Topic: Looking for a truck to start with

[Hoogie409]

hey guys im Sam,i am new to the site, after watching the island mud bogs this last weekend i have decided that it is time to look into  getting a toyota. if you guys would be so kind as to help me find a good base truck that would be awesome.
right now i am loving the looks of the 80 to 83 body style. plus the solid axel stock is a huge perk.
i am heading off to college in a few weeks so i cant be spending a lot of money.
 i am not sure if i should look to find a already lifted truck or find a cheep stock one and build it my self?
so far that is my main question at the moment but there will be more as i continue my search.
thanks again so much
Sam

[GONZO97]

I think it really depends on if you want to build it up yourself or not

[Early]

I think it really depends on if you want to build it up yourself or not

agree, and it depends on if you know what you want out of the truck. If you want something you can roll, you could pick up an already beat on and upgraded truck for allot less than the parts let alone the truck.

Most don't have 7-10k to throw down to start with something, so starting at 1-3k and going through the stages of moding isn't that bad either. you really get to know your truck. Simple things break and you fix them, things get harder to fix as you go on and you learn more and more. then eventually you have a truck that does exactly what you want.

[Snowtoy]

Start w/a stock one and modify it as your skills develop and build it to suit your needs/the terrain you like to wheel on.  Granted this will likely cost you more money in the long run, but it will also keep you from getting in over your head, and you will know how the truck was put together. 

[Hoogie409 [OP]]

yeah, i wanna learn and work on my truck. i have a 04 dakota and i dont really know what all the wires do. like its to complicated for the average teen. haha. but i think with an older yota like an 81 i will be able to learn the basics that are needed and then grow with it like you guys are talking about.
i think once i get one ill just throw some 33s on there for fun. see what it can do, and then go from there.
if the 33s will get the job done then it is what it is and ill turn to building up the axels and such. but right now the plan is to find the truck.
tomorrow im planning on looking at a stock 81 for 1300. that should be a pretty good starting point, find some tires on craigslist and go from there.

[Early]

a interco 34/9.5/15 tsl got my 4runner to more places than i ever imagined.

[Rocksurfer]

1985 best year ever, only year with a straight axle and EFI.

[HogCanyonHopper]

Yea. I'd agree w/Snowtoy. Get a truck and build it yourself. I just picked up an '80 Hi-Lux couple months ago off Craigs List for $1,800.00. Truck was completely stock, running and that was about it. Everything was basically wore out. So I am deep in the middle of my first build and lovin' it. Great learning experience. Like said above, you really get to know your rig. Thats important. You want to know whats been done to your truck and when stuff breaks you will be better prepared to fix it yourself. BTW, I know a guy near Chico who has an '86 4Runner that needs a motor. I think he would let it go for 5bills. Everything else is there. I even have an extra 22R sittin in my shop. I want to buy it,But would have to tow it all the way uo the hill to where I live.(Oregon House). Anyway, good luck

[NorCalToy]

Look for something for a good deal. Dont get stuck on the factory solid axle, it still needs quite a bit of work. A stock first gen (79-83) and an IFs truck (86-95) will flex about the same so if your just gonna toss some 33s on it for now look at a bit newer truck with EFI and the option of an extra cab. When I was looking at trucks a lot of sellers caught caught up with the factory solid axle and wanted a lot of money for a junk truck when you can find later model IFS trucks in better shape for less and usually EFI.

[Sparkplug]

Def get EFI. Ive had both carb and EFI, and efi blows it out of the water. Carb is OK for wheelin, and can be tuned to work well, but it will still flood, start hard, and not adjust for altitude correctly. If u can get carb with propane, well then, thats badass. Get an ex cab, or 4 runner, if u r over 5'11, im 6'0 and fit in the single cabs, but they kinda small, expecially 3rd gens. I am about to sas my 88 runner, and have been rockin the ifs on it for 6 months, with 0 maintenance on front end, and flogging it daily, even go on rocks from time to time. Its held up fine, cvs r clicking now, but my sas will be under way very soon. I started my love of toyotas and wheelin with an 81 short bed, so i had solid axle from beginning, and went to ifs. I will say a solid axle stock can go more places then ifs, but the IFS with a welded rear will take u plenty of places that you shouldnt be going. The later model ones can be found in better shape, cheaper. Id look for 86-89 runners or 86-88 pickups. Either way, if u get a toyota with a 22r or re, and it has a transfer case, im pretty damn sure u wont be dissapointed.

[coloradocrawler]

  X2 what he said

 my wife had an 87' 4runner and before we got together she fried the engine. her brother in law (a rock crawling fanatic) talked her into buying a totaled t100 from the PnP for a grand(cheap for the truck minus the bed and seats-but complete otherwise). he put the 3.4L drivetrain in it for her. when i came into the family i took over the runner and did the SAS and the other stuff. the EFI is awesome, i have a buddy that wheels a weber and he hates it enough that he doesnt go wheeling much anymore. hes saving for EFI.
here on the leftslope of CO the newer 86ish and up yotas can be found on CL frequently and for pretty cheap. the older ones with the solid axles (85 and younger) are getting scarce and people here know that they are a good find and dont mind selling them for way more than they are worth. you should be able to get an axle and the SAS parts for relatively cheap, build it yourself and mod it as your skills grow, then you will know your truck real well.

[blackSR5]

I would say stay away from that dreaded 3vz v-6 (I think I got that right). I had a 91 SR5 and a 89 runner SR5 with that bleepin v-6 and ended up almost giving them away once the engine went bad. WORST engine ever invented in my opinion. I myself am looking for a 4runner with a 4banger in it. Great beginner truck!!! Good luck!!!