Upgrading an '87 Toyota Pickup?

So, I have fun with my Miatae, but am looking to add something different to the fleet. I have a line on an inexpensive '87 Toyota Pickup. 2WD, regular cab. No vent windows from the pictures that I have seen so far. Might go and see it tomorrow.

I am thinking that it would be a good way to run to the track, and be able to sleep in the bed, good for dump runs, hauling my motorcycle if that is necessary, and all the other stuff that Pickups are good for.

Any decent, grassroots upgrades available?

http://www.toyotacatalog.net/M1WebGear/ProductDetails.aspx?PartUniqueID=0FC42044-E0BB-411B-9514-87F95463032F

not grassroots but awesome.

Get a metal timing chain guide kit from engbldr.

http://www.engnbldr.com/

yotatech.com isn't a bad page.

I've got front and rear swaybars for it. Turn-6 as I recall. Make me an offer.

Metal timing chain rails, Megasquirt if it's carbed. engnbldr "torquer" cam.

FT, why do I need those swaybars?

SBC conversions were pretty common in these back in the day... fits amazingly well...

The 22r is a neat motor. The truck should ride comfortably at 70+ mph on the freeway and it'll actually pull some weight (I had a toyota-pickup-based motorhome...5000+ lbs). Don't expect good fuel economy (well...it's better than an old carbed V8...). The beds are apparently made of rust with a thin coat of the same paint they put on headers. They're utilitarian, but they're really good at it.

Clem

My brother had a 4X4 version of this truck years ago that I dd'd while he had my Tercel for his college commute (2.5 hours daily). So, I am roughly familiar with how they drive, how slow they are, and living with them on a day to day basis. However, this one is RWD, which might even be fun. Now, if I could drop an LSx in with a six speed, then we would be talking. However, MS will likely be sooner than later if the chassis checks out for lack of rust. the engnbldr site is certainly interesting. Thanks, and I will let everyone know if and when I pick it up (and I will try to figure out how to hide it from the wife until she is ready for this sort of news...)

"FT, why do I need those swaybars? "

The swaybars make it handle a whole lot better than stock. On my white 86 long bed I had them, some fat wheels and sticky tires. The truck handled quite well, and caused considerable angst among the local ricer crowd. Sure, with a 22RE they could run away from me at every traffic light, but with a turn in the road, I'd pass them. That was fun.

Both the 22R (carb) and 22RE (injected) respond well to headers - my experience would indicate not so much with a ton of power, but they breathe much better at higher revs, allowing you to use 3rd more in, say, mountain driving. Very rugged engines. Watch for rust particularly along the fender wells in the bed and along the bed floor line.

A good American V6 or 302 Ford might fit better than a Chebby. Kits are available. Avoid the temptation to adapt a later 3VZE (also known as the 3-point-Slow) Toyota six. The later 4-cam Tacoma engine would be cool, but probably more trouble than a straightforward American swap.

Some people have actually made pretty quick autocrossers out of these things.

jgp1843 wrote: Some people have actually made pretty quick autocrossers out of these things.

I don't recall what year/model it was but there was a guy who would clean up H-Stock with one locally.

+1 on engnbldr

+1 on getting at least a rear sway bar.

I had a 2WD, great little truck. Mine was an oddball, it was factory carb'd, despite being an '89, it had the 4wd rear end, despite being 2wd, and it had 3.08 gears with a 4-speed manual. Manual steering and no A/C (only accessory was the alternator ). It'd get about 22-24mpg despite having no OD.

2wd toyota 5-lug is the same as 5-lug Mustang, Nissan, &c, &c, so you have TONS of wheel choices.

I got it with 280k+ miles, and it still had the FACTORY shocks on it, hahaha.

Stock it understeered like mad (yeah, I don't get it either - rwd with no weight on the ass end shouldn't do that), the aftermarket rear swaybar made it very neutral.

I sold it to buy an AE86, and the guy who bought it promptly pulled a hit'n'run, totalling it. I'm VERY glad I ALWAYS fill out the release of interest form when I sell my cars!

The rear end is probably the 7.5" unit which is identical to the front diff on the 4x4 models. Some have the 8" rear (I think just the 1 tons and the duallys.) Why is this important you ask? The 4x4 guys all want to get rid of the stock 4.10 gears and they go for dirt cheap so deeper gears for your 2wd are cheap and easy to come by. Also, I believe one of the Supra LSDs fits the 7.5" rear and those also aren't too pricey. One of the best things about these trucks is the aftermarket is pretty big so you can build it really any way you want to.

The Tacoma 3.4 swap is pretty popular, but you really need to start with a 3.0 truck to make that work from what I understand.

When you move to Colorado, you are required to buy either a Subaru or a Toyota truck. Bonus points for older models.

Keith- any details on the turbocharged shop truck?

PreRunner time!!!

my interest would be hugely dependent on how much of it is actually left.

Upgrayedd:

mistanfo wrote: Keith- any details on the turbocharged shop truck?

Bill's old T100? Not really, it was just a single turbo stuck on a modified stock manifold with an intercooler. "Engine management" was nothing more than a boost-referenced fuel pressure regulator. The stock knock sensor was used for saving the engine under heavy load and mechanical sensitivity kept the engine alive for over 100,000 miles without problems. He sold the truck and it's still bombing around town.

Or are you talking about his 2003 Tundra that's getting the twin turbo setup?

I have seen quite a few old toyota pickups with 1JZs lately, that would be a fun truck!