Topic: opinions - long or short bed; 20r vs 22r; 4-speed for dd

[jmac80]

Hi-

I'm in the market for a 1st gen.  The last one I had was 81 and the 4 gear tranny was junk when I got it.  I had just rebuilt a w56 for a 93 and then promptly wrecked it, so the rebuild w56 went into the 1st gen.  I was set up for several thousand miles with a solid dd truck.....22r and 5-speed w56.  I've now moved to Oakland, CA and have no shop......probably shouldn't by a 35 year old truck but what the H#LL.

I drove down to San Jose yesterday afternoon to miss out on a 80 long bed by twenty minutes....I knew I was in a race with another guy to get there, so I can't blame the seller, as he told me on the front end.  That said, how practical is a 20R w/ 4-speed for driving on interstate?  Also, what's everyone's opinion on the long bed.....I've always had 22r or 22re w/ w56 in a short bed, and it was freaking AWESOME.

Past trucks - 95 extended cab; 89 reg cab; 90 reg cab; 81 reg cab.......now I'm in a 11 4-door cab w/ TRD off-road package w/ V-6 and auto......it's not for me

[H8PVMNT]

I love a long bed 1st gen.  With the long bed you can actually use it as a pickup.  Wheel base is nice for high speed dirt and climbing too.  If you still think it's to long bobbed long beds look sweet.

The 20r is a great engine.  Head flows better than a 22r, so what you lack in displacement you make up for in cylinder head.  When the 4 speed grenades slap a 5 speed in it.  When I got my '80 it had the 4 speed and I got 22 mpg on the interstate with it after a tune up.

When it comes to 1st gens, get what you can get.  Long or short they are vastly superior in many little ways.  '79 and '80 are my favorites.

[Snowtoy]

Loved the 20r 2wd I had back in the '86.

Did you see this one http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5188490911.html


If it is clean on the inside, it might be worth looking at.

[blackdiamond]

2nd Gen Extended Cab is my preference. Extra room and when you bob the bed you have great angles with a long wheelbase.

[jmac80 [OP]]

Do you guys think the long beds ride better?  People say they do, but is it really that much different?  I haven't ridden in one since the late 90's and my memory is not that good.....too many good times breathing fumes in my short beds   

BTW Snowtoy - That 80 does look pretty sweet.  A little more than I wanted to spend, but it appears to be straight. I may follow up with them.  I need to broaden my CL searches to include Sacramento.  My setting is for SF Bay Area and guess it's not getting in there.

[blackdiamond]

Do you guys think the long beds ride better?  People say they do, but is it really that much different?  I haven't ridden in one since the late 90's and my memory is not that good.....too many good times breathing fumes in my short beds   

BTW Snowtoy - That 80 does look pretty sweet.  A little more than I wanted to spend, but it appears to be straight. I may follow up with them.  I need to broaden my CL searches to include Sacramento.  My setting is for SF Bay Area and guess it's not getting in there.

If the wheelbase is longer on a long bed then I would expect a smoother ride.

[Snowtoy]

Do you guys think the long beds ride better?  People say they do, but is it really that much different?  I haven't ridden in one since the late 90's and my memory is not that good.....too many good times breathing fumes in my short beds 

The ride difference is likely due to the extra weight of the long bed and the leverage the added weight and position of the spare have in relation to the axle compared to the standard bed.  This is really negligible for decision purposes since you can add weight to to a short bed to help soften the ride.  If you are 6' or taller and plan to camp out of the back or plan to haul a lot of 10' or longer items, the 7' bed would be the better choice, other than that it is a matter of what appeals to you visually, and what is available when you decide to buy.

BTW Snowtoy - That 80 does look pretty sweet.  A little more than I wanted to spend, but it appears to be straight. I may follow up with them.  I need to broaden my CL searches to include Sacramento.  My setting is for SF Bay Area and guess it's not getting in there.

Ya it is at the high end of the price range, but based on what on what your current ride and plans for use are, I figured I would post the nicer of the ones available.  There are cheaper ones in the area, Sac. and Gold Country, some under $1500.