Gone to Plaid: 1980 Toyota 4×4 Pickup
Toyota pickups from the 1980’s were pretty cool. Spartan and diminutive, these trucks were great for getting things done as well as fun basic transportation. We wish we could buy something like them off the lot today. Find this 1980 Toyota 4×4 Pickup for sale in Leavenworth, KS for $6,500 via craigslist.
Once ubiquitous, these little trucks disappeared over the years and we all know where they went. The tin-worm plague knocked out nearly every last one of them. Like dinosaur fossils, only those landing in just the right conditions stood the test of time.
Like other once-popular vehicles, there are many fond memories associated with these Toyotas and survivors are beginning to command a premium. With their kitschy character and rugged looks, expect them to draw attention from nostalgic types and hipsters. While the asking price may seem steep for such a small piece of metal, it is doubtful they are done appreciating.
Buy this truck and use it as a runabout, even though it will be hard-pressed to do interstate speeds. Lock the hubs and take it through the mud, but be sure to give it the care it deserves. It is the last of a great breed.
See another common sight turned rare treat? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com
Even the mid-80s, 4th-generation Hiluxes are getting rare in clean, stock(ish) condition these days. I had an '86 4×4 for almost 10 years and it appreciated almost 300% in that time. Granted I did rebuild the engine but keeping it clean and unmolested was the main reason it grew in value.
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Daily drove two different 1980 trucks at times, a long and short bed. Drove the LWB from MT to MI and back with a little boom box cd player on the bench next to me. I'll have another someday and rebuild it. Such cool little trucks.
Daily drove two different 1980 trucks at times, a long and short bed. Drove the LWB from MT to MI and back with a little boom box cd player on the bench next to me. I'll have another someday and rebuild it. Such cool little trucks.
Both suffered from the near universal rust along mid bedside seam. Also common to rust out the frame at the front perch of rear Springs.
I have a 1987 4runner I'll likely never sell. I've had it long enough I've replaced some of it more than once. It lived a hard life before I bought it for peanuts. I should have bought a better one (12, 14? years ago) but it's well sorted now. Trans is the only original part of the drivetrain…at 240k it's not even leaking (much).
Central California means that I don't have much in the way of rust issues. Paint is getting very thin on the top surfaces though,…I can't imagine getting a real paint job on the old truck, but I'm going to have to do something in the next…5-10 years 🙂 Maybe I'll get a paint shop to mix me up some spray cans matched to my well oxidized red paint.
A very light hand-rubbed buffing job will bring some shine back to that old red single stage!
Surface rust starting to show on the roof and the hood. I don't care so much about the hood, but straight 4runner tubs are getting hard to find and I don't want to let the tin worm have this one.
If you're in the central valley, I think you've got another good 30 years of use left in that truck before rust becomes an issue (aside from cosmetic surface rust).
Where I live in the South Bay LA area we get plenty of salty moist air on overcast days, and I watched as little rust blooms started peeking out of every rock chip on my '86 pickup. I kept it washed and waxed which helped immensely and stopped the growth.