1983 Toyota Long bed pick-up review from North America

Rust, primarily in bed, and peeling paint are characteristic problems for this model year pickup.

Carburetor problems over a several month period about 10 years ago. None since.

Cold weather starts; this is a warm weather truck!

Door speakers are extremely hard to replace because of their narrow depth.

I appreciate the 23 Jan 08 review that mentioned Yota Yard as a place for parts. They don't make the same size shocks any more to fit! Big 10 Tire had to slice and dice some new shocks so they would fit. That was a good many years ago and I haven't had to replace them again since, although it could probably use new ones.

It's not the most comfortable riding vehicle, and the 4-cylinder has minimal acceleration, but I didn't buy it for comfort or speed. I agree with a previous review about it easily going 75 mph on the Interstate.

At times, over the 25 years I have owned the truck I have replaced water pump, starter, alternator, battery and probably a few other things. All-in-all repair and maintenance costs, over 25 years, have been very low.

Tomorrow, 11 Jul 08, on its 25th birthday, it turn 180,000 miles!

Bought brand new. Still gets 20-23 mpg. Every time I gas up I take the mileage and record it in small notepads I keep in the glove compartment. YES, I DO have 25 years of mileage records!!

The 22R engine has to be one of the best ever made!!

It's like the old Timex ad; it takes a liking but keeps on ticking!

For the first 15 years it was my only vehicle. Then, in 1998, I bought a new Camry XLR-V6. Thus, over the last 10 years, alternating vehicles has increased the use and minimized the miles on each vehicle.

At one time or another I've moved just about everything I've owned, including washer, dryer, refrigerator, king size mattress, sleeper sofa etc. in the back of my truck! It's a workhorse.

For its 20th birthday I had it repainted for the first time, although it really needed new paint for a long time before then. When it turned 21 I got new rims! It looked like a brand new truck! For its 25th birthday I plan to get a spray-in bed-liner.