Newbie Seeks Input, 1994 4Runner

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C

carljwnc

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
May 25, 2007
Threads
1
Messages
4
Location
Fairview NC
Howdy Folks,:)

I just went and looked at, what I believe to be, a nice 4Runner to replace my much loved, but "can't afford the payments anymore" Turbo Subaru Forester.:frown:

Here's the dealers link; 1994 4Runner SR5 4X4. It looks and drives pretty good, running a bit rough at idle, the dampers feel worn (that could just be me, the Forester dosn't roll very much), and there looks to be very minimal rust on the frame. Dealer says new head gaskets, timing belt valve job (?), battery, and alternator.

What I'm looking for, first and foremost is a daily driver safe for hauling the two kids around. Second, an off-road toy well supported by the after market and able to take me on some of the trails in Tellico and Brown Mtn. NC both before and after modification.:cool:

I'm also interested to know what the engine code is??? I tried looking it up in the FAQ, but I didn't get the proper model code # off of the door plate, it is the 3.0L V-6, manufactured in 1/94. I'd love to see some links to photos of this year/model modified for off-road (lifts, skid plates, diff locks, ect...). I would love (if I end up with this vehicle) to find a local club, seems like most of this board is for Land Cruisers, and I'm defintely going for a 4Runner.

Thanks Folks:cheers:,
Carl
 
Carl, I love mine. That one has the 5spd which is good. The 3.0 doesn't produce much power so the slush boxes are really slow. Try to find out if they used new headbolts on the new headgasket job. Reuseing the original TTY headbolts is asking for trouble. Utimateyota.com and yotatech.com are more 4runner related and have a ton of tech info. Mine recently got retired from family hauler but it did a great job of it. It has done trips from CA to Vancouver Island and Montana, and I towed my m416 from CA to MN and on the way back wheeled in CO. It recently just did a DV trip and kept up with a bunch of newer models. Here are some pics of mine,

Death Valley
http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Death Valley 07/

Local trail run
http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Garcia Ridge May 07/

IMG_4750.jpg


2543681220086613829TRvpUU_fs.jpg


Also, the link in my sig has all the info and more pics from start to now.
 
I would really only worry about who did the head. I would assume it could have been done by a dealer under the recall, so the sellers just added it as a point. If that's the case, from the pics it looks like a 8/10 and for a 5speed with a sun roof killer. I always wished my '94 5speed had a sun roof.

Engine is a 3vze, not really worth your time to try and buy performance add-ons for it. If the motor runs as it should, with a 5speed you'll be doing just fine. As for suspension, just take a look at some of the recent threads and faq here, you'll find some good stuff.
 
60k is too much!!

FYI, i am a newbie Toyota owner, just bought 94 4Runner last month. i'd say i'm very pleased with it. it's a '94, 3.0, 5spd, 4WD. 128k miles, i paid $3600+tax. it has new radiator, hoses, fan clutch, timing belt, water pump, battery, cat. converter, the previous owner kept all the service records, include every oil change and inspection (so i know the mileage is real).

i called Toyota before i made the purchase to varify the 2 major recalls, the head gasket and steering relay rod. the phone call took less than 5 minnutes, they even told me the date they were corrected. i strongly recommend you to call before you test drive it.

it had couple small problems with steering and low oil pressure, but with an honest repair shop, they were fixed for about $110.

beware of the mpg on this sucker, my bone stock one runs 15mpg, 3/4 hwy, 1/4 local. my other truck, a 04 Dodge Ram 1500, 4.7L V8, runs 14.9 with the same type of driving.


i don't know if airbag is available for this model year, maybe some one can chime in on this, but personally, i have never seen a 94 with airbag. one more thing, when you test drive it, put in 4H and try to make some tight circles, make sure the 4wd works good.


next thing for me is to have it lifted, but, i'd make sure everything is fine before i put it on the operating table.

good luck with yours.
 
airbags came out in '96. IMO price is realtive and probably set high because they know that it will be haggled down. It's worth the effort for them to get the highest price, I really doubt they are FIRM on that price. I got 17-18 mpgs with easy highway driving. Though it started to take a nose dive when I sold it, down to about 13ish I guess. I assume if you're getting the same, your motor has the same mysterious issue mine had. It seems almost everyone I've heard of puts up with it because they don't know any better because they bought these 3vze trucks second hand.
 
Last edited:
Great info folks, Thank You!!!:)

I'll certainly look into the head gasket bolts and steering relay rod, hopefully the dealer has an itemized receipt from the service.

slosurfer, nice collection of photos.:cool: I'll also look into those other forums.

Not being too familiar with Toyota's front ends, can I look to see if the steering relay rod has been repaired or replaced???

My other question is; what springs the front end??? I didn't see any coils or leafs, is it a torsion bar set up???

Thanks Again!!!
 
Alrighty, I got the itemized service bill from the dealer, work performed by Norman Enterprises in Lenoir NC.

1. Head gasket kit, includes new head bolts.
2. Oil Seal, T-type.
3. Timing belt.
4. Idler pulley.
5. Radiator.
6. Oil and filter.
7. Antifreeze.
8. Three v-belts, no specific description, but all the belts I could see looked new.
9. Water temp. sensor.

At least one head gasket was blown when the work was done, they did machine the heads. That's what I've got for now, I'm going to talk to my local mechanic buddy tomorrow and see what he says. I may be moving fast on this one since they are willing to take my car in trade.:)

Thanks Folks,
Carl
 
Whelp, it's not mine just yet, but I did lay down a deposit yesterday.:cool: Should be picking it up Fri. or Mon.

Thanks yet again, for all your help!!!
Carl:D
 
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