Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the truck.

General Comments:

This is my second 2WD Toyota pickup (the first did not survive a 50 mph rear-end collision). I drove the first (a '91) for 225k miles and only replaced the timing chain and water pump (done at 120k miles).

My current truck is an '89 ext. cab with factory A/C, PS, and PB. It is much more comfortable than the previous standard cab pickup. This truck gets an average 26.5 MPG in combined in-town and highway driving. I added Helwig helper springs to the back, and 15 inch wheels from an '05 Tacoma with P225-70-15 Firestone Destination LE2 radials and picked up approx. 1.5 MPG.

The carbureted engine isn't quite as smooth as the EFI in my '91, but it's still very peppy and starts easily in all types of weather.

I bought this rust-free truck in Florida and brought it up to Ohio, and did a cheap but effective rust-proofing job on it with roofing tar and a cheap bristle brush.

These little Toyota pickups are worth their weight in gold!

Faults:

I had to replace the valve cover gaskets, new water pump, timing belt, radiator, dual exhaust, shocks, regular maintenance.

Some rust on the body, but the frame has been rust proofed

General Comments:

It is a pretty quick old pickup.

Runs excellent with 235000 miles on it.

Runs as strong as the day I got it.

Original motor, second clutch.

Good mpg.

Faults:

I had to replace the water pump about three times since 1988.

I also replaced the timing belt twice.

Replaced the head gasket at about 160000 miles.

Driver seat (cloth) is starting to wear.

Just recently,10/07, replaced the fan clutch and thermostat.

Toyota recalled the truck to replace the steering relay rod on 10/6/06.

The fuel gauge has not worked in 10 years, but not worth repairing.

Replaced all the spark plug wires at about 120000 miles.

New radiator installed at about 160000 miles.

General Comments:

I will drive this truck until I die or it quits.

I have stop using it off-road and buy passenger tires (225/75/15) instead of LT tires and save about $45 per tire.

I priced the 2008 Frontiers and Tacomas, and are they in the $24,000-25,000 price range for similar options I have on the '89 and their beds are smaller.

New trucks also force you to get options you may not want to pay for if you just want a 4x4, extened cab, A/T, V6 and a bed liner; without any of the power packages.

Faults:

Speedometer and odometer conked out six years ago at 310,000 miles. The 400,000 miles on it now is an estimate. May be higher.

Replace alternator at 380,000 miles.

Internal door rod broke/bent, making outside door handle useless. About $250 for parts & labor to repair.

Funky electrical system -- radio has long turned off off with turn signal; now it's starting to turn off when I brake.

General Comments:

Originally got this as a temporary hand-me-down from my dad, when it had about 320,000 miles on it. Now, five years later, I don't want to get rid of it.

It's rough-riding (manual steering), basic (no options, not even AC), and the body is falling apart, but it starts every morning and still runs like a champ. Oh yeah, it also passes California smog with out any problems, and gets decent gas mileage.

This truck has been a revelation. Toyota rocks.