1986 toyota pickup questions please help

I have a question I am looking into buying a truck.its a 1986 toyota with the 22r engine with auto tans.It has 211,000 miles on it.The owner says he drives it.He also says it has a small tick and thinks its the vavles need adjusted.I can get it for 1,000 dollors.My question is there anything I need to look for and are these trucks reliable.If I get it I am going to get the valves adjusted and put on a new timing chain kit and water pump.Should there be anything else to look for .Thanks

Didn t meqan to puit it up twice my computer said the first time internet eror so I did it again sorry

The tick is most likely the valve train. Adjust them and replace the valve guide seals; timing chain; head gasket and it should go another 150K without anything big. Those are really the only issues these motors have, as far as I know at this point. I need to do all of this on my 91. It burns a good amount of oil. I don't know anything about the auto transmissions though.

The owner says it doesnt use or leak or burn any oil.So when I go look at it and test drive it if it doesnt smoke or anything should I still do the valve gude seals or just adjust the valves.Also if I take the head off do I have to get it resurfaced or can I just clean it and put it back on.I am not a mechanice at all.I will take it to a mechanice and im just wanting to know What all I should look for. Thanks SETH for the answers I was told these truck will go along ways but the 211,000 miles scares me alittle should I be afraid or not.

the worst part is that auto tranny. invest the $1000-$1500 and have it rebuilt. they usually only goa bout 150,000 K. the autos are guttless though i will warn you. i have owned 3 of them

i just picked up a 93 w/ 215k on it, i was scared but it runs fine and made it back the 120miles to my house. One of my rear end bearings are shot though =( I have a manual and have no problems what so ever. Good luck with your new truck.

Mines got almost 200K on it, and a friend just picked one up with 130K on it, his is already on the same track as mine. Starting to pick up a valve train tick. He's had it for a few months, changed the oil when he first got it, and it was about a quart low last he checked. Mine goes through oil a lot faster, and actually smokes on startup, but his is burning it too. My advice, is if you are working on the head, you may as well replace the guide seals as well. It's not that much work on these motors. I really need to find the time to do it myself, or just take it to a shop, because my seals and timing chain are getting pretty bad. But I've taken mine to and from SoCal a few times so far with no issues other than topping off the oil.

Ok thanks guys.So the tranny is pritty weak in these trucks I guess.Is there anything difftent to make one lay out.Since its a auto or is it all the same.I was told an auto will be easier couse you dont have to mess with the clutch.Is that true just trying to figure everything out before I buy

My 92 has 195,xxx and the timing chain makes noise when you first start it.  I wish mine was an auto...

My 92 has 245,000 on it.  And they weren't an easy 245,000.  I put a timing kit on at 225,000.  Pulled the intake and cleaned it all up.  There was some crud build-up in there.  Sea-Foam her and she runs like a scalded dog.  I'm very impressed with the power of this truck.