Not a 4R, but a 85 SR5 Pickup. Is this a good deal?

[4Rager]

Not much info, but I came across a post for a 85 Toyota SR5 Pickup. He says it's a manual tranny and runs well. Doesn't say the mileage, but being an 85 it's fuel injected. I specifically searched for 1985 for the solid axle and fuel injection. He doesn't say whether or not it's 4wd, which would obviously be a deal breaker, but the asking price is $1700. Assuming that it is 4wd, that seems like a good deal right? It almost seems like it might be worth buying just to resell if I don't build it.

 

[KidVermicious]

An '85 is not automatically a 22RE, the 22R could still be ordered until 90-something and was more common in the pickups than the 4Runners.

No way of knowing if that's a good deal without seeing lots of pics, but a running '85 with a straight body, minimal rust, and cleanish interior is normally good for at least $2500 around here. The red flag is him replacing the timing chain and radiator - sounds like he blew the chain guide, got a hole in the timing cover and overheated the truck. If you go look at it, do a compression test and see if the timing cover looks new.

 

[4Rager]

Thanks for the info. I just texted him and want to go check it out. The good news is it's local so I can thoroughly inspect it in person. My guess is it sounds like a older guy who either doesn't know what he has or, as you alluded to, it's been around the block more than he's letting on which is why it isn't priced higher. There's lots of interest in those trucks around here which means they're usually overpriced, so if this is a diamond in the rough I'm going to jump on it.

If it does happen to be 2wd, a quick google search indicates many people have converted 2wd to 4wd, but is it sounds like you need a whole new front axle, which pretty much defeats the purpose of getting an 85 right?

 

[nevada]

at that price, id think it has to be a 2wd. unless otherwise stated, assume 2wd.

 

[KidVermicious]

If it does happen to be 2wd, a quick google search indicates many people have converted 2wd to 4wd, but is it sounds like you need a whole new front axle, which pretty much defeats the purpose of getting an 85 right?

Pretty much yup. You could always swap frames with the guy in the other thread who wants to build a 2WD 4Runner.

 

[KidVermicious]

Here's the thing though, a stock solid axle is a lot like the turbo 22RE - rare and higher priced and normally not worth the premium. If you're going to wheel it, the list of mods you're going to make to beef up the stock solid axle and suspension is almost exactly the same list of mods you go through to swap a solid axle onto an IFS frame anyway. Unless you go with OME you're going to be replacing the springs and relocating the hangers. You're going to buff up/replace the front hangers anyway even if you use stock length springs, and if you intend to lift it the push/pull steering box has to go which means an IFS steering box and crossover/high steer. The only think you'd be doing different from a solid axle swap to an IFS is swapping in a W56/RF1A combo. So don't run away from a 2WD truck at the right price.

 

[HiLuxer]

$1700 could be a steal, if it's a 4x4 of course. Bought mine for $2600 in bone stock condition with 22RE and extra cab model. Drove 6 hours back with not even one hiccup.

Hope for a deal, cheers!