Hey guys,

I am an avid reader of this forum. I am wondering what you guys think about a 1987 4x4 single cab 22r vs 1993 4x4 extended cab 22re. I am in California and plan on using this truck as a DD/ Camping truck. I want to leave it mostly stock with no plans on doing suspension upgrades anytime soon.
-Do you guys think the wheel base difference is an issue if i'm am doing light offroading? (IE: finding a spot off trail cutting over branches and some decent size rocks) Mostly desert and forest camping for me. Both are around 4k ea. The 93 feels pretty gutless compared to the 87 w/ mods but the 93 is fuel injected.
-How much better is the gas mileage on a EFI vs Carb?
-Will i have issues at altitude with the carb?
-I love the look of the 87, but the 93 is extended cab.
-87 seems like a great truck that will last another 200k miles, very clean engine, not so clean body. Need some more money put in to get it legal.
-93 seems more practical because it has extended cab, not so clean engine, body is a bit rusted. Ready to go and smogged.

Some info on the trucks
the 87
-Bored and honed cylinders
-New pistons, rings and pins
-Cut crankshaft with new rod and main bearings
-New rods
-New oil pump
-New timing chain, tenssioner , gears and HEAVY DUTY METAL GUIDE!
-New timing cover
-New freeze plugs
-Renewed Cylinder Head
-The cooling passages have been re-engineered to carry more heat away from the clylinders.
4 cylinder 5 speeds 4x4
New Tires 32x11.50R15 BFG.
Port & Polish Head
38 Weber Carb, Long Tube Headers, Crower Cam.
-Rest is OEM original parts
-maybe 10k miles on rebuilt engine
-NO rust
-has tube bumbers and fiberglass fenders done.

Issues w/ 87
- Cant pass smog unless i get a CAT installed and need to find a CA legal carb.
-Brakes are squishy not sure if it has air bubbles in the brake fluid, or if its something worse. (what is the worse case scenario and how much would it cost?)
-No ebrake
-no tailgate

The 93
-rebuilt top end
-has the metal timing chain guide done
-completely stock.
-a bit of rust on the body and on the leaflets.
-ready to go with smog cert.

Let me know what you guys think I am planning on purchasing one of the trucks soon. I am torn since i like both trucks a lot. Just hard to chose one.

 

I would buy the 93, no doubt about it. Extended cab and fuel injection, man! The freshly rebuilt 22r appeals, but for a DD, fuel injection is infinitely easier to maintain, and the practicality of extra space can't be beaten.

No doubts, man!

 

Xtracab for sure, more room comes in handy.

Plus for the same money you can drive it now with just the usual oil change/tune up stuff.

smog can get expensive.