1989 Toyota Pickup SR5 4X4 5MT: Regular Car Reviews

[@stoneylonesome4062]

Half-Life Three will be released before the Chicken Tax is repealed.

[@dopey473]

It probably will considering the ending of Alyx.

[@__chevytrucks__]

That’s an interesting theory/truth.

[@2steaksandwiches665]

Remember the politicians have people that they need to buy off. That won’t matter if it’s the current crop of politicians or the next crop.

[@SimonTekConley]

Carmagedon 5 will come out before that is repealed

[@SignalBlock]

You just added one more month to the release date.

[@Il0vebagels69]

A year after I was born, my father purchased a brand new 95 Toyota pickup with a 22re, king cab long bed, 5 speed manual. It has ac and power steering. I don’t have a clue how my father survived driving it around San Francisco until the early 2000s. It was the first vehicle I ever drove, and my first car when I turned 16. He gave it to me with 530,000 miles, and it ran like new. The truck now has 900,000 miles and has taken me everywhere. The 22re in it has never been rebuilt, has never been apart, and continues to run. It starts every time I drive it. The interior is also perfect, because my dad had seat covers and plastic coverings for the carpet. All in all, the truck has been through the ringer, and comes back every time asking for more. I plan on hitting a million sometime next year.

[@mr.weatherman403]

Did you hit a million?

[@AndrewR10001]

How did you get those high mileage so fast?...My Uncle's 93' 4runner currently around 450k miles.

[@TN_HondaDad]

Holy high miles Batman!! You must drive 1000 miles a week! You need to post a pic of the ODO, would love to see it! Any engine/tranny work done?

[@mattrowan2680]

@@AndrewR10001 92 short bed, a/c, 5 spd, rwd. I added an am/fm/cd, ebay power window kit, bedliner, led headlights. 600,000 miles and on 3rd electronic cluster, replaced the timing chain one time, 2 a/c compressor activation switches and 2 fan speed switched, the A/C condenser and receiver dryer, the clutch once and 2 used AFM's. Also, moved that mf fuel filter up to the passenger side fender (if you have a 2WD and no lift it is virtually impossible to remove that filter at ground level....even if you pull the starter! Note: ALL of the YT videos showing fuel filter replacement are showing either a 4WD or RAISED vehicle lifted at least 2 ft. off the ground....and thus the angle of approach and space available to reach the filter are vastly different). NO RUST in, out or under this Florida marvel. I rely on this truck as my one and only daily driver and I treat it accordingly. I have personally performed every bit of maintenance and a/c repair work except the clutch....It has never totally stranded me. It pays me back by starting and running very well to this day and it is BY FAR the best vehicle purchase I ever made. (I could head cross-country this very minute without as much as checking the oil. I want them to bury me in it lol).

[@Stormtrooper_98Trd]

​@AndrewR10001, my 95 only has 191k

[@raptorjesus3894]

My Dad owned a crew cab version of one of these. It was a diesel, it was even slower, but it had a massive bullbar and external rollcage, as well as a custom built wooden flatbed, all of this adorned with so much rust it was actually 2 different Hilux's pieced together, seriously. The body was blue, the doors were green, as well as a couple other fenders, but I can't remember exactly which. I have nothing but fond memories of this vehicle, days of going to the creek spots no-one else could because there were huge rocks in the way that the Hilux didn't care about, Dad just got out, engaged the lockers and my sister and I got out and rode on the back because it was more fun.

[@sebascc007]

Crew cabs sre heavy. My dad has a 1999 and Is slow AF. On the other half, my uncle had a 1993 model, also Diesel but extended cab. I dont know wth that truck had, it had the stock 3l and that thing was fast, it wasn't slow like other Hilux of the Time

[@taylorious1693]

Sick As. You had a glorious upbringing. Cherish the memory

[@FirstMetalHamster]

Sounds like amazing memories.

[@charlieanddadreviewsandcha2243]

Fucking awesome.

[@Cyberdeamon]

Old man got given a 2wd crew cab diesel few years back as his work truck that had been converted to LPG, don't ask me how or why but it had spark plugs in the diesel block where the injectors should be, it idled like chitty chitty bang bang and was highly amusing to drive.

[@emeraldcity_]

Considering the national speed limit was still 55 mph, it did what it needed to brilliantly for the time

[@senorpepper3405]

I have a '97 nissan version. 5 speed and it is s l o w. I'm at 3k rpm at 60.

[@aaronperdue8979]

Speed limit in 89 was 65.

[@emeraldcity_]

@@aaronperdue8979 On November 28, 1995, Congress passed the National Highway Designation Act, which officially removed all federal speed limit controls. it was 55 mph until then on most highways.

[@Jeepdriver75]

​@@aaronperdue8979not in many places...

[@forrestdevine2336]

Every one of us who grew up seeing Martys black SR5 in BTTF will carry these in our hearts until our dying days.

[@yako0000]

you said it

[@2Skinny]

I tried to explain to my kids: what 40 year old movie featured a new car that is still as cool and desirable today as it was then?

[@ChristianCampbellDiaz]

True

[@citrusjuicebox]

@@2Skinny Ferris Bueller's Day Off And maybe Moonraker too

[@2Skinny]

@@citrusjuicebox neither of those cars were new at the time of those movies though

[@inspectahenjee76]

You really are an English major… informative, witty, entertaining, well written, and referencing things outside of the topic that make sense. Dude your content is awesome.

[@zachjackhufford3041]

My first truck was an 89 Toyota pickup, base model. 240k miles, rust on every inch. My father told me that I’ll miss that truck when it’s gone. He was right.

[@thndr_5468]

What happened to it?

[@Jessticks2319]

same... mine was nearing 200k when it was given to me ... i had paint work and a radiator change done on it... the shop forgot to fill the radiator back up... blew it up... i surf used ads to this day but cant stomach the 17-20k price tag for a sorted one.

