Medium blue, check. Long bed, check. 5-speed manual, check. Diesel engine, check. No rust, check. Original paint, check. “Excellent” condition, check. This 1985 Toyota diesel pickup has it all, unless a person wanted 4WD or the Xtracab model. It’s also priced as if it had it all at $15,800. The seller has it posted here on craigslist in Santa Barbara, California. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Barney for the tip!
Just to get the price out of the way, using Hagerty as a general value reference, they list a #2 excellent condition example of this truck as being worth $14,300, and it would be an unbelievable truck to be better than excellent condition. You’d have to see this one in person to know whether it’s approaching #1 Concours status or not. If so, they have that listed as $22,400. Wowie. I think I’d prefer a 4WD version at that price, but that’s just me.
The bed looks a little dull here for some reason; maybe it needs a cut-and-buff or something. The seller says this fourth-generation Toyota pickup is wearing its original paint, so this must just be 40-year-old paint that’s been treated to the California sun for four decades. They made this generation of the Hilux, or plain ol’ pickup, as they were known here, from August of 1983 for the 1984 model year until the end of 1988. Here’s a photo showing inside the bed. I think the price is a bit on the high side, given how used the bed looks and the scratches on the exterior.
On second thought, I’d like an Xtracab model for some inside storage space, as there isn’t much on a regular cab model, unless you have the seat pulled up more than I would in trying to squeeze as much legroom as possible out of the cab. I wish we had some numbers here; a VIN and data plate would be nice. Those rarely show up on craigslist ads for some reason, maybe scammers have ruined it for everyone. Did I just say maybe? Ha. Here’s just how long that long bed looks.
The engine is Toyota’s 2.4-liter SOHC diesel, and I don’t believe this is the turbo version. It should have around 72 horsepower, give or take, and around 115 lb-ft of torque or so. Backed by a 5-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels, this would be an easy-to-use smallish truck for regular hauling duties, if you didn’t have to get anywhere too quickly. How much is this one worth?
Boy is this a time machine. I remember that shade of blue. I don’t remember too many diesels though, only gas. This seriously looks like it just came off the used Toyota lot in 1987. I’d gravitate towards a 4WD myself, if I had a 2WD it would’ve been a short bed. But wow, this is so nicely preserved.
I think the bed looks the way it does because it was built
in Long Beach,CA,& the rest was built in Japan to avoid the
“Chicken Tax”.
Wow mighty clean!! No rear bumper, and two batteries.
Yes, that is the “California bed”. Same color and fender style as my 1986 SR5 Xtra Cab gas MPFI 5 speed 2wd. I preferred the Xtra Cab for the added room and individual seats. But if you prefer the bench with room for a third person, or the longer bed for hauling, it comes down to what suits your needs. I never drove a diesel of this type, would be interesting. Nice find.
I had a similar 1986 but with the 4-cylinder 5-speed that was bulletproof. Mine was a long bed 1-Ton, stiff as a board, and could haul anything I wanted. Look up the word stupid and my picture is right there for having sold it. What’s this one worth? $16-17K?
I had the ’81 version. Silk smooth shifting and it went along in traffic like a gas engine. No noise, quick rev, no smoke and 45 mpg for a forklift motor!
I loved it but the Northeast weather didn’t.
That is BLUE!!! If one of the BMG (Blue Man Group) was sitting inside this truck, you wouldn’t even see him!(LOL!)
My Dad bought a 1987 pickup long bed New and it was a diesel. He had it not quite 2 years and in that time frame that pickup went through 2 injecter pumps of cores it was under warranty. But he had enough of the diesel truck and bought a longbed gas and when he got rid of that one it had 300 thousand miles on it. Now I’m not saying anything bad but I’d be very careful buying a Toyota diesel. With all paper work would I even think about buying one
I own several Luv and Isuzu Pup diesel pick ups, they’re absolutely the most handy, useful, economical vehicles you can imagine. For loads of trash, the low loading height, ease to run to the dump and unload, any lumber yard shopping a breeze. The small maneuverable size is fabulous, especially lumber yard to squeeze into tight places and maneuver to load. I see modern 1/2 tons the load height about 24-30 inches higher, they have no visibility or maneuverability, like trying to dock the Queen Mary. The industry blew it when they quit making these, but mine will last a lifetime. I fill about every 2 months by the way.
You make a fantastic point Duaney, that is one thing I miss about smaller trucks. The lower loading height. Plus you can easily reach deep into the bed to grab stuff as well.
If I were to describe driving the Luv, similar to a sportscar, with comparison to typical full size truck like a dump truck to drive. Today’s 1/2 tons are the size of a one ton of the 1970’s-80’s. Plus, the ease of simply getting in and out, no climbing way up with big heavy doors to fight.
i HAVE A1981 SAME AS THE ONE ABOVE WITH 130000 MILES ON IT.Runs great.Will also run 50-50 with vegatable oil.You can get around 70 mpg.The veg oil has to be filtered before it it mixed.
Nice truck! I see a lot of boxes checked, but one is missing. A/C
Reliable, sensible, practical.
I don’t know about Toyota, but A/C was available on all the Chevy Luv and Isuzu Pup’s, but not a common accessory.