Need the wisdom on here to help me decide.

Been looking at two Toyota's and can't decide which poison to drink.

78 - runs good, has 20R, 5-speed tranny, disc up front, reg bed, old camper shell, but needs new seats, carpeting, dash, some little body work, rear bumper, tires are fair, steering is loose, and the current owner has covered it in black primer (worries me some), owned by young latino kid who bought it fairly recently and says he just wants to sell it now-asking $950

74 - runs rough, has 18RC, 4-speed, long bed, paint is rough but only slight surface rust on body, body is not dented or damaged anywhere, interior needs cleaning but not trashed, will need battery, needs new tires, idles fine but has a popping or backfire under load, tranny is strong, was owned by old fella (2nd but long time owner)who passed away a few years ago and it has sat since-asking $800

So I have about $2000 budgeted for either truck to try and get it to at least being a safe short haul daily driver and am hoping one of these will fit the bill. I would spend more in the next two years to further the restore, but $ is tight right now. Any ideas on why the 18RC is not a happy camper(ignition, carb, exhaust leak?)

Help, which one should I consider or should I just keep driving my 12mpg SUV? Thanks all.

 

Not very familiar with the 18RC, pics would help assess the body questions. Are these 2WD or 4WD? Need a few more details to give any advice honestly.

 

2wd, I'd go with the first...20r is a good engine, disc brakes, etc. I'd rather have a good running rig with cosmetic stuff for an extra 150.

 

Pics would help, and I would think for 2000 couldn't you find a 2wd from the 80's or early 90's thats already in good shape?

 

i agree.
for $2k you can pick up a late 80's early 90's nissan hardbody with the 4 cylinder ka24 and 5 speed that will get you 28mpg,lots of power,more capable than the old toyotas.
the post makes it sound like your wanting a cheap reliable truck thats gets good mpg.

now if your only looking into a toyota trucks.....then its a little different story.
from a restore point of view...id go with the second choice.

 

 

2 k. ought to buy both of them, then u would have spare! id pass on both and put the whole 2 k on a newer truck, you can get a decent 2wd in ga for 2k easy, not sure where you are

 

How are the N***an 2wds more capable than Toyota's?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT0OqHr3wHQ

change america to toyota.
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but on a serious note, buy the one with the better body, swap in a trans and 22r from a later model pickup, and you'll have the best of both worlds.

 

better fuel millage,better hauling capacity,better built.
that comparing the hardbody nissan to pre 84 2wd yotas.
your reading my post out of context.
its not like i stated nissan 2wd pickups are better than any toyota pickup.
simply compared a set price,offered a better more useable 2wd alternative to the 2 choices he picked,he stated a concern for mpg.
its my opinion....no arguement needed.
ive owned 7 nissan hard bodies,only 2 pre 84 toyotas,a few 90's toyotas.
i prefer the nissan for an average everyday truck.
once again my opinion.

my point was simple.
if your not buying the truck because your a old toyota fan,why not buy a more capable,modern truck for the same price.

i own a 82 dlx 4x4 daily driver,a 81 flatbed toy,my nissans were better driving,hauled more,mpg doesnt even compare,parts availabilty was great.
with that said....i love my toyota.

so dont use a part of my post to make it something out of nothing.
now were guiding this thread off track.
if anyone has a promlem with my post,feel free to send me a pm,or report me to a mod.

a ban.....do it,if im hated and offered a ban over this....i dont wanna be here,dont need to be here.
getting out of america....because i offered nissan as an example for and alternative vehicle for someones post....toyota isnt american either.
american vehicles arent american anymore.
you want me to leave because you assume i dont like toyota.

never stated i didnt like america (toyota) ive owned plenty vehicles in my life,my 07 fj 4x4 was my favorite.
maybe ill just get out of this forum,ive done no harm to no one.

sorry if my words seam harsh,i mean no disrespect.
i was banned from a gun forum over bull,because i was injured by a manufactures product,all was good untill everyone found out i didnt sue.
i have no need or want to take bull from anyone over non sense.