[@jameslakes5019]

Up grade 3.4 v6 out 4 runner toyota engine

[@zachjackhufford3041]

@@thndr_5468 it turned out to be one of those projects where it cost more to fix it than it was worth, so I sold it and bought a new sonic. It was a smart decision at the time, I’m older and “wise” enough to maintain one if I’m lucky to come across one like it

[@busboy262]

I think that it's fitting that something simply labeled "pickup" by the manufacturer has become an archetype of a what everyone calls a "pickup".

[@blaxus20]

back in the 80s/90s it was pretty common for japanese manufacturers calling their small trucks "pickup", Toyota had a Pickup, Nissan small trucks before naming it Frontier were called Pickup, there was an Isuzu Pickup too, same with Mazda, i think the only one with a name was Mitsubishi with its L200.

[@rustyATV]

@@blaxus20 Toyota didn't need to get creative with naming their truck back then because they only had one until they released the T100.

[@panikrev175]

Nissan called theirs a D21 ‘Hardbody’, and Mazda had their B2200. There was the Chevy S10, and Datsun had the 620, I think it was. And even still, Toyota also called the same truck a Hilux in some places… in Canada the ‘89 was and still is the ‘Pickup’

[@lukelowe918]

As a Toyota mechanic in the early 2000s I made so much money working on these trucks. Toyota had a massive recall for the steering rod relay breaking and almost every recall needed ball joints, tie rod ends, idler and pitman arms Or you would hear the timing chain chewing on the timing cover then the truck usually became available to buy. I always wish I would of bought one. Buy the 4 cylinder avoid the 3.0 V6. Sweet truck.

[@duncandmcgrath6290]

Oh I remember that serpent of a timing chain chewing sound , worst on startup

[@gohilux]

Better yet, but a 3VZE truck then swap in a 3.4L 5VZ.

[@lukelowe918]

@@gohilux the 3.4 Tacoma is just a better truck. Let it keep its engine

[@gohilux]

@@lukelowe918 it's kind of funny that Toyota was able to take arguably one of their worst engines, the 3VZ, and turn it into one of their most reliable with the 5VZ. The 3.4L/5VZ swap is super common into these trucks. Mostly sourced from a 3.4L 4Runner. As the 3VZ and the 5VZ have such similar (almost identical) blocks, were used with the same (R150F) transmission, and were used in the same vehicles, you can drop a 5VZ 3.4L motor directly into a 3VZ truck with minimal modification. It'll bolt right up to the 3VZ spec'd transmission when using a 5VZ clutch and flywheel, and you only need a wiring harness adapter and relocation of a couple accessories in the engine. Once the 3VZ blows up in mine that'll be next on the list.

[@taylorious1693]

Ahhh. ol’ recall 50N. Still on the books

[@Jeep4e]

Not to flex my ignorance and poor decision making skills, but I laughed when you said 80mph max. Imagine 105 mph in the back of my 4runner 3 people in it, loose tie rods, and the top off. Glad to say my friends and lived to tell the story. Or the time my buddy jumped his 85 pickup about 4 feet in the air at an angle with 2 people in the bed of his truck. These trucks are literally capable of anything and will still get you to work in the morning. What a fantastic review!!

[@owenorndorff4621]

Last year I purchased a 1989 Toyota pickup with 105k miles for a screaming deal. It’s mint, and it’s a hard thing to explain why I love this little truck that way I do. This video explains it perfectly. If you could make a core memory out of a truck, this would be it.

[@TheJiggs666]

I see a mint t100. They want 20K for it. SMH

[@el_bearded_vato_6613]

My dad bought a 92 Toyota not long ago. And this truck, the Chevy pickup of the 90s and brick nose to early 90s ford pickups are my childhood so yeah definitely a core memory

[@speedvaxer]

send pic ! i’ve got a ‘90

[@ayianashaw2341]

I have a (mostly) '94 pickup. I can't put my finger on it, but it puts a smile on my face every time I see her in my driveway

[@Ultrad321]

I wish we could still make great small trucks like this. Why does every truck today have to be huge

[@gregorymurphy9980]

My 1990 was a work truck. I had a cab on the back with a ladder rack atop, two wheel drive, extra cab, five speed, carbureted, with the rare air conditioning option. A real work horse that rusted away long before its useful life was over. I never used a pickup again as a work truck. It made a lot more sense as a carpenter to own a van that kept your tools out of the weather.

[@jimrustle270]

bUt I uSe My DoDgE rAm FoR wOrK

[@AllThingsRiding]

@@jimrustle270 I drive a 2500 and I can confirm this 🤣

[@60fpsguy31]

My grandpa is a 70 year old who uses a 2004 Dodge Caravan with black bumpers and rudders for work

[@Milnoc]

Imagine if Toyota introduced a Hilux Classic today, same size as this truck, but upgraded to today's quality and safety standards. The truck would be cheaper, faster, safer, better performing and less bouncy on the roads. It would also probably be much more practical for a lot of people who already have big trucks because "big" was the only purchase option they had at the time. Heck, even today's "compact" trucks couldn't pass the narrow alleyway test!

[@Enidx10]

That’s my wet dream. Owning a modern day Hilux with its original size, but with better tech and manual trans. I went out and bought a ‘01 Tacoma with a single cab, manual because I absolutely adored the compact size and attractive body style. I wouldn’t be caught dead driving a modern day “compact” truck.

[@gureno19]

They do make a single cab style side hilux still....and a extended cab and a dual cab 😀

[@bwofficial1776]

Ford has more orders for the Maverick than they know what to do with. It doesn't hurt that the Ranger is practically the size and price of an F-150. If Toyota wanted to cash in on that market with a reasonably priced, reasonably sized, high quality, possibly hybrid, true compact truck, they could rake in money like Ford is doing.

[@calvinnickel9995]

Part of the size is the safety standards. That’s why new Honda Civic weighs 3300 pounds.

[@deanchur]

Could probably make it on a RAV 4 chassis (though they'd probably be better off with a Corolla as the Rav 4 might be too big, damn modern vehicle sizes).

