So I've made up my mind about buying my buddies ram if everthong works out. But I was talking to a guy today about older Toyota trucks. What do you guys know about them good bad or just OK? How capable and how tough are they. If something falls threw with getting the ram I figured It wouldn't be a bad idea to have a back up plan. Any info is appreciated . Thanks guys.
how about a toyota truck
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How old, as in which year, model, etc? Either way, I wouldn't think you would have any issue with the Yota. I'm a huge fan of the new Tacomas. I'm gonna keep dreaming...
What is "older?" In new england every "old" nissan or toyota comes complete with a wooden flatbed since the original bed rusted away. This is late 1980s.
IMO, If the older toyotas are in good shape, they will run forever. They are fairly tough and very reliable.. I would buy one if I came across the right one!
Probably early 90s
Some years have terrible frame rust issues. I'm not sure if that's a problem in MO.
Up north? Rust.
Down south? There is really nothing that stops them.
I worked at an O'Reilly that did a large amount of commercial deliveries. 2 brand new S10s, a Ranger, and an old early Tacoma
The Toyota had the most mileage by far and would flat run away from the Ranger and S10s. The 2.2 S10s were completely gutless. The Ranger's 2.5 was a little better but not much. The Toyota 2.4 was rated at about 20 more hp than the others but it felt more like 50 hp more.
It carried as much as the others too.
I liked the seats in the S10 the best, even if adjustment levers snap off easily. The Tacoma's cloth bench was only marginally better than the Ranger's vinyl bench
The only thing the Ranger and S10s did better than the Taco was wet weather. And Rangers and S10s are not that great in the rain. The Tacoma was downright dangerous in the rain.
and if delivery drivers can't kill a Tacoma in 200,000 miles....
But then again they only killed one of the S10s. The other Ranger and S10 soldiered on probably as long as that Taco did.
Cost is another factor. A basic 2004 Tacoma 2WD PreRunner is often priced similar to a Ranger ext cab 4X4 from the same year/same miles.
Before the whole Cash For Clunkers debacle, there was a Tacoma 4 cyl 4X4 with 150,000 miles at the dealer where I bought my Mazda that was priced identical to the Ranger 4X4 FX4 next to it with less miles.
If I had been buying a truck, My money would have been on the Ranger.
Down south? There is really nothing that stops them.
I worked at an O'Reilly that did a large amount of commercial deliveries. 2 brand new S10s, a Ranger, and an old early Tacoma
The Toyota had the most mileage by far and would flat run away from the Ranger and S10s. The 2.2 S10s were completely gutless. The Ranger's 2.5 was a little better but not much. The Toyota 2.4 was rated at about 20 more hp than the others but it felt more like 50 hp more.
It carried as much as the others too.
I liked the seats in the S10 the best, even if adjustment levers snap off easily. The Tacoma's cloth bench was only marginally better than the Ranger's vinyl bench
The only thing the Ranger and S10s did better than the Taco was wet weather. And Rangers and S10s are not that great in the rain. The Tacoma was downright dangerous in the rain.
and if delivery drivers can't kill a Tacoma in 200,000 miles....
But then again they only killed one of the S10s. The other Ranger and S10 soldiered on probably as long as that Taco did.
Cost is another factor. A basic 2004 Tacoma 2WD PreRunner is often priced similar to a Ranger ext cab 4X4 from the same year/same miles.
Before the whole Cash For Clunkers debacle, there was a Tacoma 4 cyl 4X4 with 150,000 miles at the dealer where I bought my Mazda that was priced identical to the Ranger 4X4 FX4 next to it with less miles.
If I had been buying a truck, My money would have been on the Ranger.
If you've never seen them before, I humbly submit the following 3 clips from top gear that explain why I would have no problem ever buying an older Toyota pickup.
That's a 1990 Hilux Diesel, with 190k mi. They paid £1000 for it.
(They never say what year the truck is,just that it's 13 yrs old. Episode first aired Nov.23rd, 2003, so....)
