My first truck happens to be a 89 4runner!

[knox]

So this is my 1st toyota 4runner but also is my 1st truck ever. ive been wanting to be more of an outdoors dude for a while and finally sold my 350z and went and bought this 1989 4runner sr5 the other day. So far this is the funnest vehicle ive had. i love it. Its beat up enough for me not to feel guilty about beating it up more. but not nice enough to avoid the fun times. since im brand new to the offroad scene, before i add any upgrades im going to spend time replacing oem parts that are deteriorating and learning to offroad ropes.

1989 4runner sr5
3.0 3v-ze 164xxx miles (has only been driven 15,000 miles in the past 4 years according to maintanence receipts i found in the glove box)
5speed with locking front hubs
im still learning about this vehicle so there might be better info i missed
I paid $3500 for a old beat up truck but at the end of the day its MINE!!!!!

 

[CorkOrangutan]

Thats a pretty nice one! There aren't many 1st gen 'runners around here so I'll probably see ya around.

 

[Willie Hardigan]

Nice 4runner! :Wow1: I have had 4 4runners 2 first gens and 2 2nd gens.
The 2nd gen I drive now has well over 200000 miles on the 3.0L v6 and it runs great I would take it anywhere and not worry,in fact a little over a year from now i'm taking it from Vancouver island down the west coast to the baja and back up to death valley then home again.
Good luck with the new ride.

 

[tanglefoot]

Looks great! I like the later 1st-gen interiors, and I bet the 3.0 is smooth. That's definitely the best interior color...have you seen the red interiors? :Wow1: I don't know what they were thinking with the red interiors.

That Toyota Red paint really benefits from some wax.

Enjoy!

 

[jkosten]

Those are lots of fun. Start researching head gasket issues. Number 6 cylinder is prone to over heat due to the exhaust manifold design and cross over tube. Not much to prevent it, but keep up of cooling system services.

Mine went 268k before I hydro locked and cracked the block in a creek. The head gaskets had been twice by that point.

It looks fully loaded since the inclination gauge option is there.

sent from my pocket...

 

[mtndude23]

An 89 runner was also my first truck-they are fun to drive. I thought all sr5's had power windows though.

 

[Simons]

$3500 sounds a little high at first but that is a very clean and from what I can see rust free specimen (wow) good buy. Those dents are what we like to call "work hardening" they only make her stronger!

 

[SpongeX]

That sounds like a pretty reasonable deal for a solid first gen. I say throw a little armor on and learn her limits before you start modifying. You'll be surprised what that truck will do.

 

[JasonRedwood]

Installing headers can help with the heating issue around the number 6 cylinder. My experience with the 3.0 was very good. It pulled harder than the 22re's I owned and never let me down. Have fun.

 

[4runnerteq]

Nice 1st gen

 

[knox]

Thanks to everyone for the great replies! I've been researching the head gasket issue and hoping mine won't go soon. I'm debating on doing extensive maintanence or just the basic till it blows then take on the project of a 3.4. I don't plan on adding anything really to the truck till I learn what I need. Otherwise I just see it as wasted money

 

[devilmans hand]

no need to worry. Drive it and have some fun. Keep an eye on all the gauges while driving and stop immediately if you start to overheat.
I just took the top off of mine, and now wish i had done so when I bought my truck a couple years ago.
Clean looking truck.

 

[4Rescue]

Beauty... that interior is NICE!!! I have the same interior color/trim so it's like looking into my trucks past when I first got it. Enjoy that truck man that is great.

Cheers

Dave

 

[knox]

Drove down to San diego this weekend and hit some traffic. Truck did great but i did learn the battery drains if i dont drive it for a day or so. So far no luck on finding what it is. O'reilly's said the battery is good and the alternator charges when i drive. Lights werent on, cd player was off.

 

[tanglefoot]

The '85 has some parasitic drain when it's parked. It takes longer than a few days though. I use a battery switch and just open it up whenever I park it. How much of a spark do get when you re-attach the battery terminal after it's been disconnected a while?