[@exiarules6712]

My dad bought a pickup brand new in 1989, he got the extended cab, long bed, 22re, 4x4 SR5 build and it still runs today. We've taken probably 2,000+ loads in the bed of garbage, trash, washing machines, dryers, fridges, wood, and scrap metal. Its sun burned from being a work horse, had small accident in the passenger side door and fender, dinged up tail bed, carpet mostly gone from all the wear and tear, dash starting to crack, but you know what? It still runs. It doesn't run like it did, but its still my dads work horse. Ran it on 3 cylinders in high school because the camshaft needed be replaced, put a new one in and it ran like nothing ever happened. God, the memories I have in that truck with my dad will be with me forever. Ive been accumulating parts over the years to restore it, and man its gonna be so, so good.

[@MaleficRacing]

The mid 80s SR5 was the actual star car of Back to the Future, far cooler than the Delorean.

[@brianmiller1077]

I thought it was nice looking truck, but compared to a time machine, c'mon.

[@WhitefolksT]

Fk yeah that Marty McFly 🛻 🔥

[@brspeedysgarage]

Agreed, aside from the added time machine fluff, that Delorean was garbage

[@noahd4039]

I agree "Check out that 4 by 4!"

[@thestarlightalchemist7333]

I find them equally cool.

[@dundeeecroc]

I have a rust free 1985 Toyota 4runner SR5 5 speed with the 22re engine and has 289,000 miles, no leaks and gets 22mpg using pure gasoline, no E10 crap. thanks for the great video!

[@dogwalk3]

i just got one gifted to me last week. 93 v6 5mt extended cab in flawless condition; one owner, combed over by trusted mechanic. had been a while since i drove stick but im absolutely blessed & excited. was actually looking if regular had a video on this 3 days ago. and wow. here we are.

[@timothywhite8130]

Keep it clean and rust free. Please. So rare

[@basketballcourt4797]

my father bought one of these from a newspaper ad in 1995 for $1700. Drove it for 10 years with 0 mechanical issues. "upgraded" to a 2005 F150 crewcab XLT Triton. He has gone through 4 transmissions.

[@yep-that-happened]

Just when I thought Mr. Regular couldn't get any cooler turns out he's a fucking drummer! Cheers from Kentucky!

[@rl1275]

As a bass player drummers are the coolest

[@BYLRPhil]

Rhythm section love connection

[@WhitefolksT]

859 ✊🏻

[@yep-that-happened]

@@WhitefolksT 502🤘

[@WhitefolksT]

@@yep-that-happened 606 👉🏻👌🏻

[@gabrielmcnab5184]

These trucks, 80-100 series land cruisers and late 90s corollas were all I saw growing up in Honduras and they all hold a special place in my heart. They represent my childhood in a lot of ways because where I grew up is so different now but those same cars roll up and down the roads beat to all hell. Inspired me to drive a landcruiser myself.

[@kasparsr]

You know it's Toyota when the owner doesn't know how to open the hood.

[@RawSauce338]

lol, saw that

[@jstogdill]

Would you believe I forget every time I open the hood? 🤷‍♂️

[@alexanderrosales7675]

@@RawSauce338 What's a hood?

[@RogueSanta]

@@alexanderrosales7675 a place where they'll take your rims and radio

[@TempoMontages]

ive went 6 months without opening the hood on my 20 year old toyota and all the fluid levels were still good.

[@MEYH3M]

My dad Owned a 1999 Silver Hiliux 2.4D back in the day, Multiple people offered to buy it but he never accepted. A guy once offered to exchanged it with his Mercedes E class and added some cash on top of it. Sadly it got wrecked pretty bad in a car crash 10 years later, it was repairable but we didn't have enough money, we sadly had to sell it. I still miss that car it was like a big brother to me, i still think that it saved my life on that day and that if it was another car i wouldn't have survived.

[@richardkafka5625]

My father had one of these late 80's Toyota pickups. The dealer was willing to sell it for invoice to make it go away because he didn't want it on the lot. he told my dad they were forced to take so many trucks to get the cars they really wanted. What a great truck!

[@marcusdamberger]

Wow the auto market sure has changed if they were selling those for invoice just to get more sedans on the lot!

[@Trendyflute]

Interesting, for my dad to get his 1989 pickup he had to be put on a list and he got a phone call about the next available one that was coming into the country via ship. They called him about 6 weeks out and said it was on its way over from Japan and it was delivered to the dealer in his name directly. It was straight MSRP, no deals. In California at least, the 4Runner and pickup were both incredibly popular and hard to get in 1989.

[@JL-sm6cg]

Oh, so the polar opposite of the Ford dealer in the Detroit area that had the one Ranger on the lot that was in the newspaper ad that was NEVER to be sold to ANYONE! By law, you must have the car in the ad on the lot, so that was the one, and ALL salespeople were supposed to bait-and-switch the customers, and if ANYONE sold that truck, they were fired!

[@lazenblaze9896]

The young wife and I purchased a Red 1988 Dlx Standard 4x4 off the sales lot NEW. No Air Conditioning, Stick. Big Check Mark Decals on each side. Nice! Still have good pictures of us driving up the back hills of the Blue Mountains by Walla Walla, Wa. after buying it. I kept buying Toyota 4x4's New a couple more times with no regrets ever! A '94 was the last year purchased.

[@lazenblaze9896]

Just remembered. the 1992 Standard Cab 4x4 we had purchased new after the '88 was involved in a rear end accident! The wife got rear ended in the '92 by Columbia Center Blv. Some driver tried driving under the 4x4 failing miserably, burying their car to the Toy's rear axle. Car that hit our Toy was totaled! Our Toy truck needed a new bumper because of a small thumb print size impression of a dent in it. Toyota Trucks were built Bad AF back in those day's. Check the oil and put gas it is all I ever did to mine, '88 had a small radiator leak and replaced it with new. You couldn't GIVE me a new modern Toy.

[@ALLw3rk]

2nd gen Tacoma 4.0 v6 is a solid option, almost timeless like the 80’s & 90’s pickups. Pre facelift without “tech” features is even better.

[@bluekouki86]

I had a carbon copy of this truck. In a headwind on the interstate I had to downshift to 4th. I’d go back in a heartbeat. I miss it.

[@ridebc153]

These things absolutely rock off-road. Seriously, it’s amazing what they do.

