[{"id": 1847354, "authorName": "bimmergas", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/bimmergas/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Perfect for a San Jose Sharks fan!", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1510341492, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1847410, "authorName": "Miatadon", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/miatadon/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Wow, the seller spent $35,000 on refurbishing this truck, and the engine block wasn't redone.", "likes": 10, "timestamp": 1510342826, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1847443, "authorName": "PeteSkimmel", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/peteskimmel/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I get people spending to restore a loved vehicle, but 35K on this truck? Hard to fathom.", "likes": 18, "timestamp": 1510343533, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1847456, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Hello all, I'm the seller. I will be around to answer any questions you have. I would ask that everyone please click the link to the build website in the first paragraph of the listing to get the full story on \"Li'l Truck\".", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1510343914, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1847525, "authorName": "jsc161", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jsc161/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Lil Geocities.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510344995, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1847644, "authorName": "austin_alfa", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/austin_alfa/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "These are indestructible and long running. I can't recall the last time I saw one of this vintage with a new appearing set of interior plastics....then again, I live in Texas and the sun bakes everything\n\nSomeone has invested a lot of love and $$$ in this truck. I wouldn't have the courage to have this as a no reserve truck considering the investment", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1510346267, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1847738, "authorName": "scruffydriver", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/scruffydriver/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Great pictures on the website. I really appreciate being able to watch a restoration as it progresses. Great attention to detail. This is a really cool truck. Good luck with selling it.", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1510347433, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1847778, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thank you! And yes, a lot of love and attention to detail (and $$$) went into the project. Courage? I guess the best way to say it is that \"Courage comes out of adversity.\" Thank you for your kind words and wishes.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1510348070, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1847803, "authorName": "finsrod", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/finsrod/", "bidAmount": 100, "content": "$100 bid placed by finsrod", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510348543, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1847808, "authorName": "MWebb", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mwebb/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Good looking little truck for sure. I might have repainted the wheels black or something. But otherwise, it looks pretty sharp. Like the color choice.\n\nLooks like it was pretty close to a goner before the resto. Definitely brought back a long way from the 1 foot in the grave.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510348611, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1847826, "authorName": "since78", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/since78/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "How cool would this look in San Antonio! I\u2019d paint the wheels white or black, reupholster the seats with some Pendleton pattern wool and mount a cow skull to the front.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510348735, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1847837, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Chose the color in honor of my late wife...she loved turquoise. I chose to have the wheels powder coated a darker shade of the same turquoise because the original intent was to have chrome baby moons as hubcaps. That ended up being impossible to engineer without affecting the structural integrity of the wheels themselves.", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1510348980, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1847927, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I chose not to have the engine block cracked open because there really was (and still is) no need! The engine runs strong and smooth, like a good ol' 22R should. Please listen to the videos showing the truck at high idle and warm idle. As Don (the mechanic on the project) said when I brought it to him: \"These engines are just starting to \"breathe right\" at 150k miles.\"", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1510350218, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1847934, "authorName": "TyroMoto", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/tyromoto/", "bidAmount": 300, "content": "$300 bid placed by TyroMoto", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510350274, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1847948, "authorName": "bimmergas", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/bimmergas/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@b.b. - Sorry to hear about your wife. That is a nice color and looks to be a good paint job. GLWTA!", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1510350474, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848004, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thank you. The whole project was conceived as a memorial to her, after the brutal battle with cancer I'd just fought along with her. Getting Li'l Truck \"all gussied up\" was a long-time wish we had both dreamed about for years.\n\nI was just going through all the receipts from the project late last night. The paint and body work clocked in at just under $7,400.", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1510351172, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848012, "authorName": "The_Driver", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/the_driver/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "As an accountant, spending $35K rebuilding this, is plain nuts. As a romantic, after having read the reason behind the expensive resto, I say; well done!", "likes": 14, "timestamp": 1510351297, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848245, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thank you for that. Given everything this truck has meant (and still means) to me, when it became clear to me that was going to have to selI, I chose BaT as the place to offer her up for sale.\n\nI am not selling her with any pretense of recovery of investment. Without reciting a litany of unfortunate circumstances, suffice to say I made the decision to offer her here on BaT out of necessity.\n\nGiven everything I have put into it, it's essential to me that \"The Right Person\" be Li'l Truck's new owner. And to my mind, BaT is the best place for that person to find her.", "likes": 20, "timestamp": 1510354340, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848251, "authorName": "RWD-FTW", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/rwd-ftw/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Very sorry for your loss. 35 Grand is mighty strong but the heart wants what the heart wants.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510354378, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848340, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thank you. Again, I would direct everyone to the build website (link above, in first paragraph of the listing) for the whole story.