Buyer Beware - Again
Here we go again. I swear - deja vu only in blue this time. I made it as far as the vin# again- jt4rn38d5b0013167 GRRRRR! 38d is a deluxe 4×4 shortbed, not an SR5. So again, how is it that this truck has two-tone paint since my understanding from the factory brochure was that this paint color was only available on SR5 models. But wait there’s more. It says SR5 on the tailgate. Things are not matching up again, so lets run down the list…
RARE TOYOTA 4-WHEEL DRIVE SR5 SPORT RALLY 5 SPEED TRUCK
Well now the seller knows what SR5 stands for, but its not, with the reported vin#. And by the way I’m not listing these trucks under rare, because they are not true representations.
I am proud to offer a rare, original two-owner 1981 Toyota 4WD SR5 Truck
Again with the original two owner claim. Was this simply copied from the other truck ad?
super low miles, and in bone stock configuration
Ah, no in both cases. Later the milage was reported at over 200k.
original two tone blue/white paint retains much of its original shine and luster with very minor blemishes
Not. The stripes on this truck are not even close. Its obviously been repainted. Although the two-tone colors do match on the cab and inside of the door, the outside top frame should be all blue. But again how did two-tone paint and SR5 decals get onto a deluxe truck?
The truck has a deluxe or SR5 package, included was tilt steering wheel, chrome front and rear bumper, tach gauge, L50 5-spd transmission, and the 2.4L 22R motor.
Deluxe. Tilt steering has nothing to do with SR5 or deluxe. It is an option on both. So is the chrome package which included front bumper, grill, and wheels. Rear bumpers were dealer installed options. L52 5 speeds were standard on SR5 trucks, but since this is not it probably has a 4 speed. All 1981 non diesel trucks had 22R engines.
Also, the A/C system will need to be recharged.
What AC??????
Now comes the bad news. The seller added some carfax information to the listing:
| CARFAX Buyback Coverage REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED |
Guarantee Coverage: 07/29/2009 - 07/29/2010
CARFAX Vehicle Description: 1981 TOYT STANDARD BED 1/2 TON
| VIN: JT4RN38D5B0013167 | Body Style: PICKUP |
| CARFAX will buy this vehicle back if you find that any of these severe problems were reported by a Department of Motor Vehicles and were not included in this report. |
Salvage/Junk |
Exceeds Mechanical Limits |
Manufacturer Buyback |
If I read that correctly this truck has been totalled and does not have actual miles. How can this be a rare and original SR5 then? Looking at the front end, it doesn’t look square. But I’m not sure if it was in an accident, or stolen and recovered, or - what does manufacturer buyback mean?
I sent a note to the seller to send a pic of the tag under the hood. This should make some things clearer. I hope to get a response. From the seller’s “discoveries” I get the sense that the title may not be in his or her name. I noticed that the carfax has 20 hits, but I’m not going to waste my time reviewing it. This falls into the not recommended category- again.
Please review the factory literature printed by Toyota Motor Corporation for a list of options that were available on SR5 or Deluxe model trucks.
July 29th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Googling “manufacturer buyback” reveals some more information:
Lemon Law Vehicle —
A vehicle with major problems that has been repurchased by or had its price renegotiated with the manufacturer. The state marks its official records or issues a title brand for lemon law vehicles. Laws vary by state as to the specific requirements for a “lemon”. Most manufacturers issue some buybacks that are not the result of Lemon Laws but rather a courtesy.
Manufacturer Buyback or Lemon —
A DMV or a state agency marks an official document or issues a Manufacturer Buyback/Lemon title when a vehicle has been repurchased by the manufacturer. Not all states issue manufacturer buyback titles and the specific requirements for a lemon law vehicle vary by state.
July 30th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I wrote you a personal message via ebay to reply to your alleged claims. I would hate to be the one to have to further educate you on what an sr5 is, but have to admit, we need folks like you. A great site to read and enjoy is http://www.toyotareference.com. You will find that my 1981 Toyota Hilux, is and SR5 with the 2A6 or bluc and white color scheme. Your due-diligence in this matter is greatly appreciated. Look forward to meeting you in the near future. thanks ED
July 30th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
SR5…I believe you misrepresented the CARFAX CERTIFICATE, if you choose to leave out pertiment information, folks can be misled, i would advise that you provide the actual image of the CARFAX CERTIFICATE so that folks get the clear picture, and are not lead astray by your opinions. let the FACTs speak for themselves….
to view that true CARFAX CERT, see ebay auction
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyota-Tacoma_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZalgoQ3dSIQ26itsQ3dIQ252BCQ26ituQ3dUCIQ252BUAQ252BFICSQ26otnQ3d15Q26poQ3dLVIQ26psQ3d54QQ_trksidZp3907Q2em263QQcategoryZ6439QQitemZ120453335500
You stated “L52 5 speeds were standard on SR5 trucks, but since this is not it probably has a 4 speed. ”
Please note, the engine vin includes the color scheme, trim ect, reads TM or (transmision) L52 which confirms my vehicle as a 5-speed with came stock on SR5’s and the 2A6 color scheme that was an option on SR5 pickups.
The vehicle specification info below was taken from http://www.toyotareference.com for a 1981 Toy P/U 4WD SR5
enjoy…
Engine Type 4-cylinder in-line SOHC
Displacement 2.4 liters (2376cc)
Horsepower (SAE NET) 100@ 4800 rpm (Fed.) 96 @ 4800 rpm (Cal.)
