Looking at a 1985 4Runner

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Need some advice on any particular thing to look at on a stock 85 SR5. How much are they worth?
 
trying to hook up with the guy to go see it. It is fully loaded for the year. Were all SR5's EFI?
 
Need more info.

I can tell you that my girlfriend bought this '85 a few months ago for $2000. It drove uneventfully from UT to NM like that. Since then, we rebuilt the front axle, rebuilt the brakes (calipers, new cylinders, shoes, etc...), replaced the timing chain and water pump, plug wires, etc---maybe $800 later and it drives like a new vehicle (a new car with some dents and rust in the fenders...).
85.webp

I think she got a steal on it, even if we are still having to work through little issues (it developed some sort of hiccup after driving over 1000 miles since the timing chain replacement--and of course just after she took it out of town where it will live).

I'm REALLY impressed with the truck. The '85 is everyones favorite for a reason.

Dan
85.webp
 
Well if its EFI it will be worth more than a carbed 22r. Otherwise the worth of the vehicle will be based on its condition, miles, etc... any more information you can tell us? Pics would help too.

All though I sometimes hears rumours to the contrary, AFAIK, all 85 4Runners are EFI. That includes SR5 and Deluxe models. In 84 they were all carbed and 85 and up they are all EFI.

I have a rust free 85 4Runner and I'm afraid that I wouldn't sell it for $10k but that doesn't mean that it's worth that much to anyone else.
 
All though I sometimes hears rumours to the contrary, AFAIK, all 85 4Runners are EFI. That includes SR5 and Deluxe models. In 84 they were all carbed and 85 and up they are all EFI.



Seems like I've seen a carb 85 or two in my time.

However, I have a January of 85 and it's IFS. Wanna guess why? :D


And just for search purposes.
84's or carbs (.) are not all that bad. You can put the hybrid motor in them easier than you can convert them to EFI. Just b/c it's not EFI, is not a good reason to pass one up.
 
All though I sometimes hears rumours to the contrary, AFAIK, all 85 4Runners are EFI. That includes SR5 and Deluxe models. In 84 they were all carbed and 85 and up they are all EFI.

I have a rust free 85 4Runner and I'm afraid that I wouldn't sell it for $10k but that doesn't mean that it's worth that much to anyone else.

That is incorrect. I have a friend with a carbed 85 4runner. EFI started halfway through the model year I believe.
 
My last truck was a January '85 4runner and EFI. I have seen August '84 4runners with EFI (still considered an '85 on the registration).

I sold my '85 4runner for $2200. It was pretty beat, but had a solid drivetrain.

I also looked at a 100% stock '85 4runner for $7000 which was mint when I wanted to replace it. The truck sold before I could buy it (happy I wasn't able to buy it)

How much they are worth depends on who wants to buy them. My insurance company keeps telling me they are worth $1200. I have also seen ones that were worth every penny of $15,000. Figure they are worth somewhere in between there.



As far as what to look for:

Check the timing chain for wear, the frame rusts around the rear spring hangers, frame cracks at the front shock mount. Other than that, its normal wear and tear items.
 
That is incorrect. I have a friend with a carbed 85 4runner. EFI started halfway through the model year I believe.

Sorry for being argumentative but I don't think that is correct. I'd like to see a photo of the factory plate on your friends. I have seen conversions from EFI to carb (LC Engineering and DOA Racing sell quite a few of them in their higher HP engines) but, again, I've never seen a true 85 model with a carb. I'm not saying they don't exist, I just haven't ever seen one.

They certainly didn't make half of the 85's with a carb. The 1985 Toyota brochure says EFI, FWIW.
 
Just talked to the owner. He decided to keep it.
 
Yeah, it's a bummer. Been looking for something for awhile.
 
This one looks pretty good: http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/1060141513.html
I sold one of the same color 6 years ago for $999. The new owner has driven the crap out of it without maintaining it at all-not even an oil change-and the 22RE just keeps going ( fenders are in pretty sorry condition though). Mine had the nice vinyl flooring too. Edit: Look for lack of rust in the body and frame. There's also a nice looking one for sale in the Spokane Craigslist. Where is "The last best place"?
 
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Not that it matters now ... but my Nov 84 (1985 model) Deluxe was EFI. I've never seen a carb'd 85+ 4Runner.
 
Well, in a turn of events, seller relisted and I decided to buy it. Time to start learning about it. Last Best Place is Montana
 
FYI, I just paid $5200 for a rust-free '85 with a substantial list of mods. It was just outside of Phoenix. The good: It is lifted 6", locked F&R, New LC Engineering 22RE, ARB bumpers F&R, 5.29 gears, 15x10 black rock crawler rims, bikini top, and a few other parts. Not so good: no stereo or speakers, only 31" tires (I already have a set of 34" TrXus MT's to put on it), no hard top (already remedied), no winch (soon to be remedied). Anyway, I shopped for quite a while and couldn't pass this one up. The ad is no longer on Craigslist, so no pics. I will have it at CruiseMoab. Sorry.
 
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