This is what I love having this site for- I can’t believe my eyes at how nice this truck is. I will let Tony explain in his own words:

Well I’ve been driving 1st Gen Toyota 4×4s for 18 years (since I was 17) and finally decided to buy a “new” truck.  I had a ‘82 dlx and was considering restoring her but I got into a minor front end accident and decided to find another truck.. I was looking at Tacos but my heart was and will always be with the 1st Generation Toyota 4×4s. Last year there was ‘82 Sr5 in Sacto California in immaculate condition on craigslist and I fell in love with it.. Though I didn’t buy it, it planted a seed, so decided to start looking exclusively for 79-83 Toyota 4×4’s. (82/83s have the two tone interiors which I really liked, not to mention  81-83 exterior Sr5 stripes..

So last August on craiglist I found an ‘83 in South Central Los Angeles. He was nice enough to trade for my ‘82 dlx plus some cash for his truck. The truck was straight and ran extremely well..I really like the fact it was a California car, note the blue license plates, which told me it (more…)

I just received an update from CT that the project known as 48s 541 was nearly completed. It all started with a well worn yellow (541) Toyota 4×4 longbox(48s). This one was well on its way to the scrap yard, but CT decided to save it. That was back in September 09 but now, well the pictures say it all.

Now its May 2010 and here’s the payoff:

Nice job!

Did you ever wonder what happened to all those old Toyota show trucks that were featured in the 80’s magazines? Well one that I remember well just showed up for sale on Craigslist for a mere $16,000. The ad doesn’t mention that the truck was featured on the cover of the April 1985 Volume 11 No.4 Truckin’ magazine.  It simply states that the 1981 Toyota 4×4 is in show quality condition. The current owner lists the truck in Salem, Oregon although originally from Covina California.

The truck looks to be in the same shape it was some 25 years ago when featured in the magazine. This truck was know as Barhopper because the bar graphics which begin on the hood continue down the body to meet with the roll bar, then “hop” into the bed. Even the interior is stitched and door jams painted with the bar graphic.

At $16,000 asking price this truck is a bargain. The original build exceeded $40,000. The list is endless. The truck retains is stock 22r engine although totally built and detailed. The truck has an estimated 25 inch lift rolling on 44 inch Gumbo Moster Mudders and Center Line Champ style wheels. Practically everything under the truck is chromed- from shocks to driveshafts.  The interior is full on custom with Momo steering wheel, Alpine stereo, and Cerullo seats. Did you notice the grafted Dodge Ramcharger taillights? Or the shaved door handles replaced with Kenworth openers in the lower diamond plated door panels? How about the “prerunner” style gas tank in the bed? Of course the featured Smittybuilt triple tube rollbar, front bumper grill guard, and rear bumper were all powder coated metallic gray. The numerous lights are everywhere making it impossible to count them all.

This truck is truly a piece of art and a great piece of Toyota history. Considering what the Safro Trekker sold for at auction, and the original cost of this Toyota show truck, the asking price is quite a bargain.