Ok I have found an 81 Toyota 4x4 Pickup for sale. The guy wants $600.00. The thing I hate most is that it doesn't run as of right now. It is a freshly rebuilt engine, but he stated it needs either and altenator or starter. The body on the drivers side is sort of dented up, but I don't care about that. There is quite a bit of surface rust on the fame, ect. I could probalby just sand most of it away and repaint it. It has a 3" BL and he said something about a different rear axle, maybe on from a Landcruiser. He really didn't sound sure on what it was. You think this is a good deal? There will problaby be lots of work that I'll have to do, but I really need a true trail rig. I could probably talk him down to $500.00

 

600 ain't bad at all. i believe the '81 was one of the best of the 1st gen years, you get the round headlights and a 22R. i paid 650 for my pickup, it's a '79

if it ends up being too much for you to fix, you can easily get the money you bought it for right back in parts

the starter and alternator are very easy to replace. i say buy the truck, it would be a great project

 

yeah i told him to put my name on it. so consider it sold

 

My grandfather used to have an '82 Pickup very much like the one you're talking about buying. I loved that truck and still wish he hadn't sold it. I don't ever remember it being broken down. Last I heard, it still runs like a gem, with the only flaw being the guy has to hold the shifter in 1st so it won't pop out. I think it has a little over 300k miles to this day, and is used mainly for a hunting truck.

Good luck on your purchase. Post pics as you begin your restoration process. Looking forward to it.

 

i have 306,000 miles on my truck. runs almost like a top, but i plan on replacing the engine with a beefed up 22R as soon as i aquire the funds...

 

What engine does your '79 have in it right now Kyle?

 

now i just have to find parts for it...lift....ahhh...marlin crawler....35's....

 

it has the original 20R, never rebuilt

and data, i literally cannot wait to start on my truck...unfortunately i don't have a job right now

i'm going to build a flatbed, get (hopefully selectable) lockers, 33s or 35s, dual inchworm cases, twin sticks, new front winch bumper(either badland or made myself), custom springs packs, etc etc etc

 

Do you know of any good sites about suspension mods for the 81?

 

there's quite a few. i think 4crawler aka roger brown knows a lot about solid axle suspension, i'm pretty sure the springs were mostly the same 79-85. i hear the hot swap is toyota rear springs or rancho 44044(?) wagoneer springs in the front, and chevy 63" springs in the rear. i'm going to be doing a lot of research on that soon

we have nice big fenderwells on our trucks, so fitting bigger tires isn't much of a problem. i've seen stock pickups running 33s, they rubbed under flex in the rear, though.

 

thanks. the research begins

 

check out pirate 4x4 for info on the older SA trucks. i have been doing some reading there, i too am looking for and older truck to become my trail rig.

 

I forgot to look, but do you know if it has power steering?

 

it may or may not have power steering, you will have to look for the pump on the engine. make sure you crawl under it and look at the inside framerail for rust, they like to get holes on the inside right in front of the rear spring hanger.

if it is a LC rear axle, it will have a cover over the diff, much like any dana or corporate axle. it would also be offset to the pass. side.

a rear spring conversion will get you good flex, but they require trial and error to get se up right, much like the 44044's. you cant just slap them on and be done. if you swap to rear chevys, or mazdas, be prepared for massive axlewrap. i shouldnt say massive, but if you go dual cases, it will be bad enough to call for a traction bar.

in either case, you will need hy-steer. the stock push/pull is barely adequate stock.

you will want to get rid of the BL on it, the older trucks have a tendancy to pop through the mounts, even with good bodies on them. if you wont be doing any hardcore stuff, it will last, but they dont last long under stress.

$600, dont pass it up. sounds like a pretty good deal to me. what color is it? i have a set of silver rust free doors if you want to replace a dented up one. if you are in need of any parts for it, including the starter, just pm me. my supply is dwindling, but i still have a lot of stuff for the 1st gens. good luck, and happy wheeling.

 

sweet. thanks alot. I'll probalby post some pics of it up soon. I'm gonna go by there today.

 

Here are some pics

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/datagram/DSC01995.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/datagram/DSC01996.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/datagram/DSC01997.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/datagram/DSC01998.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/datagram/DSC02000.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/datagram/DSC02002.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/datagram/DSC02007.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/datagram/DSC02009.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/datagram/DSC02010.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/datagram/DSC02017.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/datagram/DSC02026.JPG

I have more.........let me know what you guys think...
The pictures are rather large, so dialup folks beware. Also comcast has been slow today, so it might take a minute to load...

 

:xmas3:

 

that truck screams "TRAIL RIG!"

trim the front fenders(aka whack the front off level with the top of the bumper), put a flatbed on it, and rebuild the axles you're going to want hi-steer or at least crossover definitely(it's in my near-future plans), since it's far superior and you seem to have a bent tie rod

if you're up to it, pull the cab and bed off the frame and get the rust off, then paint it

 

Looks to me like it has a BL too..... what a beast.. that would be a fun project!

 

I'm still debating on whether or not to buy it. It seems like a good deal, but I don't have a place to work on it No garage