 

Haha easy there...you can't expect to come to a Toyota forum and say Nissans are better in any way shape or form without getting flamed, fact or not.

 

no kiddin lol he went on and on there lol.......... and our nonsence posts are just a bump for his thread but i go with the one with a better body spend the rest on a rebuilt motor and slap it in

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I love my '80 Toyota, but the GMC in my driveway will always come first. Do I deserve a Ban? There is no need to make harsh comments about a persons opinion.

To the O.P., if the budget allows 2k, i would find a newer more efficient truck than the ones you listed.

 

I think you guys are over looking a few key things. First maybe MercuryMan wants a older 70s rig, I would want one too. The whole restore/resto mod it. Alot of people ask while also, maybe he can find older rigs with no body rust, where in the south where it looks like alot of you guys are prob find alot with rust. I myself love the old 70s early 80s rigs. I have a 86 truck and love it but would love a pre 84 4x4. On which to go with, I think both would make great pickups but the 78 would be easier to get parts for over the 74, unless a engine swap to a 20R or 22R for the 74 is in order. Could drop the 74 body on a 4x4 Frame and make a sweet toy.

 

EEEAAAASSSSY Seabiscuit. pretty sure you did say Nissan was better. But who cares, you cant expect to come on a Toyota forum and say that. i dont have nothing against you or Nissan, just stating the obvious. This forum aint about what truck whoever likes better than there toyota. Its about 2 choices he has chosen, and which would be better

Anywho, personally, if i had 2k to spend on a DD, and found those 2 trucks, i would buy em both. Aint the 74 and 78 a different body style than the 79-83s?

 

Yup, different body styles almost completely.

 

I'd go with the 78 with the 20r/5 speed easy. Especially if the 18r is acting up to begin with.

 

Wow this post finally got going after sitting for a while. I truly appreciate all the advice from everyone. And the Nissan vs. Toyota angle is an interesting one.

Update: I bought the '74 Toyota Hilux longbed with the 18RC motor.

The '78 had some fairly bad 'cancer' and was ripped up pretty good inside. Seats were trashed, no ignition, no title (although he claimed he could get it-why hasn't he?). The black primer had me wondering about the body too because it wasn't very smooth/straight looking. And after I pulled back from the '78 he started trying to push off a dented up '77 on me and was actually a little hostile-telling me he was tired of people claiming they were interested and then after seeing the truck in person, backing out. I almost told him well duh!! No ignition no title come on.

So in process of breaking down and repairing the '74. I have been able to find most of the parts I believe I'm going to need. The lack of power is the Carb. Somebody hacked it to pieces. Only the first throttle shaft is moving with the pedal because the parts that connect the second are totally missing-so I think it's been running too rich (plugs show it) since no air is traveling through the second venturi even though all the fuel is dumping through #1 as it backfires straight out the carb-new used carb on the way and I will rebuild it.

The other issues are as expected (mostly) vacuum lines are rigged as much of the emission system is disabled too. Brakes are being replaced, fluids all changed, I think I might need a new shift linkage as it's all over the place to find gears (but they are definitely there and solid), new shocks, new radiator, new ignition parts, rebuilding/repairing the dash pad and radio panel, putting in a new stereo (only one speaker! haha-AM radio), and lots of clean up-more to come. The unexpected is all the damn wiring this guy added for lights mostly. The truck has 9 brake lights, two extra front blinkers on top of the fenders and all sorts of interior stuff. And sadly much of this wiring is sketchy at best. Loose wires, bare wires, lots of wire nuts, worn out tape, etc. This post is getting long enough so I will save the rest for a latter post. Including the hair raising trip home with the truck.

Thanks again for your advice. I'm sure I will need more as I go in deeper. EDIT- Oh and I will post pictures on my next post and don't expect a beauty just yet, but she will get there.