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 4x4s 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 4x4s. 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 was a rust free truck.  The owner was a mechanic and he put a Weber carb, new fuel pump, ect. More importantly it passed smog which is a big deal in California.

The entire undercarriage is painted (por21) anti-rust paint, new links and joints on most of the the suspension (energy suspension). The undercarriage was professionally stream cleaned which removed 27 years of grease and grim..I finished it off with some rancho shocks. The interior was completely stripped (dash, seats, carpet, door panels, steering column) and restored to the best of my ability. I was lucky enough to find a new dash bezel which has become very difficult to find, especially in SR5 trim. I also found the original radio to complete the look. Other than the extra 6×9 speakers I tried to keep the original interior look.. The the second set of door speakers will soon have the original grills attached.

The exterior received much of the same treatment. All bumpers, tail lights, marker lights, fender wells, front grill, front bezel, were removed and either painted or new parts were purchased. It was professionally painted red (Terra Cotta), the original color. Per Toyota records this color was only offered in ’83. I still have the engine compartment left to restro. Its been an exhaustive resto, but well worth the effort. I get countless compliments. It’s not a daily driver, just used for weekend runs to the beach, grocery store or home depot.. I’ve done a lot of projects in my life but this by far is the my most rewarding… I always felt very comfortable working on these rigs. It’s really all I’ve every known.

(Thanks Tony for sharing your truck!)