up space in the driveway (not really a big deal) , but I’m torn as to what to do with her. I do love these trucks. So simple and reliable. Even on three and a half cylinders I loaded her up with junk over the top of the roof completely full bed to hall off to the dump recently. It cost a whopping 3 dollars every 6 months for her stay on the insurance. I‘d kind of like to either replace the engine or rebuild the one in it, just not sure I want to put the money (while not a huge concern, a concern none the less) or the time into another project vehicle. I’ve had a few throughout my years. We could sell her off, and in today’s market she would probably fetch a pretty good amount. Or maybe just not do anything and keep her around just in case. In case of what I don’t know. For sure though I don’t want her to just rot away.

 

As long as it isnt rusted out, you can always do a swap or rebuild and drive it for another 20 years. If not, like you say you can always sell it. I am pretty aggressive about getting rid of unnecessary projects when I can, they can pile up quick and become a drain instead of a hobby.

 

true that. Sounds crazy but in today’s market I wouldn’t be surprised it’d bring 3 grand. Could use that put back in the rainy day account. Be a lot better than a rotted truck in the drive

 

Plus, it is likely that a buyer would be looking for exactly such a little truck to fix up. They are just cool.

 

if you find the right buyer, it could be the perfect project. Try to avoid selling it to a flipper, but its your truck.

As cool as these trucks are, maybe its time for a fresh start with something else. Or build a barn to keep it in. I know Im a lot of help

 

I want to know more about why the low cylinder pressure. Burnt valve? Bad rings? What are the other cylinder pressures?
Maybe you could just do a valve job on it and sell it on as a project.
But if the truck might be worth $3k and you put $3k in completely rebuilding the engine, i don’t think it’s going to be worth $6k.
So, do nothing, do a valve job, or swap in a lower miles 22re.
i’m cheap…I’d do the simplest repair and see what you gain.

 

#3 cylinder I haven’t checked. The first few threads of the plug hole are gone and my compression gauge won’t start in the thread to get a reading. I don’t necessarily want a project vehicle. Rather spend the money on travel and camping. Yeah, really it ain’t going to be worth a penny more most likely with a rebuilt engine. It’s worth what it’s worth. I was to do anything it would probably be a reman anyway. Now though my 09 Corolla commuter car has dropped a cylinder. Dead cylinder with near 0 compression and using a quart of oil every 300 miles. Every other day. I drive 150 miles a day to work and back. Now I’m thinking, which one to fix. Love the little truck, but the Corolla is more comfortable, has cruise, and better fuel mileage. Used engine for it around $1800. Not much luck finding a used 22RE. Would be more inclined to do a reman for it anyway. Corolla will barely get to 65 mph now and down close to 40 on hills on the interstate. Not very safe, especially since I go in at dark and home at dark. The truck will at least pretty much maintain speed so far. Decisions. Decisions

 

drive the truck until you fix the corolla, then sell the truck.

 

this is actually the correct answer. Not what I really want to do. But the smarter thing to do. Or fix the Corolla and just hold on to the truck for dump runs and such.

 

Have you looked for a speedi sleeve for the spark plug?

 

i'm not familiar with those for spark plugs. however, i have installed a helicoil for repairing stripped threads on a plug hole (back in the 90s on a honda accord).