Thinking about buying a 1986 Toyota 4x4 pickup

Hey guys, not sure if this is in the right area, but I thought this would be the best place. Im looking at a 1986 Toyota Pickup 4x4 down in Tucson. The truck has 286,000 miles on the engine and frame and the owner says that it does run, but has an "small" oil leak from the oil pan. The interior and paint are in pretty rough shape, and will definitely need some work. He's asking $2500 OBO and i wanted some advice to figure out if this is something I should look at or move on. Im a hydrology/geology student at the U of A and wanted to turn it into a camping/trail/field work truck.

 

It is a great truck if you put some time and money into it. You can get the engine fully rebuilt for about $1400.00

 

Here's the original Craigslist post.

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/4695242250.html

 

I had an 86 from 1995-2003, so it's been awhile now, but I spent a lot of time keeping it up and worked on a few others as well, so I kinda know what to expect from something like the truck you are looking at.

Mine was a 22R with a carburetor, not EFI like you're looking at. The EFI motor (22R-E) has more power-116hp vs 96 for the 22R. The problem with the EFI is that the entire system including high pressure fuel lines (think big fire hazard if one bursts/leaks), computer (think big bucks), and wiring harness/relays, etc has to work perfectly or you are stuck. At almost 30 years old I would be unwilling to deal with the potential computer problems and would look for one with a carbed engine instead.

The carbed engine is easy to work on with basic tools. My experience has been that the timing chain/guides and headgasket are only good for around 150K. At nearly 300K they have probably been done once, at least, and may be getting ready to go again. I have seen a couple over 400K with minimal work, but they were courier vehicles, back when the trucks were only 15 years old. I know of a couple locally that are mechanic owned and were maintained for the long haul, they needed rebuilt at 300K. One of these now has 500K on it, so it's possible to keep them going, but expect to have to work on it yourself for it to be worth it.

For what it's worth (probably not much), I sold mine in 2003 with very good original paint, 200K total miles, clean interior, less than 10K on a rebuilt engine (previous owner overheated it and I never could keep a headgasket in it), 30K on a trans rebuild, camper shell, new tires, etc for $2800. I know the used truck market is crazy high now, but from looking at Craigslist in your area I am shocked just how worn a $2500 truck is. On the other hand that price is probably soft, I'd offer $1500 if I was going to buy it, and I'd be planning to spend another $1500 on it, plus my time.

I'd find a carbureted truck that's had some parts replaced already, the one you're looking at it likely pretty whipped.

 

I didn't even think about the problems the EFI could give me. Ok so instead of just looking broadly, I'll be sure to look for one sans EFI. Thank you guys so much. I'll be sure to ask more questions if I find something else.

 

I drove my 86 2wd with the 22r motor 342,000 miles til I sadly wrecked it a few years back. I'm in the process of fixing it back up to put a few miles on it I agree with the carb, I never had any issue with mine in all the years I've owned it, never even had to have it rebuilt.

 

Save yourself the trouble and buy a 22re.. If you buy a 22r, you will spend every waking moment dreaming of EFI swaps.. Believe me, I daily drive a 22r.

$2500 for that truck is high. It looks like it needs a lot of work and it has almost 300k miles. I don't know if I'd pay $1000..

Just take your time, search a broad area, and a clean one w/way less miles will pop up for $2500 that maybe needs a new fuel pump or something.

 

2500$ sounded like alot.

we dont get many hiluxes with the petrol engines here in norway. but sure got alot of diesel burners, they are unbreakable though..

 

Speed is something that I won't worry about, thats what the WRX is for. Ill keep looking and see what I can find. I like the utter simplicity of the 22r, so I think thats what ill keep looking for.

 

A stock 22r is far from utterly simple! The stock carb has so many vacuum lines plus the smog pump and all of it's lines. It's very aggravating.

Now you can get rid of all of that with a Weber carb + a desmog kit from LCE. But your looking at around ~$600. Plus more if you buy the spiral adapter or offenhouser intake.

But after you stick that Weber on you can forgot about going up any hills. It won't happen.

Unless you find a screaming deal on a 22r then I'd look for a 22re. They are very simple. Very reliable. Easy to work on. And have better mannerisms.

 

22re is the best setup ya can get.

Thanks,

Brett

 

The 22r or 22re are not deal beakers. I'd be Prioritizing on solid axel, extended cab, and aftermarket upgrades similar to your final design.

 

That seems really high. I sold my '86 4Runner about a year ago on craigslist for 3k with 187k miles, offroad bumpers, etc.

 

I want an 86 again with factory solid axle

 

That thing's actually in real good shape considering most I've seen, it's worth that and I'd buy it. They still used cork seals on the engines back then, replace that and you should be leak free.

If I was closer, I'd be all over that. I need something to modify for wheelin'

 

I have had several Toyota 4x4 trucks and liked the 83 and84 the best they were both carb engines. I am currently driving a 09 and struggling with a 90 with a 22re the re has more power than the r but it sure has given me a lot more trouble. I am at the point of putting in the 3rd engine and thinking about finding a 22r and putting it in there,The 22r with a carb gets my vote.

 

Youll never find one. 85 was the last year of the solid axle. (first year of the 22re) There have been reports of some of the very late 85s being ifs, but never a 86 factory solid axle.

There isnt too much to the EFI. As long as the TPS and AFM are in spec, it should run forever.

The RE also makes about 10 more HP from the factory than the carb.. plus carbs suck at angles.

 

Hey!..Prolly alittle to late but new here and have 86' toyota 4x4 22r carbed I use in winter snow...I tell all will climb a tree..no doubt..She's slow on steep climbs on highway...3rd gear outa 5 at 50mph...like o'le friend said once.."Whats ur hurry...Truck is bullet proof..100,00 miles all did was replace hydralic clutch cylinder and radiator..This truck will climb right out of 2ft of snow easy..big tires of course.take care...Anyone else have same truck...Lter

 

Solid axel?.I assume you mean rel 4x4? ..and WRX? hmmm Can you inform me? ...also maybe a great place to check out...? Darn knobs on dash dont work for heater so go directly in-out to heater core for heat..but no heat?...195 thermostat...and flushed heat core..it's clean..nothing..just a little warm..Is there a filter somewhere?...I know lotsof?'s....sorry...would be nice to have heat in 4deg .........