The Coveted '85 Toyota

[dieselcruiserhead]

Mostly in response to the post in Scotty's thread but I didn't want to ruin it with jibber-jabber about the year model. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19940

I owned an EFI '85 5 speed 4-Runner but honestly could only tolerate it for a couple of weeks before I decided to sell it. I bought it relatively inexpensively from a friend with a timing chain the skipped a tooth (and very excited for the 5 speed), replaced/repaired it (a fairly major undertaking, 6-8 mechanical hours bare min and requires real attention and a quality kit otherwise you end up with oil leaks), and it was actually a pretty clean relatively low mileage and low rust truck.

'85 is nice because it has the solid axle out of the package and is the only year you can find it and fuel injection. But honestly speaking, it still uses the old style steering (which is power steering assist, uses two links to turn the axle instead of one, which is also the number 1 mod on these, getting rid of this steering). They ride a little harsh because of the 4 wheel steering and there is a real difference in the overall technology of the truck. This said, it is probably the stoutest Toyota pickup every produced out of the package.

Looking back on it, though it is not a stock setup, I would take a later IFS truck any day of the week and do the simple/common SAS swap which also uses off the shelf parts for any wear components. This is weekend job for someone who has done it before and produces the same toughness as an earlier model. The weakness is that they are 4" lifts on average, which is a little tall for most of our applications, and offer super flexy (a mixed blessing) front axles) that are popular with a much more off-road crowd.

Or do what I am currently considering which is a radius arm front suspension with coil springs on a very clean relatively low mileage '91 extra cab that I also own. The frame and axle housing mods will be custom but everything else will off the shelf arms (including the radius arms) and it should provide a far superior setup. Or I am considering it with Fox, SwayAway, or Donahoe coilovers as well which is not much different technology than the coilovers used on coilovers used on higher end suspension lifts like what Scotty and others are running on their Tacomas (which Scotty proved could certainly be "arctic worthy" and then some... It will also use the coveted IFS box which is a true power steering that operates much like FJ60 and later Land Cruiser steering. The only problem with this is you need a very compitent 4WD custom suspension shop to install it unless you have these skills on your own. There is a kit out there for this as well but I think using 80 series Land Cruiser axles with radius arms would be a more superior setup.

In general, an '85 would be a good hauler or all around work horse and would do fine. Much like older land cruisers with the 3-link steering, they work but you have to keep tip-top shape of the links, two extra tie rod ends, and specifically the pivot point and where it attaches to the frame, otherwise they develop slop and can even lightly tweak your frame after some off roading and particularly using larger tires. Which is again why the IFS steering box on this truck is a popular mod but is also custom.

So just my $.02
Cheers, Andre

[ntsqd]

From what I've been able to learn about my '84, EFI was available then as an option. Patch's PO told me that his dad (OO) had the option of buying the truck with EFI, but decided against buying the first year of EFI. In CA EFI was std for '85, though I've been told that you could get a carb if you looked hard enough.

Another thing that I've learned along the way is that the long bed - Xcab combo in this body style does exist in 4wd, but is extremely rare. I know of exactly one (an IFS truck), and it is owned by one of the owners of TC.

I'm a little confused by the above description of the steering. My 84 has the "push-pull" steering, but in terms of the linkage it has the same number of linkage parts as does a cross-over arrangement. I would also classify the PS box as exactly that, there is no external assist ram.

The LA truck's comparatively rough ride stems from two features of the design, one fixable, one not. The stock front springs have very little arch to them, and there is not a lot of travel before contact with the bump-stop is made. Going to a mild lift spring with a near stock spring rate helps the ride quality tremendously. The non-fixable feature is unsprung mass. With a live axle there just isn't any solution for this. You can make a minor difference with wheel choice, but there is no cure. IME the 5100 series Bils come out of the box valved just about perfect for the front of these trucks.

