| Author | Message | ||
     David Morin (Sporin) New Member Username: Sporin Post Number: 1 Registered: 02-2003 |
Since falling roof ice made my Trooper a total, I decided to take the $3k they gave me for it and find something better. I initially thought I'd be getting a slightly newer Trooper, or an older RRC. But every Rangie I looked at in that price range would need thousands more to make it wife-safe and daily-drivable (by my standards). If I had $6k , I might have been in '94/'95 Discovery range, but not at $3k.  Then fate stepped in. I was scouring the classifeds for an "interesting" 4x4 and saw an ad for a (supposedly) mint 85 4Runner, 4x4, 185k, 31" BFG AT's, 22re 4cyl. 5-speed. I checked it out Sunday morning. This is the last of the straight axle trucks and the only year with straight axles, and the EFI 22r 4cyl. engine. A very highly sought after truck that just plain fell into my lap. The truck is amazing. Almost no rust, immaculate interior, and in perfect running condition. You could eat out of the engine bay. The previous owner had every record for the last 165k miles! Every oil change, every repair, all the maintenance... everything. The truck came from TX to CO, then to here. There is very little of the body cancer so common on older Toy's here in New England. There is a little bit of rust starting to happen on the rear fender lips, but I'll take care of that this summer. It's tan with a brown interior and white top. Runs like a dream, tracks straight, decent power, 4hi, 4lo, all work as they should. Doesn't leak any fluids. Every light, gauge, window and accessory work as new. The carpet was replaced by the first owners with a very nice almost-shag brown. Apparently they liked to sleep in it camping and wanted something plusher. It's kind of funny looking, but very nice. So why am I sharing this on the Dweb? Well, I have been a poster and lurker here for years, and a Landie lover for decades. I respect many of your opinions. I am really hoping to meet some of you guys eventually and wanted to share my excitement!  | ||
| Robbie (Robbie) advanced member Username: Robbie Post Number: 300 Registered: 02-2002 |
damn, i love those trucks. first vehicle i owned outright (instead of driving my parents) was an '86. had ifs of course, but still loved it. that 22R 5 speed lasted till 200k and only finally died when i ran it into a river that was a little higher than waist deep. Even then, just pulled the plugs and it fired right up, just didn't run quite the same again, and being a poor college student with no technical abilities whatsoever sold it. had the kayline softtop for it for the sex appeal. | ||
| Eric Brodis (Broder) New Member Username: Broder Post Number: 2 Registered: 02-2002 |
If I had lots of free time I'd sell my Disco buy a 4Runner, convert engine to 4.3L GM, 3" lift, 35" tires, lockers and drive off into the sunset. | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) advanced member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 462 Registered: 09-2002 |
good for you, David! | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 17 Registered: 02-2003 |
since yall were talking about Toyota's I feel this would be relevant.  | ||
| todd slater (Toddslater) Senior Member Username: Toddslater Post Number: 202 Registered: 08-2002 |
Atta boy David, I still have my 84 SR5 xcab 4x with 250k on the clock. I bought it new just as all the 85's were starting to hit the market. The rumor then was the 85 would have the IFS...so I jumped. I think by the end of the year in 85 they were starting with the IFS...certainly all 86 had it. Enjoy your wheeling. | ||
| David Morin (Sporin) New Member Username: Sporin Post Number: 12 Registered: 02-2003 |
Here are some rather crummy pictures of my truck. I would have washed it, but it�s been around the zero mark here for a few days. You can see the difference in wheel well gap front to back. The front is holding up quite well but the back has sunk. I�ve already got lift shackles on the way to correct that... at least until I can afford new springs. http://www.nomadcom.com/dave/images/side.JPG http://www.nomadcom.com/dave/images/rear.JPG http://www.nomadcom.com/dave/images/front.JPG Spotless engine bay... http://www.nomadcom.com/dave/images/engine.JPG This is the only rust. There is even less on the other side. A bit of POR-15 should take care of that... http://www.nomadcom.com/dave/images/rust.JPG The interior is in perfect shape. Nice Alpine CD player, lush brown shag carpet... http://www.nomadcom.com/dave/images/door.JPG http://www.nomadcom.com/dave/images/radio.JPG Almost new 31� BFG AT�s, Aisin manual hubs... http://www.nomadcom.com/dave/images/frontwheel.JPG | ||
| Joe M. (Little_joe) Member Username: Little_joe Post Number: 63 Registered: 11-2002 |
David, I think I've seen you post on 4x4Wire's Forums about your 4R as well (I admin the forums and work in the Toyota Section). Congratulations on it in spite of the circumstances, that is a highly coveted truck! I'm driving my 94 Toyota this week while the Disco sits. It's great to be back in it. | ||
| David Morin (Sporin) New Member Username: Sporin Post Number: 13 Registered: 02-2003 |
yeah, I just posted a big "Hello" over there with pics of the truck. Great resource. | ||
| Murray (Cdnrvr) New Member Username: Cdnrvr Post Number: 40 Registered: 02-2002 |
You will never go wrong with a Toyota ... I am on my 4th as a daily driver (Tacoma 4x4 crew cab). Don't get me wrong, I love my Rover but atleast this one fits in the parkade at work Murray |
