85 Rust Bucket

Hello TWers
This may be the wrong spot for this but I figured it'd get more views here.
Ever since I found this site I've been regretting getting a 2wd 5 lugger. So I figured I'd buy an older truck to slowly build up. I found this truck on craigslist. It's an 85 4X4 (that means solid axle) with a 22R engine (NOT EFI). It has 57,000 original miles. The pics showed a rusty bed but I figured that was no big deal. I went to check it out, holy rust! The cab is surprisingly solid but thats it. It ran pretty well and drove surprisingly well, idled a little rough. The frame looked like swiss cheese. It was flaking apart and you could see daylight through a lot of it.
Here's some pics





















^This is the front passenger side wheel. I can't imagine that grease is supposed to be coming out like that? It's the same on the other side



I was a little disappointed for how low the miles are. I think it's kinda beyond repair it's just a matter of how long it'll last. Is it worth $1000?

 

Its worth $100 for srap steel unless you can find another frame.

 

Yikes!!! I have an '88 and the frame rust isn't nearly as bad. I just have surface rust on my frame. However, my bed is another story. Nothing but holes. I can't decide if I should keep it or not! I keep telling myself one day I'll fix it up.

 

One good flex and that frame would shatter!

 

Good god ... are you sure the odometer hasn't turned OVER?! LOL. I had an 86 that I just sold 6 months ago, and it was a gem compared to that thing.

 

That's what I thought... It was a 5 digit odometer but its got 6. I'm kinda tempted to buy it and use it at the lake till it rots in half then try to drop everything into a cleaner frame/body. I was gonna offer like $500 and try to pay $700-$800.

 

Do not pay over 400 for that.

 

$1000 bucks 10 years ago. It's done now.

 

Is the SFA salvagable out if it?

 

I think so... other than the weird grease clumps on the ends. It all worked at the lot when we tested it out... didn't put it in 4-lo but you could feel it fighting in 4-hi. Like I said it only has 58,000 miles on it so the engine, trans, and axles should have a lot left in them. The price dropped $500 while I was driving out there... It was $1500 when I called before i left and it was relisted for $1000 when I got home. The guy mentioned that he'd been told the engine is worth $700 so that's probably his bottom line.

 

No more than 400 like mentioned above.

My dad used to have that exact same truck, same color and everything, except it had the 22RE motor. I don't remember it though since I was about 3 when he sold it. So sad.

 

x2 my dad has an 84 exact same, still has it at my grandparents garaged for 25 years its mint and its mine when I want to take it.

 

My 1987 Toyota SR5 had a hole clear through the frame right above the rear wheel , looks like it is not too safe in its current state. It would make a nice project truck for the winter though. I say tear it down and rebuild it! But don't pay more than 400-500

 

Man, that thing has seen some salt or something.

Looks like some oil seepage around the front of the engine too.

 

Take the axle, find a 86-94 pickup and do an SAS

 

I'm just afraid the guy who owned it just neglected it and beat the piss outta it. It's only had one owner and it was supposedly garaged most of its life... it just seems to be wayyy too beat up for 58,000 miles. I'd have paid cash that day for it if it had a solid frame but it kinda scared me away.

 

id skimp and find another, there are plenty of great deals online...that isnt one of them, just someone passing their problem on to you

 

Keep your eyes open and the deal of a lifetime will come. Be patient. Youll find a bettter one at a better price.

 

dude dont do it!

 

Junk.

I would think toughest part of the deal for the guy taking your money would be to keep a straight face until you leave.