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510355797, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848343, "authorName": "Scott_S", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/scott_s/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I hope this pulls a good number........starting with 100-300 bids is borderline obscene considering the situation here.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510355831, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848355, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thank you!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510356060, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848395, "authorName": "MrBonus", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mrbonus/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Cool truck, cool seller, perfect BaT content. I hope this one does well.", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1510356971, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848424, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thank you. That is my hope, as well.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510357745, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848537, "authorName": "PDXBryan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pdxbryan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@b.b. \nI've owned 1980s Toy p/ups for 26 years and love that you gave yours the love it deserves. My yellow '83 diesel long bed deserves it too but luckily it's nowhere near as crusty as yours was.\nI've skimmed your build looking for the sources of your restoration parts like bumpers, window seals, etc., but with no luck yet. Did you get everything from Toyota? Do you have any other suggestions?", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510359800, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848542, "authorName": "abrama94", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/abrama94/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thanks for sharing the restoration story!!!", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510359852, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848584, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@PDXBryan: Many of the parts came from eBay (the taillight housings new, the A/C parts used, the clock and A/C faceplate used, etc.) Some I found online at other vendors via many, many Googles. I considered finding the A/C parts on eBay as a major coup at the time. A lot of it was purely synchronicity and serendipity. Some things just showed up on eBay at the right time.\n\nOne of the most telling sets of parts I got from Toyota Japan itself, the two tiny badges that say simply 'TOYOTA\" on the B-pillars, cost $25 each. When the body shop dropped the ball and lost the black plastic B-pillar trim, I despaired of finding them at all, but they were able to source them from Toyota...something like nearly $150 per trim piece.\n\nToward the end of the project, Don did some sourcing of parts from a \"NOS\" dealer stash he knew of. I will be more than happy to scan and provide receipts for anyone who's interested. I can provide an itemized PDF of the breakdown for the majority of the labor, as well. \n\nI kept and documented everything as best I could, including receipts as far back as the original purchase papers from 1990, when Char bought the truck. Thank you for taking the time to read through the \"saga\". I never did go back and edit anything, so it is all as it was when I wrote each page. Tried not to hold back anything, and did my best to describe everything that got done.\n\nI just noticed another bit of synchronicity in all this: This auction ends exactly one day (almost to the MINUTE) before the date I began the project, back on November 18, 2012. It is hard for me to believe five years have actually passed, looking back on it.", "likes": 9, "timestamp": 1510361602, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848590, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@abrama94: And thank you for taking the time to read.\n\nI get that a lot of people won't understand, so I appreciate it when folks do.", "likes": 10, "timestamp": 1510361688, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848603, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Just thought I would pass along a cool \"factoid\" about the 22R that a kind BaT person pointed out to me: \"...these engines were created to run agricultural water pumps in Japan and were meant to run 24 hours a day seven days a week for decades without stopping. They are probably the most reliable engine in the entire world.\" I can vouch for that! In all the years I kept this truck alive, I never had any hint of any trouble from the engine. When Don agreed with me at the beginning of the project, I was glad I decided to have him leave the block intact.", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1510362266, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848613, "authorName": "C-4PO", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/c-4po/", "bidAmount": 400, "content": "$400 bid placed by C-4PO", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510362838, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1848622, "authorName": "belairlover", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/belairlover/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "This ad has sparked my interest more than any other I can remember on BAT. You can't put a price on memories and although I'm not usually into 2 wheel drive Toyota trucks of this era , I absolutely love this truck from the color down to the minutia that went into the restoration. This vehicle is by far better than new and will outlast us all. @b.b. you are definitely a one of a kind and this tribute to your wife will be cherished by the new owner with pride, now I just have to block this website until after the auction ends before I my heart communicates with my fingers.", "likes": 11, "timestamp": 1510363224, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848627, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@belairlover: Thanks for \"getting\" it! ;-)\n\nI had hoped to be driving this truck until I drew my last breath, but life has a way of forcing a changing of paths in mid-stream.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1510363581, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848658, "authorName": "MicroCarDrew", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/microcardrew/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I haven't even read the full story but I won't let this truck languish at 400$", "likes": 9, "timestamp": 1510364893, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848659, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@MicroCarDrew: Many thanks!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510364950, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848661, "authorName": "MicroCarDrew", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/microcardrew/", "bidAmount": 1000, "content": "$1,000 bid placed by MicroCarDrew", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510365050, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1848665, "authorName": "MicroCarDrew", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/microcardrew/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Come on guys . She has character :)", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1510365116, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848678, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Like a friend told me a long time ago: You have to try really hard to actually kill a 22R!", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510365972, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848670, "authorName": "PDXBryan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pdxbryan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "22Rs are notoriously reliable but I did manage to injure one. I was out of town for 6 weeks when I got a call from my wife saying she thought the truck was having a \"clutch problem\" and was making a \"strange\" noise. I had her take the phone out so I could hear it when she pressed the clutch pedal. Within seconds of starting the engine I shouted to turn it off. It was the tell tale sound of dreaded rod knock! The truck had apparently developed an oil leak. When I had her check the stick, it was, of course, dry as a bone. That was 25 years ago and luckily a good friend was able to overhaul it and that very engine lives on in my '88 farm truck today.