'79 Toyota 4X4

I've always thought this was one of the best looking old(er) mini-trucks. Tell me your opinions and concerns when looking for one.

thanks, Stan

Concerns? Don't let Top Gear borrow it!

(this has been posted before, but it is worth it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrk6vsb77xk

It seems like the frames liked to rust on these...so keep that in mind. I don't have much experience with them, but when you find cheap ones, they're often either rusted in half or have been fixed (sometimes poorly).

The straight axles out of these are common and desirable upgrades for Suzuki Samurai builders of serious rigs. I infer that to mean they're plenty tough for off-road use.

On the newer ('84->) genereation, the cab's didn't rust too bad relative to the beds and fenders. Good luck finding one outside of zero-humidity land with any sort of bed left. I'm thinking the cabs may not rust too bad on this generation either, but it's something to check out.

The R series engines are highly esteemed in the automotive world...good engines!

You're right though, they're good looking trucks! Clem

Those were the first really popular small 4WD pickups, but they started sprouting wooden rack beds around 1983. They torture you with the heartbreaking combination of reliability and rust.

Woody wrote: They torture you with the heartbreaking combination of reliability and rust.

Wow...you nailed it there!

congratulations,
Clem

Tough as nails but somewhat underpowered.

Carbed versions will develop throttle shaft wear which means an erratic idle.

FI versions had a wiring harness 'drip loop' which had the splice for the injectors right at the bottom, water would collect there and the harness would corrode.

Double row timing chain setups are nearly indestructible, single row not so much. What kills them is infrequent oil changes, the hydraulic tensioner feed hole gets plugged and mayhem ensues. BTW, that sounds a lot like a rod knock when the engine is first started cold.

I have seen these things which ran perfectly that had piston slap audible 200 feet away.

I always liked the 4Runners from the '80's. There was a SR5 turbo version available which was pretty neat and IIRC that same motor was available in the pickup.

Yep. Rust. Bed rust: tolerable. Frame rust: bad...

I miss my '86... bed rusted to cheese...

SBC drops in like it was meant to be there...

Good ones seem to get bought up and shipped to South America...

I knew a guy recently with a nice '89 4x4 XtraCab... had to drive around with a "NOT for sale" sign in window... written in Spanish...

Any good sites to peruse?

http://www.toyotadiesel.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12

Latest project I have in my head is to get an 85 4runner and swap in a toyota turbo diesel (2LT). It's a pretty direct swap if you have a 22re.

Mine had frame rust The 79 will have a 20r in it and not the 22r. Put a 20r head on a 22r bottom end for a little boost in power. but not much.. it's a 22r after all.

Oh man, as a Toyota 4X4 freak I love them, my dad laso has been the one for the reason of me loving them. He had an 82 Datsun and 82 Toyota pickup also. But his first pickup was in 79 when they first came out, basically a Hilux. He wanted a red one and all the dealer had was black, so they custom ordered his with the striping. He loved that thing, not that great in power, those 20Rs. I think that's what they had are slugs. But man, he said the 4X4 was the high point, simply amazing, I think the best out there for older trucks. He got rid of it though, like everybody in the 60's and 70's, not knowing how much their son would of loved to have that and hate them now for selling, but didn't think they would be so desirable years down the road and for something newer, he had a 75 and 76 280Z also and pay for a house. A friend that he worked with is all Toyota's, still is, has some sick FJ40's pickups and his sons are addicts too, but he was searching around and found my dad's old truck, about a year or two agao, this farmer used it as his farm truck to haul hay and such and had over 200,000 miles. The frame was rusted, like any old Toyota, and buckled but he said it was a barn find! My dad was happy and laughed. My dad also had a 69 FJ40, ohhh man. Even with a 350, I still would of loved it! Right now though, I love his 01 Tundra, I'm probably buying that in a few years when he wants to get another car!

I hate my dad! he had alot of nice trucks and sports cars and his first car, a 65 Chevy with a 327 4 speed!

The Hilux i remember best:

I could never figure out just why Toyota stuck the signals on the fenders. They were pretty unmistakeable, that's for sure.