Your thoughts on 1987 Toyota van please

[wagoneer]

Would this be a good fit for a nubie enthusiastic new to van dwelling

 

[ArtW]

They are, IIRC good vans mechanically, and get good mileage, but IIRC they are the size of an Astro, which might be fine, depending on the potential 'dweller
I'm wondering re parts availability though

 

[minimotos95]

A member here had one before moving to a newer van. He might be able to tell you more about them.

I like them and the mitsubishi competitor vans of the same era. The Toyota vans, especially the 4wds are only going up in value and are very capable do the the short wheelbase and narrow track.
2.2L is supposed to be a great motor, the automatics in them were the same Aisin A40 series as suzukis, volvos and the mitsubishi van used. I don't know what the manual was but toyota has always been good about their manual gearboxes.
What concerns me is the early EFI and electronic ignition system, that's what made me get rid of my 87 mitsubishi van after living in it parked for almost two years trying to fix it.

 

[Ballenxj]

You don't see them around as often anymore, but I was curious too. Somebody pulled into a coffee shop I used to frequent, so I had the opportunity to ask how they liked it? The immediate response was that he loved it. That's the only thing I know about it, and that's second hand. I'm curious to hear more.

 

[highdesertranger]

kinda of small. front wheel drive, yuk. real old for a front wheel drive, double oh my. highdesertranger

 

[wagoneer]

No this one has a diff.

 

[Reducto]

I am the person who started out in a Toyota Van and eventually bought a new NV200 to replace it.

It is rear wheel drive and the engine is basically underneath and behind the driver/passenger seats. It's a 4Y engine that is used only on this van and on forklifts. You lift the driver seat up to get at one side of the engine and have to remove the passenger seat and a large panel to get at the other side. You don't need to get at that side very often, though.

I loved that van a lot and occasionally fantasize about finding a good 4WD model to trick out.

Unfortunately, I have a job where I need to drive cross country in a hurry several times a year and I needed something that I could count on. As solid as the engine always was for me, after 25 years and 260k miles little things would go out on occasion like bits of wiring, ball joints, starter contacts, etc. I never did figure out the final problem - it was running really rich and several mechanics plus many replacement parts could not stop it. Also, my van had no A/C which was an issue. If I were mostly staying in one place I would have kept it and figured it out.

I never really had trouble finding parts, but finding mechanics who could work on anything under the hood (seat) is another story.

Tons more info here:
http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/forum.php

 

[wagoneer]

Thank you all for your comments, this is actually my flea market van I am selling to a forum member . I would like her to get as many reliable comments as possible.

 

[gargoyle]

I owned one in early 90's.
Mechanically, no issues. The engine underneath the seat is a strange feeling.
Cavernous interior for a small van, with the seats removed.
Tires and general maintenance are cheap and easy.
Good MPG.
AC is a must.
Reliability and Function, I'd give it a 8 out of 10.
Quirky driver seat location. A 5. Once you get over the sensation of being up high and no long hood in front of you, its fine.

 

[highdesertranger]

oops my bad, it is a rear wheel drive. highdesertranger