One of the reasons we like one-family owners so much is because even if the original caretakers pass on, the heirs usually retain some key details about the vehicle’s past. In the case of this 1988 Toyota Xtra-Cab, the seller describes how it spent its entire life in the care of snowbirds who used it to travel each winter. I’m assuming the seller is a family friend or a son/daughter, as they know specific details like the fact it moved to Arizona in 2016. At some point, it got treated to a restoration of sorts and it still presents like new today despite having 242,000 miles on the clock. Find the Toyota here on craigslist for $22,400.
In 1988, this was likely one of the nicest Toyota trucks you could buy. An extended cab, a long bed, a lifted factory suspension, V6 engine, and a camper shell installed when new. The seller notes the topper has never been off, and photos of the bed show an immaculate finish. However, the truck was resprayed in its original colors with a factory-style decal kit applied. I appreciate the new paint and how good it looks, but I hope the factory finish has truly perished to the point of no return. The Toyota sports aftermarket wheels, about the only detail I would change back to stock – Toyota fans who would spend this much on a truck tend to be purists. Fortunately, the seller retains the original steel wheels.
As I’ve said many times before, the condition of the interior is one of the ultimate clues as to how well a vehicle was looked after. The seller notes that outside of the paint, decals, and radio, everything else is as the truck came equipped from the factory. Assuming this is true, that means the carpets, door panels, seats, and switchgear still present as-new despite having racked up over 240,000 miles. However, people who hold onto Toyotas for this long really tend to love these trucks because of how bulletproof they are. The 5-speed manual is a welcome sight, as is the Chilton manual on the front seats.
The 3.0L, SOHC V6 engine produced 145 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. The spotless engine bay is the cherry on top of a truck that presents incredibly well. I would assume based on the presentation shown here, the long-term original owners kept up with belt changes and fluid flushes, which is about all you need to keep track of on a truck like this. When true survivors come along, they are very special finds, and I doubt this Toyota will last long on craigslist given how pristine it appears to be. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the find.
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