[@chrisacuna6590]

Hey Mr. Regular, as an owner of 2 RN20 Hiluxes it’s worth noting until 1975 the trucks were called Hilux in the states. It was in 75 (the year the SR5 trim was introduced) where the Hilux name was dropped and “truck” “half-ton” or “pickup” was adopted.

[@nlpnt]

There was a bit of an overlap too, sometime in '71 or '72 they started referring to it as just "Toyota Pickup" in ads, brochures and the like but they came through with Hilux fender badges up thru '74.

[@white6502]

I owned a 79 hilux. Believe that's the year they switched to pickup

[@JL-sm6cg]

I think I recall seeing a few of those.

[@chrisacuna6590]

@@nlpnt yup! My first was a 74 and had Hilux badging on the fenders. Now own a 77 which just states Toyota, no Hilux branding anywhere. I have the sales brochure as well and it’s just “Toyota Half Ton Truck” there

[@jamesgizasson]

Huh. My first car was a '78... I always just called it a Hilux, even though it didn't have the badge. That thing was a tough little bugger; I absolutely loved that truck. My little yellow rocketship! :3

[@shaldurprime7154]

6:50 "it's silly to believe that everyone who buys a pickup truck, has a practical use for it" this statement could have been punctuated perfectly by showing the moment of impact of whistlindiesel dropping a Hilux from a helicopter

[@sagersound]

“NO LOWBALLERS, I KNOW WHAT I HAVE” choral arrangement had me laughing louder than the video. Had to rewind

[@superbob1001]

My first school teacher when we moved to Canada from post-USSR had a slightly different, maybe 1991/2 SR5 V6. It had a box and a cage at the back. The cage was for the hounds and the box was for the rifles when he went hunting, or so he said. It was the coolest thing in the parking lot, he even gave me a short ride home one day. This review brought up those fine memories, thank you.

[@cargogh]

Had a '90 model for several years. 4-speed instead of 5, completely w/o options except for AC that didn't work. Very dependable, and I appreciated it for what it was. Hauled incredible amounts in bed. But I wouldn't want it back.

[@rat_pack_6667]

I daily drive my 88 pickup here in South western PA, 22r, 4 spd, 2wd I love the old gal dearly. Mostly original as well with the drip rail bed.

[@samuelhollander7939]

Waking up on Monday and knowing there will be an RCR video is what’s keeping me going man

[@toastbusters3897]

My dad had one of these when I was a kid and I just got one that sat in the desert unmoved for 30+ years gathering rust. But I needed a project and was kind of inspired by the 86 4runner video RCR put out. Needed some work to get it running and it's the carbuerated version so it's even slower, but I couldn't be happier. It's my daily driver now and even passes smog. Damn good trucks.

[@Yugophoto]

I had a second gen 4runner, essentially the same vehicle but with an SUV body. My dad and I restored it, it was in immaculate condition. Frame fluid film coated and even found non rusted bumpers. And I can confirm the parking lot offers, I was offered cash on the spot at least monthly. Highest one I had on the spot was 10k and I said no every time. And yeah the engine was weak as hell. It would do 110kph (~65mph) but it was extremely unhappy about it and I was afraid to attempt any higher speeds. In a freak accident it caught fire and gutted it, My dad and I were both heartbroken. Just seeing that interior brings back memories.

[@ericmotion4488]

I miss my small pick up truck, but I do not miss hearing "can you help me move something" every other week.

[@cfc1001001cfc]

A manual transmission Toyota vehicle. 33 years, and still out there rolling. I tip my cap!

[@lendinglegendyoung]

Yes got the truck outside 148k and I’m 29 older than me!

[@CoreyGolphenee]

That’s not the impressive part lol, lots of shit lasts that long, what’s impressive about the Toyotas of this era, is that they were built as disposables, were treated like disposables, and most of them still start after 2 pulls of the starter.

[@chadbaier6571]

I picked up a 1989 a few months ago. It spent its whole life in WA state, and is surprisingly rust free. Even the bed still has original caulking intact. 286,XXX miles, runs like a champ. The red paint is oxidized to the point of no return, but i feel like a millionaire driving it.

[@panikrev175]

There are some companies that make fibreglass fenders and rear quarter-panels… I agree with you tho, these trucks are worth the love and attention.

[@johnxina2140]

My dad had one of these, it was a 94 v6 5 speed 4x4, absolutely fantastic truck

[@jvogler_art4708]

the 4 cylinder was more reliable, but the good thing about owning the V6 is that if the 3.0 ever blows you can do a 3.4 swap relatively easy which was toyota's best engine ever made. A perfect update to the 3.0 that had the reliability of the 4 cylinder with twice the power. Even with the slow 3.0 in it, the frame and build quality of these trucks was amazing. So utilitarian and awesome.

[@johnxina2140]

@irwinisidro oh for sure, he used it properly though offroading it all the time and eventually it rusted away, last I saw if it it was sold on FB for like 500$ because it had no title. Sad really, if I could have put it back on the road I would have bought it in a heartbeat

[@CoreyGolphenee]

@@jvogler_art4708the 3.0 is great, so long as you don’t plan on pushing a bunch of tire with one, and it’ll do 65 and not be at the end of the world lol.

[@audreyvangelder1940]

this is the truck that started my life long love of cars. i was 5 when my neighbor had this same truck. i loved that truck and i can still hear it to this very day .

[@gwilled_cheese_882]

I used to have a T100 (I know it’s not the same truck) and it was just too nice to do truck things with. A lot of things about that 1989 pickup reminded me of my old 1998 T100. There’s just something about those Japanese built Toyota pickups before they started making them in the states

[@calvinnickel9995]

It’s weird because the T100 was _huge_ when it first came out. Now they hardly look different.

