So today I picked up a 1994 Toyota Pickup 4x4 Extra Cab 3.0 V6. The body has 280,XXX. The engine has been remaned 6,000 miles ago (new gaskets, water pump, clutch, power steering pump, timing belt, etc). Truck has A/C & Heat. The heat will burn you out. Not sure about A/C because its 35 degrees out so I haven't had a chance to use it. The body is straight with no dents. Has a small rust spot on rear quarter panel above exhaust. The truck starts right up, no ticks or odd noises. Drives good, shifts good. I paid 2400 for the truck to serve as a DD. Did I do good? The KBB with the 284000 miles without the rebuilt engine is around 2800. Any input/advice would be great! Thanks.

 

Here are some pics.

 

Get rid of the fugly topper and put a decent rear bumper on there. I think you did alright.

 

I'd say you did well. As far as what to do next, I'd change all the tranny and diff fluids, lube all the drive shaft u-joints, repack the front wheel bearings, check the brake pads and shoes, make sure spark plug wires and distributor cap look good, check the timing. Might want to look over the front end and and steering gear and make sure everything is tight. Keep your eye on the front tires for alignment issues.

Basically, just do good routine maintenance and enjoy driving it!

 

Yes. The camper shell is going as soon as it stops raining. Ok awesome. Thanks guys, that makes me feel a little better. I have had several 22re but never the v6. Always heard they had problems. but seems to be a great running truck to me. Interior needs some cleaning but is in overall good shape too.

 

Also it needs new shocks all around, is there any sort of leveling kit for the 94 that I can get when doing the shocks? Or better yet a leveling kit that includes all 4 shocks?

 

x2 check the timing

Every Yota I've bought off Craigslist had the timing messed with in order to compensate for some perceived problem or issue from the previous owner .

 

No such thing as a leveling kit. The front uses torsion bars and the rear uses leaves. Most of the time after years of being overloaded the rear springs start to sag. You can adjust the front T-bars to the rears level or you can"zuk" mod the rears or get new springs(expensive).

I personally just adjusted the front bars down a touch. Also makes it just a little easier to get in and out without side steps.

 

Not trying to go off topic, but what is the smallest suspension lift I could put on it. I basically just want to clean the truck up, go through it mechanically and get a 2''-4'' lift if possible with some taller tires. It will need tires, shocks, etc so I figured now is the time.

 

You can get a 2 or 4 inch lift. In the $600 range. My advise on shock is spend a little more and get quality. Bilstien's are nice. Stay away from cheap shocks. I have the same truck but a 92 and put procomps on it. They lasted 10,000 miles.

 

I have no lift and run 31's. All the good everything included lift kits start at 750. Even on Summitracing.com The smallest I have seen is a 4inch one. Unless you just want a body lift. Which are cheaper and easier to put on.



This is the only side shot I currently have of my truck with 31's. It looks very different now then, then. No I don't saggy butt syndrome. The front is level with the rear just sitting on a slight hill.






This what it looks like now except different wheels.

 

ok cool. Thanks for the input guys.

 

Do a 2in bj spacer and 2in rear block and some extended length shocks

 

Any idea where I could find a good set up like this? Also whats a bj spacer?

 

BJ Spacer- ball joint spacer: goes in between your a arm and top ballpoint to trick your suspension into thinking it is farther down that it is. Come in 1.5in to 3in on 4crawleroffroad.com or 2-3in on ebay. For the rear a lift block or a longer shackle is a good way to lift. As for shocks get a quality shock like a OME (old man emu), bilstein or a rancho over cheaper branded shocks like rough country's, skyjackers, or pro comps. Shocks need to be at least 2 in longer than stock.
Here's a price breakdown
4crawler bj spacer $85 shipped
Or ebay bj spacer $65 shipped
If you get a 2in Bj spacer get a diff drop kit $60 shipped
Longer shocks anywhere from $180-$500 depending on brand and specs
Rear block or shackle about 60-70 on 4 crawler offroad.
Hope I helped some

 

you helped a lot! Thanks for the info. I want to get the truck cleaned up and go from there.

 

What do you think about this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280946893937

 

Would work good. But in my experience an AAL rides rough. I'm pretty sure they sell a kit with a block for only 30 bucks more. Also the procomps are ok but if you have a limited budget they will do the job

 

This thread has links to a ton of information on lifts and other issues with 3rd Gen 4WD trucks:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...tickys-242840/

you may find a lot of answers there...

 

I just don't even know where to start as far as which direction I want to go as far as the lilt. So many possibilities!