1988 Toyota Truck

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Rusted body and bed All years One source so far

  What to check: Look over the body panels, bed and quarter panels for rust, above all on trucks from states that salt their roads.

  Hagerty says the body panels do not hold up well. Patch panels are available.

  Sources ¹

• Sun-damaged interior All years One source so far

  What to check: Look for a cracked dash, brittle plastics and faded seats.

  Hagerty says many interior parts and the seat fabric are no longer made.

  Sources ¹

• Worn timing chain guides All years One source so far

  What to check: Listen for a rattle from the front of the engine, and ask when the timing chain and guides were last replaced.

  Hagerty names the guides as the weak point of sturdy mechanicals.

  Sources ¹

• V6 head gasket failure All years One source so far

  What to check: Ask for proof the head gaskets were replaced, and look for coolant loss, overheating or oil mixed with coolant.

  Toyota extended head gasket cover on these trucks. The cover has long expired.

  Sources ⁵

Recalls

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Sought after: 4x4 SR5 All years One source so far

  Hagerty says the 4x4 with the SR5 package is the focus of growing collector interest, much of it from younger buyers.¹

• Sought after: Fuel injection All years One source so far

  Curbside Classic's writer calls 1985, the year of the fuel-injected 22R-E, the best year to own, when well optioned.²

• Avoid: Turbo four All years Less sought after One source so far

  Three members of an IH8MUD thread about a 1986 Xtracab with the turbo four agree the turbo is its weak point. One says the stock exhaust is too small, so the turbo runs hot and cracks.⁶

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.