Getting a toyota for a first truck!!! can i have some help picking please? THANX!!

[Figit090]

My dad said that we are going to start looking into getting me a truck and he said print out pics and info and specifications on the ideal truck that i would like...

I want to get a Toyota pu or a 4runner, i haven't decided which quite yet though and im hoping you can give me some pros and cons of having a truck over a 4runner or vice versa.

Some options that i want are:

- Power door locks
- Power windows
- 5-speed
- 4 wheel drive
- extended cab (if it's a truck of course...standard cabs look to small to me)
- removable top (4 runner)

and that's about all that i'm going to be picky about ...
the rest of the minor details i guess i don't really care about that much, but list anything you think m ight be important

The reason i posted this is i am not sure what years have those options, when they started making them, and what years they perfected them in...like for example i know in the 80's the side mirrors were CRAPPY but other than that the trucks were good...i think. But i don't know that much and I would appriciate any info from anyone that knows stuff about 'yotas

I would like to have automatic locking differentials in the front, not a must but when did those start production in toyotas? Not a biggie, but it's better than getting out in the cold to turn dials when you can do it in the cab.

I don't really want a 4 runner that is a solid body (or in other words no removable top) because i think it would be cool to be able to go convertable some days you know?

So what years do you guys/gals like and why?? What's good about different years?? and what's bad??

thanx for the help I really really really appriciate it and i realy look forward to my new truck!!!

[Figit090]

oh yeah and my dad said he wanted some info on safety ratings and what ones have disk brakes (insurance purposes)

I would also like to know another thing that i forgot to ask...would it be better to get a solid axle or independent front suspention?

I would probably get independant but i'm jsut curious about the pros and cons of either....

[justin22]

what year are you looking for, are you going to use the 4x4 for off road, or just to have in case. V6 or 4 banger.

If you want a straight axle, your looking at an 85 or older, use the swap was done already. If it was becareful some of these are real hack jobs. IFS is fine but if you want it for serious off road its not that great.

The V6 is a good motor, but they have a problem with the head gasket, but on the 89 and new were cover under a fractory recall, some guys got new motors for free, check that out when looking. The 4 banger 22R is a great motor will out last the truck if taken care of, ect oil changes, keep all fluids up ect.

- Power door locks
- Power windows
As for them not sure when they started putting them in the truck or 4 runner's

As for auto locking hubs, don't waste your time the manual are in a class of there own, I would go with the manual ones, over the auto's anyday, no matter how cold.

Mid 90 they started to come with 4 wheel disk brake.


As for what year is my fav, I have an 88 long box reg cab v6 5spd, best truck I ever owned. I have the IFS and for the amout of off roading I do its fine. And reliable, it sat up to the bottom of the windows in salt water and ice. Broke through when we were out playing, that was 4 years ago and it runs just as well now as it did befor it went for a dip.

Make sure the frame is solid, take a hammer with you when you go to check them out. just tap along the inside of the fame, and if it don't look or sound good leave it. Thats the only thing you realy have to watch is the frame. Most everything else is bullet proof.

[Figit090]

Well it will be my firts truck, and a 4 banger will probably be the cheapest, but i would rather have the v6...unless the head gaskets will become a problem of course...

I don't realy know what year i want right now, that's what i'm trying to find out...what years have problems, because i don't really know.

I haven't decided on weather i want a 4 runner or a pu though that is one problem i have...

can someone post the pros and cons of the suv and the pickup? thanx

what do you guys prefer? if you had a choice between the two...and why?

If i got a 4 runner it would probably have to be before 1990 or whenever they stopped making the removable tops because i want one of those...

[hertzman]

As for me, I had a 88 standard cab short box and loved everything about it. I had some head gasket problems but that truck never let me down. I would definately look at EFI, I think 88 and later ( I could be wrong). I now have an 87 with a carb and the gas mileage and acceleration is not even close to the 88 with EFI. The manual hubs are no problem and you dont have to worry about another repair cost. I am grown up with a family now and a 4runner would be best but if your young, I would go with the extend cab truck.

Good luck to you.

[robinhood150]

First, a bit of terminology: You are talking about locking hubs, not a locking differential, they are completely different. A lot of people get rid of the auto hubs and install manual hubs since it's a lot simpler design and less prone to malfunction.

The generation of 4runner you are looking for is the 1st gen and they are available up to 89. The generation of truck you are looking for is the 2nd gen (confusing, isn't it) and they are available up to 88.

1985 is the most coveted year because they have fuel injection and a solid axle. From your post, I kinda doubt that you need the solid axle, the ifs should do fine for all but the most difficult of rockcrawling. If you're going to be doing trails like the rubicon or harder, then you'll need a solid axle.

The deciding factor on whether to get a 4runner or a truck is the number of people you want to carry. If you want to take a lot of friends, then the 4runner is better. But if it's just going to be you and your girlfriend, then a truck is fine. Off roading is much more fun with friends though.

Also, 4wheel disk brakes were not available until 2003. With the exception of the really old toyotas, you're going to get disks in the front and drums in the rear.

Personally, I would get the 4cyl because it's bulletproof and easy to work on. I've gotten stung by the headgasket problem with the V6 and I've become leary of it. However, the V6 didn't come out until the last year or two of the 1st gen, so you're probably going to end up with the 4cyl anyway.

