Another how much is it worth thread: '85 4runner

I've been looking for a clean 1985 4runner to build up but they're hard to come by.

I found a white 1985 with a tan interior but it has the following problems:

Does not run. The owner doesn't know why. He hasn't started it up in over a year.

246k miles.

There is no rear bumper.

Minimal rust but there is a bondo job on the passenger side rear corner.

He's asking $2500.

I mostly just want those snake skin seat covers.

I have a nice 100 that I've been building up but would like an addition truck that's lighter, narrower, and better on gas for tighter more technical trails. Hence '85 4Runners.

So what do you guys think it's worth? It seems like a new engine is around $1000-800.

 

[Sam Stewart]

Any indication why it doesn't run? That would be the thing I would want to know before I bought it. I know those trucks are worth a fair amount of money but I can't say I would pay more than $1000 for a non-running truck, no matter what it is. You never know what kind of mess you might be getting into. That being said I'm sure it has a lot to do with the area as well. Trucks and 4Runners are plentiful in our area and generally can be had for cheap, even running.

 

[busmup808]

That's a clean runner, but like he said above the key thing is to know why ifs not working. I still would buy it for 1gs just because of the conditions. Trailer it home and trial and error that bad boy. Hard to find a sr8 85 with no rust. Look under the dash cover to see if it's brittle or cracked.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

How can you tell it's an SR5?

Yeah my problem is that I don't have space in the garage to keep it to tinker on. I'd need to bring it to a shop and at least get it running so I can move it from one side of the street to the other or keep it at work.

I'm also wondering what the cost of a worst case scenario would be. Whole new engine and computer?

 

[KLF]

That's not an SR5, based on the gauges, hand crank windows, and I don't even see AC.

That price is too high for non-running, unless it's something really simple. See if you can figure out what is up with the engine.

The rear bumper is no big deal, the stock one wasn't very strong and it probably rusted in half. You'd want a better one anyway, they saved you the trouble of tossing the old one.

 

[bryan89]

i agree with above. i wouldnt pay more than 1k for something that doesnt run.

have you tried to crank it over?
is it an electrical problem (ie starter relay, fuse, etc..)
or will it not crank and not run? (gas in the tank?, fuel pump, spark??)

 

[busmup808]

I said sr8(straight) 85, not sr5

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

I said sr8(straight) 85, not sr5

Oh sorry, I don't know the 4runner specific lingo. Yes the hand crank windows should have been the give away.

Sounds like spending $4k on one that at least runs is better than spending $1k on a mystery one. The owner said he bought it as a project but then never started, I bet $2500 is what he spent on it and is trying to recoupe... but leaving it sitting for a year hurts the value in my book.

I haven't actually looked at it. (Around Los Angeles, I try to avoid unnecessary driving at all costs).

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I think it looks pretty good but I would want to make sure there's little or no rust on the frame. The engine would be a minor concern in my book but that's because after 250k miles you would want to rebuild or replace.

85 is the only fuel injected, straight front axle 4Runner ever made. It doesn't have to but it could cost the better part of $2500 just to convert an 86 through 89 to straight front axle.

I would at least go look at it and see if he would take a bit less.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

If you're planning on leaving it stock, then it's worth a bit more, but if you're going to go crazy modifying it, you're going to end up redoing the spring mounts etc. So it's only worth +/- $250 more than an IFS truck, because it comes with a solid front axle... My thoughts...

Off to classifieds.....

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Ha. I'm probably going to keep looking. I'd rather find an SR5 anyway. But I was thinking 3-4" lift, 33's, front and rear lockers, (do these have a center locking differential stock?), arb bumpers as needed and reliability mods/maintenance.

I know I can never take the 100 on a trail like the Rubicon (With lockers and bumpers, it could do it. But the body damage would be heart-wrenching). I'mhoping a 4Runner Classic would be small enough to make tight trails fun, and big enough to use to camp/expedition.

I'll update this thread with some other 85's I've found.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

...do these have a center locking differential stock?...

