early 90's toyota pickups?

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wn1998

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I am looking for a daily driver 4 cylinder pickup in my price range of $750-$2500. I live in Chicago so many of the trucks in my price range are high mileage and rusty.

I would love a toyota tacoma or t100 however I am not sure if I want a truck with over 175k. How is the drivetrian on an early 90's toyota pickup. Many of the trucks I am looking at have 225k or more. Are these trucks worth the $2500-3000 asking price? Are there certain things I should look for?

I really want an automatic, 4wd and working A/C on the truck if that makes a difference.
 
wow, slow and poor fuel economy in that combo.

The wife's first car was the first year of the last-gen 4-runner... so an early 90's 4-cyl (had the triangle front windows which were GREAT).

The AT was trouble-prone and the engine didnt return particularly good economy. Yet, it had practically zero power on any sizeable hill. Still was OK for general use, and all in all we really liked that old 4runner... had it been MT, 90% of the gripe about it (and the repair costs) would have not existed.

It still got the job done, until rust got it.

JMH
 
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Good luck finding one in decent condition in that price range. I'd also look at Rangers and B-Series trucks. They cost less than the Toyota trucks are are equally reliable.
 
The rust is the issue not the milage. As long as the truck has been serviced it will be fine. The automatics tend to hold up better then the manuals if they have not been serviced freq. the reverse is true if they where serviced freq.!The 2WD models are usualy a lot cheaper then the 4X4 models. The 2.4 and 2.7 I4's in the Tacoma's are darn near bullet proof as long as they have oil changes like they should.
 
HAHHAHA, a good friend of mine has one of these for a field truck! They don't make enough power to hurt themselves..... or even spin on wet grass for that matter.

Great for going mudding and down the trails though because of it's size.

And yes, I agree with the manual transmissions being problematic, this one has been fixed a few times as well.

Seem to be a good little truck reliability-wise but a 302 backed with a T5 in a Ranger would be a LOT more fun
wink.gif
 
Does Illinois have safety inspections? People are forced out of rusted out heaps up here when they become illegal to drive. I'm concerned people may think really rusty stuff is still gold your way.

There is/was a rusty frame recall/class action suit on newer-ish toyota trucks.

I'd look at a dodge dakota with the 3.9 v6 and 5 speed, 2wd. Strong frame, peppy, and good economy.
 
wn1998, you just missed my brother selling his 1996 maroon Tacoma 4wd by a few months. He hadn't drove it regularly in a couple of years since buying an Accord in 05. He never had an issue with that truck and sold it cheap down in Bloomington.
 
bah, I miss the old '89 B2200. That thing had over 450,000KMs, engine and transmission never cracked open, didnt even use any oil. One time during a cold winter start the gas pedal got stuck down and as soon as it fired up it buried into the redline before I shut it down. The only thing that sucked about it was the choke would get stuck on really cold days and, yes those small Japanese trucks of that era always died from rust, always.
 
A better choice is an old S-10 Chevy 4 cylinder. Japanese pickups are overrated. The domestics build the best trucks. Don't forget about the head gasket problems on that era Japanese vehicles.
 
Originally Posted By: wn1998
I am looking for a daily driver 4 cylinder pickup in my price range of $750-$2500. I live in Chicago so many of the trucks in my price range are high mileage and rusty.

I would love a toyota tacoma or t100 however I am not sure if I want a truck with over 175k. How is the drivetrian on an early 90's toyota pickup. Many of the trucks I am looking at have 225k or more. Are these trucks worth the $2500-3000 asking price? Are there certain things I should look for?

I really want an automatic, 4wd and working A/C on the truck if that makes a difference.

Awesome trucks, a well maintained, fairly low mileage Tacoma or T100 would definitely be worth that much or alittle more.
 
Originally Posted By: cousincletus
A better choice is an old S-10 Chevy 4 cylinder. Japanese pickups are overrated. The domestics build the best trucks. Don't forget about the head gasket problems on that era Japanese vehicles.

3.0L V6's were the only ones that had head gasket issues. Once their taken care of nearly indestructible.
 
Originally Posted By: cousincletus
A better choice is an old S-10 Chevy 4 cylinder. Japanese pickups are overrated. The domestics build the best trucks. Don't forget about the head gasket problems on that era Japanese vehicles.


with the iron duke?? Good lord no
 
If Toyota had a head gasket issue, they stepped up to the plate and took care of it like a man. If you have an issue with a domestic you can just forget about it. Toyota was doing free head gaskets on vehicles with over 200,000 miles on them because they felt there was enough failures to justify the expense and protect customer relations! The only early 90s Toyo p/u you'll find that will still be any good will be a 2 wheel drive owned by a geriatric. Try your local Craigs' List.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Does Illinois have safety inspections? People are forced out of rusted out heaps up here when they become illegal to drive. I'm concerned people may think really rusty stuff is still gold your way.


Illinois only does emissions testing on mid-90's cars and newer. An early '90s vehicle would not be tested.

My parents bought a 92 Toyota pickup brand new and it's still going strong at 230k with hardly a mechanical issue.

If you're fortunate enough to find one, check it out. It's hard to find them in good shape after 15+ Northern Illinois winters (with the salt addiction the road crews have).
 
And only in about 1/2 dozen of the counties. Near Cook Co, as well as downstate in Madison, St. Clair and Monroe country.

Other counties don't have emissions tests.

96 and newer are the only ones tested now. They plug into the OBD-2 port and if all tests are complete and no-codes you pass.
 
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