Hello...I just wanna apologize ahead of time for this post...

I'm lookin for a little advice on the purchase of a truck. I know that you guys probably get these type of questions all of the time. So, thanks in advance. I'm lookin at an 81 toyota 4x4, Sr5 that was top of the line in 81. The body is pretty straight with all primer black paint. There is a 4 inch lift (that would have to go) and the front drive line makes a pretty prominent clunk (really acute angle on the driveline) when engaged...5sp transmission is very loose... The good...rebuilt engine about 3000 miles ago and brake system overhauled with about 4500 dollars in reciepts...new clutch...the inside is very clean...nice stout aftermarket bumpers and sliders...new tires...

So...he is asking 3000 dollars...do you think that is a fair price. The truck will need a transmission rebuild and the lift will need to be removed.

Thanks again...Oh yeah...i'm in NorCal....and...hopefully i will be spending more time here soon...

 

I don't know if the price is fair. But in 81 when I bought mine(my first new car or truck) I paid $11,500 for it. It was white with gray & silver strips SR5 longbed. I'm in Nor cal too. Maybe its my old truck??LOL Good luck!

 

sounds fair, i'd try for 2000-2500
also, check the floors, inner rockers, rear of front wheel wells, bed, and back of cab for rust

 

All of the ones I see here in Arizona are ranging from 3000-4000, so I would say yours would be a pretty good deal, even if it does need some work, but I still would try to negotiate.

 

Great...thanks for all of the input. I checked for rust over the whole body and it looked pretty good. Thanks again. I will let you all know how it turns out...hopefully i will be posting questions about a yota instead of only posts about buying a yota

 

Ah The 81 toyotas. First year of 22r, last year of round headlights. i love mine. It could do with some more room behind the seats, as it is VERY hard to get a stereo in these. But I wouldnt trade it for NUTHIN!! 3k seems very steep to me. Screw the lift, unless its done right, without blocks, and proper care to drivelines. I got mine with a perfect body, frame and everything for 500 with a blown engine. The engine that was in it still ran, just was very weak. Im on my 3rd motor now, and will probably cough up the money for a complete overhaul after this one goes. I have 2 other cars, and I will still never get rid of this thing. Its a classic now in my eyes. And though its a bumpy and slow ride, its very very fun. i say talk him down to 1800 if you can, just nitpick and find small things wrong. Even go so far as to take plugs off the difs to find milky oil so you can offer him less, things like that. If your in norcal, I got an 80 longbed id sell for 1200.

 

Damn...get him down to 1800 dollars. I don't think that he will go to 1800 dollars. I'll see what I can do. As for the lift on the truck right now, it's done with blocks and, as I said, the drivelines are at very acute angles...not very good.

 

sounds like after you haggle the price down a bit you'll have a good deal. The SR5 is nice, and no rust is worth the price. I love my 81 with the round headlights. If you do get it, I want some interior and motor pics ASAP (i'm trying to make my regular interior a SR5 interior ) Good luck.

 

As mentioned before, check out the floor, first gens notorious for it. My 81 has a huge hole due to a leaky windshield. If you to get the truck, work on the drive line or pull it to avoid a grenaded drive train like This Thread He reported a thunk before this damage occurred. Just hate to see new owner's have to pay more down the road (been there)......with the trannie issue you should be able to get him down a bit more. Nobody ever recovers what they put into an old vehicle unless they did all the work themselves etc etc

edit: cruise craigslist.org for a transmission. Good use ones show up in Portland for $200-400 every now and then...

Good luck and post some pictures if you end up with it.

 

Where in nor cal? The price can vary from $1000 to $6000 real fast in Humboldt we are crazy for first gens around here. Had a customer pay me to go to nevada after a no rust body and pay 2200 without getting to drive it. As for tranny i've got you covered anything you want