what to look for in a 4runner

[justbecause]

i know i want a first gen (just to get that outa the way) i want it b/c the top comes off
i think i want a 4cyl 5spd id rather have a solid axle but ill take IFS
from what i have read that should get me near 20mpg and since i want to use it as a DD the MPG and reliability are important

my diesel jetta that i bought when gas was through the roof is now costing me more money than its saving me (between the insurance and monthly payments)

id rather sell her and my 1980 fj40 (mostly stock w/headers and 3" lift) and have ONE vehicle and only one insurance payment 1 tag fee, just lose all the headache associated w/2 vehicles

i want to replace both these w/a 4runner that i can drive everyday and still take down the occasional rough country road to go camping i DO NOT want another car im going to have to be working on constantly (i had a jeep once so been there done that on the always broken thing)
do yall think a 4runner when not abused can be a good reliable DD? what do i need to look at when im inspecting the vehicle where do i need to check for rust what do i need to pay special attention to? what do i need to know about the vechicle before i buy it any kind of information like that would be a great help!
and what should i be expecting to pay for first gen 4runner?

thanks!
zack

 

[toy4xfun]

well i think you would be better off buying a jeep brand new look when you buy somthing old you have that chance that you will have to work onit and at times it seems like all the time but when you do the work it is well worthit and it only belongs to you when you have your blood sweet and tears in it not your money!!!
mike

 

[cruiser88]

Biggest concern is rust.....but I seen you are from the deep south so you have good chances of getting a rust free rig.

I would say steer away from the 3.0......but even that motor is better than most domestics. Things other than rust are pretty much normal

Try to find somebody that did regular tune-ups and oil changes

Ask for recipes on all and any work done

Make sure the rig does not over heat

Check for leaks under the hood and under the rig.

MAKE SURE THE TIMING CHAIN IS GOOD. If it makes any noise at the timing cover start asking questions.

Really just normal things you would look for'clutch,brakes ,birfs, rust.....just use your head

IFS is fine....If you are not going to wheel hard then IFS will suit you.


Buying from a mudder(this site) would go a long way or check out the site TTORA they have many rigs for sale.


Better yet have a pro check it out before you pull the trigger

 

[justbecause]

what areas on the first gen are really bad to get rust?

and as nice as it would be if daddy bought me a brand new 4 door wrangler... thats not going to happen for me... lol

if i had to replace the motor what kind of cost would there be ot swap 1 22r for another?
everything i have seen has been near or over 200k miles... what will i probably need to be replacing @ that point in a 4runner life?
and what model came w/a moon roof

 

[cruiser88]

FRAME. When you take it to a tech to get inspected afterwards or during WHEN ITS ON THE RACK start poking....its a wise idea to pressure wash(car wash) the whole thing before hand in case its hiding on bondo....mud whatever. Heck take a magnet with you. Both of my runners had the moon roof....87 and my current 84.


As far as the motor just depends on how well it was cared for. Mine currently has 300 k almost but its had some att. Biggest thing on these moter's is the timeing and headgaskets . Usually if done right at the very least you will get a 100 k out of a headgasket.....and again it depends on alot. As far as price.....again just depends on what you want to put into it....is somebody else doing the work....are you, what is wrong, are you buying a junkyard motor? All kinds of things come into play. Really nobody can answer that. In all honestly parts are quite cheap......lol...comparing to the cost of stuff for Land Cruisers.

what areas on the first gen are really bad to get rust?

and as nice as it would be if daddy bought me a brand new 4 door wrangler... thats not going to happen for me... lol

if i had to replace the motor what kind of cost would there be ot swap 1 22r for another?
everything i have seen has been near or over 200k miles... what will i probably need to be replacing @ that point in a 4runner life?
and what model came w/a moon roof

 

[cavemancaleb]

Anything over 200 k isnt bad, but I would try to stick around 150 k. The biggest two rust issues are again the frame, which it seems that the 1989 and up frames were done differently and have way better rust resistence.The rear fenders on the runners are a big rust spot as well. SR5's will have the moon roof and the coveted SR5 gauge cluster with the cool altimeter and stuff. You will not regret getting a runner, specialy a first gen. There is just soething about them that will have you hooked, there is a reason they have there own following. As far as the motor is concerned, listen for a ratling in the front end, that would mean a bad timing chain, and check the oil, coolant and compresion for the head gasket issues. It might be a good Idea to do a chain and head gasket anyways just so you know they have been done and done well. check for major oil leaks too. When I say major I am talking Major. Every old toyota will have tiny leaks,but when your leakin a quart of oil per tank of gas, thats a big leak. Oh another thing, check the exhaust for the smell of coolant or if its burning oil. Best of luck to ya. Im sure you wont have any issue finding a reliable rig, its hard to find a lemon when it comes to the old 80's toyota mini trucks.