\nSpeaking of the farm truck: It never leaves the farm except for when I make a clandestine run to the gas station. One time while filling it up an older gentleman grilled me on whether I ever wash it. \"No\", I said, \"It's a FARM truck\" as the man turned away with a look of utter disgust. That was at least 5 years ago and I still haven't washed it.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510366007, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848682, "authorName": "PDXBryan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pdxbryan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@MicroCarDrew\nI don't think this little honey is gonna' languish for long.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510366167, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848687, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thanks! I hope not. She is a blast to drive!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510366388, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848692, "authorName": "Josiahj22", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/josiahj22/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I love this truck and the motor. But the paint color!??", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1510366800, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848705, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "As I referenced earlier, the color was specifically chosen as part of the project. When I was deciding on which shade of turquoise I would have them use, I researched every 1950s-era Turquoise from all the US manufacturers, and this one was the closest to the shade that I knew Char loved. This is the 1959 Ford Truck color \"Indian Turquoise\". The only other one that came close to it was (I believe) a Dodge/Plymouth color that was actually a little too \"green\". It is hard to photograph and have the color come out \"true\" in the pics.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1510367402, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848716, "authorName": "Ken01234", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ken01234/", "bidAmount": 1100, "content": "$1,100 bid placed by Ken01234", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510368181, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1848720, "authorName": "jeffzekas", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jeffzekas/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The biggest drawback is that it is two wheel drive, not four wheel drive.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510368694, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848746, "authorName": "henrikthecat", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/henrikthecat/", "bidAmount": 1200, "content": "$1,200 bid placed by henrikthecat", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510369919, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1848774, "authorName": "oldskooltoy", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/oldskooltoy/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@b.b.\nWonderful (love) story!!\nYour detailed restoration story gave us the in depth look at your efforts to create a Memorial to a true love-Char.\n\nI have owned several of these Toyota 4cyl 2wd trucks and they have all been durable\n( except for sons having accidents )\n\nI really wish I could give this unique truck a forever home ( I don't let my sons drive my favorite vehicles) but I'm sure the BaT community will come through for you!\nGLWTA", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510371241, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848782, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thanks @oldskooltoy! I have done my best to be as honest as possible when working with the truly great BaT auction team to get the listing up and going. They have all been very supportive. As I said earlier, I will save everyone the litany of unfortunate circumstances that have led to my decision to sell her at all. I have faith the right person will find her and offer the right bid.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1510371618, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848836, "authorName": "PDXBryan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pdxbryan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@jeffzekas\nWhy do so many people want to pay for the gas to haul around all that extra machinery that they never use? I had an '85 2wd xtracab in Alaska. Yeah, I got stuck once in a while but I'd be in the ditch along with 4wd vehicles.", "likes": 8, "timestamp": 1510376590, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848889, "authorName": "Ken01234", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ken01234/", "bidAmount": 1300, "content": "$1,300 bid placed by Ken01234", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510383786, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1848918, "authorName": "Gonch17", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/gonch17/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Touching story, wonderful colour! GLWTA", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510389122, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848919, "authorName": "Gonch17", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/gonch17/", "bidAmount": 1988, "content": "$1,988 bid placed by Gonch17", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510389142, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1848924, "authorName": "Thisguy", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/thisguy/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Good Luck with the auction! These are one of my all time favorite vehicles. \n\nMy stepdad's '86 went 450K with nothing more than a clutch replacement at ~320K. It would probably still be with us today had it stayed in SoCal, but it moved with my parents to Hawaii when they retired and eventually succumbed to rust.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510390406, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848938, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thanks, y'all...I truly appreciate the good wishes (and bids!). Having a bit of insomnia tonight, so I figured I would give up trying to sleep and use the time to fill in some important details about the emissions system replacement. \n\nWhen I had the A/C installed with the initial work back in Austin, I noticed that some of the original emissions system parts were no longer there once the truck was finished. The reason for one of them (the air pump I had found at the junkyard so long ago) was obvious, as that is the spot where the A/C compressor goes when A/C is installed. \n\nI didn't really think much more about it, as the truck still passed its yearly Texas inspection once it was done. Of course, moving to Cali, I anticipated that I would have to have some work done to make the emissions pass the Cali smog test, but really didn't know how much would be involved. Enter Matt Yee of Alameda Import Automotive. \n\nMy buddy had made sure to connect me with Matt as soon as I moved here, as he is The Master of all things Toyota here, and you will not find a more honest or trustworthy mechanic. He pulls no punches, and tells you exactly what you are looking at. He's the only guy here I will trust to lay hands on Li'l Truck's innards.\n\nHe looked at everything and then very patiently explained to me what would be necessary, and why. The major revelation that I had no idea about was that Toyota had used two completely different emissions systems: one type for vehicles without factory A/C, and a different type of system for vehicles with factory A/C. \n\nThat little bit of information was key to all this making sense to me. I had not known about that before having the A/C added back in Austin, and it was never really mentioned during the initial work. \n\nWe talked it over and I gave Matt the go-ahead to do the work. That entailed him sourcing the necessary parts from a Toyota boneyard here in the Bay Area, as well as Toyota itself, and then replacing every single component in the system, from the exhaust manifold all the way out to the air cleaner. When he was done, the truck passed the Cali smog test, and actually runs and idles noticeably better. \n\nMatt also found and installed all the parts for the power steering, as well as the groovy Clutch Bypass Switch. That little gem of an option sure makes life a little easier. He also installed the correct bushings for the clutch pedal, something that had been bugging me since the initial work was done. The pedal was just not quite \"right\", but once Matt worked it over, it is flawless. Matt's work is worth every penny it costs, and then some.