Hey guys! Long time looker but finally got a truck a can play with.
So a little background. My names Kirk, I'm from Virginia, I'm 17 years old. My dad is a toyota technician, and my uncle works in the mechanic field for years.
When I was 12 my uncle gave my a 88 toyota pickup 5 speed with a blown head gasket. He bought the brand new in 88 and when I got it, it had 275xxx. By 14 I had saved up enough money and got running and drove that when I got learners permit. Then my neighbor blew a head gasket in his 1991 pickup (173xxx)and wanted to sell it. So I bought that and gave my uncle back the 88 (still drives it with 290xxx). Fixed the head gasket.(cheap napa one) and then 4 months later it blew again. This time I went back with a toyota head gasket and it's been running strong for over a year. Well both of we're single cabs and had no a/c. So I thought I'd move up in the world and get a extra cab with a/c. One of my uncles buddy's had a 1994 sitting in his back yard with a burnt valve and wanted to sell that. So after looking at it. We agreed on a price and I traded him bucket seats for his other pickup for 4.88 gears, yes a score I know. Also I wanted stock toyota rims so I traded him the aftermarket ones for stock sr5s.
So the truck is a 1994 toyota pickup extra cab, v6 automatic. 141xxx, stock 4.56s and 32s

 

Well my 88 was rusted and beat up and I didn't wanna lift a rust bucket so I kept it stock



And my 91 in my dads words "to nice of a truck to lift", the body and paint was eh, but mechanically, the best toyota I ever driven, and I've driven over 20+

 

Sounds like a plan..wish I'd had Toyota experience at 14! Hahaha

Where's the pictures of your 94?

 

Both are some nice looking little trucks got there. The 88 did get eaten up with some rust, but I do like the stripes and color, bet it was sharp when new. Welcome to Yotatech.

 

It's coming! Yeah I say I'm very lucky for it, and discount toyota parts.

 

Thanks!

 

Well I got the 94 and it was faded to pink and had rusted brush guard, steps and offset wheel. not a fan of all of that.











Dads towing rig. Cummins!

 

My truck the same as speedcrazys new one, i wish mine was a 4cyl 5speed. Automatic is hard to get used. Automatic looks funny in a toyota

 

Well, I tore down the motor, very clean, but could tell a kid that didnt know what he was doing had been working on it,goo everywhere. Took the heads of, got them both done at the shop, went back with toyota head gaskets, new timing belt,water pump, thermostat and other things I can't remember and got it running and then I got the sr5 wheels on it and took the steps and brush guard off, and the brush guard






I think taking the steps off made it look 3 inches taller and way nicer.

 

My exhaust is falling down and all rusty, what do you guys thing I should go back with? I like the quite, avid hunter and always in the woods

 

Well, I'm getting my 88 back and dad still has the 91. So I'm consider selling the 94 cause I could double my money. I'm not that attached to it and rather have a stick. I'm gonna buy another yota no matter what. But what you guys think? Make money or build it?

 

Just found this thread, missed the date and was scrolling down and was thinking.. what the??? did i buy this? Then i saw it was v6. But its almost identical outside, right down to the weird faded pattern of bed vs cab.
I say build it, i love having the extra space of and ex-cab. But as you say a stick would be better, but ex-cabs are sooo hard to find 5-spd, especially if you want 22-RE.

 

I search Craigslist everyday, multiple times a day. I've seen 2 in the past month. And it's always "trade for a full size" never sell. I have the 4.88s to stuff in the truck so I think the automatic will be nice. Especially that I should be going to college next year and I will be traveling back and for alot! Where are you from speedy?

 

Yes i'm a cl junkie too. Though i only find good deals when i'm broke.
I find with the people who want to trade that if their add is old enough they are generally frustrated enough to sell outright. I know thats how i roll, i put something to trade for about a month(or however long i can hold out) and then put it for sale, of course a really good offer will do it too.
You don't need those 4.88's they'll only make life worse, let me take that issue of your hands
I get you on the traveling thing, i'm in the same boat, but i love stick too much to compromise. Especially as fuel mileage is better with the 5-spd, of course its less stressful for long drives to be auto, so i guess its just personal preference. I figure if i'm too tired/stressed to shift then i ought not be driving.
If you look to the left of this post you will find i am located in rural [upstate] sc. How bout you?

 

I'm not that far from you. Central Va! All I know is my auto gets 12 mpg and I hate it

 

12? You got some work to do man...
Have you done a tune up yet? Change the oil, get some new plugs and wires, check your timing. Change your air filter, idk what else but at stock even a 3.slow ought to be getting better than that, unless your 100% city and drive it like a race car.
A gentleman over in my oil and filter thread also recommended running some seafoam through the crank case to clean out all the accumulated crud.
Don't give up on it.

Central VA, no not far, only 300 miles or so.

 

I just rebuilt it and did all of that. Bout to change the oil again cause I just rolled 500 miles on the rebuild. I went back with toyota everything too. It's makes me wanna go back to my 91

 

Do you do a lot of city driving? Cause while it should be a little better thats not awful for an auto 3.0 in the city.

EDIT: Actually according to this data you are bang on for city driving.

 

I guess you'd call it city. It's not interstate. But just around my town, back roads. And have ac on at all times nowadays. That's all factors. And 32s

 

Stock gears? Yeah with all those factors i'd say you found the problem. I'd try re-gearing and running the 4x60 ac rather than the freon one =p