1986 Toyota Pickup 1 ton review from North America

One tranny that's not supposed to be in the truck, and a head gasket, which is almost guaranteed.

This car's been in my family since 91 or so. It's been totaled at least 10 times by cousins and uncles. I know I side swiped a tree once while offroading.

The most weight I ever hauled was a little over 5000 pounds of crush and run stone in the back. It was a little slow, but not a problem, and didn't break anything.

Same brakes and bearings are still being used 3 years after the fact. This truck is beyond a Toyota.

I recycle well drilling bits, and I travel all over the Eastern Seaboard with at least 2500 lb on its back, 2 and 3 times a month with not one, and I do mean not one single problem.

OK it's not the fastest, but it doesn't have to be. All I have to do is get to the place I'm going.

The frame is still perfect, but body is full of bondo though from being whacked so many times. You wouldn't believe how much bondo flew off when I hit the tree. You'd be even more surprised as to how much was put back in.

I have a supra transmission in it, and at 300000 it wouldn't stay in 5th gear anymore, so I drove around in 4th for the next 15000. Finally got another Supra trans and replaced it in a day; very easy to do, just nuts and bolts. Probably could've done it faster with 2 people.

Just this year alone I've put 50000 miles on it.

Some helpful hints; always keep oil in it. It doesn't matter how old it is, just as long as it's in there. I've gone 20000 and just changed the oil the other day; never noticed a difference.

It sometimes smokes a little when it starts up, but with that many miles I think it's allowed to.

Did have to put one head gasket on it due to a sticky thermostat. So now I don't have a thermostat at all. And when I want heat I just use cardboard in front of the radiator.

American trucks, aside from the Ford diesels, which aren't even in the same class as mine, ought to be very ashamed of themselves.