I'm thinking about buying an 81 shortbed with a chev v8

[vigilantejustic]

I had a few questions and wanted some opinions, I've been lurking on here for a while and I've noticed that not many care for the domestic swaps. I'm all for durability and reliability but this seems like a great deal.

1981 Toyota 4X4 shortbed pickup with Chevy 350 motor & trans, Toyota transfercase, new 36" Swampers 6" lift, all new front axle with new locker, tube front & rear bumpers & nerf bars, Bushwacker flares, lots more, runs great, needs some body work, but has clean title & expires Aug. 05. Its also got a camper the odo reads 65k miles, and the swap was done a year ago. Its still smogged but once I transfer title it'll have to be smogged again, and the engine is a rebuilt 73 so it wont pass.

he wants 3,000 for it, I was thinking of buying it and just using it for the summer, but after that it's gonne be useless for me to have because I just wont be able to smog it, and I need to have 2 vehicles that run (car for my girlfriend and the truck for me)

it sounds like I could probably make my money back by just parting it out?

[bbagwell]

You could probably get your money back parting it out.

[MUCHADO]

I've got a yota with the V8 swap in it.. honestly I wish it didn't have it at times, but that's because my carb sucks bigtime.. I wouldnt go for it if you dont think you'll be able to get it smogg'd.. but that's just me. when was the cut off year for smog? oh and a 73 motor IS old.. don't know how reliable or efficient they are.. mine's from an 82.. Only problems I've had on the truck besides brakes catching fire have been with the engine....

[KToy]

i wouldnt want a new chev v8 in a toyota.... it would be a lot cheaper to buy a 73 chev truck in my opinion...................................

and i dont think you can part it out and make even close to 3000 back on it.

i sold my chevy motor for 100 bux and then toy axle are worth 400 complete if that.. then all you have is a frame tranny and body...


its not worth it.

[decyfer]

i just picked up a 85 runner with a mustang 5.0 in it and you know what. that thing is so fun to drive. so i would say go for it. plus domestic engines are cheap to replace. run it till it dies. drop a new one

[79TEXASTOY]

I have a 79 with a V-8 and I love it. I think you should see if you could get 2500 for it. I bought mine in Austin, Texas for 3800. It has A/C and an GREAT body. :yes: