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30K Original Miles: 1986 Toyota Truck

The trouble with workhorses is that they end up being abused past the point of reasonable return. Toyotas, for example, equipped with the venerable 22R motor, tend to have every ounce of life squeezed out of them before being retired to the scrap heap. Not this one: this 1986 Toyota Pickup here on eBay has just 30,000 original miles and presents extremely well. Bidding opens at $5K and there is a reserve. 

This is a two-wheel drive version, which also helps explain why it hasn’t been completely trashed (though plenty of RWD ‘Yotas take their share of abuse, too). This example has beautiful paint with fully intact decal striping, and while the aftermarket rear bumper is a deviation from stock, it looks good here. Personally, I want to know what tires he has as I would like to mount this knobby-look rubber to my HiAce’s stock steel wheels.

Check out that bed – underneath the rubber liner is a painted bed that looks like it was never used (or at least never used without the liner installed.) To see the paint still shine in a truck’s bed is truly exceptional. As a California vehicle, it is unlikely you will find any rust on this truck, not even surface rust on the suspension parts. The Toyota is equipped with an automatic transmission, so while not particularly sporting, it provides more evidence of a pampered life.

Look at that engine bay – the bold colors on the 22R badge and deep luster of the plastic parts provide plenty of credibility to the seller’s mileage claims. Hopefully, the reserve is under $10K as these trucks will never appreciate to obscene levels – but for a classic you can drive every day in complete comfort, with the added benefit of utility, this 1986 Toyota Truck is tough to beat.

Comments

  1. Avatar Steve R

    Nice truck, too bad it’s an automatic.

    Steve R

    Like 1
  2. Avatar AMCFAN

    Who says the prices will NEVER reach insane levels on these Toyota trucks? I wouldn’t bet against it.

    For someone with the cents AND sense that wanted a new small truck that was guaranteed another 200,000 miles (and more) with minimal care BUT didn’t want to pay the price of a new one this is defiantly the new truck alternative. It is a proven design that just works. Far superior to that of the S10 and Ranger.

    I would rather have the 22RE and 5 spd but wouldn’t hesitate to own this. Nice find.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Bobsmyuncle

      Exactly. Who would have guessed GM square bodies would be valued as they are now?

      Like 0
  3. Avatar grant

    It It is It is a nice truck, but idk if you’re cruising in “complete comfort” as this looks to be a base model. It’s nice the owner protected the dash, hopefully the adhesive on the velcro comes off.

    Like 0
    • Avatar jdjonesdr

      Vinegar will do it.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Mark-A

        Rubbing Alcohol is another great thing for removing the Sticker residue also.

        Like 0
  4. Avatar SnuffySmiff

    This is practically a time capsule! Reminds me of an enigmatic gentlemen that lives in my neighborhood and drives one almost identical to this one-albeit his truck likely has well over 400,000 miles on it now and looks every bit the part! I mean it is pitiful! He bought it new, drove it all over the country and it still fires up every time. He just grins whenever someone asks him about it. Says it still runs like a top (it does!), uses very little oil and that he will not ever part with it!

    Like 0
  5. HoA Rube Goldberg Member

    I had a truck like this. It was my ex-BIL’s truck. He bought it brand new in 1984. It had absolutely no options. ( took him 3 different dealers to get a base truck) He changed the oil every 3,000 miles and when I got it, it had 230,000 miles on it, the only things he did to it were brakes and tires. It needed a 5 speed, and had begun to rust badly, but still, performed as new. Try that with your S-10/Sonoma.( of which I also had that didn’t last half that long)

    Like 0
  6. Avatar XMA0891

    Yup; these entry-level trucks were among the best the company every built. Which, not so sound like a conspiracy-theorist, is probably why they made sure you can’t buy them like this any longer

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Steve

    Judging by the Fram oil filter, it probably had most of those 30k miles with unfiltered oil running through it!

    The tires look like BFG all terrains. Personally, I would install some less aggressive street type tires, and a normal chrome step bumper.

    Like 0
    • Avatar On and On Member

      Enlighten me about Fram filters. Am I missing some important facts?

      Like 0
      • Avatar Brakeservo

        Fram is a pretty cheap snd crummy filter – they spend all their funds on advertising, not making quality products. But advertising works – that’s why they sell so many of them. I use Baldwin filters or Wix if I just can’t get a Baldwin – and my Toyota Tacoma has half a million miles and is going strong! Looks like hell though, I joke about getting littering tickets when I park it!

        Like 0
    • Avatar grant

      Seriously. What are you talking about?

      Like 0
      • Avatar Brakeservo

        Which point are you questioning, the lack of quality in Fram filters or my truck looking ugly after 500,000 miles and two wrecks?? It’s well known by those who ignore advertising hype and look at the guts of an oil filter just how cheaply made a Fram is.

        Like 0
  8. Avatar spacelifer Member

    The devil’s in the details; standard cab, no air, automatic. I’m sure a number of people would easily consider 10K+/- if this were an xtra cab, AC, 5 speed truck, but for a lot of us, this makes it a “go/no go” deal for a truck that we intend to drive for the next decade or two.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Superdessucke

    Hey! Check out that….2×4?

    Like 0
  10. Avatar ROTAG999

    I have a 93 Ext cab 5 speed A/C been great truck my buddy had a 89 LB 22re Auto with OD has switch on end of shifter to activate it was okay power wise 22re are not Quick to begin with but trouble free.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Maestro1

    spacelifer nay have a point. It’s obviously an entry level machine, looks great but not equipped well if one is going to live with it for a while. I have no idea what the upside potential of these trucks is but once again, I’m not in the Hobby for the money.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Gay Car Nut

    This one looks like it had either never been driven, or driven gently and never used for hard work, unlike most Toyota trucks.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar JohnD

    The 2wd drive is a great work truck that gets fairly good mileage, at least w/ a 5 speed. The Auto? Don’t know, but these are inexpensive and will literally run fhrough the zombie apocalypse. And they’re small. Even today’s small pickups are big. Oh and hunters love the 4x4s for that very reason. Love it!

    Like 0

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