Need Advice on old 1982 Toyota Pickup

[losttrucklover]

Im 22 years old, a not very car savy girl from Nevada. Im a full time college student and I am having trouble emotionally to make intelligent decisions on my truck.

My dad (Who I have a somewhat bad history with, but has improved recently in the form of my 1982 Toyota pickup truck) gave me my truck, bought it for a few grand or something; I have grown an extreme bond with my truck and swore I would keep it in my life as my "classic". I love old cars, especially trucks and have been willing to do or pay whatever it costs to fix it when it needs it.

I just spent a grand fixing it, and it just broke again but this time its the clutch and a few other things. my "honest" mechanic quoted me for 16 hundred dollars and I cant imagine being able to pay for that, or at least at the moment. I have thought of selling it (which I am now NOT doing because I love this truck too much to give up) but I don't have the money to fix it.

For anyone who is good with really old vehicles, what would you do? I have thought of taking it off the road completely and putting it in storage since my mom wont let me keep it parked out front for long. Maybe save up money and fix it piece by piece whenever I can.

If this is illogical, I would like to know in general how much it is usually worth and reasons why this might be down right stupid to do. I just want straight forward honesty; it is damaged (i accidentally hit a tree with it but it barely dented the hood), it was well over 180 k miles on the engine, and the interior is shot to hell. 

It is mostly original though, original interior, wheels, engine, etc so it isn't too ghetto. the pictures are a little out of date (before hitting the tree) and my seats are covered but that is my baby.

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[clarkecorona66]

I work on and own a couple old Toyota Trucks from the 80's, and I say definitely keep a hold of your truck. It is a real gem, even though it is a little beat up. The first generation 4WD pick ups are highly sought after and within a decade will be collector items. Clutch kits are not too expensive, especially for your model. A great clutch that I have used is a Marlin Crawler 1,200lb rock crawler clutch. The clutch kit, and new fork cost me around 300 dollars with shipping. I would try to find a enthusiast around your area that really appreciates these trucks in stock form and see if they can help you out. Also if you you can buy only Toyota maintenance parts, they are superior quality and your truck will run much better with them. I hope this helps, and I wish I was closer to Nevada I would be honored to work on your gem of a truck. Best of Luck!

clarkecorona66

[Samuel]

... age 22 is a might-tender age for vehicle maintenance, much less vehicle restoration.

The question isn't, do you have bigger fish to fry? The question isn't, what percentage of your life are you prepared to dedicate to, a truck? Nor this the question relevant whether dedication to your truck is something you want to be doing, 10 years from now? Or, 20 years from now? Nor is the question of much concern, whether non-pecuniary benefit you'll derive exceed pecuniary outlay? The 64 thousand dollar question here: is what you embark upon with this truck a labor of love? Or, is your principle motivation pinned, to a sense of obligation?

Love is good; obligation is very bad. Obligation is a lot like credit card debt. It's a real devil paring it down. Pay ten times the principle, even still, it never goes away.

Old cars are sinks. Very inefficient. The tens of thousands of dollars I've spent, no end in sight, is a drop in the bucket relative to the opportunity cost, of alternative pursuits. I never wanted to be just another one of those guys who spends more on my car than I do my woman.

It is not for no good reason junk yards flourish. Were benefit always in excess of cost, everything humanity wears out would be restored, and there'd be no such thing as junk yards. Would there?

Try posting up an experimental ad, on the Craig's List; see how much you can get. And, don't be afraid to write in your add, telling how this truck merits sentimental value, to you. Always a good market for a good work truck, you'll be stunned what price it fetches!

By all means lend thought intently, that your money best be spent investing in yourself; investing in your future. You can go to the Cars.com to see what it's worth.


Samuel, '88 MR2 Supercharged

[wolfgirl]

We just bought a 1982 Toyota diesel pickup truck for $150. It runs, but needs a little TLC. We were wonderin how much it is worth. I can't even find a mention of one on the web anywhere. We know it is rare, their aren't even supposed to be many in the United States, but I can't find any mention of it anywhere. If someone has any kind of information please let me know. Thank you.

[chrlsful]

Y not learn and grow W/ur 'toy'.  
Would you like to work on it yourself?  We all hadda start somewhere.
I don't believe "it's illegal".  U can't keep it where it is (sez mom), may B find a place it is. Research the local ordinances (on place to keep a registered/unregistered vehicle.  Places it's OK to do so AND work on it).

Buddy up with locals who R more advanced on auto mechanics/restoration.  Hook up w/the local auto mechanics schools (for more info, to wrk on it 4 U, to learn 4 urself?).  Hang out at a local garage.  Show enthusiasm, be willing, connect w/lots of ppl till U find a fit 4 U (& them.  I'd luv to have a young person ready to learn/bring their own '82 toy truck…sweep my floor, empty the trash, do the books, answ the phone - in exchange 4 some learnin).

Ur @ the 'research' point right now: 1)on what it is exactly U have in ur possession, 2)on what application U want 4 this vehicle (end use), how to get there, what tools U need, who can help U.  May B find a storage unit to stuff it in till U get up to speed?
Q # 1 & 2 are   V E R Y  imp to answer.  I've seen too many hack jobs frm folks who didn't do the research & get into the wrk - change things mid stream & waist alot of time'n money (& have a poor product in the end). Figure out what the end goal is 1st & carry it out all the way 2 the end. #2) above: wanna a daily driver? dedicated rock crawler? hot off the line 'racer'?  

Autos are a system and a change to 1 part effects all the others.  I'd stick w/close to original as possible till U have all the Qs answered.  Get the safety up to snuff 1st.  Then get it running reliably.  If U drive it around awhile (doing more research) U may decide on modifications to suit ur needs as different than OEM's.

It can B a very expensive 'hobby' or just expensive to stay in a vehicle.  U can cut costs by doin things urself.  Seems like ur on the right track (research) by commin here.  Good luck & keep talkin! 
BTW: I'm behind ys all the way.  Local shop has a young woman who shows up & it's great to see twistin wrenches and diagnosin/solvin problems.  We all help her learn but she kicks us out when we lift heavy stuff 4 her: "Get lost, I can do it myself!"
8^0