Torque (SAE NET) 129 ft./lbs @ 2800 rpm
Body/Frame Construction Welded steel cab
Suspension Front Leaf springs with double-acting shock absorbers
Suspension REAR Leaf springs with double-acting shock absorbers
Steering Type Recirculating ball
Turning Diameter 41.3 ft. Standard Bed; 43.9 Long Bed
Brakes Power-assisted (front disc, rear drum), with rear load-sensing
proportioning valve
4WD Long Bed Sport Truck/Long Bed Deluxe 4WD Long Bed Sport Truck/Long Bed Deluxe
Exterior Dimenstions (inches)
Wheelbase 110.6 102.2
Track Width(front) 55.9 55.9
Track Width(rear) 55.1 55.1
Overall Length 186.2 170.1
Overall Width 66.5 66.5
Overall Height 65.9 65.9
Bed Length 87.4 72.2
Interior Dimensions
Head Room 38 38
Leg Room 40.4 40.4
Shoulder Room 54.1 54.1
Axle Ratios
Front 3.900:1 3.900:1
Rear 3.900.1 3.900.1
Transfer Case
Type 2-speed 2-speed
Gear Ratios High 1.00 High 1.00
Low 2.277 Low 2.277
Transmissions
SR5/4WD Sport Truck 5-speed 5-speed
Deluxe 4-speed 4-speed
Standard
Ground Clearance
Angle of Approach 41.5 degrees 41.5 degrees
Angle of Departure 29.5 degrees 29.5 degrees
Differential System to Ground (front) 7.9″ 7.9″
Differential System to Ground (rear) 7.9″ 7.9″
Minimum Running Ground Clearance 11.6″ 11.7″
Capacities
Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs.) 4550 4550
Payload (lbs.)5 1400 1400
Fuel Tank 16.1 13.7
Tires
Type Bias-ply blackwall Bias-ply blackwall
Size H78X15 H78X15
Exterior Colors White, Black, Red, Beige, Yellow, Green Medium Blue, Dark Blue Metallic, Copper Metallic, Blue/White Two-Tone* and Red/White Two-Tone*
*denotes Optional
July 30th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Hello Eddie:
I am sorry if you are offended by my comments. This is not personal; I only want to see a fair description of the item offered for sale. I can assure you that for 1981 Toyota pickups I know EXACTLY what SR5 means.
Bottom line: Vin code jt4rn38d5b0013167 contains the sequence 38d which means the truck is a standard box 4×4 Deluxe model. Call any dealer or visit any website anywhere anytime and ask them what model truck you have. SR5 or Deluxe.
An SR5 model truck would have had a Vin code containing 38s. Now there are some differences between the two models. This is not based on my opinion but from a rare and original Toyota factory sales brochure. This are facts as printed by Toyota Motor Corporation.
I am including a scan of the page that lists the options that were available for the different model trucks for 1981. Again, my understanding from what I read in print from Toyota is that two-tone paint was only an option on SR5 model trucks. If you do have a Deluxe model truck with factory two tone paint, then Toyota must have changed their minds after publication. If this is the case, I do apologize as I was obviously misinformed. However this does not explain how other SR5 features are also present. Examples features specifc to SR5 include: SR5 decal on tailgate, woodgrain dash, bucket seats, carpet floor and back of cab, tachometer and trip meter, oil/volt gauge pod, 3 spoke steering wheel, arm rest door pull, carpet at bottom of door, stereo radio vs mono, tinted glass, oh and a 5 speed transmission. A 5speed was optional on long box trucks, but not on a standard bed.
My only point of all this is a rare and original Toyota truck should match the features to the Vin.
Also I tried to update the Carfax information. I certainly did not intend to misinform anyone; I had trouble using the formatting. I do not see what the difference is, but please let me know or visit Ebay to get the information firsthand.
Thank you
July 31st, 2009 at 11:08 am
I appreciate your comments and would just like to add the following…
as you are aware my 1981 Toyota’s two-tone paint is orignal since my vin specifed the 2A6 option, and your claim that this option was only availiable on SR5 model trucks is not justified. Either my vin number was placed incorrectly by the manufacture or thus my toyota came with all the SR5 options, thus making my toyota an sr5. It’s not “If you do have a Deluxe model truck with factory two tone paint” i have a vin that reads color scheme 2A6, the proof is in the pudding, furhtermore… thanks for acknowleding that you were misinformed. Your correct my truck SR5’s featrues include: SR5 decal on tailgate, woodgrain dash, bucket seats, carpet floor and back of cab also had carpert on the door skins, but replaced with new skins, tachometer and trip meter, oil/volt gauge pod, 3 spoke steering wheel, arm rest door pull, stereo radio vs mono, and a 5 speed transmission. A 5speed transmission. So i am confident in my listing and feel great about agreeing to disagree. Don’t really know what your true motives are,but at any rate best of luck with your claims…thanks for taking the time to discuss….Good luck….Ed.
“My only point of all this is a rare and original Toyota truck should match the features to the Vin.” in my case they do…..
August 8th, 2009 at 11:32 am
I’ve never seen a SR5 decal that was the same size font as the “4wheel drive” lettering! The factory “SR5″ is allways much larger (check it out). Also, the yellow sripe needs a thin black boarder between it and the white paint! Something is not addeing up, though still very nice ‘81!….thanks….
September 12th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
This is interesting, I looked at an 81 shortbed today, my first impression was this is an SR5 it had body decals, woodgrain dash, bucket seats, used to have carpet and had carpet in the back of cab, tachometer and trip meter, oil/volt gauge pod, 3 spoke steering wheel, arm rest door pull, carpet at bottom of door, only this was a 4 speed. tailgate had been replaced, so don’t know if it had an sr5 decal. What makes this interesting is that it the vin had 38d.