[toyota_jon]

i love my '85 but after a trip up grizzly lake, here in CO. I decided something HAD to be done about the ride quality. by the end of that trail i was absolutely miserable. everything was sore and tired. I did 3 major things which helped immensely:

First i took off the 33x12.50s i was running (for more than one reason) and put the 255's on, now my tires bulge when i air them down and soak up the rocks better and i don't "fall" down off rocks. the tires i choose i think also help. the Trxus MT's are very soft, i know they will wear faster, but i've been VERY happy with them.

second, I installed the 5100's on all 4 corners. it is still amazing how much better the ride is over the racho's i had.

lastly i took a set of stock rear TJ coils and put them between the frame and axle around the bumpstop. this took me about 10min to do and again noticeable difference. my truck now feels more like my buddy's rover. I must say though when i first put the coils in the rear i had to relearn how to drive my truck up obstacles, leafs don't have recoil:sombrero: .

I have also heard that the J arm of the steering system is the weak link, but i gotta say i've run 35x12.50's; 33x12.50's, and now my current 255's and i've never had any sort of issue. if i was going up another inch with my suspension lift i would go with the cross-over steering, but 2" just isn't enough clearance. But i do have to agree there is an awful lot of linkage. and carrying a spare should be a must when going out.

[tanglefoot]

I love my '85. I've had it for 9 years. I don't daily-drive it though--it is a bit exhausting to drive on a regular basis.
And no power steering on this one!

[XJxplorer]

Nice write up.

One way to get a lower lift with leafs on all 4 corners, is to go with the OME 2" leafs.

[Scott Brady]

I drove one all over Idaho. It will be the perfect "company" truck :)

[4hilux]

1985 model might be the 'one' for you guys, but for myself, I'm keen on the 1990-97 LN 106 model Hilux we got - 2.8 diesel, with solid front end. Not powerfull, but go ok, & are very very capable off-road with even only a few small amount of mods. Simple to work on, & also reliable - (I sold one @ 420kms, which was still going well..........)
And they even have the steering wheel on the 'proper' side........:Wow1:
I also own a 1987 singlecab - that '65' series model of Hilux, to me truely is 'classic' shape / definition of a Toyota Hilux in my mind, (much like 40/45 series is to the Landcruiser history).

[dieselcruiserhead]

You will see that if we had that option I am sure we would take it. There are even some here in the states who pay astonishly high amounts of money (often twice as much as the vehicle is worth), for example conversions from these guys (also top notch work) http://dieseltoyz.com/Home.html Let alone the independent front axle! :)

So case in point, yes we agree!

[dieselcruiserhead]

2.5" OME definitely sounds great to me... It would also solve a lot of the discussed problems here.

I am not sure why mini trucks (and factory FJ40s and 55s) go by "steering assist." My understanding is the assist in manual steering (hence the large steering wheels of at least the land cruisers) rather than actively power the steering. I had a '75 FJ40 when I first got into Land Cruisers that I had Wally "Tyke" Moses of Bennington VT (who is an awesome Toyota mechanic/fabricator) install powersteering into. For some reason at the time he prefered/chose the mini truck style of power steering. This was also largely before the collective concensus of the Internet existed or at least was very limited. The truck (originally a TLC restoration) had 33x12.5s on 7" rims and it did struggle with turning them particularly off road. I have powered 35s and larger just fine with FJ60 style power steering.

[4hilux]

Yeah, theres quite a few guys here nowdays starting to realise just how good / special they were - my 87 Hilux single-cab 2.8 diesel, I'd like to update it to a 1995-97 model, but as time goes on - the 95-97's seem to be appreciating in value a bit.............certainly any for sale tend to go for fairly good money if they are tidy, & under 200kms on the speedo.

Andre, I'd call the Japanese power steering systems 'power assist' too - some of the fullsize Yank pickups run full 'power steering' (whatever its 'proper' name is).
With power assist - the vehicle can still be driven if it breaks the pump belt / loses its fluid.
Power steering - vehicle can't be driven if a fault occurs within the fluid / pump system.

[tacollie]

I agree with andre. I loved my 82 and wish I still had it but am opting to put coils and radius arms on my landcruiser for all the reasons he stated. The
22re is a killer motor(I upgraded from the 22r). Did suprising well on gas and had nice low end torque.