[reb]

The best 4WD I have owned (I am on number 4 now) was an '85 Toyota extended cab. The little 4-banger had all the power the truck needed and did not require a lot of repairs. I think you would be happy with any of the small Toyota trucks. My personal philosophy is to stay with the simplest vehicle that will do the job. Things like power windows, power door locks, etc. are more likely to require fixing in older vehicles.

Good luck.

reb

[Figit090]

what are the downsides to solid front axles.

oh and sorry about the hubs, i knew that but i hear the term as locking your differentials because i'm into RC..and with rc cars you use a spool, no hubs, so it sliped past me.

[robinhood150]

Generally, SA don't ride or handle as well. Plus, that means you're getting an 85 or older so things are really starting to wear out. A new engine may or may not be in order for something that old.

IFS is debatably just as strong as a SA, however, the IFS probably exerts more stress on the axles because of all the wierd angles it has to go through. It's also good enough for 90% of the off roading in the US. Once you start doing trails harder than the Rubicon, the solid axle really shines.

[Figit090]

well...it will be my first truck...so i'm not sure i really have any reason to get SA, considering how old the truck is...

i like 1988-89 toyota's...but i'll probably just keep looking until i find one I like because the chances of finding an exact year that i plan to get is probably small...


thanx for all the info it helped a lot and i know lots more now...just today i saw a nice yota that i'd buy for sale for 8k...1990 x-cab 4x4..v6 and a newly rebuilt engine

but...too much for a first truck i'll probably get an oldie, although i don't really care i'd be fun to kinda restore a yota up to good running order...

[Figit090]

so i really should try for the 85?? i like them... they look nice...

does anyone have a picture of kinda the front/side of one with an x-tra cab? i have one from one for sale on the net but it's from the side and i am not sure if i want one or not cause i can't tell from the side....

what all is the x-tra cab? are there little seats in the back?

is that worth looking for? or should i just find a yota i like nomatter if it has the big cab or not...? and what about long and short beds...is it basically just my preference?

can you fit a wuad in either of the long and short beds?

[robinhood150]

85s are very much prized by the off road community so, depending on what part of the country you're in they can be relatively expensive. I haven't looked at all, but I've heard 85s can go for $4000, while newer years go for less. It all depends on how much off roading you're going to do. Take a look at my website and look at the pictures...especially of slickrock (remember that obstacles in pictures always look much easier than in real life). If you're going to be doing things harder than that, then a solid axle might be for you.

Personally, I'd start with ifs. It forces you to pick better lines and you learn how to wheel. You gotta learn how to walk before you can [rock]crawl. Once you progress enough you can torch off your ifs and weld on a solid axle. With the proper modifications, ifs will get you through 90% of the trails in the US.

The xtra cab is nice because you can throw your junk in the back without worrying about people stealing stuff out of your bed. It's big enough for kids, but adults won't fit.

[Figit090]

ok cool thanx for all the help i guess i'll go for newer then...i would like to have a nice xtra cab or a 4 runner with a removable top...do you think you could help me pick between those two??

I do know that toyota stopped making the removable tops on the 4 runner in 1989, so I would go for anything older there...but the truck i can go probably to 94, or whenever they totally founded out the front of the trucks... probably the 96 is the year i do not like...but not sure.

I like the new 2001-2002 trucks but way too much unless i get a repo'd stolen car or somthing...

so i either want a 1989 or older 4 runner, no older than 85, or a toyota extra cab between 85 and about 94... Which would you guys pick?? I don't know if i want the convertable ability, and a built in roll bar, and extra seats, or a truck with space for a quad when i get the money... what do you think the ups and downs are to the two trucks??

[robinhood150]

The 3rd gen 4runner came out in 96 and lasted until 2002, with minor cosmetic changes inbetween.

As far as getting a truck or a 4runner, I am in a similar dilemma as I am kinda thinking of selling mine. It just boils down to whether you want to carry people or stuff. I REALLY like being able to carry people because it's more fun off roading and going on trips. The 4runner is also REALLY comfortable for camping because you can sleep inside instead of a tent. After sleeping in the back of the 4runner I'll never go back to a tent unless I have to. However, my wife says we almost never take people on trips and we can sleep in the back of the truck bed with a shell. Currently I want to get a xtra cab tacoma, but that might change tomorrow...and then again the next day. It's up to you, can't help much. I've even posted polls asking this same thing and it's always come out 50/50.

[Figit090]

Thank you so much for all the help robinhood150! you've really helped me a lot!

But i have another question that just came up...actually two.

Near here i found a 89 4 runner for sale that i like, has everything that i want, power stuff, it isn't an automatic, and it dosen't have a moonroof but what the hey.

I also like it because it's black, and it has some funny looking wheels but they are aftermarket alloys that have kinda a star pattern, dosen't matter much to me though. Well anyway this is the deluxe model, and it has 212,000 miles...yet it's 4,900 dollars!! I checked the kelly bluebook on the net and it didn't even reach 4k with that milage... Should I try to email him and see if his price could be talked down??

or should i wait for somthing a little less...used??


My last question for now it what the heck is the difference between the SR5 and the Deluxe 4 runners? I read somthing like the deluxe having more power stuff in the x-tra cabs but what aobut the 4 runner..what is the difference??