\n\nWell, didn't mean for this to turn into War and Peace, Volume 2, but did feel it necessary to explain the whole emissions thing. Again, thanks to all who take the time to read.", "likes": 11, "timestamp": 1510399587, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1848956, "authorName": "shegoes", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/shegoes/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I grew up driving a manual: minis, 120XK jag, am looking at this as a blast from the past most likely to be blast from the present. BTW, love the garish color: with all the blahs in the mall parking lots, I would be able to find this. signed: old former racer in the fast lane.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1510403444, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849016, "authorName": "DoggieDude", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/doggiedude/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Really super truck. I want it. Would it be towable all 4-wheels down (behind an RV)?", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510408316, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849036, "authorName": "Iamnotwearingpants", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/iamnotwearingpants/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I sleep better at night knowing someone cared to restore this. Lovely and totally BaT worthy.", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1510409048, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849074, "authorName": "copcarguy", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/copcarguy/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "This auction is why I love BAT: an hour just flew by reading this entire story, looking at pics, and smiling on a Saturday morning snuggled in a warm bed when the wind is howling outside on an absolutely frigid morning.", "likes": 11, "timestamp": 1510410391, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849131, "authorName": "mx5canuck", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mx5canuck/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Remarkable, truly remarkable.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1510413027, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849150, "authorName": "PDXBryan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pdxbryan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@b.b.\nAh, now there's a lead! Can you reveal the name of the Bay Area Toyota boneyard?\n\nAbout the emissions: A mechanic friend and I swapped my '85 22RE into an '88 truck thinking it'd be a piece o' cake. Not so much. Amazing how many changes they made that were not obvious to the untrained eye.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510414264, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849180, "authorName": "seth_fisher", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/seth_fisher/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "When feeling blue is a good thing ; like watching the morning sky as the sun drags light through the day's palette . May God bless you and yours and give you His peace .", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510415703, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849217, "authorName": "eierdam", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/eierdam/", "bidAmount": 2088, "content": "$2,088 bid placed by eierdam", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510417895, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1849232, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Just coming to after about a 3-hour cat-nap collapse. Wow. Thank y'all so much for your kind words! Quite the thing to wake up to! \n\n@DoggieDude: I would say yes, towable. It's a manual, and the steering wheel does \"lock\" when the ignition is off. From what I've ever heard, the only things you *can't* tow like that would be an automatic or an AWD, like a Subie. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong!\n\n@PDXBryan: I am embarrassed to say I can't remember the name. I want to say it was in the South Bay area, but I can't be sure...it's been awhile since Matt told me about it.\n\nAnd thank you all again...I will be smilin' as I make my coffee....", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510418474, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849253, "authorName": "Crugeens", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/crugeens/", "bidAmount": 2188, "content": "$2,188 bid placed by Crugeens", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510419767, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1849297, "authorName": "jeffzekas", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jeffzekas/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Despite being 2WD, I really love this truck, especially the colour, which is similar to my neighbor's '65 Ford truck (his had the two tone with white cab)-- my buddy, Al, had a 1985 Toyota truck, and he noted the earlier comment about how each year's motor is a little different-- spot on. The seller's comments about smog brought back memories, trying to legalize so many vehicles, back when we lived in Cali-- one aspect of SoCal life that we DON'T miss at all! But do miss all the memories, especially street racing up Topanga Canyon and Sunset to the coast! And those early Toyotas were part of the dream.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1510422044, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849304, "authorName": "Corey", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/corey/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "If anyone still has any doubt about the longevity of these trucks, here's my tale. I drive an 87 2wd xtra cab long bed Toyota. Bought it 12 years ago with 130K. It now has almost 271K, and turned 270K midway through a recent 3K mile road trip. It only requires basic maintenance, and a few occasional parts. U-joints were done recently, as the originals started to squeak. I pulled the head @215K, and could still see the cross hatching in the cylinder walls. Replaced the original clutch at that time, too. Was able to source original Aisin clutch parts on Rock Auto for 1/3 the price of the dealer.\n\nMy truck works hard, and it looks that way. It owes me absolutely nothing. It has hauled my fat ass, my tools, firewood, lumber, motorcycles, Volkswagen parts and who knows what else, without complaint. I drive it though the dead of winter here in North Idaho without issue. Basic snow tires get me where I need to go, and a set of chains get me into places I probably shouldn't be. \n\nGLWTS seller. You have a great truck, and the new owner will, too.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1510422522, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849305, "authorName": "henrikthecat", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/henrikthecat/", "bidAmount": 2300, "content": "$2,300 bid placed by henrikthecat", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510422559, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1849318, "authorName": "1960vw", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/1960vw/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Great trucks of this era. I had a 1987 Toy pickup. Bought new with 47 miles for $5500 and finally died with 312000 miles! Overheated and blew head gasket. Started to have problems passing smog in Taxifornia since carbs are not the Air Boards favorite. Figures to reach passing smog levels were constantly being made stricter year after year to get them off the streets. However, stay on top of it, and this truck could run forever. Not fancy but functional. Still miss mine.