Craiglist Ad read:

"1982 Toyota Pickup - Runs - $250

Here's the deal. This doesn't pass smog. Clean title.

Body has rust, engine runs fine after warming up. Rough until then.

Needs work. Not much if you can do some of it yourself.

Can't beat the price. Sold as-is (i.e. won't pass smog, current registration expires end of February

$250"

I've been finding quite a few of these "won't pass smog" pickups these past couple of weeks. All going for under $500! I figured at the very least if the cost of having it pass smog was more than the overall worth of the truck itself, I could always use the motor in my smog exempt 72' Mark II wagon and save whatever else that's worth saving.

I was actually able to talk the guy down to $200! Seller said his mechanic told him it would cost him $700 (parts & labor) to make all the repairs necessary to pass smog. He wasn't prepared to invest that much into it.

22R (duel chain variation)
183,000 orig. miles
4-Speed
No radio
Had A/C but no longer works.
Heater works.
Brakes work.
Electrical works.
Tranny/clutch works.
Bucket seats, otherwise rough interior.
Starts right up even on a wet and cold morning, but idles rough. (Weber 32/36 arriving next week.)
Exhaust manifold gasket leak. (Got a new gasket today. Install on Sunday)
Needs a new cat. (Not going to happen.)
Due for an all out tune-up. (Already in the process.)
Rust has eaten a silver dollar size hole thru one of the roof corners, but just thru the first layer of sheet metal.
Missing RH side passenger side running light lenses.
We are definitely not dating because of her good looks.

But we are together because of her heart and soul.

Once she's warm, she idles smoothly. Doesn't lose coolant. Doesn't overheat. Two days now she has yet to leave a puddle of anything beneath her, and she still pulls harder than I had anticipated - and can still cruise 80mph with ease!

Photo: taken after I changed her oil - while it was raining outside!

 

Sounds like a good deal. Good find.

 

Nice addition to the family! Can't find them here for that cheap....

 

hey joe, you should send that shortbed to me

 

You guys get all the deals down there in Cali! I can't find anything that nice up here for less than $2500. Very nice find!

 

seriously find me like 4 of them that run and in decent shape, for 250 a piece and I will drive my titan over there with the car hauler and buy them ALL!!!

by the way what city do you search under ? man its great living in smog free florida lol

 

There was this one 1980 pu (2WD) that was advertised for $300 just a week ago. 20R. 5speed. I wanted it so bad. Motor only had 135k. The thing could still haul a** down the street!

It had a banged up oil pan and was leaking at the gasket. Water pump was beginning to seep, and even with a new alternator it wouldn't hold a charge for more than two days. But, sh*t, nothing most of us here could not handle.

I test drove it, loved it, and told him I was just going to run to the ATM and pull his 3 bills.

It was 7:30am when I went to go test drive it.

By the time I got back thirty minutes later, he sold it for $550 to some kid that pulled up after I had left. Since then I keep a few hundred dollars, cold cash, on me when I'm Yota hunting....

Hence my nailing the 82' at two bills a week later.

Photo: The one that got away.

 

Wow, that sucks! You should of gave him a deposit or something... Did he agree to hold it till you came back???

 

Yup. For about an hour I was bummed out. Then I just figured the guy must really need the money. Plus, I'm a firm believer...some things are just meant to be and some aren't.

I eventually found the 82' with less critical issues, for far less money. At the same time I finally get to play with a 22R. My 79' has a 20R. So it all worked out in the end.

The greedy side of me just would have loved to have both.

 

I'm a firm believer in Karma... It's a bitch! Yea, maybe he needed the money and what not but, you were going to give him what he was asking for... Not good business at all... Oh well, you did end up with a better deal!

I wish i can have 2 trucks...

 

No kidding, I mean good for you bro but last year when I was looking for a toyota truck all I was finding was worn out thrashed trucks that had 5 or 6 owners and they all wanted between 1,500-2,000 for them - good on you guys for finding these gems!

 

Ok, I just have to say working on this motor has been by far the most fun I've ever had wrenching!

Amazing how much of a difference a valve adjustment (long overdue), 2-header bolts (were missing), an air filter (there wasn't one when I bought the truck!) fuel filter (nasty), oil filter, and oil change (just as nasty as the fuel) can make with how your motor runs.

All of a sudden my early morning rough idle just disappeared!

And to think.....I haven't even changed the plugs, wires, or carb, yet!

I gotta say, I'm really, really loving this 22R motor. I know I'm not going to win any races with it, but just as long as it gets me to the races, anytime and everytime - I'm one happy camper.

"OH WHAT A FEELING....."

 

yep, is easy to work on these motors!