To make a long story short, I have to decide fast which to keep between these two trucks:

- 1982 pickup 4x4 extended bed with ~200,000 mi (has an '88 engine with ~100,000 mi.); I recently put in the engine, but have yet to resolve a "clacking" sound coming from engine, so it's not operational. I do not think this is a severe problem, as the engine was working fine before the transfer

- 2001 Tundra Access Cab Limited, TRD, bed cover, with 260,000 mi. This truck has been a wonderful truck. Has no mechanical problems. Slid in ice and hit a guardrail with cosmetic damage (dents, but not structural or mechanical) to front 1/4 panel, access cab door, and bed on passenger side. Also has some significant frame rust localized to 2 or 3 spots on front of frame that would need to be reinforced with welded plates.

I have to pick one or the other. Thoughts on which I should keep?? Thanks a lot for any help, guys.

Logic, reason and not-so-logical factors are making it hard for me to decide! I don't really do a lot of heavy hauling. I have a daily driver aside from these.

Also, I am in Maryland, north of Baltimore. If anyone is interested in either of these vehicles, let me know and name a price. I have about a day or so to start making a move to get rid of one... as in I will find a way to get rid of one...i.e. charity. So, if anyone is, let me know pronto.

Thanks again.

 

keep the 82. Tundra are a dime a dozen, and easy to replace. The 82 Hilux not so much. If it were your daily driver I'd say Tundra, but you said you have something that fits that bill, So I would keep the 82, and if you decide later it was the wrong decision, then you will be able to replace Tundra relatively easy. Hell I'd keep them both...

 

I can't keep both, sadly. But I'm leaning that way toward the '82. Just that the Tundra works great, has been super reliable, and seems like the "sensible" choice. The Pickup also has that unresolved engine issue, which I don't think is major, just haven't had time to figure out.

 

If you have a another daily driver I would definitely keep the 82. Just like It has been said earlier the tundra is much easier to replace. My 82 has tons of sentimental value and I would never part with it.

 

i wouldn't make it any easier by saying keep the Tundra, would i?
But I believe trucks are supposed to be practical and reliable, so I'd keep the one that is more so. If you've got a pickup that never needs maintenance, and keeps on going, and parts are easy to source, that's the keeper. A workhorse, not a show pony...

...unless that's what you want.

 

One thing that concerns me is the rust on the frame on the Tundra ('82 lived in AZ until 4 years ago, so not much rust), and the cost of parts. I kind of want to replace the busted up panels if I keep it, but it looks like the right side front quarter and rear bed panels would end up being like $900 online... and that's me doing the work. Can these be had easily in junk yards... never hunted for part there for Tundra? On then other hand it's had pretty good maintenance performed on it through it's life. Timing belt changed for second time early last year.

 

Question Number One: what are your needs?

You have a daily driver and don't need the extra capacity of the Tundra vs. the Hilux? Keep the Hilux.

 

Anyone have an idea about the prevalence of ~2003 Tundras in junk yards for parts (those panels, in particular)... or specifically the mid-Atlantic area?

 

Hope you aren't flat towing the 82 with the rear drive shaft installed.
Even with the transmission and transfer case in neutral the t/c rear output bearing doesn't get lubed correctly according to Marlin Crawler.
You fix one thing on the 82 and some other 35 year old problem pops up.

 

No, I disconnected the drive shaft when I towed it.

 

Check car-part.com, don't forget the dash. They're a good salvage database nationwide.

 

On the West Coast, I have seen a pittance of Tacomas, not a single Tundra, plenty of 2nd and 3rd gens, and a handful of 1st gens in junkyards, mostly Picknpull chains.

Yeah, 35 year old problems, but with how simple these vehicles are, there are only so many problems you can fix before you've basically restored the damn thing

 

I say as long as you don't need to tow anything large keep the hills of it has the amenities like A/C you would want in a daily driver. If necessary sell the tundra and use some of the money to fix any potential issues on the hilux. A Weber is a good idea for a daily driver if you don't have one.

 

I just traded in my 2005 Tundra 2WD Double Cab with 160,000 miles for my 2016 Tacoma - definitely didn't get what I thought that I would for it. Ran like a champ, but it was a "high" mileage 2WD truck that was beat up a little bit so the used market isn't great for it. I'd hate to say it, but if you want to drive a reliable truck, I'd go with the Tundra. My 83 pickup is super reliable, but it is basically new after I restored it - your's... not so much.

Also, there was a recall on the frame for your Tundra. I'm not sure if the recall window has closed, but Toyota was re-coating or replacing frames if the corrosion damage was extensive enough. Might be worth sliding by the dealership to see what they might do.

 

What do you guys think is a reasonable ballpark price to ask for the Tundra? ...or what has anyone sold their similar vehicle for? I know you don't know everything about the truck, but just trying to get an idea of what will move the sale.

 

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/5456824532.html
256K $5477

 

I listed $4500, but just dropped to $4000. Gotta sell it this week.