2nd gen pickup vs. 1 gen taco

[gmacmt]

So I bought an 84 toyota pickup extra cab long distance via craigslist a few weeks ago, and recently stumbled across a 1998 tacoma extra cab here in town that was too good a deal to pass up.

Looking to build an "expedition-adventury" truck that might get a flippac like treatment in the next couple of years. Something i can take into the woods and go camping with the wife. Not looking to rock crawl per say, but would consider getting into some rough stuff if it took me somewhere. I am not a mudder.

Thinking about which one to keep. I haven't driven the 84 yet, but have a few miles so far in the 98, and its really nice.

Both trucks have AC, both trucks have the 4cyl. Here are the essentials...

1984 Pickup Extra Cab (white)

$5000

• Motor swapped and rebuilt (10k ago by owner w/ toyota manuf long block) w/ 22re that passes CA smog.
• Full LCE exhaust front to back
• 4" Trail Gear classic lift front and rear
• Custom tube bumpers front and rear
• Straight body & paint
• Rebuilt (manual) trans 5k ago
• All lights replaced with LED, Headlights converted to Halogen
• SR5 bucket seat swap
• 31" tires with lots of tread left, full size spare
• Fully redone stereo w/ ipod connectivity
• checked out with mechanic who did local inspection
• Clean title one owner.

1998 Tacoma Extra Cab (white)

$3000

• Basically Stock, 190k on 4cyl 5 speed
• ARB winch bumper (no winch)
• Good tread on crap tires (primewell or some such junk)
• Was filthy dirty
• Drives well around town, needs about $600 in work to make everything right, already done $300 with intention of resale
• Clean straight body
• Rebuilt title from a front end hit in 2003. Rebuilt well, not noticeable aesthetically and aligns right.
• Matching white topper.
• I think I am the third or fourth owner.

My concern is that the 84 is way high and probably soft. I have no experience with lifted trucks.

If I kept the 98, I would probably put an OME suspension kit on it, and run 33's. It needs new seats, and I would probably consider putting in some corbeau suspension seats with heaters (for the wife). I would be able to rebuild the motor myself if it needed it.

If I keep the 84, I would eventually consider swapping 5.29 gears, rear air locker and 35's. Lift kit is welded in, so it seems easy to leave it than to remove it. Could probably have some springs made to handle better with a load if that becomes a problem.

I really dig the 84, I like the idea of having a solid front axle. I should probably keep both, but my thoughts are to sell the 98 for profit, and put that money towards upgrading the 84.

This is all speculation since I have yet to drive the 84, but the place I had it inspected at said it was a solid running clean car. Owner is selling after redoing everything in around 2010. He decided santa barbara isnt a good place to have a lifted pickup, and he bought a delorean instead.

Would love to hear some feedback.

 

[84scrambler]

i say keep them both if you can and daily drive the tacoma and build the 2nd gen up they are the king on the trail or sell the 84 to me :sombrero:

 

[ToyotaRoamer86]

Yes! Daily Drive the Taco and wheel the pick up

 

[gmacmt]

I think I'd prefer to make a daily driver-able expo rig, but most days I ride my bike everywhere I need to go. Don't really need two cars, although I kinda want them both!

 

[gmacmt]

That's what I get when skimming the Craigslist ad for what's been done to it.

 

[tanglefoot]

That's a tough one. Don't make any decisions until you've spent some time with the '84, but considering your plans to go pretty big, I'd lean toward keeping the '84. If you don't mind driving it (they can be a little tiresome, but unique and fun), they're very cool, very tough (heavier-duty than the Tacoma) and easy to work on/modify.

It's a really personal thing, and comes down to which you prefer to spend time in. I wouldn't keep them both--I barely want to keep one rig going, myself. Spend some time with the '84. I doubt the suspension is soft--I bet it's firmer than the Taco. You'll know once you spend more time with each.

If you keep the '84, try using it just as it is and see how it does for you. If the suspension has decent flex, you might not need a locker and can spare the expense and complexity. It'll probably go a lot of places as it is. You can put the sale price of the Taco in the bank for later. I have a LockRight in the back now but it kind of takes the fun out of line selection and such. If I started with another vehicle, I wouldn't lock it. It depends on the terrain you like, though.