I have been lurking here for a week or two. Great site ! I have enjoyed reading the buildup articles..some of you folks have VERY understanding spouses
I am originally from the UK and have wheeled Series 2a and Series 3 Land Rovers in a former life.
I have owned 4 Toy 4runners to date (one trail prepped and tested) and I am now seriously looking at an 80 series.
I have searched and I have read and searched a bit more and read a bit more.
I hope I am starting to get a handle on whats what with an 80 series.
My opening question is this...I am looking at two 80 series with factory lockers, one is a 96 with 170k and the other a 97 with 168k (wierd huh ?)
Both have evidence of front main seal/sump pan arch seal seepage, both seem to have noisy waterpumps.
Both drive well and function correctly (e.g. lockers engage, disengage etc)
The 97 has some evidence of grease around the knuckle so I would plan on a rebuild in my future... I am a pretty good mechanic so that does not bother me.
The 96 is visually a lillte tired inside and out but looks as you would expect a vehicle to look that is 10 years old, the 97 is cleaner and nice all around. The other real problem with the 96 is it seems to be the Bling edition with white bumpers and gold emblems but I am sure the emblems will come off pretty quick with a hairdryer and dental floss
The 96 can be negotiated down to $7250, the 97 is $9950 firm, two owners from new, one from 0 to 70k, the last owner put 100k on in the last 5 years.
After all the info, I am looking for a vehicle that will last me the next 2 -3 years and another 45 to 50k. Nothing but maintenancde for the first year but year two would see OME, new rubber and a bumper and a trip or two to Iron Pig in Fredricksburg if we survice the first year with no major mechanicals. WHich leads me to my questions...
What else should I look for ? Any quick checks I can do on the tranny ?
Any other smoking guns ???
Many thanks, please be gentle
David
P.S> I am leaning towward the 97....
I am originally from the UK and have wheeled Series 2a and Series 3 Land Rovers in a former life.
I have owned 4 Toy 4runners to date (one trail prepped and tested) and I am now seriously looking at an 80 series.
I have searched and I have read and searched a bit more and read a bit more.
I hope I am starting to get a handle on whats what with an 80 series.
My opening question is this...I am looking at two 80 series with factory lockers, one is a 96 with 170k and the other a 97 with 168k (wierd huh ?)
Both have evidence of front main seal/sump pan arch seal seepage, both seem to have noisy waterpumps.
Both drive well and function correctly (e.g. lockers engage, disengage etc)
The 97 has some evidence of grease around the knuckle so I would plan on a rebuild in my future... I am a pretty good mechanic so that does not bother me.
The 96 is visually a lillte tired inside and out but looks as you would expect a vehicle to look that is 10 years old, the 97 is cleaner and nice all around. The other real problem with the 96 is it seems to be the Bling edition with white bumpers and gold emblems but I am sure the emblems will come off pretty quick with a hairdryer and dental floss
The 96 can be negotiated down to $7250, the 97 is $9950 firm, two owners from new, one from 0 to 70k, the last owner put 100k on in the last 5 years.
After all the info, I am looking for a vehicle that will last me the next 2 -3 years and another 45 to 50k. Nothing but maintenancde for the first year but year two would see OME, new rubber and a bumper and a trip or two to Iron Pig in Fredricksburg if we survice the first year with no major mechanicals. WHich leads me to my questions...
What else should I look for ? Any quick checks I can do on the tranny ?
Any other smoking guns ???
Many thanks, please be gentle
David
P.S> I am leaning towward the 97....