I currently have a 1989 Montero 2-door, 4-cyl, 5-speed, 15" 4runner alloys with 265/75 Rovers, Weber 32/36 carb, etc. There's a Toyota 4wd SR5 pickup for sale that looks pretty interesting to me. It's a 1984 model, standard cab, solid front axle, 4-inch lift, 33's, new shocks, rebuilt engine, herculined 3/4" all steel flatbed, 22R engine with 5-speed, new paint, 180K on the truck (less on the engine though), but he took it down to the frame and redid it.

Anyway, is there anything inherently unsafe about having a flatbed version of this truck? There's some work that has to be done to it to make it pass VA inspection, like mounting the front and rear license plates, light for the rear plate, brake lights have to be wired up, brakes have to be bled, muffler needs to be installed, and I think that's about it. The seller is going to take it to a shop tomorrow and see what it'll take to pass inspection, other than what he's already told me.

If I got this truck, I was thinking of putting some side rails on it, like what a utility trailer has, so there are tie down points for straps and such, and for keeping any cargo from sliding off. Might even be worth building some wooden stake sides for it too, for the stakebed version.

I could probably get this truck, with a valid inspection, for less than $3500. What's everyone think? Jump on it, pass, etc? It'll rarely be off road, but I like the idea of having a small flatbed 4wd, especially with a solid front axle, and it would be cool to take camping, at the beach, etc. And it'll make trips to home improvement stores a breeze!