Some vehicles earn their legendary reputation through durability, and the early ’80s Toyota pickups are among them. Built to last, they were driven hard, used for work, and rarely survived in the kind of condition this one has. Listed here on eBay with no reserve, this 1981 Toyota SR5 Pickup represents one of those rare survivors — a truck that’s not only still around but still runs, drives, and presents beautifully after more than four decades.
According to the seller, this 2-wheel-drive SR5 features Toyota’s tough 22R 2.4-liter inline-four engine paired with an automatic transmission, and the combination runs and drives “as good as it looks.” The seller emphasizes that the truck steers straight and smooth, calling it “amazing” how nicely it performs on the road. That kind of praise isn’t often earned lightly from long-time enthusiasts — especially for a model line best known for its work ethic, not luxury.
This example reportedly shows 55,509 miles, and while the seller can’t confirm the mileage with absolute certainty, they note the condition and documentation make it very believable. The truck was recently purchased from the estate of a long-term owner, and it comes with service records and the original manuals, suggesting it was always cared for rather than used up. Even more impressive, it’s said to be 100% rust free, a claim that makes this SR5 particularly desirable, considering how many of these trucks succumbed to rust years ago. The seller also states it’s been garage kept, which goes a long way in explaining its preservation.
Mechanically, everything seems to be in fine shape. The engine runs well, the transmission shifts smoothly, and it’s ready to be driven and enjoyed. The only known issue mentioned is the original stereo, which reportedly makes noise when switched on but doesn’t function properly — a small flaw in an otherwise well-preserved vintage Toyota.
The seller describes this pickup as a “no reserve option,” meaning any serious bid could win it, and offers assistance with fully insured shipping if needed. Given the market for clean, original Toyota trucks, it’s not hard to imagine a lot of interest coming in before the final gavel drops.
For collectors, Toyota fans, or anyone who remembers when these little SR5s ruled job sites and trails alike, this rust-free, well-kept survivor could be the perfect find.
Wow a flash from the past! Less than 60K on that 22R and look at that bed. Now the good and bad, it’s a long bed, very useful but they a single sided beds so really can’t let anything get loose. But the auto transmission is probably not exciting the small truck crowd either. Me this is a great little truck for the money. Their are people watching and looking at the truck but no movement yet. I am down in Jacksonville FL or this would be a great everyday driver. Open that top vent, windows down and don’t get caught in traffic lol. Not exactly a collector vehicle but will definitely be an eye catcher for the new owner.
This truck isn’t broken in yet. Have a friend that just sold his with 310k and still running strong. This looks like a bargain.
Seems the service history would back up the mileage figure, and why are some of numbers on the odometer not in alignment?
I traded in my ’77 SR5 Longbed on a new 1980 Sr5 Longbed,
& it felt & drove just like my older trade-in,except a little more well
finished interior.The long beds drive nicer than the short beds,plus
you can haul things in the bed without having to leave the tailgate
down.
To keep thing from sliding around,get a thick rubber mat for
the back,& an adjustable bar to keep the cargo from moving around.
No interior pictures, even in the original posting??
Rarely will you hear very many accolades from me on Asian vehicles, and consequently, have owned maybe a handful, but I actually had a similar truck for a spell. A ’79 or ’80, my ex-BIL bought the truck brand new. Funny story( aren’t all mine funny?) when he was looking for a truck, he wanted a base truck, NO OPTIONS. Nobody would sell him one, had to be ordered, they said and a 7 month wait! He went to 3 different dealers before he found one. He drove that truck to the moon,( 238,900mi) it had an astonishing 240K on it. The only things he did, was change the oil religiously, tires, brakes, but never anything else. It was pretty rusty by the time I got it, and was a 4 speed and I drove it for a couple months, but wanted something better. If there ever was a testament to the reliability of these, well, it sure convinced this Yankee Doodle Dandy.
Interesting truck , no power steering , no air condoning , yet it was optioned with automatic transmission. Surprising it has the “Japanese ” bed instead of the “American” bed manufactured state side with the center pull handle
WOW- It was a vision out of the past. I had one exactly like this, same color, same stripes and all, and when I saw it was in Lakewood, Wa. I thought it might be my old truck, but mine was well worn with 200K miles of hard use when I gave it away. That is the fun part of the story. When the hauling demands of my business were too much for the Toyota I bought a GMC dually and the Toyota sort of languished around the yard. There was a high school kid who did some part time work for me and he was dreaming of his first car, so we devised a plan. We took a picture of the truck and cut it up into puzzle pieces and pinned the pieces on the shop wall. Whenever he did a required amount of work for me, he would get a puzzle piece, and when the puzzle was complete he got the truck. He went after it with the kind of enthusiasm 16 year olds had in those days and within a few months he had his completed puzzle. I still have a picture somewhere of him with the puzzle and holding the keys. He used the truck to start doing odd jobs for people and eventually went on to be a successful concrete contractor.
Gippy, that is a great story, and one lucky young man.
Without too much discussion, how successful would that approach be to today’s modern young masses? (think about that for a second… “it requires hard work to earn it? and there is no phone app to cut the line? WTH? “)
Fast forward and now that lad is ~45 years old and is still driving that truck….(a bit of concrete dust under the floor mats, but he has a grin and his elbow out the window, cruisin’)
Love these simple, fuel efficient units. Box single-walled? Use floor mats or build a plywood liner box every 4 years.
Holy cow, this thing looks brand new. I had a yellow 1980 4×4 with a manual trans that I bought wholesale when my wife worked for Toyota’s regional warehouse in Baltimore, and it was a great truck. The only issue I had in ten years of driving on and off road was a transfer case oil seal sprung a leak and the bed rusted where the lower panels were welded onto the upper, this in spite of it being undercoated. That’s the only reason I sold it when I moved to AZ, but I bought a new ’89 4×4 after I got here.
These trucks were bulletproof. You couldn’t kill ’em. Too bad about the slushbox, though. A four or five speed manual would make one helluva difference. GLWTA.
They were quick to rust wherever there was snow, and they rusted badly. that’s what killed these little trucks
What a beauty and so, so, rare with no rust on that bed seam. I had an ’85 basic and it rusted on that bed seam no matter how clean I tried to keep it. Even still has the rear hang on bumper. I don’t believe the alternate bed was available in ’81. I thought when I got my ’85 was the first year when they had the choice in beds. I could be wrong.