Advice on buying 1st gen 4Runner

[Bbqueue]

I'm hoping to get some advice on selecting a 1st gen 4Runner. I've been combing Craigslist for a while and casting a wide net (I'm willing to travel for the right one). I live in Massachusetts but I'm about to head to California for a month, and I'm hoping to find a nice rust-free 4Runner there and drive it back to Mass (I'll be oil coating it yearly). I have very little first-hand mechanical experience, so I want to be sure I have as much possible knowledge on what to look for if I do find one to test drive. I want to learn more about mechanics, but I don't have any friends or family who know what they're doing so I have to try and learn as much as I can online....

Im looking for a mostly-stock 1st gen MANUAL 4Runner with little rust. It will be a daily diver (my commute is about 7-10 miles round trip) but be able be used to haul around wood and other building materials when I need. Since I will be driving it from CA to MA, it needs to be able to cross the country somewhat reliably. My max price is around $5000, if it doesn't need a ton of work right away. I plan on building out the back with a sleeping platform for road trips. I don't plan on off-roading but there are some seriously potholed roads around where I live...

Here's an ad that just went up, and I thought you all might be able to look it over and tell me what you think.

https://humboldt.craigslist.org/cto/5234225438.html
In case that is taken down soon, here's the text and photos:
--------
325,000 miles
4x4
Manual
4 cylinder
Clean title

This has been my daily driver for over 3 years.
The truck originated in Placerville, and has only seen one winter on the coast. I spot-treated a few small dings for rust, but otherwise the vehicle is rust-free.

Pro's:
-Professionally resurfaced head gasket repair this spring (I have all documentation)
-New Master Cylinder
-Shocks 1.5 years old
-WARN front locking hubs
-3" lift in the rear to level the body
-Toyo off road tires at about 60%
-New exhaust manifold
-New distributor cap
-No modifications, all stock
-Never been "mudding" only a work truck

Cons:
-Cosmetically bad inside, showing it's true age
-Needs front-end work soon, tires are feathering
-Truck has been smoked in and near the forest fires this summer (smells like a campfire)
-Small dent in tailgate, rear window still works

I have to pick up the title in Sacramento, along with all documents, and I will be ready to sell this weekend.
No trades. Please don't waste my time tire-kicking, I work out of town.
If you're an enthusiast this truck is primed for customization.






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I'm not too concerned about the inside cosmetics- I can always get seat covers and new mats to spruce it up, and I'm pretty handy with a needle and thread and re-upholstering if I really need to. The feathering tires could just mean it needs a new alignment, or it could be the whole front suspension. Anyone have experience on the price range of suspension work on 1st gens? I'm willing to put more money into it once I buy it, but I don't want to suddenly be digging myself a deep hole. It's got pretty high mileage but a recently resurfaced head gasket makes me feel better about that...

Does this look like a pretty solid deal? Any advice on this truck and what to look for in any other 4runners would be very helpful.

Thanks all!

Elena

 

[austintaco]

I would say No on that one. For that price, you can find a similar year IFS with less miles and in need of less work. A 22re manual IFS will probably be the best bet for you. Keep looking and read up on the differences in years and options. If you like a few bells and whistles, the later years had the most available. Personally, if I were shopping, I would try for a late model sr5 with IFS and power options and a sunroof. The difference in cost between a base model and a nice model will probably be about $300 -$500 at most.

 

[ca18_sean]

$5k buys you a very nice stock 1st gen 4Runner. Hell it buys you a nicely modified one if you're looking for that. I'm always amazing what people list 1st gens for. It seems to be all over the place, at least in Florida. Beat up trucks, ask $5k. Rock crawlers with $10k of mods, ask $5k. Haha. I wonder what those beat up trucks actually end up selling for...

I agree with Austin, find a late model SR5 with 22RE/Manual. IFS rides nice and if you're not going crazy with it off road, I'd chose IFS over solid axle.

 

[tanglefoot]

I'd probably keeping looking as well. That's a lot of miles, and I'm always amazed with asking prices. I suppose the dollar isn't worth nearly as much as it used to be though.

The 1986-1989 have the IFS (independent front suspension) that's being mentioned. It does ride pretty nicely, but is more complex. I wouldn't shy away from an '84 or '85 with the solid front axle though. I find them to be a lot of fun--they ride like mule wagons...it makes me giggle.

In about '87, they started getting some pretty cool interiors with nice, woven seat fabrics, fancier steering wheels and door panels--pretty sharp!

You may need to spend quite a while looking. Availability isn't very good, as you've probably noticed, and only a small percentage of those are examples you'd want to drive cross-country after purchase.

Good luck!

 

[Arktikos]

'84s and some '85's are carbed, a negative in my book, and they generally command an inflated price due to the overly coveted solid front axle. The IFS is a good one, though definitely more complex than the SFA. So, I would look for a later one in the best condition you can find within your price range.