That's a 1990 Hilux Diesel, with 190k mi. They paid £1000 for it.
(They never say what year the truck is,just that it's 13 yrs old. Episode first aired Nov.23rd, 2003, so....)
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I've seen those but I'm going to watch it again since you posted it. Don't you think a Ford Chevy or Dodge could do that to though?
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
Don't you think a Ford Chevy or Dodge could do that to though?
with the exception of the drowning in seawater, sure.
only one way to find out for sure though...
anyone got a 13yr old truck they wanna test?
but really, if you are looking to buy anything more than 10 yrs old, look south young man! get one from Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Old Mexico(maybe not Old Mexico), somewhere without snow/road salt.
then you just have to worry about the plastics breaking down from the heat, and UV damage.
My Brother Lives in Dallas, in '08 or so sold his y2k Ram 1500 to a co worker, about 4 months later the dash collapsed in on it self (apparently not unheard of in those parts).
Don't you think a Ford Chevy or Dodge could do that to though?
with the exception of the drowning in seawater, sure.
only one way to find out for sure though...
anyone got a 13yr old truck they wanna test?
but really, if you are looking to buy anything more than 10 yrs old, look south young man! get one from Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Old Mexico(maybe not Old Mexico), somewhere without snow/road salt.
then you just have to worry about the plastics breaking down from the heat, and UV damage.
My Brother Lives in Dallas, in '08 or so sold his y2k Ram 1500 to a co worker, about 4 months later the dash collapsed in on it self (apparently not unheard of in those parts).
Why couldn't they do the sea water part?
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
Why couldn't they do the sea water part?
I think the diesel is easier revive from a swim. Probably that motor could be set up to run with almost no electrical system as well.
Why couldn't they do the sea water part?
I think the diesel is easier revive from a swim. Probably that motor could be set up to run with almost no electrical system as well.
As long as there is no road salt, Toyota and Nissan trucks are great.
There is a downside, however. Many of their engines use timing belts. Check the one you are getting carefully to see if it uses a belt or not.
There is a downside, however. Many of their engines use timing belts. Check the one you are getting carefully to see if it uses a belt or not.
I'm still driving my truck that is in the sig below. Apart from a few mechanics that have done more harm than good, I can't say I'm dissapointed at all with it...well I do wish I had the 3.4 instead of the 3.slow..er...0. I am replacing stuff now that has worn or still stock...ie vacuum hoses, bearings, you know, stuff that just needs to be replaced along the course of time and 197000 miles and counting. It doesn't look pretty after 19 years in the AZ sun, but its still a lot cheaper to repair it than buy a new truck and be saddled with a payment.
I had just switched out the stock rear springs in this photo about 1.5 years ago. Still pretty much as-is except I switched to manual hubs.
I had just switched out the stock rear springs in this photo about 1.5 years ago. Still pretty much as-is except I switched to manual hubs.
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
Why couldn't they do the sea water part?
Electronics.
almost any engine newer than the early 90's, you'd have to let the electrics dry out for a few days before attempting to start(if not have to replace them outright), salt water is a)much more corrosive than fresh, b) a much better electrical conductor than fresh water. (multiple massive shorts throughout the computers/electrical system - try dropping your cell phone in saltwater and see what i mean)
honestly I'm not sure the modern equivalent of that same toyota could survive the salt dunk...
Why couldn't they do the sea water part?
Electronics.
almost any engine newer than the early 90's, you'd have to let the electrics dry out for a few days before attempting to start(if not have to replace them outright), salt water is a)much more corrosive than fresh, b) a much better electrical conductor than fresh water. (multiple massive shorts throughout the computers/electrical system - try dropping your cell phone in saltwater and see what i mean)
honestly I'm not sure the modern equivalent of that same toyota could survive the salt dunk...
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My son has an '89 extra cab 4WD with 181K on it. Everything works. The 3.0L head gaskets had already been replaced on it when he got it. Apparently that was an issue. It must have spent its time down south since there is minimal rust on the body, and the frame is good.
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