[@sintuerkasreviews7079]

Man I hope someday they do a T100 and they don't just write it off as a wannabe Tundra or a longer Hilux, My first truck was a 2WD T100, and it was just like a car with a long bed, The 94 Ram might have brought in the modern pickup truck looks but the T100 did the same for the driving experience

[@nubreed13]

​@@calvinnickel9995it's ridiculous that the new Tacoma just dwarfs those old t100

[@timothywhite8130]

The cleanest Toyota pick up I have ever seen. I tip my hat to the owner. Good job 👏

[@justincrasi4638]

i daily drove one of these around 2014 for a couple years with no repairs, and resold it for more than paid. great trucks and really fun to drive.

[@OntarioBearHunter]

My buddy had the earlier version in highschool in the 80s. looked great when he bought it used.. bit overca year later it looked like it'd been sitting in the ocean for 5 years... not one piece of metal wasn't rusted or bubbling.. still a fun truck

[@michaelb6729]

I had a LN106R, later 1993 model. Dual Cab, 2.8L NA diesel, solid axles on leaf springs ! 💪 ..... the original Mogadishu Technical spec ! 👌🏻

[@krissteel4074]

The only real problem the diesel ever had was a bit of coking if they didn't get a good beating once in a while, well that and they're slower than the petrol. Where these things truly shine though is offroad, the gearing, suspension and reliability sold 1000's of these to farmers all over Australia as it would idle along in 4wd just fast enough to keep up with slow sheep and cattle, held a motorbike in the back or a big stack of hay bales. Or if you're more sporty, they took you to insane places 'big' 4wds wouldn't get to on washed out fire trails and still carried enough camping gear to disappear off the face of the earth. Sort of a magical era, it was just well built enough to be reliable, not overbuilt to be expensive and simple enough a moron with half a toolbox and 8th grade education could fix it

[@theylive2749]

My grandma bought one new. I drove it in high school with 260k miles. I was convinced it will run forever.

[@MrWashesp]

3:25 that is impressive seats. The man was insane sticking covers on it day 1 but it's an investment that paid off

[@kftc1980]

Only if they sell it before it eventually gets retired. I would have taken the 20k.

[@rw5973]

It’s comforting that I’m not the only one flat-footing in 2nd/3rd gear to make it up hills. My ‘89 Trooper can be painfully slow at times, yet it’s still fun to drive!

[@edpoe4622]

You must have the only Pooper still alive!

[@coopkink]

Had a 92 xtra cab pickup with the 3.0 v6 and I loved that thing. It was the dirty, rusty dented one that got used and abused. Took it wheeling on the weekend with friends and hauled furniture and bikes around during the week. Seeing all the interior shots made me really miss it cause it had an untimely head gasket issue and had to get rid of it for cheap. I will forever remember that pickup

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

Eh it was a rust bucket. We could build one like this but better.

[@Ring49]

My first toyota was this truck but a 91 in blue. Still one of my favourite vehicles I've ever owned.

[@jmd1743]

Those reactions to the truck is a good gauge for telling if the truck industry went off the tracks. I doubt if you drove around in a new raptor you would get similar reactions. We need to repeal the chicken tax. I think those Japanese mini trucks would become a overnight sensation.

[@LouisSubearth]

If the Chicken Tax is repealed, not a lot would change, maybe we'll see more Thai built Rangers and Colorados, but all the mid sized pickups we can buy in the USA are designed for the USA. Unless Mitsubishi brings their L200/Triton, that would be the biggest change.

[@jmd1743]

@@LouisSubearth You don't think mini trucks would be popular with places like NYC or on farms?

[@Bahistapoakoeh]

@@jmd1743 “small” trucks like the current gen Hilux are huge nowadays. Its no different size wise to USDM Rangers and Colorados, so if Rangers aren’t popular in New York then I don’t see how Hiluxes or Tritons would be

[@LouisSubearth]

@@jmd1743 I know they would, however I also know that safety regulations would make it a very expensive task to do, repealing the chicken tax doesn't mean that mini trucks like the Hijet would be exempt from basic safety testing.

[@DiscoFang]

@@LouisSubearth And funny thing is the Triton is the best of them. The only one that can run full-time 4WD.

[@oregonfelder1]

Owned an 83 Toyota Pickup and a 99 Toyota Tacoma SR5. Better hope a ring and pinion never go out. Toyota used a unique gear ratio in the 2WD Tacomas that are hard to come by now. Spent $1400 on the ring and pinion set along bearings and shims. Only sold because my family outgrew the trucks and I don’t hoard vehicles. Love your content man, and yes, I want one again.

[@saturdaymorning329]

I owned an 82 Hilux(longbed) back in 2000. The truck did what I needed it to do... Haul shit, keep tools handy and get me from point A to point B and back again. It sipped gas like an English Lord sips tea. It had an automatic transmission and A/C. No problems ever out of the motor or drivetrain. One day on the way to a friend's house on the I-5, a car slammed on it's breaks out of nowhere... A Chevy Suburban that was tailing me swerved to the left lane to avoid hitting me... Well that little truck fishtailed, the Suburban hits my engine bay... I go flying in the opposite direction.... After the "life flashed before my eyes" and shock of almost dying in a horrific way wears off, I notice what was the engine is now sitting on top of the passenger side front tire. Fluid lines bleeding out like a soldier slain in battle. BADASS LITTLE TRUCK but it is a death trap against larger American vehicles. Still miss it though.

[@thejo6331]

damn, the Hilux to C10 nostalgia parallel is one I hadn't thought of. That's spot on, 100%.

[@idrisddraig2]

As for the towing capacity. Outside the USA/CaN this is rated at 3500kg/8000lbs and is regularily seen towing that or more the world over...just slowly.

[@jdubskiwright2380]

No way in hell i would attempt to pull 4 tons with the 22re motor..my friend had a 93 2wd and it squatted so bad with just 850lbs in the bed..my 99 mazda would haul 1500+ and stand back up and cruise down the highway with ease.. i can't imagine trying to tow 8000lbs behind it ever..

[@luisinhoens90]

@@jdubskiwright2380 maybe those are ratings for the Diesel engine. But they're still ridiculous numbers. They actually still are. An uncle has a 2016 Nissan NP300 with the 2.5 gas engine, Crew Cab and short bed which is rated to haul up to 2300 lbs and tow up to 3500 lbs. I own a 4th gen Ram 1500 that maxes out at 1900 lbs hauling although I once put 2200 lbs and I would never do the same because the truck started feeling unsettled. Can't imagine how one of those tiny trucks would feel if hauling the same.