[kcowyo]

Mmmm... the 1985 Toyota pick up... Room for improvement? Now in hindsight, sure. But man, what a classic 4x4.

I sold mine to buy my Four Wheel Camper and while I don't regret the decision, there are days when I have a little remorse. It rode a little stiff with a spring lift at all 4 corners and you had to man up to handle the "arm-strong" steering, but it exuded an old school cool, that no other mini truck could.

My only complaint was the tiny stock fuel tank at 17 gallons. But any limitations of this 23 year old truck can be easily overcome by modern technologies and comforts. I'm a big fan and likely always will be.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/Pic1375.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/Toy85.jpg

[4hilux]

Totally agree - actually, that photo of yours sums it up nicely - middle of nowhere, with nothing around bar a Toyota 4WD ute to get ya outa there again.......
Theres only one thing better, & thats a Landcruiser

[kcowyo]

Theres only one thing better, & thats a Landcruiser

[hijack on]

I totally agree, so I got one of those too. ;)

http://s170537965.onlinehome.us/KcoWyo/gallery2/d/3836-1/Moon+Rocks+019.jpg

[hijack off]
.

[toyota_jon]

if the poor saps here in NA had access to the Hilux avail. other places i'm pretty sure we'd all talk about them. i'd love to throw a 3L in my 4runner. stupid govt. regulations....:littlefriend:

on a side note how would you compare an FJ-60 to the first gen 4runners? I keep looking at them, and wondering....

[4hilux]

Hmmm, theres a tricky question.........

IMHO, ya can't really compare the 2 - they are differant classes of vehicle. A Cruiser is only really restricted by its physical size & weight, yet its those 2 very things that help give it its strenghts in other areas. Cruiser is definitely more comfortable than a early 4Runner, part of which comes from the extra weight making the suspension work better.

Compare Hilux / 4Runner to rest in ITS class - they eat anything else, no worries.

Same with Cruiser against most other full-size S.U.Vs.......

Yet, in some situations, the Lux / runner will 'outdo' a Cruiser, & vice-versa, depending on exactly what you are asking / expecting from each at the time.

Worst problem here, is people buy Hiluxs to do the job / heavy duty work that a Landcruiser should be used for. they will do it for a fair while, but sooner or later, ya pay for it in maintance costs. A new Hilux worked really hard most of the time, is starting to feel it after 5 yrs - Cruisers will thrive on the same stuff longer than 10 yrs with few hassles..........

[Scott Brady]

Sometimes, you just need to buy and drive the rig you like.

That is probably why I have never owned an FZJ80. It is really the perfect wagon, if you look at the reliability, performance, specs, etc., but it just doesn't do it for me. I have thought of a way to build one that would turn me on, but it is for another time.

The vehicles I really love are:

1. 78 series crew cab
2. 130 Defender Crew Cab
3. Disco I, 300TDI, 5-Speed with no ABS or Air Bags
4. Nissan Patrol (mid 2000 models)
5. 1985 PU and 4Runner
6. 1976-1983 FJ40
7. LR 109 Series PU
8. G Wagon w/ 280 diesel
9. AEV Brute
10. ER XV-LT with the Continentals. I could live in it and pull one of the above behind it :)

And while I am at it:

1. KTM 950 Adventure
2. BMW GSA
3. KLR650

I would love to build an old BMW and put on some leather panniers and wear a badass Barbour motorcycle jacket.
http://images3.orvis.com/orvis_assets/prodimg/14YLF8PB.jpg

Of the modern vehicles, the US models I like are the 4Runner and Unlimited Rubicons. No real love there, but I really appreciate them.

[tacollie]

Sometimes, you just need to buy and drive the rig you like.

That is probably why I have never owned an FZJ80. It is really the perfect wagon, if you look at the reliability, performance, specs, etc., but it just doesn't do it for me. I have thought of a way to build one that would turn me on, but it is for another time.

