thoughts on a potential purchase?

[oftpiste]

Taking a look tonight at what appears to be a super clean '98 4Runner, private party seller. 4 cylinder, 5 speed manual, just over 120k miles, 2 owners, full service records since new, no CARFAX yet, asking $8500 which I know is a lot in many parts of the country, but seems in the range considering the usual "pacific northwest premium" toyota trucks seem to fetch. Seems like a car someone cared about.

It's for my son who will be spending a lot of time driving in snowy climes and probably sleeping in the back this winter.

New shocks, new steering rack, one new rear axle, new cat. Everything works except for an intermittent dash clock display.

Any thoughts or suggestions about what to look for are more than appreciated. I'm a 1 banana guy....

Thanks!

 

[oftpiste]

It sure is clean. Maybe a bit of a unicorn. Service records are not as complete as I had hoped but it's clear oil's been changed regularly and it has been well tended. Not a speck of rust, drives great and solid feeling. 4WD goes in and out of Hi and Low quietly and smoothly. There appears to be a little seeping at the back of the transfer case. Normal? Easily addressed? Clutch feels strong but is probably original. Engine clean, oil clean, fluids clear and fresh looking. Going to try to have it mechanic inspected.

 

[White Stripe]

Check for leaking oil on the rear brakes, rear main seal leak, steering rack leaks.

 

[oftpiste]

thank you. having a PPI on Monday morning..... steering rack should be OK since it's almost new.

 

[oftpiste]

I'm buying it. Had a PPI done. found low compression in cyl#1. got the seller to knock $2000 off the price to allow a head-off (rebuild, machining, gasket, repair whatever is wrong) repair job. virtually nothing else wrong with it. Brakes are almost new, same with tires. Shop thought it was a good deal.

 

[KliersLC]

Nice! Before dumping the money on a rebuild, I'd check to see what is going on--if it is rings, burning a little oil here and there isn't a big enough deal to open it up for. How low was the compression?

 

[oftpiste]

Thanks. Compression on #1 was 120, the rest around 210-220. It really runs fine and the misfire is only noticeable at idle. Seller said it had always run like that so could go on for a long time, but it's for a kid and I feel like getting everything taken care of sooner than later is the best idea. Feel free to correct me.....

 

[Haggis]

Looks like a nice one! Great, reliable and safe transportation for your son.

 

[Jarred]

Great find indeed, and looks in pristine condition inside and out. Congrats on your kid.

 

[KliersLC]

Looks great! You are probably on the wisest track, but I'd still take a look to see what the actual issue is--No point/value getting the head done if the issue is rings or vice versa.

 

[oftpiste]

My shop guesses - with plenty of disclaimers for uncertainty - that it is the exhaust valve on that cylinder perhaps burned or at best simply out of adjustment. There are no signs of bottom end issues, but of course they could be hiding. They're advising leak down test first, then if no bottom end issues determine if the valve is damaged or out of adjustment.

Everything works on the truck with one exception which maybe someone out there knows how to fix? The dash clock display is randomly on or off. It keeps time goes completely dark sometimes.

Back window works, antenna, windows, cruise, everything. Has an aftermarket two package with large receiver and electrical, complete Husky/Weathertech floor and trunk liner kit so very clean carpet underneath, decent covers on the front seats. Brakes and tires at 90%, Thule racks, a homemade sleeping/storage platform for the back. Pink coolant in the radiator, and now truck plates and new tabs!

I can't find a record of a clutch ever being done, but it feels good. How long do clutches last on these?

 

[onemanarmy]

Looks like it has a bit of rear end sag (common)

I'd get some aftermarket coils in there and new shocks all around, and drive the wheels off it.

 

[oftpiste]

I think the sag is a little exaggerated by the camera and street angles. Having an LC I'm sensitive to the sag (that sounds interesting!) and it really seems to sit pretty well. Already has brand new rear shocks and fronts are only a couple of years old....

 

[KliersLC]

My shop guesses - with plenty of disclaimers for uncertainty - that it is the exhaust valve on that cylinder perhaps burned or at best simply out of adjustment. There are no signs of bottom end issues, but of course they could be hiding. They're advising leak down test first, then if no bottom end issues determine if the valve is damaged or out of adjustment.

Everything works on the truck with one exception which maybe someone out there knows how to fix? The dash clock display is randomly on or off. It keeps time goes completely dark sometimes.

Back window works, antenna, windows, cruise, everything. Has an aftermarket two package with large receiver and electrical, complete Husky/Weathertech floor and trunk liner kit so very clean carpet underneath, decent covers on the front seats. Brakes and tires at 90%, Thule racks, a homemade sleeping/storage platform for the back. Pink coolant in the radiator, and now truck plates and new tabs!

I can't find a record of a clutch ever being done, but it feels good. How long do clutches last on these?

An easy way to check the rings is to check to compression, then squirt a bit of oil into the cylinder and then check it again. If the compression numbers go up significantly, it is the rings, if not, it is the valves(or HG, but unlikely on that motor). It looks like a pretty much perfect rig. My 95 had 180k on the original clutch with no signs of failing when I sold it. My T100 had 205k on the original clutch when I replaced it. You should be fine for awhile, especially if he is proficient with a MT and doesn't go bombing through mud bogs shifting with the engine redlined....that's how I burned out my first clutch...

 

[oftpiste]

He is learning to be proficient with the MT and we've been talking a lot about smoothness and clutch life! It's going in Monday for a leak down test. I'm thinking if we get that first cylinder compression to spec there might be a little more pep in its step as well as smoothness. Good to know those clutches are so resilient.

 

[splitshot]

With only 120k, I would make sure all the valves are adjusted within spec, then go from there..

Nice find, it is tough to find a gently used 3rd Gen for under 200k miles. Plus is those 4 cyl 22RE's are pretty much bullet proof if taken care of.

 

[oftpiste]

It seems especially difficult to find one in the PNW too. I was pretty convinced it was kind of a unicorn when I saw it, but was pretty bummed when the compression test showed that problem. She goes in Monday to get it squared away and figure out what's up.

 

[onemanarmy]

3rd gens didn't come with the 22re

the 3rz replaced it. Still a great motor.

 

[SQRRRL]

I would not spend that much $$$$$ on that rig. Leaks etc. I'm selling my unicorn for way less then that. Keep looking. For that much money it should be tip top ready to go.

 

[oftpiste]

I would not spend that much $$$$$ on that rig. Leaks etc. I'm selling my unicorn for way less then that. Keep looking. For that much money it should be tip top ready to go.

Too late!

It will be tip top later this week. Full on head job with machining, a couple of valves, new value seals plus some baselining under way now. I feel OK about it all. I did a year long search for my 100 a couple of years ago and spent a long time looking for a good 4runner this time. In terms of condition, mileage etc. this was actually a decent deal in the PNW. I flew to Boise for my 100 and looked over several states for a 4runner and this was a better car than everything else I saw at similar prices.

Maybe I should buy your unicorn? Tell me more....