I am looking at two trucks, both at about 5k. The first is a 1985 ex cab 4x4, immaculate condition, 5 spd, power windows, sun roof, tilt wheel, cruise, etc. its a rebuilt 22re with 70k, flowmaster muffler, bobbed bed, 6" lift, 529 yukon gears front and back, clean title, and brand new toyo 35x13.5x15s with bart rims.
Has a tube bumber w/kc lights (not a big deal but included for values sake)
Truck two is a 1990 excab pickup with a rebuilt 3vze, 75k. its the 3.0 and a 5 spd. As far as I can tell it is not an sr5, also has 35s on it, dont know about the gears, has bucket seats but i dont know if they all came with buckets or not. They are asking the same price and I am leaning towards the 85 because I like the body sstyling better, and I used to run a 86 turbo 22re awhile ago and loved it (stolen = ( ) What are the differences between these two trucks, the main thing I am looking for is fuel efficiency, with is why im leaning towards the 4cyl. the 22re also has a legendary rep for longevity, Thanks in advance

 

I would go with the 85!



Bunch of pro's vs, the 90 with the 3.0, especially since you said "immaculate condition"

But hey, i like my 90 4runner, good truck!

 

With 35's are you joking!?!

Seriously though the main difference between the two will most likely be the suspension and how they ride/offroad.

 

Didn't even catch that

 

85. def. no way a 90 is even worth 5k, unless its either completely mint, fully loaded and in decent shape, or has a bunch of high dollar repairs/mods properly completed.

the 85 can easily be sold if you don't like it so much, because of the Solid Front Axle. thats a good deal considering what it is and what guys are paying for trashy 85s.

neither is going to yield good fuel economy, probably at best 19-21.

 

The guy will sell the 85 with 33s for 4k, i dont know if the gear ratio will be bad, he said it would go 65 at about 3400rpm, sounds high to me but not that high, how easy are they to gear back down, and would i see a better fuel mpg with the 33s or is it about the same as 35s.

 

oh yea, I used to have a dodge pickup so 20mpg is good for a truck, now all i have is my honda shadow and the wifes mazda3, need a truck for small hauling jobs(like couches or my bike) , and love toyotas

 

Regearing will probably cost a bit for you, not too sure how much since i haven't done it.

 

If you are really that worried about mpg......pass on both these trucks and maybe find one with a 4cyl/5spd/31" tires.....probably stock height would be best.

You are fighting against yourself and buying a modified vehicle only to un-modify it to suit your needs makes no real sense.

 

I will be wheeling on occasion, I mainly wanted to know which engine would be better and which truck would be a better value, it sounds like the 85, i fell in love with this truck, would the 35s dent my gas that much more than 33s? I want the 35s, but if its going to ding me 5mpg then ill stick with the 33s, if I can get him to sell me the 35s with it for 5k i think thats the best deal.

edit - not too worried about mpg, but dont need a fullsize so want a toyota, i have my bike (50mpg easy) if i need the mpg, but i dont want to be pouring gas out the window everytime i drive the truck if you know what i mean.

 

I seriously doubt that you'd see 19/20 mpg out of either one of these trucks even with 33's.

I have a low mileage (80k) 3.0 V6/5spd/4x4 '93 extra-cab that is stock height with Bilstein shocks and 31" BFG A/T's.
This truck is immaculate, I bought it of a very anal original owner...I am also pretty anal about my vehicles and I check all fluids and tire pressures weekly.

I see about 21-22mpg with a perfect running truck and a not too big Flowmaster muffler.
I had two 3.4V6/5spd/4x4 extra-cab Tacomas both stock height and both ran 31" BFG A/T's and they both got about 23-24mpg with K&N filters.

I would be real curious as to some "real world" mpg claims from guys on here running trucks similar to the '85 and '90.

P.S. I drive the speed limit 90% of the time and don't speed shift. My numbers are probably 70% town/ 30% highway. "Fastkevman" refers to Pontiacs I used to drive/race.

 

Anybody that is running a 22RE with big tires that says their gas mileage is "not that bad" is lying! lol. I have 33's and 5.29 gears. I run about 3000rpm at 65mph. I would estimate I get 15mpg at that speed. Might as well be driving a full size. Good thing now I really only drive it on Saturdays. I was driving it every day to work when the weather was crappy. My round trip to work is about 65 miles. I was spending roughly $13 a day on gas.

Rob

 

rob, how does your truck run with the 529 gears and 33s? Ive got the option of using 33s which will drop the price a grand, and not sure. I am stuck on the 85 though.

 

It has plenty of low end power and I really only have to downshift to 4th on really long big hills. It pretty much feels like what I would imagine stock gearing with normal tires to feel like.

Rob

 

Hmm, that sounds good, I should still be able to pull out close to 20 with my driving style and plan on doing some minor mpg mods to it like k&n's and a aftermarket intake maybe, always wanted to try those fuel line clamps that give you 5% mpg or whatever, will have to do extensive testing first though, good to know the 22re doesnt have to be regeared to take 33s, also, how can i tell if the motor is efi? he says its a 22re and i think i can see the efi unit in a picture, but i am a noob to engines and dont know if i am looking at it for sure =x http://images.craigslist.org/0115040...bf360010d9.jpg

 

That would be a no brainer for me. Definitely the 85, especially if it's in immaculate condition as you had said.

 

here are a few more pics of the truck, its very nice
http://images.craigslist.org/0101090...0fa2002bf3.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/0102040...d26a0056a3.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/0101020...ced4000e4b.jpg
I will have the cash thursday and will head to see it, its 100mi from my place so i dont want to head over without the money and head back.

 

Yeah it's efi. The bed looks bobbed in this pic:



Rob

 

it is bobbed

 

Thanks guys for the help, I am definately going to buy the 1985, no contest, I can barely find anyone who picks the 3vze above the 22re, and it is alot easier to work on than the 3. Hopefully the truck rides as good as it looks, I think I will have the guy put on the 33s, it will save me a grand and still be excellent, and I can drop 35s on at any time with the 5.29s, thanks for the infos, I will be on here more often I am sure. Does anyone know what year they started putting the bench in the back of the ex-cabs? And will one fit in the back of the 85 or will I have to search and find some other seat (from a pup maybe=x) Thanks again for reassuring me.