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1510423280, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849337, "authorName": "PDXBryan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pdxbryan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Corey\nOh yeah, Xtra cab long bed! Now there's a freight train but so cool! Is it a 1 ton truck?\n\nIf it's OK with @b.b. , this auction would be a great place for other Toy truck aficionados to reveal their favorite sources for parts and services. These little trucks are among the best vehicles ever and deserve preservation so they can serve another day (or 10,000).", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510424334, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849343, "authorName": "oldgeek1999", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/oldgeek1999/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I saw and walked around this truck before the resto on a visit to Austin. I visited the shop while it was being worked on in various steps. I saw most of the after-effects and heard and saw it run. Have no fear of over-bidding. Pile on! The winner is getting a Toyota Truck that's better put-together than it was when new.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510424408, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849378, "authorName": "Miatadon", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/miatadon/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I read and viewed the seller's restoration story, and enjoyed it. There is not any deceit on the sale of this truck, and I hope he gets a high price for it. Small Japanese pickup trucks were amazing vehicles, and you sure can't get one new that is compact any more like this one.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1510426593, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849401, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Miatadon: Thank you!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510427495, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849400, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@PDXBryan: Fine by me! I remember the hunt for parts all too well, and would love for this project to help any and everybody possible. \n\nAnd after a few more looks on Teh Googles this morning, I wanna say that Bay Area boneyard might have been Dorris, but I can't be sure. \n\nGoing back thru the mound of receipts, I looked for any specific sources besides eBay, which is where the majority of the parts I ordered came from. Some of the eBay sources have independent websites, as well. \n\nI know the rear bumper, by FEY, came from \"carparts.com\". The front bumper, valance, and grille from eBay. The carpet was from \"Stock Interiors\". The HushMat (two \"bulk packs\") I bought in Austin at Custom Sounds. The seat and door panel work was done by J&H Auto Trim in Austin. The new chrome taillights, parking lights & blinkers came from AM-Autoparts in MA (via eBay). The rest of the chrome goodies were all from eBay.\n\nAlso, just remembered I wanted to explain that blemish on the very left outside edge of the front bumper: That was the second front bumper I had to order. The first one arrived looking like someone had taken a belt sander to the chrome plating. I had the replacement drop-shipped to the shop, and they had already installed it before I saw it. \n\nWhen I noticed it and asked about trying for a third one, the decision was made that it was too late to do it. I know that by that point Don had already fabricated the brackets for (and installed) the Hardbody fogs I'd found. I am pretty sure that they were as ready for everything to be finished as I was, and at that point I'd been through enough, and decided to let it by. Thus that odd scuff/blemish on the front bumper. It was definitely a defect in the plating.\n\nAnd I just added up everything again, and including Matt's excellent work, the Grand Total for all parts and labor from beginning to Cali smog work at the end, clocks in at...$37,785.27", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1510427637, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849436, "authorName": "Corey", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/corey/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@PDXBryan yes, the seven foot bed makes for a long skinny truck. But those odd proportions make for a very smooth ride. The only weird thing with the long wheelbase is Toyota did not alter the steering ratio, so it reacts more slowly to steering inputs when drifting corners. Yes, one advantage to living in the north is that we can drift in snow-covered corners at 15MPH without the risk but with most of the fun.\n\n Also, mine is a half ton, but don't let it know that. ;)", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510429493, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849523, "authorName": "cyclemikey", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/cyclemikey/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "22R engines are like M-B Tex upholstery - possessed of some alien, mystical quality that exempts them from the usual laws of physics in regards to wear and tear.\n\nWhen I had my shops, we had a customer at the EL Cajon location who drove a Celica ('85 I think) with the 22R engine. His occupation demanded that he do a LOT of driving, so much so that he really almost lived in that car. He would come in for an oil change every 10,000 miles, which didn't take very long, so we saw him often. But other than that, he'd throw an air filter at it now and then, and maybe a set of spark plugs once in a great while. He'd get occasional valve adjustments for the first couple of hundred thousand miles, but then gave that up as unnecessary when they ceased to change very much. The car had a little over 450,000 miles on it when it was finally laid to rest, and it wasn't the engine that wore out, it was the body. The car was just literally falling apart. But I have no doubt that the motor would have gone another couple hundred thou.\n\nThat's a 22R. Good luck with the sale, b.b., and I'm sorry that you have to sell it. It will serve someone well from here on, and let's hope it's the right guy or gal.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1510436060, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849529, "authorName": "PDXBryan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pdxbryan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I know what you mean. I grew up in Ak. drifting Dad's Skylarks, Scamps, Polaras, and VW Bugs(!) before he went and bought a FWD Omni....dang.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510436474, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849630, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@cyclemikey: Thank you! I have to say that this whole experience could serve as the new textbook definition of the word \"bittersweet\", and I am grateful for the outpouring of good vibes and well wishes from this amazing BaT community. It has definitely helped me be able to accept this transition.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510443888, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849742, "authorName": "David_in_Tucson", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/david_in_tucson/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@b.b: That was a most excellent build story. I planned on doing some work on my motorcycle, but could not stop reading. :) I've got my fingers and toes crossed that L'il Truck goes to a loving home.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510453606, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849800, "authorName": "TimOsmond", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/timosmond/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I owned a near exact copy of this truck with the exception of body/interior color, my truck was white with blue interior. The four speed and five speed were the two options for the manual gearbox (I chose the 4 speed) and I added AC to the car. I paid cash for the car and I remember the total, $7950.00 I bought the 4 speed car because of the taller gearing for my round trip commute of 44 miles a day. \n\nThe truck was more dependable than a good friend or a loyal dog. When sold the truck almost 10 years later, she had 258,000 miles and the only issues, I replaced the thermostat and fuel filters, all other service was routine, belts, plugs, oil changes. \n\nMy only issue with this truck, that color, ouch, all it needs is scanner pin striping and it would be a time machine from the late 1980s.