Hey everyone I'm new to the whole mini trucking scene... I actually don't have a pick up yet lol but I am looking. Currently I have an 89 landcruiser that me and my dad rebuilt and lifted. I love the thing we take it off roading all the time, but gas is RIDICULOUS and hopefully a smaller pickup would help me with that situation. I was looking at 96 tacoma's and eventually save some money up to drop it and trick it out. What do you guys think? I would like some advice from the people who know a lot about these trucks to help pick out a good truck thats reliable and a good start. Thanks for allowing me on to your site and please help in my decision making. Thanks again, OneBoat
Hi 1Boat! You should be able to pick up a older truck for dirt cheap. But, if you want a taco, it's gonna cost you.
right on. yea thats what i figured... but what i want to know is what is probably the best truck to start out with?
I think it's largely a matter of personal preference. What style looks the best to you? Personally, I like the 89-95 body style. The combination of more rounded lines then the 84-88 with straighter fenders than the Tacomas, just looks good slammed to me anyway. Also your own tastes might change as you work on your truck. More "average" trucks like Tacomas and 89-95s might get old faster. If you really want something unique that will continue to turn heads and keep you excited, the best option might be to go old school. Check out the old stouts. But really, it's up to you. My next truck will probably be a stout.
Also I should have mentioned that probably the most budget friendly is going to be the 84-88s, followed by the 89-95, as they both offer abundant aftermarket and junk yard parts availability and the trucks are easily found for cheap. If you are new to sport truck mods, the older trucks are going to be more difficult to modify, and parts are always going to be a little harder to find.
Yeah i gotta agree with shadetree! I love the 89-95 body style..... lots of aftermarket goodies for them..... easy to work on..... lots of little do it yourslef things to spruce it up... even though u can do that with any vehicle. But still! Get one with a 22re tho.... the 3vz-e is kinda a crappy, unreliable, gas hog. IMO.
haha. JD you sound like someone from that episode of southpark. with wheel of fortune and a certain bad word. anyways, id second that about the 84-88s. the 89-95s can be tough to find parts for cheaply sometimes since they are still somewhat new. and very popular. junkyards and craigslist know it and often charge more for things like doors and fenders. the older trucks have a much better excab window, as well as some nice classic lines that work well with newer style grilles and bumpers or steelies and whites. i would not suggest a 74-78 unless you happen to find a gem that doesnt need much. they dont make anything for them, and the suspension is different. albeit i think its better than the later stuff. and the 79-83s they still make all the glass and sheetmetal in reproduction if you go that route. and they can be swapped to the 84-95 front suspension to utilize the larger brakes and availability of drop spindles and lower control arms.
Like Dave said, don't forget the 22R! They are less common then the 22RE but did come in the 89-95 body style trucks and are great. I'd steer clear of the v6 too though.
TO me the V6 hasnt been bad aside from the head gasket issue. Which it seems that the gaskets havent ever been changed according to the mechanic Anyway, 89-95 years to me are the best body style, then the 1st gen hilux. 84-88s are kinda meh. 79-83 look sexy and have a retro look aswell. 74-78s are kinda wierd lookin
haha. i thought the same thing about 74-78s when i got it. i was going to originally just flip it to get funds for a 79-83 but it really grew on me. its those 4 headlights...i swear.
yeah, those 74-78's got me hooked like no other... crap, i gotta realize those truck's are older than me... anyway, here's how i put it if she's legal, buy her. well, apparently that's about 1991 and under hahahahah
