Early Toyota pickups have built a loyal following over the years, and clean examples are becoming harder to find. This 1975 Toyota Pickup SR5, currently listed on eBay, represents one of those increasingly rare survivors from Toyota’s early truck lineup. Finished in Suntan Orange and showing an estimated 120,000 miles, the truck is powered by Toyota’s well-known 20R four-cylinder engine and paired with a manual transmission.
The 20R engine, displacing 2.2 liters, earned a reputation for durability and simplicity, helping establish Toyota’s reputation for reliable small trucks in the 1970s. According to the seller, the truck originally came from western Washington, a region known for its relatively dry climate. The seller notes that this environment is reflected in the condition of the frame, truck bed, and undercarriage.
After the truck was transported to the East Coast, the seller invested significantly in mechanical work. The radiator was refurbished and the carburetor was replaced with a Weber unit. Additional work included replacing the head gasket, machining the cylinder head, and performing a valve job. Brake hoses were replaced, along with both front and rear shocks. Other work included installing new tires and replacing the rear wheel cylinder.
The seller reports that roughly $5,000 was spent on repairs, along with about $1,500 in transport costs from the West Coast. After the work was completed, the truck reportedly ran very well. One issue noted at the time was that the transmission would occasionally pop out of fifth gear.
Original components removed during the refurbishment have been retained and will accompany the sale. These include the original carburetor and smog equipment, which may appeal to buyers interested in maintaining or restoring factory-correct equipment.
Unfortunately, the truck later developed a mechanical problem and currently does not run. The seller states that the engine seized after the vehicle sat for roughly 15 months. According to a shop that inspected the truck, the oil pump failed. A verbal estimate for repairs was reportedly in the range of $3,000 to $4,000.
The mileage is listed as approximately 120,000 miles due to a replacement speedometer. The original speedometer, which reads about 19,156 miles, is included with the truck.
Even with the current engine issue, early Toyota pickups continue to attract enthusiasts thanks to their straightforward design and growing collector interest. Would you repair the original 20R and keep this classic Toyota on the road?
When I had my ’72-1/2 RN22 short bed Toyota pickup,
I was in Visalia,CA,having a new Toyota paid for head put
on it.I liked the new SR5,& could have got a good deal on a
trade,but the only color they came in was that ugly Chocolate-
Brown color,so I passed.
Does anybody know when these came in other colors?
Western Washington is not “relatively dry”. I live here. Eastern Washington is. Yet cars here don’t corrode too badly because we almost never salt the roads…about this truck, you don’t want to put the smog garbage back on unless your state requires it. The engine will thank you.
The words “project” & “survivor” should be mutually exclusive of one another. The former needs lots of things & the latter needs nothing or almost nothing. Which is it? Terms are just tossed around now.
Toss the engine and swap it out.
I had one of these..
Bodies had soo much rust..