1986 Toyota Pickup Long Bed 22R from North America

Summary:

The best truck ever made

Faults:

I had to put a reverse gear in at 140k miles.

I had to redo the bench seat.

Front engine seal about every 75k miles. Until the last one, which was a retrofit kit from Toyota that has lasted 110k miles.

Timing chain cut from engine to coolant. Had repaired with upgraded parts and has been fine since.

The little guy drinks about a quart of oil per 700-900 miles. No leaks, or smoke, it just uses it.

The rest is nothing more than tires, batteries, brakes, 3 clutches, 1 set of shocks. I expect this truck to make it another 10 years.

General Comments:

I own a landscaping business on the side, so this truck hauls 200-500 lbs regularly and it always starts and gets me home.

I can afford new, but would rather see how long this one will last.

I will see you all in 5-10 more years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th May, 2009

7th Sep 2015, 03:16

So is your 86 still breathing? I believe my beloved standard, no frills 86 p/u may've breathed its last, and true to its nature, it did it without endangering me - not far from home or in traffic, but within walking distance from home while parked. Several break ins, stolen twice, two accidents including one near total, and the additional injury of derogatory comments about it being old, dented, scratched, unglamorous, "you still have that?" (although lately there were curious, admiring comments).

I divided its purchase price by lifespan - $206 a year. This is what 'green' means - a tiny eco footprint as well as less painful impact in other ways, compared to replacing a car to get new technology or looks. How can I let it go to a junk pile - it needs a funeral and I'll be bawling.

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1986 Toyota Pickup 1 ton 22re from North America

Summary:

Damn thing won't quit running

Faults:

One tranny that's not supposed to be in the truck, and a head gasket, which is almost guaranteed.

General Comments:

This car's been in my family since 91 or so. It's been totaled at least 10 times by cousins and uncles. I know I side swiped a tree once while offroading.

The most weight I ever hauled was a little over 5000 pounds of crush and run stone in the back. It was a little slow, but not a problem, and didn't break anything.

Same brakes and bearings are still being used 3 years after the fact. This truck is beyond a Toyota.

I recycle well drilling bits, and I travel all over the Eastern Seaboard with at least 2500 lb on its back, 2 and 3 times a month with not one, and I do mean not one single problem.

OK it's not the fastest, but it doesn't have to be. All I have to do is get to the place I'm going.

The frame is still perfect, but body is full of bondo though from being whacked so many times. You wouldn't believe how much bondo flew off when I hit the tree. You'd be even more surprised as to how much was put back in.

I have a supra transmission in it, and at 300000 it wouldn't stay in 5th gear anymore, so I drove around in 4th for the next 15000. Finally got another Supra trans and replaced it in a day; very easy to do, just nuts and bolts. Probably could've done it faster with 2 people.

Just this year alone I've put 50000 miles on it.

Some helpful hints; always keep oil in it. It doesn't matter how old it is, just as long as it's in there. I've gone 20000 and just changed the oil the other day; never noticed a difference.

It sometimes smokes a little when it starts up, but with that many miles I think it's allowed to.

Did have to put one head gasket on it due to a sticky thermostat. So now I don't have a thermostat at all. And when I want heat I just use cardboard in front of the radiator.

American trucks, aside from the Ford diesels, which aren't even in the same class as mine, ought to be very ashamed of themselves.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th April, 2008

14th Mar 2009, 08:29

I'm about to get one. Every review page I go to says this truck won't stop. I'm looking forward to getting mine.

14th Mar 2009, 10:39

"American trucks, aside from the Ford diesels, which aren't even in the same class as mine, ought to be very ashamed of themselves."

Which of the American trucks in my family should be ashamed of themselves, my brother's '89 Ford Ranger with 420,000+ miles or my '91 Chevy S-10 with 250,000+ miles, both of which are on their original engines and transmissions and have had no major problems?

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