I have noticed quite a few trucks for sale on Ebay lately that are advertised as “original”/ SR5/ rare/ collectible trucks. But looking at the VIN, its easy to tell that they are not “original” SR5 trucks. I wish there were a way to report the false advertising, but it seems that you can say just about anything in your Ebay listings. So best to be informed about what you are actually buying before clicking the bid button, or laying out the cash from a roadside sale.

Since alot of parts are available, it’s not too difficult to update your truck to an “SR5″. Depending on the year and model most of the SR5 upgrades are “bolt ons”. Finding a donor truck at a junkyard could net a set of gauges, bucket seats, carpet, and interior panels. Finding stripes & decals that most SR5 models sported is nearly impossible these days, so that could be a first clue when approaching a truck for sale.

In the end, the only way to know for sure is to check the VIN code. This is really a good idea anyway to make sure you are buying the right truck. For example, first generation Toyota trucks had 3 models: regular, deluxe, and SR5. Well thats not quite true as 1981 was the first year for SR5 pickups. Previously they were known as Sport models. In any case, for each model there is a letter in the VIN code that corresponds with the model. ‘R’ = regular, ‘D’ = Deluxe, and ‘S” indicates that the truck is indeed an SR5 model.

This is not to say that a Deluxe Toyota truck isnt worth anything. But when the seller tries to extract a few exta Ben Franklins from you by claiming its a rare original SR5, you will at least have the knowledge to say, “I dont think so”.

2 Responses to “Will the real SR5 please stand up?”

1. Jim Says:
   January 11th, 2009 at 11:17 am

   My ‘76 SR-5 P/U would be disappointed to hear it’s an imposter. It still can’t get used to idea of being upgraded to 22RE.

2. PJ Says:
   October 28th, 2009 at 9:18 pm

   You stated above that the first SR5 pickups were 1981 models. In 1980 we bought one new from the dealer and are still the original owner of a 1980 SR5
   Toyota pickup and it plainly has the SR5 decal on the tailgate. I have not checked the VIN lately but I hesitate to think the dealer would put that decal on a new vehicle.

   I would be interested in where I might locate new decals for a 1980 toyota pickup.

   Thanks