I have always assumed that the transfer case on these vehicles with a 5 speed manual had little or no give front to rear (aka full-time center diff lock) and therefore have tried to not lock mine into 4WD on dry pavement. Of course I could be wrong.

 

[bryan89]

Ha. (do these have a center locking differential stock?),

ha, we all wish. sadly no. just your standard gear driven 2 speed transfer case, connected to open diffs, and manual locking hubs.

see, im the other way around, I would hate to beat up a first gen on the rocks cause its a classic. cant find a solid front axle four wheel drive with a removable top anymore from any manufacturer. simply dont make em, however luxury suvs, (while still very cool btw) are a dime a dozen.

if it were me, i would be babying the 4runner and bashing up an 80 or something.

 

[KLF]

...cant find a solid front axle four wheel drive with a removable top anymore from any manufacturer...

Really? You sure about that?

I still say if you want something to be a champ in the rocks, find a nice IFS rig, put a solid axle under it. The front hanger on the '85 is weak, and the stock push-pull steering is dreadful.

 

[bryan89]

Really? You sure about that?

BLASPHEMY!!! I say. lol
that is not even a viable option for me.
barbie drives a jeep.
i hate every grocery getter granola eatin' hippie i see drivin those things.
altough, i will admit that the rubicon version is decent. other than that.....crap



...edit: see, even though the rubicon is a pretty capable vehicle, you cant own one as a viable 4wd vehicle cause everyone on the street will lump you in with the every other idiot who owns a jeep who puts 4 giant tires on it, leaves the stock size spare, 16 "offroad" lights from pep boys, some ground effects and a giant subwoofer in the back that the lights pulse with and calls it the ultimate offroad vehicle. everyone who owns a jeep around here is either a hippie or a giant tool. thats why they make me mad.....sorry for the mini rant

 

[Cannon88]

I sold my 85 4Runner, running/driving for $2700 last year. Exact same options/color as above, but with no rust, no body work, and it had working AC. Keep looking.

 

[norcalsvx]

how many 85 runners you think are left in socal that arent all modd'd up? on a side note i would think 1k-2k is fair

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

ha, we all wish. sadly no. just your standard gear driven 2 speed transfer case, connected to open diffs, and manual locking hubs.

see, im the other way around, I would hate to beat up a first gen on the rocks cause its a classic. cant find a solid front axle four wheel drive with a removable top anymore from any manufacturer. simply dont make em, however luxury suvs, (while still very cool btw) are a dime a dozen.

if it were me, i would be babying the 4runner and bashing up an 80 or something.

Body damage on any toyota truck is a shame. But I was hoping that the 4runner would be narrow enough to avoid body damage once you get some bumpers and sliders on it. While no matter what you do to a 100, it's still too big to get through tight spots.

I think we all want to own every toyota 4x4 but can't fit them all in our garages. Size-wise, the 80 is too similar to the 100 and gets even worse on gas. I still like them but they're in that in between stage where they're not old enough to be a classic but too old to look new (aka, I just don't like their interior as much as a 60, 40 or 4runner classic).

I sold my 85 4Runner, running/driving for $2700 last year. Exact same options/color as above, but with no rust, no body work, and it had working AC. Keep looking.

Thanks Cannon.

 

[STAGE 2]

Yes the hand crank windows should have been the give away.

Not really. Many SR5 trucks and 4runners had manual windows. One doesn't have anything to do with the other.

 

[Dedtruk]

I still say if you want something to be a champ in the rocks, find a nice IFS rig, put a solid axle under it. The front hanger on the '85 is weak, and the stock push-pull steering is dreadful.

Oh yeah? Didn't see your fancy-shmancy SASed rig go anywhere my lowly push-pull 85 ratty rustbucket didn't go ... matter of fact, you were following me ... that is until I took out the rear driveshaft at FG 09 with my, uh, outstanding driving skills.

Seriously, if the frame is good, I wouldn't worry about the motor too much either. If it's only a motor and trans rebuild (no other issues) I think $1500 is reasonable, or would be here in the rustbelt. The good professor is right though, the IFS frames are better ... Just my $0.02.