Hey team Scotty,
My grandfather has an old 1986 Toyota Pickup 2WD Extra Cab Standard Tranny. Over the years it struggles more and more to start up. Now when I try to start it I need to give it a considerable amount of gas so it runs. It didn't do that before. What could the issue be? Dirty Carburator? And also this same truck when I drive it on the highway at higher speeds it sways from left to right and there's a lot of play on the steering wheel before the tires move. What could this issue be? Worn out suspension? And last problem with the little truck is that the Gas gague doesn't read the fuel level of the truck below half. Like it only rises if the tank is above the half level line. Is the floty rusted or the gague itself? I'm going to be driving the truck more and more and I want to make sure I get these issues resolved so it's a better over all truck. Thanks have a great day.
For the starting issue, the dirty carburetor can do it. If cleaning the carburetors does not fix it, you may need to rebuild it.
For the driving issue, your steering rack may be loose. Check all the connections and make sure it is tight.
The fuel gauge issue is related to the faulty sending unit, replace it.
Thank you so much! I will get working on these because it's still a good non rusted truck. Engine and Transmission are still OK. Thanks!
1. Starting, if it's been sitting and not being driven frequently, parts of the carb are getting clogged and sticking. Cleaning and or re-build if cleaning doesn't do the trick.
2. Steering, that uses an old style steering box system. So it could be quite a few things. Steering box, pitman arm, idler arm, center link, make sure steering column shaft is correctly attached to the steering box. I would completely check underneath as most of the rubber parts, steering, suspension etc. are probably perished.
3. Fuel gauge, probably a bad fuel gauge sending unit, but on a vehicle this old, could also be bad wiring between tank and instrument cluster.
Thank you so much! I will get working on these because it's still a good non rusted truck. Engine and Transmission are still OK. Thanks!
Well, Cleaning a dirty carburetor definitely could help. You should also clean the throttle body and if you have a Idle air control valve you could also try cleaning it. Inspecting any vacuum lines (if any) going to the Idle air control valve could. Good luck with everything!