[@mortenhinsverk2406]

@@luisinhoens90 im from norway owning a 98 hilux diesel its rated at 2250 kilos 4960 lbs towing capasity + 710 kilo 1565 lbs load on the truck itself :)

[@calvinnickel9995]

Yep. They can carry about a dozen equipped troops or one 20mm anti aircraft gun.

[@mortenhinsverk2406]

@@calvinnickel9995 true

[@takenpictures]

I have a 2013 Reg Cab 4x4 Tacoma. 2014 was the last year of the Reg Cab. If they still made them, I'd buy another. Until then, I'll just keep it and enjoy it. 180k miles and no issues. These days it is just my off road adventure vehicle and it loves every minute of it.

[@alexanderstrubeck6253]

The last time I was this early to a RCR video Pontiac still existed

[@deezn8tes]

This and the Ranger Splash are my two favorite little trucks that I’d absolutely want an OG clean version of.

[@connor3288]

Wow i havent seen a ranger splash in new england since 2013

[@calvinnickel9995]

I suppose you want a clean 1989 240SX or 2000 Civic SiR too? Maybe a bone-stock 1988 Mustang GT or 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme? Unicorns.

[@deezn8tes]

@@calvinnickel9995 I also would’ve accepted “1992 Lincoln Mark 7 without numerous electrical issues”

[@connor3288]

@@calvinnickel9995 Suzuki Samurai please. And more diesels, inline 6, manual, and cable throttle cars.

[@hank1556]

I granpa had a 90s super bright orange with purple graphics Splash extended cab with the 4.0. That truck was awesome and hauled ass

[@isaac24]

FINALLY. When I was a kid, my grandpa (a mechanic) had a 1987 Toyota SR5. It was the same as this, except it was 2wd, and it was an “Xtra Cab” so it had a small amount of space behind the seats. It was originally bright red, but it was rust colored all over by the late 2000s. It had like 300k miles, then he gave it to his brother in law, who drove it for like 100k more miles. Then he traded it into a B dealer to get a Subaru Forester. The owner of the dealership gave the truck to his son and is STILL DRIVING IT 8 years later, it probably has more than 500k miles on it now. So somewhere up in Gaylord MI or so is my grandpas old 87 Toyota. Now he has a 2006 Tacoma extended cab, SR5, 2wd, 4 cylinder, automatic, and it has almost 300k miles on it. He had the frame replaced by Toyota in 2019. It’s his 4th Toyota truck. Also, from a fellow Michigander: it’s pronounced “MIGH-er” but every single person here says “Meijer’s”.

[@CoreyGolphenee]

It’s not the same, those are Solid Axle trucks, those are the real deal 4 wheelers. SAS Toyotas we’re for the most part jacked up into trail rigs, because they will absolutely embarrass a Jeep with a shitload of money spent on it.

[@Newt94]

I grew up in the passenger seat of an 85 sr5 Hilux my dad bought new. That truck is solely responsible for my big love of Toyota. My first car was a 1980 base model and I still have a 1991 2wd I will always have the softest of spots for these trucks.

[@jeremymerli7335]

My first vehicle was the 1990 with V6(3VZ-E), 5-speed, and 4x4. Bought it from my father's friend in Peckville back in 02. And yes, getting around the old towns was much easier than sedans and my dad's f150 of the era. While they certainly had (rust) issues, I maintained it for 15 years. Even at 189k miles it was still serviceable. Wasn't great for highway travel though. Really cool to see one of these on the show.

[@Wyatt_James]

My dad had one of these, from 2008 to 2015. It was a 1987 model in blue, and just about as basic as you could get, with the only options being an automatic transmission and a chrome package, and it always carried a white topper. It was a tank, and it put in real work too; one thing I remember quite fondly was going to the pallet shop, now long closed, to pick up free scrap wood by the bed load to burn for heat. It bottomed out the suspension every time but the truck didn't seem to care so long as you kept to flat roads. Riding 30 miles home in the bed from any trip was also a highlight. He got that truck at 30,000 miles for a couple hundred bucks, and by the end of those seven short years, he retired it with about 340,000. The motor never failed him; it was the body and, more importantly, the bed that rusted away from the Wisconsin winters. It was a good little truck. That being said I wouldn't want to own one. Not because they aren't good trucks, but they just aren't my style. I'd rather a classic American truck or something else altogether.

[@JamisonBervig]

I had an 89 pickup. Single cab regular bed 2wd with the 22r and a 4 speed. Learned to drive manual in it. I loved that little truck.

[@joeharris3878]

Absolutely the best work truck I ever used. I'm a forester, bought timber during that time. Every part seemed to be twice the size you'd think was necessary or typical for a pickup. After using an F100 probably cut the amount of steps I took by 20%, could get further off the road to get to starting point of a cruise. Narrow. Tough.

[@fakih121]

I had a 93 dlx 22re I picked up in Oregon and drove back to Wisconsin. It was a hell of a drive to get it back through the mountain passes especially in Wyoming.

[@j_mars_cars]

I have a 92 4runner 22re I bought in Oregon and drove back to Wisconsin! Rust free gang!

[@seththomas9105]

@@j_mars_cars Winter's comming...... Rust never sleeps. I feel your pain here in Iowa.

[@j_mars_cars]

@@seththomas9105 I’m now 98% rust free. I need an afternoon with a pressure washer, wire wheel, and cosmoline black/fluid film black to seal off my frame from the evil advances of salt. Although, it will be parked most of winter

[@seththomas9105]

@@j_mars_cars You're from Wisconsin so you know that parking it Nov. 1 to Apr. 1 is the only way to keep rust at bay. The bane of all vehicles in the Midwest is that fucking DOT salt brine.

