Got a cheap '83 2WD Toyota Pickup!

I saw this cheap pickup on CL about a week ago...contacted the guy and yesterday I went up and got it.

Since the truck wouldn't start (seller's diagnosis: Bad battery with a dead short and bad flywheel ring gear teeth), Plan A was to put a good battery in the truck, pull it with a tow rope until it started and drive it 30 miles back home. Foolhardy? Yes, of course...but I was pretty sure this would probably work. Besides...I had a Plan B: Keep dragging the truck 30 miles home on the aforementioned tow rope (behind my '82 Corolla Wagon).

So...we stuck the key in and the chime sounded faintly (not a dead short in the battery...just a really low battery)...swapped in the other battery and twisted the key. We could hear the starter spinning...but no nasty gear-teeth-gnashing noises (so the ring gear is probably not the culprit)...but it wasn't turning the engine. We pulled it about 10 feet and it fired right up and ran and idled fine. According to the seller it hasn't been started in 6 months (read: anywhere between 6 and 18 months).

So on the way back into town we decided, "Hey, we've got a pickup truck. We need lumber and concrete. Looks like an opportunity to exercise some efficiency!"

We loaded up the truck with boards and such:

It's a pretty ratty old truck, but as you can see, the bed is still there and mostly intact. Quite surprising, really.

Now...the oil light comes on at idle and flickers out when the engine speeds up a little. That's probably not the best sign...but maybe it'll last a long time...I don't know. The sticker on the valve cover says 20R:

However, Wikipedia (I know...I know) doesn't acknowledge the 20R after 1980. So...maybe someone swapped this engine in...or maybe Wikipedia is wrong (ZOMG!)

It's got some electrical issues that need worked out. The cab floor is rusted through on the outer edges by the rockers. The passenger window regulator (the winder) doesn't seem to be attached to the window (the winder). So...the Win-der Wine-dur isn't workin'! (zing!)

I think my plan is to invest in a por 15 kit and break out the wire wheel, see if I can sort out some electrical to make it work right (lights, starter, etc), put a little rustoleum here and there and everywhere, maybe a chalkboard hood, and have a neat little ratty toyoter.

I don't know...we'll see how it works out. I might just get it running reliably (or not) and sell it.

If I'm able to do anything with it soon, I'll try to post some updates.

In the meantime...feel free to suggest what I should do or look out for. I need parts!

Clem

LSX swap.

And air bag it.

I do have a lo-po 5.0 liter ford in a '89 Grand Marquis...

However, I don't have Ford T5 stuff.

I think about the most intensive engine "swap" I'd do for this one would be a 22RE...and that's only if I could find one cheap.

I've got a weber carburetor with hot-water choke that should bolt right on here (came off a 22R celica in the junkyard).

Clem

I think you should change the oil and starter and you'll have a good truck. I'll bet the oil pickup is clogged up due to neglect..

Rustoleum red with a semigloss black hood, light tint job on the windows, and start cruising the Painless Wiring catalog for anything you might need.

Might be fun to do a budget 22R rebuild on a stand while you get everything else sorted out.

Early 22R block, keep the 20R head.

Cheap "power". The 20R head has a bit better flow and adds like a point of compression over the 22R head if I remember right.

And if the start is spinning, but not engaging, that I believe could be a stuck solenoid. Whack it with a hammer :D

ScottRA21 wrote: Early 22R block, keep the 20R head. Cheap "power". The 20R head has a bit better flow and adds like a point of compression over the 22R head if I remember right. And if the start is spinning, but not engaging, that I believe could be a stuck solenoid. Whack it with a hammer :D

You have to get the early 22R block to do that, and ideally, you want the earlier 20R head, too. That was gonna be my plan with my RA29, but I ended up selling it before I ever got my hands on the right 22R block.

So...can anyone tell me if this 20R might be the original engine?

The truck has been all sorts of hacked (mostly electrical)...and the engine compartment is covered in a THICK layer of sludge so it's hard to tell.

