Ontario, California is between San Bernardino and Anaheim, about 40 minutes (give or take) east of Los Angeles. It’s a fairly dry climate, with around 16 inches of precipitation a year on average, about half of what we get in the upper Midwest. The sun can wreak havoc on human skin (melanoma numbers are up) as well as on vehicles. This sunburned 1993 Toyota 4×4 Pickup is listed here on eBay in Ontario, CA, where the current bid is $6,500, and there is no reserve.
The seller talks about the desert sun taking a toll on the clearcoat, and maybe on the paint, in general. I don’t normally think of Ontario, CA as the desert, but maybe they mean the 290 days of sunshine a year that have been beating on this Hilux (“Pickup” here in the U.S.) for the last 33 years. Bidders don’t seem to mind the paint issues. Did I mention this is a one-owner truck?
In running the VIN, something came up about the frame, but I think it was a general statement about the “VIN pattern,” not specifically for this truck. Toyotas were known to have frame rusting issues, and it lists May 2008 with two issues: Frame and also Structure Frame and Members. Again, I don’t know if that was some sort of recall that popped up for this particular VIN or just these trucks, in general. Hopefully, one of you will know. The seller provides quite a few underside photos, just for the record. A very nice job on the photos!
The Ontario heat may have played a part in some rips on the bottom of the driver’s seat, as well as on the vinyl on the side. The dash looks basically like new, so that’s great news. Even better news, this truck has a 5-speed manual! As a regular cab with a short bed, this is probably the look most buyers want. It gives these trucks an almost toy-like look, especially with their jacked-up stance. Having 134,367 miles, this truck has been around the block a time or two, and the bed looks faded, but not like it’s been used for a lot of rugged hauling duties. This truck looks black to me in some of the photos, but it’s what Toyota called “Bright Blue Metallic,” at least in this brochure page. Another source says “Dark Blue.”
Even just a couple of hours of detailing would have done wonders for this dusty, rusty engine compartment. The rust would be a tougher fix, but just a general light cleaning would have been nice. It always makes a vehicle seem like it’s been well-maintained, even if it’s just for show. This engine is Toyota’s 3VZ-E, a 3.0-liter SOHC V6 with 150 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque when new. It sent power through a 2-speed transfer case (normally an RF1A) and 5-speed manual to all four wheels when needed, and this one has manually-locking front hubs as well. This truck is said to run great, and everything works down to the cold AC. How much would you pay for this one-owner Toyota 4×4 pickup?
This truck has a lot going for it. Original owner, and they may have a lot of paperwork. I wish Toyota still made a regular short bed pickup. I truly believe there would be a market for it. The age and interior and exterior really doesn’t look bad at all for the age. I have a feeling someones going to snatch this up and get a great little truck.