Prospective 87 4Runner buyer.. need sugguestions

[ExpoGeorgia]

How's everything going guys

There's a local 1987 Toyota 4Runner that I've been considering on purchasing. I spoke to the owner today and he says the motor may need a rebuild as last time he drove it, it began to loose power. The truck has no lift (bumpers removed for added clearance) but it does have sliders and Warn lockers. It looks to be in pretty good shap except for a couple of minor rust spots and he will part from it for $700.

I'll be looking at it on Friday but can you guys give me some tips on what to look out for on these trucks? Also, what do you think the issue is with the motor... will it need a overhaul and if so how much should I expect to spend?

Thanks

 

[Ruined Adventures]

Since nobody's chimed in yet, I guess I'll speak up. Just my .02 cents, but I'd keep my eye out for a rust-free candidate. You're not in the rust belt or anywhere they use road salt so a little patience and you might score. $700 isn't much to pay for a 1G 4runner, but rust is one of those things that can be a HUGE pain down the road.

Things to look out for on a 1st Gen 4runner: it's pretty common that the rear window won't roll down, there's several causes but just make sure you check it and find out ahead of time(I'd check every elect. switch & button to make sure everything works, it is 23 years old after all). Check the brights, sometimes the contacts can get weak and cause them to act funny.

Also, the timing chain needs to be replaced fairly often on the 22RE, since plastic guides were used. (if you replace or rebuild the engine, i guess that's not a big concern but make sure you have metal guides installed)

Watch for disconnected vacuum lines or leaks.

Take a real good look at the IFS. From what I've read and found, these trucks are known for eating thru ball joints, idler arms, and cv axles too.

You can find some good insight on the downfalls and opportunities to improve first gen 4runners here:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/index.shtml
This guy's a genius and has some good info and tips.

I can't really speculate on the motor issue but it sounds like you should take it by a trusted mechanic's shop to get checked out before purchasing. It may cost you $50-75 bucks, but it's worth knowing what you're getting into. In my opinion, it may be the perfect opportunity to swap in a diesel :drool:
That's the only thing I'd change on my '87 :coffeedrink:

 

[ExpoGeorgia]

Thanks for the reply red87runner! I'm taking my good friend with me who has restored his own 1984 Toyota Pickup and knows what to watch for. Thanks for the advice and please everyone else chime in if he forgot something

 

[austintaco]

Since nobody's chimed in yet, I guess I'll speak up. Just my .02 cents, but I'd keep my eye out for a rust-free candidate. You're not in the rust belt or anywhere they use road salt so a little patience and you might score. $700 isn't much to pay for a 1G 4runner, but rust is one of those things that can be a HUGE pain down the road.

Things to look out for on a 1st Gen 4runner: it's pretty common that the rear window won't roll down, there's several causes but just make sure you check it and find out ahead of time(I'd check every elect. switch & button to make sure everything works, it is 23 years old after all). Check the brights, sometimes the contacts can get weak and cause them to act funny.

Also, the timing chain needs to be replaced fairly often on the 22RE, since plastic guides were used. (if you replace or rebuild the engine, i guess that's not a big concern but make sure you have metal guides installed)

Watch for disconnected vacuum lines or leaks.

Take a real good look at the IFS. From what I've read and found, these trucks are known for eating thru ball joints, idler arms, and cv axles too.

You can find some good insight on the downfalls and opportunities to improve first gen 4runners here:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/index.shtml
This guy's a genius and has some good info and tips.

I can't really speculate on the motor issue but it sounds like you should take it by a trusted mechanic's shop to get checked out before purchasing. It may cost you $50-75 bucks, but it's worth knowing what you're getting into. In my opinion, it may be the perfect opportunity to swap in a diesel :drool:
That's the only thing I'd change on my '87 :coffeedrink:

Good points from a fellow ATX 1st gen'r. However, the rear window is usually an easy fix. It just takes investigative work. The big deal killer would be engine issues and rust. If I were to look for another 1st gen, I would find the cleanest late model IFS with low miles and the SR5 options and the 22re. You can build it up or do a SAS down the road, but you will get the most bang for your buck..IMO.

Rust can be hiding behind the wheel well trim rings, the lower rear wheel well molding, windshield frame, and the back side of the frame..fyi.

 

[ExpoGeorgia]

Good points from a fellow ATX 1st gen'r. However, the rear window is usually an easy fix. It just takes investigative work. The big deal killer would be engine issues and rust. If I were to look for another 1st gen, I would find the cleanest late model IFS with low miles and the SR5 options and the 22re. You can build it up or do a SAS down the road, but you will get the most bang for your buck..IMO.

Rust can be hiding behind the wheel well trim rings, the lower rear wheel well molding, windshield frame, and the back side of the frame..fyi.

Thanks for the information and I do believe the rear window does work properly. The only rust I've seen is on the lower front fender, but we are planning to jack the 4Runner up this weekend to take a look underneath it. Do you believe its worth the price?

 

[austintaco]

If it checks out, with only minimal rust, then $700 sounds like a great price. If the engine needs to be rebuilt, you could probably find one from a later model with low enough miles to throw in there. However, check out on the differences in the 22re's from different years.

 

[toy_tek]

Just for reference: I rebuilt a 22re a couple years back, very easy. Had it down to the bare block. If I remember correctly, I had less than $500 in it for parts, including rings, bearings, gasket set, valve seats & guides, TC, guides, water pump, oil pump, belts, plugs, cap/rotor, wires. All the wear tolerances were well within Toyota spec, and that particular engine had about 160k on it. {edit} cost included some machine work.

 

[ExpoGeorgia]

Thanks to all of you who responded. Checking it out tomorrow :sombrero:

 

[Ruined Adventures]

So how'd it check out? I'd love to see pics.:coffeedrink:

 

[ExpoGeorgia]

So how'd it check out? I'd love to see pics.:coffeedrink:

Unfortunately I did not take pictures or the 4Runner. It was a pretty clean 1st gen with rust on the front fender and no where else. Front suspension components are worn so they'd need replacing but other than that, its just the motor which would need a rebuild. The transmission was replaced 63,000 miles ago and the motor was original with around 180,000 miles. It started and drove, but you couldn't get any power of it like he'd told me earlier in the week. I told him I'd call him on Tuesday to let him know if I wanted it or not so more than likely I'll be driving a new 4runner:sombrero:

I'll start a build thread when I get it to the house and start messing around with it. Thanks for the help everyone

 

[PirateMcGee]

Unfortunately I did not take pictures or the 4Runner. It was a pretty clean 1st gen with rust on the front fender and no where else. Front suspension components are worn so they'd need replacing but other than that, its just the motor which would need a rebuild. The transmission was replaced 63,000 miles ago and the motor was original with around 180,000 miles. It started and drove, but you couldn't get any power of it like he'd told me earlier in the week. I told him I'd call him on Tuesday to let him know if I wanted it or not so more than likely I'll be driving a new 4runner:sombrero:

I'll start a build thread when I get it to the house and start messing around with it. Thanks for the help everyone

the great thing is parts are dirt cheap! You can replace all the worn front suspension parts for a couple hundred, get a rebuilt motor for $1000 (although it could be something like timing with the current engine) and there are a ton of aftermarket parts and lots of people that are guru's.