 

[tanglefoot]

EFI was standard for the '85 model year, optional for '84.

**Edit....Owyhee, you're correct--brought up the product brochures. 22R only for '84 model year. 22R-E only in '85.***

 

[Owyhee H]

I've never seen or heard of an 84 with EFI. All my experience was 85 was the first year of EFI and last year of the solid front axle, that is why they are so desirable.

I'm with the others saying you can find better, pass on this one.

 

[Arktikos]

I've never seen or heard of an 84 with EFI. All my experience was 85 was the first year of EFI and last year of the solid front axle, that is why they are so desirable..

That's always been my understanding. Note that some trucks with late '84 build dates were actually sold and titled as '85's.
From the All Pro Off road site: 1984 - 1985

In 1984 Toyota introduced the first 4Runner to the US market. It featured a rear bench seat allowing for a total of 5 passengers. The first 4Runners were very similar to the pickup and most parts are interchangeable between them. 1984-1988 4Runners all feature a removable fiberglass rear roof section and passenger roll bar. The top is easily removed with simple tools.

1984 also saw the introduction of larger 10mm drive shaft bolts. The G52 & G58 5 speed transmissions were used in carbureted engine trucks and 4Runners.

In 1985 Some Trucks and 4Runners received EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection). EFI Pickup's and 4Runners used the W56 5 speed transmission. All 1984 and 1985 Transmissions featured larger shaft bearings then previous trucks. This reduced the high failure rate of the early transmissions.

1985 Marks the last year of the solid front axle and the first year of EFI. This makes 1985 Pickups and 4Runners a key year for those looking to purchase a fixer upper trail rig. Expect to pay a little more for this much sought after year.

 

[JasonRedwood]

You can find a 1st gen in better condition than that one for $3500 if you keep looking.
1986-89 with a 22re and manual transmission would be my pick if I wasn't looking to crawl on any rocks. I wouldn't rule out a 1985 though.
This one in SF has been on and off the market for a while, I wonder how flexible the price would be. 'Cash in hand' has magical negotiating powers.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5215934102.html

 

[Bbqueue]

Thanks so much for the input! I really appreciate the help. I'm fine with IFS because I won't be doing any heavy duty off roading. I definitely want to go with a 22re, I'm not interested in a v6. What's the highest mileage with a 22re you'd feel comfortable buying (without a rebuild)? Obviously a lot depends on how previous owners have taken care of it, but if anyone has a rule of thumb on what they consider reasonable mileage, that would be helpful. I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled for an SR5.

so---- if I could find a dream truck with reasonable mileage, little or no rust, a half decent interior, a 22re and IFS, EFI, SR5, would I expect to pay 5K? Or is finding one for a little less possible too? Ill keep looking and if I find another good ad I'll post it.

Jason -I've seen that 85 in SF too! Maybe they're flexible but its still fairly out of my price range. It seems well taken care of, but a bit more modded than I need. I'd probably switch to smaller tires...AC seems like a wild luxury to me!

 

[austintaco]

I think you could pay under $5K for a nice IFS rig with low (under 170K) mileage with maintenance docs. They are not as rare as you think they are, but you have to wait for the right one. Patience pays off big when you are looking for a vehicle.

 

[Carolina82]

I bought a 1988 4Runner, 22re 5spd 200K miles bone stock. Paid $2800. Slight rust above the drivers rear tire, otherwise in great shape for the year.

 

[Bbqueue]

I've been looking for a while now, and I've found 2 more that I'm interested in. They're both above my budget of $5k, but they're both in excellent condition with (supposedly) no mechanical issues.

I prefer the grey 87, which is an SR5. I've been emailing with the owner, who seems willing to go as low as $6,500, but I might be able to offer him less and entice him with cash. The cream 86 is was posted a week ago at $7k, but today the price was dropped to $6k, so it seems like he's in a hurry to sell and may be willing to take less if I offer him cash.

The grey 87:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5288743652.html

The cream 86:
http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/cto/5285975016.html

Any input?

Thanks!

 

[OSV]

I prefer the grey 87, which is an SR5. I've been emailing with the owner, who seems willing to go as low as $6,500, but I might be able to offer him less and entice him with cash. The cream 86 is was posted a week ago at $7k, but today the price was dropped to $6k, so it seems like he's in a hurry to sell and may be willing to take less if I offer him cash.

The grey 87:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5288743652.html

$6,500 is way too much money for an ifs truck... people have funny ideas about what a "new" engine really means, he can't even articulate what was done to it in the ad.

The cream 86:
http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/cto/5285975016.html

closer to the mark, but he's dropping the price because he's still asking too much, he's got no serious callers... but this would be my first choice to look at.

you not being mechanically handy, and driving a vehicle type that you've never worked on cross-country, is sketchy... i guess worst case is that if it dies you can do a one-way uhaul truck rental or something, to tow it back with... leave some room on your credit card.

try looking on the marlin crawler for sale forum as well.