[@j_mars_cars]

@@seththomas9105 I do also take the whistlin diesel mindset. I want to use my vehicle, not let it own me. It’s not rare in and of itself, just geographically. If I spared it from rust, but some drunk driver t boned me one day, all my saving it would be worth nothing. I want to use it up, but as slowly as possible, over 20-25 years. I want to eventually have it look like a battle worn unit capable of conquering any obstacle.

[@elirenigar9357]

I have a 92 2wd, it’s been my daily since I was 18. People ask to buy this thing about 4 times a year and people complement it all the time. I love my pickup, it’s been the best friend I could ever ask for

[@GeminiWoods]

My grandpa had a blue one. Loved that truck. Took me fishing in it more times than I can remember. My uncle also had grey one, we couldn't make it up a hill once when we were metal detecting lol. Just didn't have enough snot.

[@buillioncubes]

Did you forget to lock the hubs?

[@GeminiWoods]

@@buillioncubes I was a kid but I do remember the incline was pretty damn steep. At that point a lot of vehicles probably would have had trouble climbing it haha.

[@buillioncubes]

@@GeminiWoods You can be satisfied knowing you probably made it way further than anyone else would have, lol.

[@kristopherhaithcoat7128]

i had a 1986 toyota pickup as my first truck and i loved that truck more than anything. the gas station convos were amazing all the memories and stories you got from people because everyone knew someone that owned one or they had one themselves. and he is right they are very slow

[@Groovebot3k]

While I always loved the Delorean from Back to the Future, my little kid brain looked up to Marty McFly in such a strange cool-older-brother way that I think I wanted his Toyota pickup more than the time-traveling car.

[@christopherbrown3452]

I daily a 94 Toyota pickup. The last year before they changed it to the Tacoma. I am absolutely in love with it. The 5 speed shifts smooth and engine starts faster than modern cars. The 22RE putts along great at 209k

[@werdevo6]

Actually, it was mid 1995 before Toyota changed over to the Tacoma model.

[@andyking894]

Toyota Pickup: official truck of-ya know what? No... I'm not doing this bit to this machine. I respect it too much. Shine on, you tough-ass diamond.

[@n3bruce]

A lot of people tended to put oversize tires and lift kits on them. I had an irresponsible friend back in the 1980's that did that, then ended up rolling 2 of them when he swerved. Local cops were also targeting him over his way over legal bumper height. He never learned his lesson, the last time I saw him he was driving an old rust bucket Toyota with 42 inch tires and at least an 8 inch lift kit. Stupid is as stupid does.

[@Demonslayer20111]

@@n3bruce yeah 35s are about the right limit for these. Maybe 37s. Mine has a 2 inch lift with flipped leaf spring mounts and 35s with a 5.29 diff gears with the high steer modification. and yeah it leans but just dont be an idiot and you wont flip. It helps mine has a wider tire track due to using 92 4runner spindles tho. Its about 3 or 4 inches wider on the front axle than the rear is which helps a lot.

[@kcm732]

good one. this was the most solid RCR I've seen in a long while. thank you.

[@CJWriter0925]

Delaware catching a stray made me laugh...and I'm from here. Also, the era of small/compact trucks that looked normal was a glorious time. This Toyota illustrates that.

[@y0ta.fanb0i]

My dad had one of these pre dating my existence on this earth. Just turned 25 today, and a wave of memories flooded back in me watching this review about sitting in this pick up truck beside my dad like waves on a beach that inevitably crash and cascade onto the shore. Like the time my dad and I were driving home after tee ball, and I had gotten hit in the face from a line drive from kid that I didn’t expect to hop up on me, or like the time my dad and i were driving home and his timing chain broke mid way from on the way home and we had to push it to the side of the road to assess the damage. Ah nostalgia and memories!

[@narlycharley]

The store Meijer is pronounced MY-ER. As for this truck. I had a 1991 5 speed 4x4 back in high school that I completely repainted. I sold it and I regret it to this day.

[@kyle8952]

Meijer is a dutch name, "ij" is the 25th letter of the alphabet there, replacing what they call the "greek ij" which we know is Y. Beyond that, there's no special pronunciation rule, so the store is just called Meyer.

[@deanchur]

Huh. In my country we have a department store chain called Myer. Wonder if there's any relation.

[@uh-zo5ei]

I had the 1988, 4 cyl, 22RE stick 5 speed bought brand new for 10k. I had it for 13 years and drove it cross country and back. Also from Maine to Key West. I had a cap and loaded with gear and had no trouble going 75 to 80 in the 5 speed. These trucks easily went over 55 and never needed to be babied. Best truck I've ever owned, but rust did claim it living in New England from 4x4 on the beach and road salt. I never had 1 issue in 13 years. Oil change, Tires, muffler and brakes. Normal wear items. My Ranger, Dodge and F150 all had issues in the first 5 years.

[@wa7019]

Nice video....its awesome ( as a Tacoma Owner) to see the roots of my truck displayed here, and to see how how many improvements were made over the years. Vehicles do keep getting better, but man the nostalgia factor is strong with this one for sure.

[@brentowen2225]

The amount of people I’ve had asked to buy my 92 has shocked me. I love my little 55mph, no AC, and speed wobbles after 80. It’s just the best.

[@91_C4_FL]

Loved the “Now that’s what I call conversation Vol 6” line lol.

[@LucioSuarez1]

Came for the toyota, ended up with a sociology lesson in american culture and pickup trucks. Absolutely worth it! Keep up the good work! 💪🏻👏🏻

[@2m7b5]

I learned to drive in my dad's '88 SR5. Such a cool little truck.

[@CopeManMTNDEW]

I daily a 89 toyota pickup 4x4 xtra cab v6 5 speed sr5. I absolutely love it. I get stopped and asked about it all the time. I plan to 3.4 swap it soon. Mine will do 70 or 80 just fine down the highway. 31 inch tires and 4.56 gears. These old trucks just make me feel good everytime I get behind the wheel. Something about them makes you appreciate them. I wish they still made them like this today.

[@98erics]

I learned to drive manual in the previous model. It was 2 wheel drive and had the 2.2R. My Uncle still has that truck. His name is Butch and it is rattle can camo. He calls it his rural attack vehicle.