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510459144, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849806, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@David in Tucson: Thank you!", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510459768, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849820, "authorName": "PDXBryan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pdxbryan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Tim Osmond\nI like the color 'cause it has meaning and sentimental value to the seller. I also think it would look great if the wheels were powder coated gray instead of blue. For some time now I've been a fan of these vintage tourqoise, baby blues, dove grays, etc. As of late, however, I'm finding that more angular, chiseled shapes don't always lend themselves to the vintage, single stage pallet.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510462406, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849823, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I realize the color might not be everybody's cup o'tea, and that's OK. \n\nI guess I shouldn't have taken the main photos in the bright sun, but I thought it would be considered the right thing to do in order to show everything. It does make the color seem more \"garish\" (to use another commenter's word) than it really is. The color is much more muted in the shots when she's in shade.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510462873, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849881, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Just submitted a few more photos, these showing that we trailered her out here for my move from Austin to Cali. She rode behind the Penske, the bed loaded with boxes, doin' her part in the move. The cover went on as soon as we would stop for the night, and come off in the mornings just before we got back on the road again. A friend drove the Penske and trailer, and I followed behind in my Forester. They should show up in the gallery in the next day or so, I'm guessing.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510478864, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1849920, "authorName": "Texasplumr", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/texasplumr/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I guess they\u2019re still asleep at BAT and they\u2019ll post the new photos after they\u2019ve had their coffee. Living in South Austin the story is easy to follow since I know the locations. I\u2019m just wishing I had known y\u2019all and the little truck in real life. @b.b.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510493266, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850246, "authorName": "stev0001", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/stev0001/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "This BaT auction is reminiscent of the recent one for the Ferrari 365 2+2, where a very active, responsive seller with a captivating story ultimately resulted in 367 comments and a sales price that was arguably double what many thought the car would bring. All sellers should take note as it seems like a winning formula. GLWTA.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510514499, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850277, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Texasplumr: Speakin' of coffee, I'm havin' mine now. My \"sleep pattern\" right now has pretty much come un-patterned, so I gotta take it when it finally comes. And thank you...I'll wager we might have crossed paths a time or two and not known it...Austin's like that, 'specially South Austin...we still never knew some folks' names, but after so many years (30 when Char passed, 34 when I left for Cali last year) we'd see a familiar face and always smile and nod in recognition, like \"There's another survivor!\"\n\n@stev0001: Thank you, too...to me, I don't think I could be doing this any other way. Hard to describe, but it's kind of like sendin' your kid off to school, or havin' to find a loving home for an beloved pet. Like I said early on, this is being done only out of necessity, I'd hoped I'd be drivin' this baby 'til I checked out. I have no fantasies of getting my $37k back, but I do need for Li'l Truck to go to someone who understands they're getting a \"Brand New 30 Year Old Truck\", and is willing to bid a fair price for it, and BaT is the only place I wanted her to be for this process. Several friends suggested eBay and Craigslist, and I just thought \"No, BaT's where she belongs!\"", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1510517193, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850379, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Been going back through the list of things that need sorting and realized that I had not yet related the story of *why* the horn isn't currently working, and I feel it's only my duty to elaborate...plus, I figure at least a couple of y'all will probably get a chuckle at the absurdity of it. \n\nNow, over all the years I'd been driving the truck before the restoration, the horn worked kinda just when it wanted to. Anybody who's ever had one of these will tell you the design for the horn contacts is best described as bein' a little...obtuse.\n\nThere's a metal ring on the steering wheel, around the center shaft, visible when you take that trim pad off (two Philips screws from the back). There are a couple of little round spring-loaded brushes, similar to the contacts on an old electric toy race car. \n\nThey're little round flat things that are supposed to touch that metal ring, and when you press the horn buttons the horn is supposed to sound. Supposed to. When the battery's up to charge, they would work...sometimes. So I got used to taking the trim pad off the steering wheel, and using a pencil eraser to clean the gunk off the bottoms of those brushes and that metal ring, and that would make it work...for awhile...'til the next time the Texas heat and humidity decided otherwise, and they'd get gunked up again.\n\nWell, after the resto, the horn worked fine. I was amazed at how well it worked, actually; nice and loud, stronger than ever before. One afternoon a few months ago, it started to work a little too well.\n\nAbout 3 months ago, I was on my way back from takin' Li'l Truck for a rare drive up in the hills above Berkeley...I'd gone up to one of the parks up there to walk around in the Redwoods for a bit and \"recalibrate\". Going from living on 3 acres of woods in Texas to living on the 3rd floor of an apartment building surrounded by concrete here requires that I find some trees to re-connect once in awhile. That day I'd decided to take Li'l Truck instead of the Subie, just to give her a little exercise...she rarely goes for more than short drives around Alameda Island.\n\nSo that afternoon, on the way back, I'd just made a left turn when the horn began to sound all by itself. And it wouldn\u2019t stop. As I was driving through Oakland to get back to Alameda, people were starting to stare at me at lights, with the little horn just goin' non-stop. So rather than risk being pulled over and getting a ticket for the horn going full-tilt boogie, I pulled over, got out, raised the hood, and found the horn where it's mounted, in that fairly tight space between the grille and the front apron, just out of reach of my fat fingers.\n\nI had no knife or tools with me, and I could not get my fingers far enough down in between the grille and the front apron where the horn is mounted to properly \u201cunplug\u201d the horn wire from its fitting (it's one of those fittings that requires you press on the sides and pull at the same time to disconnect), so with no other recourse, I just pulled as hard as I could, and the wires finally pulled out of the plastic fitting. \n\nNot proud of my hasty decision, of course, but I was in a semi-panic, and I had to do something in the moment, and without a knife or a pair of wire cutters handy to clip the wires in a more convenient spot so that I could reconnect them without much trouble, it seemed like the only thing I could do. \n\nOnce I'd yanked the wire, I remembered from my past experiences those pesky spring-loaded brushes around the steering column. That's where the main problem is, and it should be a fairly easy fix, once the wire and its fitting are made whole again. Again, not proud of it, but had to do *something*. Short of chewing through the wire, it seemed like the best course of action at the time.