Topic: First gen buyers guide! need info and tips

[sempertoy]

I am looking to purchase a first gen pickup. The ones that I am looking for are not very close to where I live, so I am wondering what kind of things I need to look for and ask the owners before I fly out to buy one. I have a land cruiser, so I am not a total toyota newb, but I am new to mini trucks.

Thanks in advance for any tips and advice!

[toyyota]

As with a Land Cruiser, RUST is the big factor. You can buy hard parts, engine parts, tune up parts etc. but body parts, sheet metal, is not available. Interior factory bits are also super hard to find, so get lots of interior pictures. If you find a line on one maybe have a local check it out...cheers.

[slacker]

we specalize in 1st GEN FRP  .. 21st centery raw materials .. not the 60's crap most of you know
http://www.toyotafiberglass.com
interior and exterior parts ..


ok .. that said .. the frame is the most important . passenger side right by the fuel tank . the inner panel on the box frame is prone to rust in this area .
also floor boards and windshield channel mount and then the drip rails  ..  check these areas

[tyes]

my experiences, if its a 5sp look on the driver side kick panel to floor board. Lots of know leakage from resevior of both clutch and brake. middle of the truck under the heater core, known for leakages and rust. both rear 1/2 panels, people never pay attention and someimes water leaks in and fall to the rear and builds up. lots of rust there. check around the windshield area as lots of people put glue and cover up winshield housing.

[8D3TOY]

Toyota just zero'd out there line of 1st gen parts.  I went in one day for some stuff and the counter guy said not available anymore.  They cut the prices and cleared the shelves nationwide he said.

[emsvitil]

What year range is 1st gen again?

And what's an 86  (How long do I have to stock up on parts........) ?

[H8PVMNT]

Well a '79 or '80 is good because they will have 4.37 ring & pinion gears and the 20r head is also nice, but these have a weak 4 speed, which is no big deal becasue you can swap in a 5 speed later.  '79 and '80 are my personal favorite for some reason. With the 4.37s you are good to go for 31s and can even get by OK with 33s.  Little things like solid spacer sleeves on the pinion instead of crush sleeves, steering slip joints and u-joints where later years have rag joints kind of set these early ones apart in stock condition. I feel the 20r carb, while gutless works better on it's side and vertical than the 22r carb, but that just may be my experience.

An '81 is cool because you are guaranteed to get a dual row timing chain 22r that you can make into the 20r/22r hybrid for a hot 4 banger, and an OK 5 speed, but they have 3.90 ring and pinion gears, which really sucks for big tires, not a real problem if you plan to re-gear.

'82 and '83 have a more realistic gear ratio with 4.10s, 22r and a decent 5 speed and square headlights.

You can't really loose with any 1st gen, but '79 and '80 are my favorite in stock form.

[sempertoy [OP]]

Well a '79 or '80 is good because they will have 4.37 ring & pinion gears and the 20r head is also nice, but these have a weak 4 speed, which is no big deal becasue you can swap in a 5 speed later.  '79 and '80 are my personal favorite for some reason. With the 4.37s you are good to go for 31s and can even get by OK with 33s.  Little things like solid spacer sleeves on the pinion instead of crush sleeves, steering slip joints and u-joints where later years have rag joints kind of set these early ones apart in stock condition. I feel the 20r carb, while gutless works better on it's side and vertical than the 22r carb, but that just may be my experience.

An '81 is cool because you are guaranteed to get a dual row timing chain 22r that you can make into the 20r/22r hybrid for a hot 4 banger, and an OK 5 speed, but they have 3.90 ring and pinion gears, which really sucks for big tires, not a real problem if you plan to re-gear.

'82 and '83 have a more realistic gear ratio with 4.10s, 22r and a decent 5 speed and square headlights.

You can't really loose with any 1st gen, but '79 and '80 are my favorite in stock form.

Awesome info! Thanks for the great tips. I'm suppose to go look at an '80 soon. I'll report back.

[dt]

lower windshield area drivers side,rubber often has a gap,water goes in there and fuse block gets comprimised

[Rockdwg]

I currently have a 1983 Toyota pick up, big thing I can tell you is Body mounts look at them, and any normal area that would hold debris.........  fender wells front or back of the wheel wells,
.