I agree on that, but I would have no fear jumping in a newer Toyota and driving it across the country.
I have fear driving my current 4runner outside the cellular service area, if that tells you anything.
How many run "old" rigs?
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I agree on that, but I would have no fear jumping in a newer Toyota and driving it across the country.
I have fear driving my current 4runner outside the cellular service area, if that tells you anything.
corax
Explorer
I always throw my tool bag in the back on mid to longer trips, but have never needed it. I'm also obsessive compulsive about working on it myself and never half-***** the work I do. The other bit that affects it is how hard you play in the rig . . .
CA-RJ
Expo Approved™
So spend a year's worth of payments and make it reliable. It's still cheaper than 5 years of $500 a month.
czenkov
Adventurer
Excellent points all. I have the aforementioned old truck (1960 Series II) and a newer low mileage (34k) truck (2004 Tacoma:sombrero
. I am setting both up for long distance and/or remote travel. Meaning - the Tacoma for long distance/remote trips and the Rover for remote local travel. Utah has a lot to explore. I carry tools regardless of which I am driving. Do I trust the Tacoma more - yes. Do I know how to work on the Rover - yes. Which can leave me stranded? Both. I have both because they both represent something different to me - and neither represents all I want.QUOTE=corax;594134]I'm also obsessive compulsive about working on it myself and never half-***** the work I do. [/QUOTE]
I don't make a lot of money - I just choose to spend what I do have on my trucks. So I choose to do it right with all maintenance/upgrades given copious amounts of thought prior to the purchase and making sure I do it right the first time. And I have great talented friends willing to donate their time to help me.
Newer or older you need to be prepared to work on either and know either can leave you stranded. My .02
reliable!!!
I think that an old reliable rig is infinitely doable. I DD my 85 4runner and take it everywhere. I have spent quite a bit of time and $$ making it the way I want but dont hesitate to go ANYWHERE. Lots of rural Idaho, Oregon, and Montana is out of cell range and it doesn't bother me a bit. I bought my 85 with 150K on it and have put in a new engine, built right, with all new parts/ hoses/belts/ect.... I do regular maintainance and keep and ear on things. If it needs fixed i do it right the first time.
That being said I think after too long a vehicle will wear out and just have to be completely rebuilt or things will just keep failing.
I see driving an old rig as part of the adventure and not a hindrance to it. If life were totally predictable it wouldn't be nearly as much fun.
I think that an old reliable rig is infinitely doable. I DD my 85 4runner and take it everywhere. I have spent quite a bit of time and $$ making it the way I want but dont hesitate to go ANYWHERE. Lots of rural Idaho, Oregon, and Montana is out of cell range and it doesn't bother me a bit. I bought my 85 with 150K on it and have put in a new engine, built right, with all new parts/ hoses/belts/ect.... I do regular maintainance and keep and ear on things. If it needs fixed i do it right the first time.
That being said I think after too long a vehicle will wear out and just have to be completely rebuilt or things will just keep failing.
I see driving an old rig as part of the adventure and not a hindrance to it. If life were totally predictable it wouldn't be nearly as much fun.
bruzer1123
Observer
We drove our 1993 toyota pickup from Bangor, ME to Prince Rupert, BC (then on a ferry to southeast Alaska) and had no problems other than the fender skirt rubbing on tire. Prior to departure I replaced the radiator with HD version, new hoses, new thermostat, new belts, true flow air filter, exhaust from the cat back, new shocks all around and had the steering rod recall done. Some of that was stuff I should have done earlier but hadn't. My wife normally drives the truck and we feel pretty comfortable driving it around Idaho. That being said, I sure spend too much time dreaming about "new" (i.e 2001-2004 tacomas, dodge diesels, etc). Just be sure to bring your tools and have some extra time to travel in case things do go south. :smiley_drive:
S
Scenic WonderRunner
Guest
I Love my Old School Rig!
The key is having a very good honest mechanic, and/or be able to do much of the work yourself. I do all I can myself. But I don't have all of the electronic equipment required to do all of the checks. I miss my 1969 VW Beetle!:sombrero:
It almost seems that every time I take the SWR in for work....They fix one thing and break three others!.....UG! And Nobody wants to take responsibility!
I somehow seem to have the ability to keep picking pretend mechanics, with perfect parts swapping abilities!....Also Known as parts swappers!
Today it's running good.
I think I need to get a Moto and put it on the back, on a Rack...for an easy escape hatch vehicle!....:sombrero::elkgrin::victory::costumed-smiley-007:ylsmoke:
.
The key is having a very good honest mechanic, and/or be able to do much of the work yourself. I do all I can myself. But I don't have all of the electronic equipment required to do all of the checks. I miss my 1969 VW Beetle!:sombrero:
It almost seems that every time I take the SWR in for work....They fix one thing and break three others!.....UG! And Nobody wants to take responsibility!
