Hey all, im new to the forum's, obviously, and new to toyotas. My wife and I bought our first yoter this weekend, possibly a diamond in the rough. It's a 78' 2 wheel drive 5spd hilux (i think they were called hilux that year) with the 20R. I am the second owner and only paid $500.00 but it needs some tlc, carb kit, new exhaust, fox some damage to the rear quarter on the passenger side, sand it down and paint it and clean the interior up. Had to jump start it to make the 50 mle drive from the previous owners to my home, and it was a rough drive because every time I came to a stop, if the rpm's dipped to low it would die (hence the need for carb kit) but on the highway it was great, ran like a top.

 

Welcome fellow Idahoan. Nice find there! Where ya from in ID?

 

Lewiston Idaho. The picture makes the truck look a bit nicer than it really is lol. But the mpg's are the reason I bought it, my 96' F-250 only get 9mpg on a good day, cant afford to drive it daily.

 

Welcome! I'm a "Recovering Ford Addict" myself. I got my Toyota for the same reason. My lifted Explorer was making me cry at gas stations, so I wanted to make it a project and have a nice daily driver. Now the Toyots is the project and the Explorer is waiting its turn. I agree with you on the highway thing. the gearing and engine and suspension just seem to work PERFECTY together. Something I have to admit, wasn't always the case with every Ford I've owned. (Escorts come to mind.)

 

Very nice. Love that body style. Looks like a great project.

 

Welcome!!! GREAT find on the '78. You just don't see very many 1970's colors anymore like your yellow, and the orange, & the green. What are you plans for it (keep it stock or slightly modify it)?

Post more pictures when you have the chance!

Rick

BTW, the 1978 models were just called truck. The Hilux badge was not used any longer in the USA starting with the 1975 models

 

For $500 I say you got a deal if it made a 50 mile trip anywhere.

Also glad to see another potato state guy.

Git her fixed up and I can say you wont be disapointed with it they are great little trucks.

 

Welcome!!

 

Thanks all. whats the best site for replacement and aftermarket parts?

 

Welcome to TM ... Nice Toy you got there ... www.rockauto.com is a pretty good place to find what you need ...

 

I will keep it mostly stock, with a few minor mods like a better carb, intake and exhaust, new paint eventually, stereo system ad some decent rims. but nothing major, not gona make it a sport truck or anything

 

That's cool! Sport Trucks ROCK!!! Keeping it fairly stock is what I did with my truck.

You're are safe just as long as the truck doesn't need any sheet metal or trim pieces because those are hard to find. Go with a Weber 32/36, if you can find an Offenhauser intake, & Doug Thorley make a good affordable header. In my truck, I still run my Kenwood deck with the volume & tuning knobs on the side. You can run an amp to it for more power.

Regarding wheels, you have a lot of choices for the 5 lug. Take a look at my wheels...it's a nice throw-back to the 70's & 80's.

Rick

 

Its been running rough, wanting to die every time I come to a stop. So I adjusted the carb and its running better, however one of the barrels is not spraying fuel, thought maybe its a secondary that kicks in when throttle down heavy, but still no spray. Probably a good thing I orderd a carb kit today lol. Since I tuned up the carb it does not feel like dieing and when I let off the gas no back pressure popping off from the exhaust

 

If and when you install the aftermarket carb kit, you will unleash some much needed power. My truck started to run rough back in Jan, but found out it was a broken vacuum line.

 

dammm...cherry find bradda..

 

Braking has been off, so I took off the front wheels, whoever did the breaks last didnt even put the two pins that hold the pads in place on the disc calipers all the way in, they were sticking half out. It was a miracle that the front breaks worked at all. Easy fix though. Im excited, got the BWD carb kit in the mail today, so if its nice tomorrow ill start that project.