1988 Toyota Pickup short bed from Japan - Comments

I own an 86 toyota truck and it had clutch problems as well, I kept topping it off and pumping the clutch. However, 8 months of that led me to come out one morning on my way to work and find those tricks didn't work anymore. It was my master cylinder which connects to the actual clutch pedal and runs to your clutch fluid canister. Which I guess explained why I had clutch fluid on the floor of my truck. The part was cheap and easy 28.00 and 1 hr.

I have an 86 yoda with 237k miles on it. When I bought it I was looking for a vehicle that gets great gas mileage and could make it to a million miles with DIY work only. That being said I know absolutely nothing about vehicles other than what I read in the repair manual and online. I have replaced the starter myself for cheap, I had to replace the timing chain seal 2 times to fix the common front end oil leak, that was very cheap, but a pain in the butt and it takes awhile to take the parts off around it so I can get to it (I suggest a titanium seal for a long term fix). I take the thermoustat out during the summer and put a new one on for winter season. Recently my clutch went out and I thought my trouble free days were over. To my surprize when I started just doing research of the symptoms and what it could be it turned out to be my master cylinder had gone out. To my surprize it was very easy to replace and for $35 and an hour of my time putting it in (most of which was spent bleeding the system after install) my clutch was back in action. Like everyone here I have had worrys of the head gasket as this is common because of the timing chain seal being a common blow out and once that oil is gone the head gasket is next. To 100% RELEIEVE MY MIND and my worrys about my baby "22R" I installed a $20 oil pressure gauge myself :) now 50k miles for the $1000 I paid for the truck and the less than $250 in parts and fluids for repairs and maitnance is very well worth it. All in all this truck is great, a true workhorse, but please save a 22R! I SUGGEST EVERYONE WHO HAS A 22R AND NO OIL PRESSURE Gauge TO INSTALL ONE!!! TAKE OFF 1 BOLT INSTALL LINE/HOSE BOLT AND RUN THE LINE TO THE Gauge THRU THE FIREWALL AND THEN IT TAKES 2 SCREWS TO INSTALL IT UNDER YOUR DASH!! Please save a 22R and do this, also saves you a big headache when your front end seal begins to rapidly leak and I promise you that it will if it hasn't already.

Well on my way to 1,000,000 miles.

David M

Nampa ID.

I also have a '88 Toyota pickup which has 292,000 miles on it. This is a great little truck. My father bought it new and gave it to me at around 190,000. No major problems, no clutch problems, like I have read. We changed the clutch at around 198,000 miles, but it would have lasted longer (I was taking a 4 month road trip across the USA, and wanted a new one for the mountains). And changed the time chain at around 240,000 or so (way over due, but still running :) ). And those are the only big stuff done to it. This truck has been beaten and bruised, put still keeps on truck’n. There are a few small things that have broken over the years, speedo needle, gas gauge, horn, window washer pump, radio antenna, and more, but for being almost 20 years old I don’t mind. In fact, all those little things just gives it more character. :) I could go on and on, for this truck has seen a lot. I always recommend Toyota 22R trucks to everyone. Take care, keep truck’n and God Bless.

Craig II.

I own a 88extracab 4x4 with 320,000.Just has to be the best quarter ton truck ever made. Have replaced many different parts, but quite honestly its almost 20 years old. I plan on switching out the independent front for solid axle manly for strength & weight carrying snowplow etc. This truck takes me anywhere I point it and back. Would not sell it for any less than 3500.So I guess its going to be mine for a long time.

The 22r is the toughest, most reliable, engine ever built, and Toyota managed to wrap it with the toughest little truck ever built. I've owned two of them and beat them like I was a millionaire and could afford 20 more new ones. It seems like the more you abuse and over-rev it, the better it likes it. That engine is completely flawless. Just like the ones in the Tercels and Corollas, it'll run for as long as you care to put oil in it.