\n\nThings began to unravel around me here soon after that (let's just say the business venture I came out here to participate in has not happened as planned), I have been too busy trying to survive to properly fix it myself, so that is something I must leave as a \"bonding experience\" for Li'l Truck and her new owner to have.", "likes": 10, "timestamp": 1510526758, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850462, "authorName": "cyclemikey", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/cyclemikey/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@b.b. - Funny story; I'll bet anyone here over the age of about 50 or so can relate very well to a tale like that, having experienced it at least once on some (now-vintage) car in their youth.\n\nIt's telling of the time we live in that you had no kind of tool to do a temporary disconnect. Nobody carries anything sharp, pointy, or useful in this Age of TSA. Used to be that you'd be more likely to forget to put your pants on than to leave the house without a pocket knife or Swiss Army tool. Not any more, alas.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510533759, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850474, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@cyclemikey. Yep...I'm pushin' up against 60, and have more than a few Tales Of Vehicles Past. And yes...years ago I would *never* have thought of leaving the house without my pocket knife...now I'm reduced to patting around to make sure the $%@#& cell phone is where it oughta be.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510534670, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850475, "authorName": "honda1", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/honda1/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@b.b.\nBeautiful restoration! BaT is the place to sell your brand new old truck. I\u2019m really enjoyed reading your website, thank you. Good luck with the auction!!", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1510534786, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850488, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@honda1: Thank you! Glad you enjoyed reading the saga. I never did end up taking her to any shows (I was amazed at how many \"classic car show\" people just turned their noses up and told me she \"wasn't old enough\" to be in their show)...thus the website remains up as \"The Build Book\" for the project.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510535679, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850568, "authorName": "Miatadon", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/miatadon/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "b.b. (The Seller): Too bad the timing of your selling your truck didn't correspond with the Japanese car show in Long Beach. http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/2017-japanese-classic-car-show-part-07-trucks/", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510542340, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850574, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Miatadon: Wow...I had no idea there WAS such a thing. I even have a friend in Long Beach. Never even knew this show existed. Would have loved to put her in that show!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510543069, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850585, "authorName": "PDXBryan", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/pdxbryan/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Yeah, this truck would be a hit at a JNC show.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510544448, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850669, "authorName": "Drumsnspace", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/drumsnspace/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Wow, the resto work on this truck is truly impressive. I had a 1990 Pickup with the 4spd and 22r when I lived in Nashville. Wouldn't pass the emissions test for TN so I pulled the belt for the air pump and registered as an antique.. Confident it would not pass smog in California without costly repairs to the emissions equipment, I was forced to sell it as is in TN before moving. I have a 2000 Tacoma now, but there's something magical about these little Toyotas. I wish I had the means and appropriate garage spot for a lovingly restored example like this. GLWS", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510560637, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850672, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thanks, Drumsnspace...and yeah...there is something \"magical\" about 'em. There just isn't anything being made now that comes even close to being a truly \"small\" truck anymore. And yeah, I know it's all due to airbags and all that. Just not feasible, design-wise to make a truck this small nowadays.\n\nGuess I've always thought that when they stopped using the old-style beds with the separate left-right clamps for closing and went with the \"Americanized smooth-side-style\" beds with a single handle in the middle was when it went \"south\" design-wise, at least to my eye. I always loved this style of bed better.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510562909, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850674, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "And if the new owner is a Cali person, or lives close enough, they should definitely enter her in that show MIatadon and PBXBryan talked about. Boy, I wish I'd known about that before! She'd be a natural! \n\nI guess I just barked up all the wrong trees trying to get in \"classic car\" shows. There were two shows in Texas that said no, and the big one here in Alameda wouldn't even consider her. I just kinda gave up trying after that. \n\nBut man, talk about a show SPECIFICALLY TAILORED for a truck like this! And on the water in Long Beach, too.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510563555, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850689, "authorName": "Texasplumr", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/texasplumr/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@b.b. one of those shows you\u2019re talking about is The Lone Star Roundup, I\u2019m sure. My 65 C20 isn\u2019t even old enough for it! \nBut that show in Long Beach looks like the perfect venue.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510572359, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850692, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Texasplumr: Yep, you know it. I just kinda shook my head. I mean, seriously: as far as the TX License Plate folks are concerned, anything over 25 years old is considered \"Classic\"...that's why I was able to get \"Classic Truck\" plates. \n\nThe limit at another show was it had to be made before 1970, no exceptions. And I don't even remember what the other one was, but every one of them had an arbitrary cutoff date, and none of them were the same. \n\nAnother show I looked at the entry form, and they said no imports allowed. When the show here that's supposed to be the \"big deal\" car show wouldn't even consider it, that was kinda the end of me trying. \n\nAs far as \"age limits\" goes, this month Li'l Truck turns exactly 30 years old! And that ain't \"Classic\" enough for ya? What it basically amounts to is these guys pretty much think history stops when they say it does. I wish I'd known about Long Beach when I got here in March of '16! I'd've entered her last year AND this year.