'82 Toyota Diesel

I bought this truck at the height of diesel engine frenzy in June of '06. The biodiesel craz.  I paid $2500. It ran, but was pretty used up and a bit of a rust bucket.  The next time I drove it, it spun a main bearing - oil starved the engine, froze up and died.  I had to have the engine rebuilt.  3 years later the engine was rebuilt and it runs great.  But, now I have over $3,500. into it.

The 1L Diesel is a Dog of an engine, but it is a Sweet feel and seems like it will run like a train for you.  Since it was just rebuilt it feels brand new.  I also did a new clutch.  

Now my next real Problem with it is the rest of the truck is a total Rust Bucket.  Rust is just everywhere, plenty of holes, even the floor pan has some holes in it, door panels have lines of rust just about to break through.  The brake system may be leaking and coated with rust.  One rear spring is broken.  The bed is - well, it is on the truck but it looks real bad.  So, everything about the truck body and truck system has become riddled with cancer, but the engine is Sweet. 

I tried to sell it just to get my money out of it.  But, nobody wanted to give me $3,500. for it ( I can't blame them ;) I tried to sell it for a year. Who would want to put themselves into this ole rust bucket for that kind of money - not me.  What to do.  I could get it sold for about $1,500. and cut my losses.

So, I am back to dealing with what I have.  I could go find another similar year Toyota in good condition to move the diesel engine into, but that would be more cost and lots more project. 

The way it is Now - I have this Toyota diesel that runs Now, and everything works on it - lights to brakes - it all works and the engine runs sweet.

So, I guess I will make the best of what I have.  I have inspected things and I will be putting on new shocks all around, new rear brake shoes, and a new set of tires.  (More expenses on this truck that is already 3 times it's value).

That is my story.  I am stuck with what I have and I'm trying to make the best out of it. 

Update: 2/12/2011  The Toyota is doing great.  I have been driving it any chance I get. We have taken several trips in it with the camper on.  The Toyota is a real dog with the heavy camper on it, but it goes and goes and goes.  So, we love the idea of going on a camping trip with the camper on the truck.  I don't have it running on WVO, just diesel.  I don't want to put an expensive wvo kit on it, but the price of diesel nowadays is really awful.  I think we will coast a few more years with the truck like it is and maybe do a wvo kit later.