I here that, thats why I ended up with a 55. Also why I can't decide if I should keep my taco or not. It does everything it needs to but just doesn't do anything for me.

[upcruiser]

I love the character of the older cruisers and Toyota pickups.... But... for having to use a vehicle day in and day out or having to live out of one on an extended trip, the comforts of a coil sprung 80 series, or the even smoother 100 series wins hands down. Character goes a long ways but when it comes down to it the thing I care about most is functionality and part of that functionality is a liveable level of comfort for long hours behind the wheel. Not bagging on any vehicle and I loved my FJ60 to death, but I'm finding myself not as concerned about what is the coolest thing anymore, just the one that works best for me.

Now with that said, there is a pretty nice '85 4runner on ebay right now that is major eye candy. Its screaming for an ExPo'er to give it a good home!

[upcruiser]

Oh, and Scott's list is begging for a thread of its own. I don't think we've had a "list the vehicles you love" type thread in some time. :D

[Martinjmpr]

Uh, 85 Toyota 4x4 pickup in ExPo white?

You mean, like this one:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Misc%20pictures/85TOY.jpg

Yeah, it's me. Photo taken in November of 85 near Green Mountain Reservoir in Colorado.

Less than a year later I rolled the truck and it was totalled.

Underpowered, rode like a buckboard and could only go 10-15 mph on washboard roads thanks to the SAS.

Have to be honest - the only thing I miss about my 85 was the MPG. And considering that the best MPG I ever got was maybe 26 or 27, I think I'd be willing to trade 5 or 6 mpg for: 6 cylinders, air conditioning, IFS, an extended cab, a bed that doesn't turn to swiss cheese from rust, cloth seats, a decent stereo, more leg, head and hip room...

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Misc%20pictures/22yearslater.jpg


22 years later (Dec '07.)

IMO the "good old days" weren't all that good. :sombrero:

[4hilux]

Gee Scott, that list of yours makes it look like (deep down....) ya have a real Landrover fetish going on..........(as you said, each to their own...).

Re crew cab 78 - you realise thats a aftermarket conversion - Toyota have always resisted making what the market wants when it comes to that model.......

AEV Brute - thats got potential - (whens Jeep going to make a diesel ute version of a Wrangler??) Although personally, I've always found Jeep & Landrover product to be a bit 'fragile' in the past.....especially if worked hard. (Exception to that would be the Jeep J20 I had.)

[highlux]

Check out this 1984 XtraCab Turbo Diesel. Just a little too far away, and needs a paint job badly.
http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=33235364&pgno=1&srt=1



1985 model might be the 'one' for you guys, but for myself, I'm keen on the 1990-97 LN 106 model Hilux we got - 2.8 diesel, with solid front end. Not powerfull, but go ok, & are very very capable off-road with even only a few small amount of mods. Simple to work on, & also reliable - (I sold one @ 420kms, which was still going well..........)

I second the LN106 vote.....kinda biased I know. They are small trucks, but that's kinda why I like 'em so much. Very easy to work on like 4hilux says. Really needs a turbo though, and alot better seats. (coming soon) :)

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/5128/83234453pk9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[4hilux]

Cool unit - could be a cousin to mine, bar your tyres being a bit bigger - ripped the bench seat outa mine, & put in top spec Surf seats (ex LN 130). Changed all the instrument cluster too, so now has factory gauge for oil pressure, instead of a stupid red light.........:)

Might have to figure out how to load some photos of mine.........

I'm away now for a week - catch ya when I get back......

[4Rescue]

Check out this 1984 XtraCab Turbo Diesel. Just a little too far away, and needs a paint job badly.
http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=33235364&pgno=1&srt=1




I second the LN106 vote.....kinda biased I know. They are small trucks, but that's kinda why I like 'em so much. Very easy to work on like 4hilux says. Really needs a turbo though, and alot better seats. (coming soon) :)

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/5128/83234453pk9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Wow, that is one awsome looking Lux you've got there, we need more pics and a detailed build thread stat... ;)

Cheers

Dave