‘YotaTech’ Member’s ’87 Toyota Truck Fascinating Backstory
After learning how to drive in it, YotaTech member continues to daily his ’87 Toyota pickup while fixing it up.
For the most part, we tend to feature four-wheel-drive Toyota pickups here at YotaTech. And that’s largely because, well, that’s what the vast majority of our members drive. But when we came across old87yota‘s two-wheel-drive Toyota pickup and its cool story recently, we couldn’t resist bringing it to you. After all, as the OP explains, he has quite a lot of history with this very truck, which is something you don’t see very often.
“I have always been into Toyota trucks since I was little. My dad had a red 1986 4WD regular cab 22R, and then later traded my grandpa for his 1991 4WD Xtra Cab 3VZ-E. But this Toyota is what I learned to drive on 7 years ago, and I have been driving it ever since. I got it from my grandpa after my great-grandmother passed away. My truck follows the cliche of the car that was driven by a little old lady to church and the grocery store. If I remember correctly, the truck only had 50,000 miles on the odometer when I started learning to drive.”
Despite that history, this pickup still needs a bit of work, as the OP explains.
“Over time, I am trying to make it a reliable, dependable truck for years to come. Even though it seems fairly mint, it has suffered the typical old truck problems like having most of the rubber parts reaching the end of their useful lives. I have made some mild changes from when I got it and plan to make a few more. There is no rust anywhere except a little surface rust on the battery tray. Most of the truck is original, including the paint and even the headlights. The truck was rear ended a few years before I got it. So it has a replacement tailgate with stamped letters, which I think looks better than the decals anyway.”
Despite operating as a college student on limited funds, the OP manages to get quite a few things done right off the bat.
“I replaced the tires, found a stock rear bumper, added NOS factory front mud flaps. Then traded canopies /toppers for one that actually fit on the truck. I had the canopy painted to match the rest of the truck. Then, I completely replaced the brake system at around the same time. About 6 months ago, the headlights burned out within two weeks of each other, so I replaced those too.”
A little while later, the OP tackled rebuilding the carb. Which unfortunately didn’t go too well.
“I do still have some problems with my carburetor. But looking back on when I rebuilt it, I thought I knew how these carburetors work. It turns out, I didn’t fully understand how the Aisan carburetors work. Or even have the right tools to properly rebuild one. The factory carb is certainly more complicated than a Weber and also works a little differently. Even with the problems I have had with the factory carburetor, I still think it is the better carburetor.”
Despite this little problem, however, he’s continued to daily drive the Toyota pickup for the last decade. The current plan is to get another daily and fix up the tired engine. As well as anything else that needs work. For now, be sure and head over here to get caught up on this cool family heirloom project, and stay tuned for future updates!
Photos: YotaTech Forums
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