I have a dilemma. My finances, and my better half will only permit me to have one truck. Here is my choice:

1) I currently own a 1989 2x4 normal can 104k miles with a 22r, weber carb, I rebuilt the top end, all new timing components water pump, oil pump, new front end new shocks and I rebuilt most of the brake system. It has new tires but they are cheapies. I like this truck, but the body has dents, is a little rusty, has a cracked windshield and an old r12 ac which does work. The frame has a small bend in front where the prior owner hit something.

2)A coworker wants to get rid of his 1997 Tacoma 4x4 with 2.7L 128k miles extended cab for a decent price. He has a nice body, one dent from a rear ender on his tailgate, the frame is immaculate. No rust. Fuel injection. R134a ac. This truck has old, but not totally shot tires, they may have a 10-15k freeway miles left. There are a few tears in the cloth seats, it has a cracked windshield, there is a little oil seepage from the rear main seal, and a little moisture around the valve cover. The biggie is I believe that the rack and pinion unit is going bad as the vehicle pulls badly to the left, but he swears that it was aligned and they said that it was not out of alignment. (I tend to believe him as the tire wear does not look asymmetric or abnormal.)

Should I keep my yota or trade up for the newer one? Any advice is appreciated as I try to figure this out. Either way I can't loose, they are both Toyotas right?

 

I like 4x4's over 2x4's plus it's an xtra cab

 

Definitely the newer one. Extended cab plus 4wd

 

I vote 4wd!

 

I would think go with them both.

Why pray tell can you afford only one??

I went through a brief period thinking I no longer needed a 4x4 I was so wrong !!!

Then only you know what your needs are .

Pretty easy to tell a bad steering rack by the big puddles of fluid under the truck when you stop.

Then you carry ATF in gallon containers to top off the power steering fluid every time you stop.

Going to the Tacoma you most likely will be spending a chunk of change to fix things to your standards .

 

Does a bad rack and pinion have to be leaking? I am trying to figure out what is wrong with the steering on this truck. It pulls left, but is not eating tires so I just figured it must be steering, if it were ball joints it would probably be toasting the tires as bad as this truck pulls...

 

i'd go with the 4x4 tacoma, especially if you can get it cheaper than market value. for some reason "tacomas" always pull a premium price tag even with the same mileage over an older toyota pickup, add 4wd and you've really got something valuable it seems. xtra cab is something else i could never give up, very nice to be able to recline seat past what an airplane seat allows. the 2.7L in the Tacomas is WAY more powerful than any 22re or 22ret rig I've ever driven or ridden in.

on the downside, the tacoma will have airbags and more electronics doohickeys to complicate things. there's also the issue of the rack/pinion steering, which you'd be experiencing with this truck. other issues are stuff like frame issues, soft leaf springs, ball joints, etc etc that you can read about as you research them.

you can always buy up another 80s toyota for good price in the future, and it'll likely be in better condition than yours (if you want it to)

 

If you want a 97 you might look around for one with same equipment and see what they cost. Might be cheaper in the long run getting a nicer truck if your not getting rid of the lady:-) . No matter what you end up with will probably have repairs to do, used means used but lots of these aren't driven off road which is good. 2wd is usually better on gas, not sure with newer models?

I bought my '82 4x4 about 12 years ago and to date have replaced or rebuilt most everything except motor which is still going with a sealed head gasket leak from PO;-( . just saying I've spent alot more than I paid for it. Good Luck!