So I think I am going to sell my swb rig that I have been working on and buy my buddys '86 first gen. Been having different thoughts about what direction to take it, but it wont be the same as the one I am getting rid of. I would also like to use it as a dd, seeing that my 80 gets about 10mpg lately. Do you guys think this is a good idea?
Well, its hard to go wrong with one. I can write you a book on the do's and dont's....But how about some specifics. What are you looking to get out of it? and what is the vehicle like? Is it a 5spd or auto?.....
I DD an 88 with 215k on it, on 33's with a rag top and I absolutly love it!!! And with the v6 and a 5spd and a very heavy foot I get 19.5 mpg city. (though thats very rare) I have had very few problems with it in the 50k miles I have driven it.
Current owner is the second owner, originally a socal truck but has been in this mess for the last 5 or 6 years. It has around the same mileage as your 88, but the motor was replaced about 15k ago along with other misc parts such as the clutch. Has quite a bit of service records.
I have been looking at mostly using it as a dd.
I was also looking into the soft top to run around in most of the time. Do you have this one? Softopper Model #4Runner
I have the Kayline. They arent being made anymore. Of the ones being offered today the softtopper seems to be the only one I would want. The Canback is nice but there is a long wait, it is well over 1000$ and it cant really be removed to go full topless.
Is sounds like a winner. You really cant go wrong with it. The 22re 5spds will get over 20 mpg. And of course they are freakishly reliable even by Toyota standards. And even if you blow the motor it can be swapped in an afternoon for about 100$
