The Onion - 1989 Long Bed, 2.5 TBI

[Doc Payne]

Here’s the start of the blog that I’ll be using to track everything that happens to this little truck. I picked it up in Fort Collins, CO on January 24, 2026. It was not running and the PO told me it was likely the fuel pump. Loaded it up, headed back towards home. About an hour away from home the snow picked up, making for a sketchy drive, but made it safely. 
 

[fiatslug87]

Congrats! When you get a chance add it to the REGISTRY.

[89 MJ]

Looks like a very straight and solid truck. What are the long term plans with it?

[TX_Heat]

Very nice. Love the look of those steel wheels on these trucks. 

[Doc Payne]

1 hour ago, fiatslug87 said:

Congrats! When you get a chance add it to the REGISTRY.

Will do! Keep forgetting to get that done while I’m at home so I can get the numbers off the truck. 

[Doc Payne]

1 hour ago, 89 MJ said:

Looks like a very straight and solid truck. What are the long term plans with it?

Well for now, leave it stock and use it to haul my dirt bikes around. I’ve already LS swapped my Cherokee and not sure I wanna go down that road with this one or not. A TDI swap has crossed my mind, I like the idea of having the excellent fuel economy. May just end up putting a 4.0 in. Who knows, that’s a ways down the road. 
 

Highly likely to at least get it to be 4WD. I can’t even get it up my driveway when it snows with its current 2WD state .

 

Eventually would love to get the paint redone. I love the retro look. 

[Doc Payne]

1 hour ago, TX_Heat said:

Very nice. Love the look of those steel wheels on these trucks. 

Same! I’ll probably keep them.