Hi guys,
I am new to this forum and I look forward to spending some time here.

I am looking to buy my son an old pickup truck so that we can rebuild it and put it back into service. My Dad did this for me when I was 14 and it was the best thing he ever did for me. I rebuilt a 1971 Datsun pickup and that knowledge helped me get through an engineering degree in college as well as saving me a ton of money in life.

Anyway, My boys are 14 an 10 and I have been a Jeep man for the last 15 years. I know little about Toyotas. I would like to start them out in trucks and Toyota seems like the perfect fit. What I need from you is your knowledge in what year/model of Toyotas are the best for this project. There seem to be many for sale in my area
Considerations:
Which year trucks are the most basic and the easiest to work on?
Which motor is the most common and longest lasting?
Which vehicles/motors are there more parts for?

Most importantly: WHICH ONES ARE TO BE AVOIDED.

Thanks in advance guys for your help. I look forward to many enjoyable afternoons with my boys under/over/driving/discussing a Toyota truck.

Cheers, Scott

 

Well, a 22re very simple, but, you cant find one in a truck that is less than 16 years old now, considering '95 was the last year for them in the US.
New vehicles have a lot of electrical and computer based components and they're just going to get more, therefore, I dont think you should be looking at a pre-'96 truck or 4runner. Yes the older vehicles will be around for a long time, but eventually, they will be gone, probably in his lifetime. Give him something to work on that will benefit him for the future like your dad did.
Early Tacomas and 3rd gen 4runners arent too computer based, but they have more than the older trucks. You should look into a 1st gen Taco '95.5-'-04, either the 2.7L 4cyl 3RZFE or the 3.4L v6 5VZFE. Both engines are easy to work on and super reliable. Both get decent MPG in stock for, which is important with the price and coming price of gasoline. And, lots have high miles, needing repairs soon. Both engines can and do 300K miles with basic maintenance though.

 

22r or 22re are easiest to find parts in my area at least, and they last forever. i find that my 94 4runner with the 3.0 v6 has the same amount of power just less mpg. 3.4's are nice but the vehicles they are in are more $$ or have a ton of miles on them in a vehicle with a title brand.

i had a 22r in my 84 ext cab 4x4 pickup and i have a 22re in my 85 4runner, both were simple to work on, nothing hidden in a mess of wire harness and plastic dressings.

 

my dad started me out on an 86 4runner 22re its super reliable and simple to work on i managed to change a hg my first time w/o any help so its not a hard engine but no they wont be around forever but they will be for atleast another 20 years im sure

 

I started out working on a 73 Chevy and then moved on to a 69 Mustang and then to a 76 Triumph TR6, each time doing more and more work to the car or restoration. Today, I work on my 87 Toyota and my wife's 02 Tacoma, and a little less on my 08 Honda S2000. Just not into the computer stuff.

I would say one of the pickups with a 22re.

Just to throw something out there, as I am sure you know, a big difference between when you did this and now your sons, there are more computers and electrical controlled stuff on cars & trucks. So maybe getting something a little newer, 95-03 with the 2.7L, so that they can learn a little more about the computer side and electrical controller stuff. The cost might be a little higher for the truck and maybe some more costly equipment.

Either way, I think you guys will have a blast.

 

although a pre-tacoma would be one of the most reliable and easiest to work on, BUT i'd want my kids to have at least airbags because you never know - so that leaves 95 tacoma's and newer. i'd go for a 1st gen tacoma if it were me.

 

avoid anything with the 3.0L because of headgasket issues (recall). some people put on multiple sets.

certain years develop strawberry milkshake (96-02 4runners) where the tranny cooler in the radiator fails sending antifreeze into the transmission and cooking it. not a deal breaker but check the atf when looking.

 

84-95 toyota pickup 22re motor cheap reliable good gas mileage, easiest motor ive ever worked on had to replace the water pump for a friend had the water pump off and new one back on in a little over and hour and i had never worked on a 22re before that