Hello my name is Rochelle and I am looking for some advice on what year of toyota to buy.* I was wondering if I should go with 85 or older so I have solid axle but a 4 cylinder or if the 86 and newer with the v6.* I want something that could be versitle if that excist for newbie climbing but good for logging trails I do alot of hunting and my old stock nissan 4x4 did a pretty good job but I want something a little stronger and that could go more places. It will also have to lug around my tool box daily and my ranger that I just got rid of was noticably slower with it on. thanks :)

p.s alot of the places I hunt are in the high seirras lot of soft loose dirt and granite. or valley dirt roads and dried up river beds thanks again

If it was me I would find a toyota that has a 3.4l from the factory (V6), And just do a solid axle swap. You'll like the power and the cool factor.

sounds like your not gonna do anything real hardcore, so why get a solid axle? if i were you id get a 3rd gen xtra cab (89-95) with a 22re and a 5spd tranny.
put an aussie locker in the rear axle and your set, and if you end up wanting bigger tires ifs lifts are pretty cheap.

sounds like your not gonna do anything real hardcore, so why get a solid axle? if i were you id get a 3rd gen xtra cab (89-95) with a 22re and a 5spd tranny.
put an aussie locker in the rear axle and your set, and if you end up wanting bigger tires ifs lifts are pretty cheap.

3rd gen is 96-02. You're talking about 2nd.


It comes down to the biggest factor that the OP failed to mention. Budget.

If you can afford a 96+, go for it. Lot of them out there with the factory locker. And comfy ride.

Otherwise, if you get a 89-95, avoid the V6.
Do nothing to the truck except aggressive tires(31s, or cut fenders for more).

For the things you're talking about, a stock toyota with good tires will do it all and then some.

3rd gen is 96-02. You're talking about 2nd.


It comes down to the biggest factor that the OP failed to mention. Budget.

If you can afford a 96+, go for it. Lot of them out there with the factory locker. And comfy ride.

Otherwise, if you get a 89-95, avoid the V6.
Do nothing to the truck except aggressive tires(31s, or cut fenders for more).

For the things you're talking about, a stock toyota with good tires will do it all and then some.

so what generation is the 79-83 1st gen BC?

So budget isn't really an issue I saved up for a while. I wanna stay away from the newer toyotas not that there is anything wrong with them but I think older is less complicated at least my weekend truck that my dad and I built an engine for is easy to work on. She's just for looks and and I like her purr. I do plan on the whole 10 yards on what to change and put on I just wanted to know if any year was better than others. The more I look at them I think I really like some of the older ones (70's). It comes down to I want a truck that will grow with my experience if I put a little love into her. thanks for your time. :grinpimp:

so what generation is the 79-83 1st gen BC?

:laughing:
I just realized we're not talking about 4runners.

One free slap across my face, please.:homer:

I know why, it's due to the lack of the word "truck" in the original post.

:laughing:
I just realized we're not talking about 4runners.

One free slap across my face, please.:homer:

I know why, it's due to the lack of the word "truck" in the original post.

I guess it could go both ways, I wasnt even thinking about a runner! I'll beat my head against the wall for being so narrow minded!

I have a 1981 4x4 Truck and when I started building it was my dream truck and was perfect! Now 7 years later I have a damn good wheeling rig but now I have a family! Granted the baby is only 6 months old but hopefully in the future she is gonna want to come along. Well if she goes the wife will probably want to therfore my two seats aint gonna work!

If I could start over I would've restored my 81 and built a 3.4L tacoma and SAS'd it just because of all the amenities the new trucks come with. nothing wrong with have a plush wheelin rig!

Plush is good I do enjoy the A/C when I go visit my parents down in the valley. I just want to pick the right truck my dad started taking me wheeling when I was only a few years old he and my mom divorced when I was 2 so I grew up hunting, fishing and wheeling dads aren't so good with hair and shoping :) It seems like any yota truck would be a good choice.

Just my 2 cents....get a first Gen. and you will have out of the box logging road rig and you can build all you want in the future......

I havebeen looking at the first gen and I think I like the sound of the 83 because then I have A/C. I spend a lot of time in the velley and its hotter than the hubs of hell. It would be nice for driving arond to have that. I'm hjooked already everytime I see an older toyota I start chomping at the bit I can't wait to buy one I keep looking for northern california but no luck yet. thanks

The late 80's have AC, too.
I'm partial to fuel injection, and if you don't need a solid axle, IFS is more comfortable.
With all that in mind - I'd steer you to find one 86-89, with AC. No V6, just the good ol 22RE. There's more parts out there for it, the parts are cheaper, it's easy to work on, and it looks awesome IMO.

FWIW a guy I work with is constantly saying that his 22r has more power than his v6, however he likes driving the v6 more as it is more comfortable/modern.

I'd get an 85! EFI, AC and straight axle! I will agree if you get a 86-89 say no to 3.Slow (3.0L V6 ick)! I wheeled the piss out of my first 86, no ac no power steering but it made a good logging road runner, Till the frame rotted out!

Aside from the ripoff on what power you think you'll get from a V6, they blow headgaskets quicker than a schoolyard slut under the bleachers.

If you don't NEED the solid axle, take the IFS for comfort. Just be careful of the IFS wobble, which you should be able to detect on your test drive.

I'd get an 85! EFI, AC and straight axle! I will agree if you get a 86-89 say no to 3.Slow (3.0L V6 ick)! I wheeled the piss out of my first 86, no ac no power steering but it made a good logging road runner, Till the frame rotted out!
might as well throw in a turbo and make it really hard to find:laughing:

IMO the I4 will be more reliable and last longer. The Exhaust, intake, and spark plugs are in a much easier layout to work on and less stuff to break. How many I4's are still on the road compared to the V6?

might as well throw in a turbo and make it really hard to find:laughing:

its alot like a FJ-40, everyone seems to know what they're worth now! Kinda sucks!

IMO the I4 will be more reliable and last longer. The Exhaust, intake, and spark plugs are in a much easier layout to work on and less stuff to break. How many I4's are still on the road compared to the V6?

Probably like 5 to 1.
And you have more room under the hood to work on it.

Ever try replacing a starter on a V6? :laughing: What a nightmare.
I could pull a starter from a 22RE, rebuild it and have it back in working perfect within 20 minutes. The V6 - like 2 hours +.

1st gen BC?

:laughing:

Where are you from? I know of a few for sale in the valley. :D