Thanks,
Clem

Can you tell if it may already be a R22 block and R20 head?

jrw1621 wrote: Can you tell if it may already be a R22 block and R20 head?

GAR! IT's 20R and 22R.

Toyota engine codes: [Revision][Block Code]-[Features]

20R is the 20th revision of the R block

3S-GE is the 3rd revsion of the S block, with the performance-oriented DOHC head (G) and Fuel injection (E).

4A-GZE is the fourth revision of the A block, with performance-oriented DOHC head (G), Supercharger (Z), and fuel injection (E).

4A-FE is the fourth revision of the A block, with the economy-oriented DOHC head (F) and fuel injection (E).

The only one I've ever seen that was easier was Nissan, because the theirs is [Block][displacement in deciliters][features], so RB20DET you know it's an RB block displacing 2.0L with DOHC, fuel injection, and a single turbo.

I have a 2wd 93 That will need an engine soon. Rebuilding the 22r doesn't seem that exciting, so I looked around on the internet. One of the most popular swaps is the 86-92 supra engine. It's a 3.0 straight 6, twin cams, 24 valves, and 200hp stock. It bolts up to the tranny and almost bolts up to the mounts. Barely fits in lengthwise. In reply to ClemSparks:

jrw1621 wrote: Can you tell if it may already be a R22 block and R20 head?

Not without some coaching.

Heck...it could be just a 20R valve cover for all I know (but I see NO reason why that might have happened...). What are some distinctive features and I'll see what I can discern.

Clem

Could anybody help a guy out with a wiring diagram for this truck?

I need to at least get a baseline established here, wiring-wise.

It would be very helpful!

Thanks,
Clem

I don't have the wiring diagrams that you need, but that is a sweet truck. I've been driving my slightly modified '85 a lot lately. They're such great vehicles.

cwebb64 wrote: I have a 2wd 93 That will need an engine soon. Rebuilding the 22r doesn't seem that exciting, so I looked around on the internet. One of the most popular swaps is the 86-92 supra engine. It's a 3.0 straight 6, twin cams, 24 valves, and 200hp stock. It bolts up to the tranny and almost bolts up to the mounts. Barely fits in lengthwise. In reply to ClemSparks:

^^^ This sounds AWESOME. If I run across a good supra engine donor, I'll have to really consider it.

I'm guessing electric, pusher fans become necessary.

Clem

Damnation!!

Why does somebody else always get the good stuff?

God doesn't love me anymore, that's gotta be it!!! That, and I never have the money when I see the stuff....or the money's already spoken for, like rent and junk...

I have a used, but very clean Supra cylinder head that I could let go for next to nothing... you can have the block attatched to it, but I don't think you will want it. (it bent a rod, and locked everything up at about 60 MPH...)

http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/tech/the-supra-swap-18635.html

the page that started the idea for me.. back in 2001.

LC engineering.com these trucks are awesome , try to find specific forums or go on youtube and cardomain....

Bump...I'm still in critical [asterisk] need of a wiring diagram for this thing.

My library doesn't have anything...I can't find anything free online. I might have to buy a chilton's manual or the like just for the diagrams...yuck!

[asterisk] the situation is critical for nothing except that the truck won't run until I can sort out wiring.

Thanks,
Clem

Yeah, well, good luck finding a wiring diagram for that in a Chiltons too. Been there, looking fer that. What exactly do you want to know/are you having problems with?

And don't say I never gave ya nothin', Clem:

http://www.functionalfab.com/resources/toyota%204runner.pdf

(right click and save as, it's 59 MB)

Doc, linkie no workie.

Other 22RE performance sites. http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/EngineMods/index.shtml Great for the diyer.

http://www.engnbldr.com/toyota_performance.htm Interesting coot, seems to be very good stuff, and helpfull.

http://22reperformance.com/22RE%20Performance%20-%20Parts.html No knowledge or experience.

http://www.doaracingengines.com/ If your budget is unlimited....

Works here, FT. I dunno.