My dad bought this new in 88. It is the base model with the 4 speed manual, no a/c or power steering. I wanted this truck so bad when I was 16, but he never would give it up. Last week he calls me up and asks if I want it now. I said hell yeah even though I don't really want another standard cab pickup. I am super sentimental when it comes to vehicles. I still drive my 1981 4x4 daily to work that I bought when I was 20. The 88 has 685k on it and finally blew the original headgasket. I have a 20/22r hybrid that I ran in my RA21 backed with a W58 from an 83 Celica that will be going in it for now. It has the 3.07 diff and I have a 3.9 if I end up running bigger wheels. 3.07 will run 185/60/14 and 3.9 225/60/17. Not sure if 185 will be enough rubber on the road.
I will continue to update as I go. I will upload more pics soon.

 

685k!!!!

I guess mine, with 185k, has a long, long way to go!

 

So I have been cleaning up the cab and removed a little rust in a few spots. The master brake cylinder had leaked at some point and where the paint came up some of that had a little surface rust. I think a bottle of brake fluid leaked from behind the drivers seat also. I wire wheeled that down and primed and painted with some enamel that I had. It's still red it matches kind of. Really didn't matter what color because I am going to put some peel and seal down and cover it. I used it on my 81 and think it works great. Just order a carpet kit for it for $129 shipped from jc whitney. My normal places like ebay and rockauto were more for the same brand and style.

 

Here is the little motor going in it. It started as the original 22r in my 81 4x4. I rebuilt it stock added a 32/36 weber and nwor header. Drove it for 15k or so and then the truck went out of commission for awhile. A few years go by and I pick up a 73 celica. So I buy a 20r head on ebay that is ported and has 22r valves in it. I have it checked out by a local machine shop and it's in good shape. I bolt it on my 22r block with a new head gasket and bolts. I bought a mild crane cam from summit and port stock intake to match head. I drive the celica for a few years and maybe 30k later I park her. Motor has 50kish but has been sitting now for awhile. I have done the carb and intake gasket just because it was off, but am just changing the oil. I think it will be fine.

 

i run 185 60 14. plenty of rubber the road