Hey everyone, im a jeep guy but am looking to buy a 1989 Yota X-Cab, 4x4, 5 Speed with the 22RE and 180k miles to tow my dirt bike. I can get this truck for $1500 but its got a problem. When it is going up a steep hill in 2nd gear or above, the RPMs climb pretty high but no additional power is given to the wheels. It feels like the clutch or tranny is slipping. Also if you rev it up and drop the clutch to try and spin the tires the rpms stay high and it takes about 2 or 3 seconds after the clutch has been released for full power to get to the wheels. Has anyone had this problem before and any advice on how to fix it or how big of a problem this could be would be appriciated. Also what kind of gearing comes stock on 89's? Does this sound like a good deal? Thanks Alot

This is not the truck but it looks exactly like this.

-Chris

 

Sounds like the clutch is slipping, probably needs a new one. If you can do it yourself it's not that expensive.

 

Can't help, but I remember your ZJ from jeepsunlimited

 

All signs of a fried clutch. Nothing else in the drivetrain will do what you describe.

 

thanks for the replies, any other things I should be aware of on this year truck?

 

does it have manual hubs? better transmission and more desirable than one without the hubs.

other than that, they're pretty bulletproof. the engine is probably one of the most reliable you'll ever own, and cheap to work on.

if it's a base model, it should have 4.10 gears. if it was equipped with 31" tires from the factory, it should have 4.56s.

 

Yes it has manual hubs and I belive the 31's were put on by the previous owner. I brought it into a shop to get tested and they couldent tell me for sure if it was the clutch or tranny slipping, but from everyone I talked to it sounds like the clutch. Also durring the compression test the #1 cylider had low compression at 120PS, all other cyliders tested at 160. It looks like it needs about $1100 worth of work, including new clutch, brakes, and tune up. I can talk him down to around $1000 for the truck. Should I go for it or find somthing else? Thanks

 

$1000 bucks is a steal for an '89-95 truck in good condition. i paid $2750 for my '91 in good condition with 180k on the clock.

however the engine in yours sounds iffy, might need a rebuild from the low compression. not a one day job for the novice, but it's no brain surgery. you can get a complete engine kit(all gaskets, pistons, rings, timing chain etc) for a little over $200 from engnbldr.com. while the engine is out put a new clutch on it and you'll be golden.

 

Heres some pics of the truck