[@jamiehenninger2656]

My dad bought an 89 pickup, 3vz 5 speed. Im 17 and now its mine. Just completed 3.4 5VZ swap, fixes the slow problem. Awesome truck

[@kllntime101]

80's Toyota's will forever be my favorite. I can afford something nicer to daily but I love my 86 Cressida.

[@bongmuon]

I miss my cressidas. Owned 4 of them and still have one that I got in an accident with sitting at my mom's waiting for me to restore...

[@nathanbyers3049]

I bought a 1991 Toyota 4runner in March of 2021 and paid $5,000 for it. I seriously got it for a steal compared to what people ask for them now. Love these old Toyota so much

[@12ealDealOfficial]

This. I got my MR-S in 2019 for 5K and the family bought an '06 Echo in 2018 for 500 dollars cash. Now I see my car going for 20k and clean Echos are unobtanium.

[@SurlyMontanan]

The 5 speed 2 wheel drive version I had, (a 93 with a 22RE) seemed to be pretty quick for what it was, but mine was pretty much stripped with a flatbed and weighed nothing.

[@rhubarbpie2027]

The 22R and RE will rev. To. The. Moon.

[@xpvrrish]

love my 88 2wd, lowered 7inchs coil overs in front. celica trans swap. handles like a go cart and pulls in all gears

[@calholli]

I don't think we agree on what "quick" means. My 99 CBR900 was pretty quick.

[@rhubarbpie2027]

@@calholli weird flex but ok

[@sintuerkasreviews7079]

A stock 4wd truck is around 600-700 lbs heavier than its RWD counterparts, also it had a lot more aero and tire drag

[@seanbrenton55]

Thanks mr regular. I have owned my 92 for 14 years. Made many memories using and denting it. It’s for sale now because it’s too small for my lifestyle. It took a while to psych myself up to list it.

[@charlescavanagh7756]

What's the link to it I might buy it

[@mattheweburns]

That’s how I get treated at every gas station or grocery store I take the Monza and even the Jeep these days gets that treatment. It’s good to know I bought cars that are desirable long-term, but once the luster of that type of attention wears off it is quite a nuisance and considered bad attention… Thanks for the videos, cheers!

[@johnpearson492]

Yep, know the feeling. I recently purchased a Jeep Comanche Eliminator, everywhere I get comments and occasionally offers.

[@artbk]

My uncle had one, a 96 or 97, white, diesel, from work but with him trough the weekend. It took us to a (nostalgia driven) incalculable number of beach days, off roading, some camping trips. That thing was amazing. My uncle had to turn it in for some other company car and got his own CJ5 in use, while the Toyota went onto to keep working. I felt it was like abandoning a dog, and hurt deeply when, as last as I've heard of, it had lost the front diff and halfshafts to become 2WD, had been banged hard on many body panels and was being used to haul parts for tractors that exceeded the nominal load many times.

[@leecaskey2902]

Excellent review! My dad wrecked his nearly identical '93 SWB 4x4 Toy Truck after passing out at the wheel, causing a rollover accident. (When he came to, he was more upset about totalling the truck than worrying about why he passed out.) But I've had two Toy trucks of my own in the 2WD variant (which is almost an entirely separate model due to different body panels, bed lengths and suspension geometry) My red trusty, rusty long-bed '88 was a faithful companion for nearly twenty years, never shirking it's duties and hauling me and my stuff all over Alaska; I still miss it. My current '91, short-bed 2WD has already had the requisite timing chain replacement, a new clutch and is awaiting a new distributor. I also managed to score the front and rear bumpers we had bought Dad for Christmas off his wrecked 4WD. Jim would do well to replace the rear bumper; they are still available, not too expensive and easy to swap. Sweet ride!

[@dawnpoint]

The second time ever driving manual was in one of these. I stalled 13 times at one intersection while the other cars got pissed and my cousin in the passenger seat just kept laughing.

[@MattMntk]

This legitimately the only sponsor read I haven't fast forwarded through..100% worth it lol!!

[@ostbullen]

As an owner of a -15 hilux, it's hilarious to see how much of the interior haven't changed since the 80's

[@OneJuanWon]

I had a very similar truck like this years ago - 1989 base model, standard cab, 4x4 (manual locking hubs), 5-speed stick, hand-crank windows, the 3.0 V6, and A/C. I bought it used with 80K miles, sold it several years later when it had 230K miles on the clock. It never left me stranded.....not once.....and I really regret selling it. Best truck I've owned.

[@zachswy]

From about 2012-2016 I had an '84 in regular cab with the 7' bed. It had the 22-R, and straight front axle. Took it from 235,000 to 295,000 and sold it, as we had moved somewhere that checked emissions, and this little truck was straight-piped. Thing was a complete rust-bucket, would go anywhere, and would actually tow, if you kept it in 4th and weren't anxious to do more than about 50. I disagree that you need a pristine one and one to use -- just keep the crappy one.

[@chrisbarnes2882]

Fun fact, the 6ft bed can hold 1900lbs of gravel, any more and it spills out the sides. Getting it out of the quarry was real work for the 4banger but the look on the operators face when i came back for a second load was priceless.

[@gondolagripes1674]

I really want this to have alongside my 86 Cressida. Ugh they're so expensive though.

[@WhitefolksT]

Cressida 😍

[@SpicyBreakfastGang]

What an amazing combo, a cressida and a pickup

[@bongmuon]

I have one of each..... plus a aw11 mr2. Problem is none of them are drivable at the moment....

[@jaydensingh7915]

I got a 86 mx73 and 89 2wd pickup

[@tehsuperepicpwnzor]

I had a '90. Bought it for $8k at 81k miles. Beat the shit out of it, just kept adding fluids. Sold it with a dozen problems at 130k for $5500. Most reliable vehicle I ever had, and the master mechanic who bought it was thrilled to score a low-mileage one. Best trucks ever.

[@bwofficial1776]

It's amazing how low mileage for a Toyota or 4.0L Jeep is ready for the junkyard in anything from Europe. 130k, that's just broken in.

[@1leggeddog]

That thing is a time capsule. Seeing the underside mint like that.., wow