\n\nAnd an aside on the license plate thing: Evidently the Cali regs for personalized plates are insane. I tried EVERY single permutation of letters I could think of to try and get ANYTHING close to \"LIL TRUCK\"...LIL TRUK, LIL TRUC, LIL TRK, nope. While I was trying to come up with a combo I read somewhere that they won't allow \"LIL\" on a plate here because \"gang connotations\" HUH? Even tried \"LTL\"...no dice. Just gave up and got a regular numeric plate. \n\nI will include my personalized Texas \"Classic Truck\" plates in with all the documentation. Even if they can't officially be used, they are still pretty awesome.", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1510573858, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850796, "authorName": "gr8kornholio", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/gr8kornholio/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "BEAUTIFUL truck and story! I currently tool around in an 85 2wd 5spd LB. Will be future father son project for his first car. Running strong at 240K. Some interesting notes though is this seems to have what I thought was the older tailgate style and still carbonated and 4 spd in 88. My 85 has the \"conventional\" tailgate handle and is a 5 spd. I'm sure there is a lot I don't know about these, but I do love them. GLWTS!", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510584138, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1850813, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thanks! I don't really know the \"why\" of it, and I'm sure someone else here WILL know, I was told this kind of bed was called a \"Japan bed\". I'd always assumed that ALL Toyota trucks came with these up until a certain date, but like your '85, I have seen the \"regular\"...what I always called the \"Americanized\"...tailgates on earlier trucks. \n\nI thought that maybe some Toyota trucks came without beds and they added 'em later here? I really don't know. Hopefully someone will clarify when or how the difference came about.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510585159, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1851104, "authorName": "oldskooltoy", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/oldskooltoy/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@b.b.\nI worked at the Toyota Distributors in Florida from 1980 until 2016 when my wife had some health issues and I took an early retirement to care for her....\nSo here's the best that I can remember-\nAll Toyota trucks were from Japan at one time..once the 25% tariff ( aka chicken tax) got put into place it became economically feasible to build truck beds in The USA \n( Fremont California) and bring the Japanese trucks in without the beds and call them cab/chassis and 'assemble' them in the states to avoid the tax. The beds from Japan had the side rails like Lil' Truck while the US built beds had the smooth side. Japan still shipped the complete trucks with beds installed, however the volume slowly trickled down to zero. As all of the trucks started getting manufactured in the USA, the plant that made the beds for the import trucks simply supplied the beds for the domestic trucks. As the truck production slowly got phased over to 100% domestic built, truck beds no longer had to be shipped to the port facilities across the US to get installed on the Japanese-built cab/chassis. The chicken tax became null since all Toyota trucks were then built in North America. However if NAFTA gets repealed, Mexican built Tacomas and Dodge Rams and other trucks may be susceptible to the 25% tax.\n\n(The first generation 4Runner is a whole nother story on the chicken tax fiasco)\n\nBasically VINs on Toyota trucks can begin with a J and have a Japanese bed or a domestic bed while VINs with a 4 mean the entire truck was built in the California plant. \n\nHope that helps....\n\nPS\nIt was called a chicken tax not because someone was afraid of Japanese trucks but because apparently Japan taxed imported chickens 25%\nWhat a trade off!!\n$7000 trucks vs .39 cent poultry!!", "likes": 6, "timestamp": 1510599225, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1851123, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thank you, @oldskooltoy! It's good to finally know the whole story. This is something I've wondered about for a long time. I knew somebody here would know!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510599491, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1851138, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "In an effort to show everyone just exactly what all was done, I have scanned and uploaded the invoices for all the main work, both from Austin and here in Cali. So with these now in the mix, everyone can see what got done, what got replaced, etc.\n\nI'd actually forgotten that they'd vatted the gas tank...so I'm glad I thought to do this.\n\nAnd for the sake of completeness, the last pic is a shot of the \"color chip\" card that I made my color choice decision from. \n\nHope y'all enjoy the add'l info.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510599998, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1851168, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "and a PS to the last comment: The rest of the grand total past these invoice totals, of course, is the amount I spent myself on sourcing parts. I can upload scans of the \"my eBay Watchlist\" showing my eBay purchases, and other receipts for parts parts if folks want to see them.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510601051, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1851823, "authorName": "gr8kornholio", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/gr8kornholio/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "That's what I'd heard about the beds also was the smooth sides verse the sides on this one. Mine look just like this on the side but with different tailgate. Starting to think these are like my classic mini and came in all kinds of varieties. Interesting", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510609034, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1851949, "authorName": "firedog", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/firedog/", "bidAmount": 2500, "content": "$2,500 bid placed by firedog", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510610965, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1852259, "authorName": "oldskooltoy", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/oldskooltoy/", "bidAmount": 4444, "content": "$4,444 bid placed by oldskooltoy", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510615494, "type": "bat-bid"}, {"id": 1852261, "authorName": "oldskooltoy", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/oldskooltoy/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "My $$$ ran out on the 27k mile MR2\nMaybe this one has my name on it!", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1510615561, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1852374, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I can personally guarantee it'll last longer than a .39 chicken! ;-)", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510617944, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1852674, "authorName": "Corey", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/corey/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "The chicken tax dates to the early 60's, and is generally attributed to VW trucks being imported to the US and taking market share from the Big Three.\n\nGood info on the build era of the beds. My 87 CA carb equipped model came with the thin-metal-quick-to-rust version with outside rails from Japan. I recently replaced it with a much better made US built version. It came off an 87 truck that was passing through the area from Western WA and hit a deer on the freeway. Both beds have/had the regular center latch tailgate.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1510631726, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1852680, "authorName": "b.b. (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/b.b.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Wow. Definitely several different types were made, then. I've never seen a Japanese bed with a center handle before. Maybe they were made differently than the ones like this one with the left/right clamps? This bed isn't thin, and it has only ever had surface rust where the old paint was scraped...it's still very solid. Thanks for the add'l info!", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1510631988, "type": "comment"}, {"id": 1852709, "authorName": "Corey", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/m