I somehow seem to have the ability to keep picking pretend mechanics, with perfect parts swapping abilities!....Also Known as parts swappers!
Today it's running good.
I think I need to get a Moto and put it on the back, on a Rack...for an easy escape hatch vehicle!....:sombrero::elkgrin::victory::costumed-smiley-007:ylsmoke:
.
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
I'm sorry you've been having so much trouble with the '84. My '85 4Runner's been great. I've been driving it for almost 12 years and it's never been in the shop--partially because I'm scared of what they'll find. Dad and I replaced the engine internals when I got it--it was consuming some oil. I did leave it on the shoulder one time about 5 years ago when the oil pump seal started leaking on the highway and I didn't want to make a mess and keep driving. I put that seal in myself though, so I sure can't blame the truck. It wasn't a big hit on the wallet...I came back with a U-haul dolly and the neighbor's pickup, and once I got it home, it was easier to find the leak and put in a new seal for just a few bucks. In the beginning, I was having a little fun with modifications but for the last 6-7 years, the only expenses have been gas, insurance, oil and filters, and the hefty $10/year tax. :coffeedrink: I'd drive it anywhere...if there's gas in it, it will get you there!
I've heard some say that the carb'ed 22R is the most reliable, but I think the EFI 22R-E is the most hands-off. It may not be as customizable, but it just does its thing and keeps on running without having to mess with it.
Eric
Dad and I replaced the engine internals when I got it--it was consuming some oil. I did leave it on the shoulder one time about 5 years ago when the oil pump seal started leaking on the highway and I didn't want to make a mess and keep driving. I put that seal in myself though, so I sure can't blame the truck. It wasn't a big hit on the wallet...I came back with a U-haul dolly and the neighbor's pickup, and once I got it home, it was easier to find the leak and put in a new seal for just a few bucks. In the beginning, I was having a little fun with modifications but for the last 6-7 years, the only expenses have been gas, insurance, oil and filters, and the hefty $10/year tax. :coffeedrink: I'd drive it anywhere...if there's gas in it, it will get you there!I've heard some say that the carb'ed 22R is the most reliable, but I think the EFI 22R-E is the most hands-off. It may not be as customizable, but it just does its thing and keeps on running without having to mess with it.
Eric
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jh504
Explorer
Seems like with the 22r and 22re even if it does have some sort of major failure they will still limp you back home.
I would like to take a $20,000 car loan and put it towards an older model Toyota. Instead of doing the fix it when it breaks thing. Just take out the loan and do a frame up restoration the correct way. You dont have to buy fancy stuff just do it right. You could have one very good rig.
I would like to take a $20,000 car loan and put it towards an older model Toyota. Instead of doing the fix it when it breaks thing. Just take out the loan and do a frame up restoration the correct way. You dont have to buy fancy stuff just do it right. You could have one very good rig.
I'm sorry you've been having so much trouble with the '84. My '85 4Runner's been great. I've been driving it for almost 12 years and it's never been in the shop--partially because I'm scared of what they'll find.
I've heard some say that the carb'ed 22R is the most reliable, but I think the EFI 22R-E is the most hands-off. It may not be as customizable, but it just does its thing and keeps on running without having to mess with it.
Eric
You're lucky to have owned yours that long! I'm sure most of my problems stem from the previous owner. He bought it new and put 300k on it, and maintained it mostly himself. Not to say he didnt do a good job, it did make it 300k under his ownership, but some of his fixes were...well...interesting. He also had some strange fascination with torx fasteners, took me about a year to switch out the majority of those, and I still run across one every now and then!
I believe the carb'd 22rs can be reliable, I just havent seen it yet. I'm no expert on carb tuning, but I am learning slowly as I go, out of necessity. I took it to my mechanic to do a baseline tune when I got it so it would be close, but have tweaked it after that. This new problem has me stumped though, I spend the day with the FSM testing things, and still no luck with hot idle. I'm thinking the slow speed jet got clogged up, I was driving along a bumpy road with an almost empty tank, might have stirred up some crap from the bottom of the tank.
Thanks for the responses everyone. I guess it's hard to see the end of the tunnel when the thing is nickel and dimeing me to death, but thinking of it as an alternative to a years worth of truck payments is a good way of going about it:sombrero:
expeditionist
Observer
Interesting thread. I have been going through the same dilemma the last few years. I bought an '85 4runner in 2001. It was my dream truck. I spent 8 years building it into the ultimate trail rig. It was everything I ever wanted. Except that it was almost 25 years old and I was starting to doubt the reliability of it. The engine gulped a quart of oil every 250 miles. The front axle needed an annual rebuild, the gear train was whining, the idle was never dialed even after multiple visits to the shop, and the exhaust needed replacement to name a few. I finally decided to retire the 4runner and replace her with a 2003 Taco Reg cab with a 2.7 and 5speed. Surely not the head turner I used to drive, but absolutely more trustworthy. And with airbags and A/C. A sure bet to drive cross country. Which I have done already without incident. Yes, an antique Toyota is a gem to drive, but the newer the better for outback excursions. Good luck.