 

[toy4xfun]

how far you want to drive to buy one i was just looking inthe valley trader out of winchester va. they havethree 87 and an 88 the 88 has v6 144,000 and is in wv some where want the phone #

 

[toy4xfun]

it is in mathias wv the other three are in va.

 

[toy4xfun]

also if you are going to work on it your self buy a good manuel i have a haines but i bought a toyota manuel from ebay a lot more info inthat one

 

[toy4xfun]

hey sorry about that first post it is just when you buy old they usually are going to need some kind of work put cruiser 88 is corect you could get one that was well taken care of and get 200 to 250 before you have to do majer work on it

 

[arcteryx]

if rust is a concern, find one in the south/Texas/NM/AZ. I also second the 22r, but mileage really isnt a concern. I'd be more concerned about everything else on the truck than the engine.

 

[JCook5003]

I'd be sure to check for frame cracks long with the rust, near the gas tank mount on the passenger side is the place I've seen them most commonly.

If you get a rig with a 22re dont expect to break any land speed records but it will be uber reliable and pretty good on gas. (If it's a 22re with more than 150K on it ask when the timing chain was replaced, this can run up to $800 if you have a shop do it.) I would avoid a 3.0 Runner just becuase they can be pricey to work on and are hard to find, headgaskets seem to be the weak link.

I would also make sure the rear gate window works, mine didnt in the last 4runner I had and I had a hell of time tracking the problem down.

 

[justbecause]

thanks yall!!! how much are those 87 and 88s? if it dosnt say you can give me the # and ill call and ask
i dont mind driving to get a good truck

right now $$ is just the problem.... i really didnt think i would have a problem selling my jetta but no one seems interested in them anymore
until i can get outa that debt and have some $$ on hand i wont be able to buy anything :'(

iv been told by everyone in the 40 section NOT to trade my 1980 fj40 for a 4runner b/c my 40 is only going to rise in value
do you think anyone would want to straight trade? do you think i should take a little cash away from a swap??
i just havnt been able to find any 4runners to compare prices on....

 

[cruiser88]

Lets see the 40

thanks yall!!! how much are those 87 and 88s? if it dosnt say you can give me the # and ill call and ask
i dont mind driving to get a good truck

right now $$ is just the problem.... i really didnt think i would have a problem selling my jetta but no one seems interested in them anymore
until i can get outa that debt and have some $$ on hand i wont be able to buy anything :'(

iv been told by everyone in the 40 section NOT to trade my 1980 fj40 for a 4runner b/c my 40 is only going to rise in value
do you think anyone would want to straight trade? do you think i should take a little cash away from a swap??
i just havnt been able to find any 4runners to compare prices on....

 

[toy4xfun]

the #s are in your box

 

[cruiser88]

Not a chance in hell you are getting my runner but I but (depending on condition of your 40) somebody would trade you

 

[justbecause]

this is my baby
has a 3" lift
33x12.5 ATs
VERY comfortable seats out of a heep grand cherokee
headers <-- soon to be getting a new muffler
no body rust and no frame rust that iv found yet
bumpers front & rear (fron one is still being worked on a bit) back one WILL have a swing out tire&cooler carrier before too long...
power steering
power brakes
(1980)
anything yall wana know ask

(i tried using muds upload and i cant see the pictures... if they are on here twice plz tell where they are/what button i have to push to see them, i see people making comments on photos that i cant see all the time... im not to good w/computers...)

Zack Heard's Photos | Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30299375&l=0cfd88fbad&id=1012560070

Zack Heard's Photos | Facebook

Zack Heard's Photos | Facebook

 

[cruiser88]

If I would have not spend so much money and time into my runner I would have traded you

 

[toy4xfun]

tellme about it i hope those # help you you might be going on a little trip

 

[cruiser88]

I think you have an offer from the good fella below.

this is my baby
has a 3" lift
33x12.5 ATs
VERY comfortable seats out of a heep grand cherokee
headers <-- soon to be getting a new muffler
no body rust and no frame rust that iv found yet
bumpers front & rear (fron one is still being worked on a bit) back one WILL have a swing out tire&cooler carrier before too long...
power steering
power brakes
(1980)
anything yall wana know ask

(i tried using muds upload and i cant see the pictures... if they are on here twice plz tell where they are/what button i have to push to see them, i see people making comments on photos that i cant see all the time... im not to good w/computers...)

Zack Heard's Photos | Facebook

Zack Heard's Photos | Facebook

Zack Heard's Photos | Facebook

Zack Heard's Photos | Facebook

tellme about it i hope those # help you you might be going on a little trip