88 vs 94

Im a fan of both body styles, probably like the 88 style a bit more. I like the sharper edges. If I could find an 88 xtra cab 22re thats not beat to shit, a flat bed, or rusted out i'd piss myself

 

I've had both an '85 and a '93. Both had the 22RE and 5 speed and both were reg cabs. I really enjoyed both trucks but I gotta say the newer truck was much nicer to drive and comfortable inside. My '85 came stock with a solid axle (last year for the solid axle) but my '93 had a solid axle from an '84 truck swapped in.

Without question if I were looking for something like this is would be the '89-'95 body style with the 22Re 4cyl and 5 speed. They really are great trucks.

My '85


My '93

 

I will go ahead and say this, if you do decide to go with a new model and not an 80's model try and get the 4cyl motor, 22re. In saying that I have a 93' with the 3.slow v6 in it. Weak as cat piss. Not a bad motor necessarily just weak.

My dad has an 88 with the 22re and those motors go and go.

Along with all the others I vote more of a 80s model due to the fact of the solid axle...I've always been a fan of the 82s though.

 

Did some more Googling. Apparently '85 was the last year for solid front axles and also the first year for fuel injection on the 22RE.

 

I'm currently and will always be looking at the older toyota pickups. I personally like the older body styles but they are harder to find. 89'-94' pickups are very much alike. They have the same motor and trans,(except the 3.0 V6, which you don't want anyhow) and the frames are are almost the same, only the cab mounts changed. And of course the fenders ect.

If I were you I would look for an 84'-85' pickup(solid axle) or settle on an 89'-94' at a good price so that I could put a solid axle under it. that's my $0.02

 

I wanna play how the hell do I post pics?????

 

Awesome, someone who's owned both. This is what I was looking for!

What ever happened to that '93? That thing is perfect man.

And for those who mentioned the v6, no worries, I never even considered it.
I started this thing out looking for an 80s pickup but I'm leaning toward just getting the 90s and throwing on what I need, when I feel like it. Thanks for everyone's input.

I'm negotiating with two dealers right now on a 92 and a 94. Problem is they're both pretty far away and neither are the colors I like, not that I couldn't paint it

 

Just saw that today!

 

I actually just got back from checking it out! Body was extremely clean for a '94 with some normal fading. Interior was little tore up, missing plastic buttons on the climate control, a/c didnt work. Steering wheel was completely upside down when driving straight ahead. Didn't bother me all that much until I got underneath the truck. There was a lot of oil all around the transmission, and there was even a transmission bolt totally unscrewed. Took it for a test drive, the rear was really bumpy and jolted me every time we hit a bump. The truck only has 144k miles on it, it is oringally from South Carolina.

The guy was asking $3200. Is that reasonable? What do you think is a fair price for it. Frame was sold, aside from one of the rails that runs from side to side underneath the trans, part of it was almost rusted out.

Whats your guys opinion? Is 3200 a good deal? Any idea where it could be leaking from? I was trying to trace the path, but couldn't. Possibly gaskets?

 

If you don't mind fixing up those little things that sounds about right to me. You could always offer him 2800 and see if he takes it ha

 

I'd offer em less than that. However, I am very limited when it comes to mechanical skills. Possible ideas on the cause of the leak? Would an alingment correct the steering wheel?

 

No an alignment won't make the steering wheel not upside down, are you sure it was. They look funny because of the big open space on top. Were the prongs from the center to the wheel on top or bottom when driving straight?

 

Lol I am almost positive dude. Because I looked at the steerin wheel as I was driving and thought I had to turn it more, but when I did it would turn. So idk. Also, like I said the oil was all the way down to the transmission, possibly bad rear main seal? Valve cover gaskets?

 

Guy in Louisiana bought my '93 a few years ago. How's that for a long distance purchase? Dude drove out from Louisiana with a trailer to Utah and hauled it back stopping for several days along the way home to wheel in it. Haven't seen or heard anything about it since it sold.

 

Just found a 94! In town here but in pretty bad shape. Left the guy a note about my interest but its pretty rusted out and full of dents, and the driver side reflector is held on by string haha

 

If you want a project I would say go solid axel, I just picked up this 84 last weekend for 2500.00

 

I'll fix it up first if I decide to get this one. Solid axles would be way down the road but on the list nonetheless

 

too bad you don't live closer. I've been debating getting something better on gas for when I go to college in the fall. Don't think I could sell my '88 but it could be a possibility