worth the time?

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

finalyzd

Joined
Nov 24, 2009
Messages
518
Location
fairfield,CA
Looking at a 1985 toyota pickup sr5 turbo four cylinder. Has about 177,xxx. Body and interior looks very good. But only problem is the engine according to my cousin(crank bearing failed). So I am looking at a rebuild. I offered 1250 as he was asking 1600. He might take it. Wondering if its worth repairing? Anyone have experience with these trucks? My cousin swears its a super rare truck. Really don't know about that And if I do buy it, can anyone give some info on good quality rebuild kits.

Also on another note the car has had a head job done in the past.
 
Factory turbo? That would be rare. Not sure I've even seen one.

1985 or 1986 (can't remember which) 4WDs are desirable due to being the only year with a solid front axle and EFI.

A 22R shouldn't be expensive to have rebuilt, but if there are problems with the turbo, that could get expensive and be hard to get parts for. Your price seems fair, maybe even high, though people tend to think these trucks are worth their weight in gold if they aren't rotted out.

A local shop has these prices listed in a classifieds paper for rebuilds...
22R...$850
22RE w/ new head...$986
 
Originally Posted By: dave1251
How much are you looking to spend? 4X4 models around here sell for $4000 around here easily.


Factory turbo I'm not sure. He handed me a stack of paperwork and did not see anything turbo related like a replacment. Its a 2wd extra cab. No rust at all. Those prices seem pretty good for a rebuild. Budget wise I'm looking at no more then a thousand to spend.
 
Last edited:
IMHO, assuming 22RE turbo, walk away. You will save yourself from purchasing a high mileage overpriced truck that has more than a few one of a kind engine/powertrain parts. Plus, you are still on speaking terms with your cousin. Best keep it that way.

Back in the day, before there was a big sftermarket, people would pull the pumpkins out of the rear ends of the turbo trucks because the diffs were tougher than the generic 4X4 part.

You know, Buick V6 swaps were kind of popular in Toy 4X4s.......................
 
Originally Posted By: johnachak
Is that rebuild for a pulled engine or for a complete, remove, rebuild and install?


Pulled engine, removal and install extra.
 
Just my 2 cents worth.

When is hear turbo with many miles I think all of the parts of the engine are well worn out. Turbos force the engine to make more power than a normal aspirated engine of the same size, and producing more power causes more wear.

As for a rebuild, are you talking about having a reputable shop do it, or a low cost shop that does not do rebuilds on a regular basis, or doing it your self?

I have seen engines that were rebuilt by vehicle owners go bad within six months, and those from shops that do not do them on a regular basis often do not last much longer.

Rebuilding requires attention to many details that shops that do not do it on a regular basis tend to miss. And also any rebuild shop must maintain a certain level of cleanness so close clearance parts are not contaminated with particles that damage them. You do not rebuild an engine in a dirty shop and expect it to work for years of trouble free service.
 
BTW I would think a reliable rebuild by a shop that rebuilds them on a regular basis, including removal and re-install would run at least three grand.

A one grand rebuild is more than likley an engine that will last less than one year.
 
A 22r Turbo is woth some $, even when needing a rebuild.
Normal 22r's are cheap and reliable.

You might want to consider tradeing the turbo for a good 22r if you have facilities to re and re.
 
That truck looks like a good deal, those were pretty rare and capable of good power. Unless you have several thousand dollars to put into it, I would say look elsewhere.
 
Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
BTW I would think a reliable rebuild by a shop that rebuilds them on a regular basis, including removal and re-install would run at least three grand.

A one grand rebuild is more than likley an engine that will last less than one year.


I was going to disassemble and send the block to the machine shop have them clean,inspect etc.. then if everything was ok, have them assemble the short block if they don't charge an arm and a leg. If they do I was going to assemble everything. I have done quite a few ford 5.0l just never a four cylinder. I'm just hoping machine work and new parts don't go over a thousand.
 
Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
Just my 2 cents worth.

When is hear turbo with many miles I think all of the parts of the engine are well worn out. Turbos force the engine to make more power than a normal aspirated engine of the same size, and producing more power causes more wear.



Depends. Id buy and drive cross country an MB turbodiesel with >200k miles in an instant. And Id be 98% positive it is all original.

Part of that is because of the low power density of even the turbocharged engine (and BTW, its got EGR and a lot of soot, as far as cleanliness goes).

So what is the power density of this engine? Isnt the non turbo-version VERY long lived?
 
It's a Toyota, how bad could it be?

If replacing the engine, why not go back to NA? Turbo is cool and all; but if on a budget I'd ditch the turbo. Could always add it back in later, if you are concerned about longevity. If getting a rebuild, I'd think it small money to get an upgraded cam, maybe pistons (at least to run NA compression), then add a header later on.

Might be able to sell the turbo and related hardware and come out ahead. I do believe the turbo's were rare, maybe there is a market for the factory bits. Might find someone local who would be willing to swap all bits with you (brackets, oil lines, whatever else the turbo requires to bolt in).
 
Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
Just my 2 cents worth.

When is hear turbo with many miles I think all of the parts of the engine are well worn out. Turbos force the engine to make more power than a normal aspirated engine of the same size, and producing more power causes more wear.


Decent car makers reinforce their blocks and related parts and sometimes the turbo engines can last a lot longer. Especially if not a high sprung motor/upper boost levels. Toyota seemd to always use low boost turbo applications even in the venerable Supra. That is why that car is such a monster with slight modifications.

A great example is the Subaru 2.2L turbo which is well known to run towards 300k+ range. Same is true of the early 1990's S4. Saab's also had this. ALL Subaru turbo motors do not blow head gaskets like their natural aspirated counterparts.
 
Before deciding that the turbo is too expensive to rebuild, why not search online for a reputable rebuilder and ask for a price? The other thing you could do is see if there is a kit that fits another type of turbo to your truck for better power, and how much that costs.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
My new Basketcase trail buggy Jeep YXCSJ
Replies
14
Views
468
SwampSurvivor
R
Another GMT800 followed me home
Replies
15
Views
627
Nick1994
O
Which truck would you buy
2
Replies
39
Views
1K
Fordiesel69
D
Help me decide if it is worth it to save this rare CNG Civic
2
Replies
26
Views
939
Nukeman7
Elkins45
Is this car worth the gamble?
2
Replies
20
Views
1K
We're Metals
Back
Top Bottom