4Rescue
Expedition Leader
89 4Runner here... 257K on the Body/chasis and just droped in a fresh 22RE long-block at 256K ... I love these old trucks. They're far more servicable in the field IMO and less likely to break to boot. Sure they're gutless, but they have planty of power off-road and in LO gear like a little tractor really. Plus I just plain like the oldschool styling better, I only wish I could afored to Import a 75 series Troupy or an older(same body style as my 1stGen 4Runner but P/U) Quad-cab/SFA model with a diesel in it :drool: . these old trucks are just a wholoe different breed of Toyota really. Fully boxed frames etc. They just seem to keep going and going no matter what. I love them.
THat said the Newer trucks aren't exactly turining out to be lemons either eh. Same good old tough reliability in the Taco's years...
So take your pick of what you want really. From power/comfort, to simplicity/spartan you can find either, you just have look at the right year and neither together
Cheers
Dave
THat said the Newer trucks aren't exactly turining out to be lemons either eh. Same good old tough reliability in the Taco's years...
So take your pick of what you want really. From power/comfort, to simplicity/spartan you can find either, you just have look at the right year and neither together
Cheers
Dave
Well, spent a quality day with my FSM and figured out what was wrong with it this time...somehow I have lost power to the Fuel Cut Solenoid, which is supposed to kick in when you turn off the key to keep the truck from "dieseling". All in all an easy fix, just wired it to switched 12v power and put in an inline fuse.
My feelings about this situation are kinda mixed...sure it was an easy fix, but now I'm wondering what other wires could be shorting out somewhere:Wow1: Luckily there's not much electronic stuff to worry about with a carb'd 22r.
More food for thought: Think how bad the electrical problems are gonna be on these "newer" rigs when they get to be 26 years old with 310k like my 4runner...It's gonna be a nightmare!
edit just to clarify tech, in case anyone searches for this in the future: "kick in" was the wrong terminology, when 12v power is supplied, the solenoid opens allowing fuel into the slow circuit of the carburetor, when you switch off the ignition (or lose power somewhere else, in my case) it closes off fuel supply at idle, preventing the engine from running after the key is switched.
My feelings about this situation are kinda mixed...sure it was an easy fix, but now I'm wondering what other wires could be shorting out somewhere:Wow1: Luckily there's not much electronic stuff to worry about with a carb'd 22r.
More food for thought: Think how bad the electrical problems are gonna be on these "newer" rigs when they get to be 26 years old with 310k like my 4runner...It's gonna be a nightmare!
edit just to clarify tech, in case anyone searches for this in the future: "kick in" was the wrong terminology, when 12v power is supplied, the solenoid opens allowing fuel into the slow circuit of the carburetor, when you switch off the ignition (or lose power somewhere else, in my case) it closes off fuel supply at idle, preventing the engine from running after the key is switched.
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N
NorCalBorn
Guest
*Rigs don't get old, they're just "Loved well". :smiley_drive:
Ford Prefect
Expedition Leader
I run a Grand Cherokee, and a 1984 CJ-7. Both are great, in their own right. The CJ ends up with a lot of time under the hood, so to speak, something always breaks, but if you keep track and know your vehicle then you have an idea of what is likely to go out on you. Then it is fairly easy to fix and not to costly. Why? Old rig, lots of parts out there. I love this old jeep, and I hope I never have to sell it.
Now my WJ does not break much, but it is very hard to keep an eye on and know what is going to go down, because it tends to be computer related, and you just never know when that is going to freak out on you. I can also tell you that, as a general rule, I drive that WJ everywhere, and I hardly drive the CJ, the CJ breaks down twice to three times as often, but I also drive the CJ harder than the WJ, so... I guess make of it what you will.
BY the way you can pick up a WJ Grand Cherokee for practically nothing these days, so you might look into that. FAR better bang for your buck than a taco (in my opinion, and I base that on both being great vehicles, and the jeep costing a lot less.)
Best of luck to you then!
Now my WJ does not break much, but it is very hard to keep an eye on and know what is going to go down, because it tends to be computer related, and you just never know when that is going to freak out on you. I can also tell you that, as a general rule, I drive that WJ everywhere, and I hardly drive the CJ, the CJ breaks down twice to three times as often, but I also drive the CJ harder than the WJ, so... I guess make of it what you will.
BY the way you can pick up a WJ Grand Cherokee for practically nothing these days, so you might look into that. FAR better bang for your buck than a taco (in my opinion, and I base that on both being great vehicles, and the jeep costing a lot less.)
Best of luck to you then!