For my first post I put my fate in your hands

[c_p]

Ya'll
I stumbled on to your site one day while googling the string "4runner sleeping platforms" and have been lurking ever since. Truly awesome trucks and adventures. Got me dreaming all day. I am amazed at how active the forum is and had no idea there were so many adventurers out there. Lovin it

I'll apologize now for the length of this post but I've got a problem and I need advise from the pros. I grew up down here in Louisiana but lived in Colorado and Montana for 6 years working as a brewer (worked at LiquorMart, Oasis Brewery, and Denver ChopHouse/Rockbottom for you front rangers). While I was there I drove an 89 Mazda B2600 4x4 w a shell and a pretty decent folding sleeping platform built into it. I loved that truck, took it all over Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Idaho and Southern Canada. I now live back in La- just finished up my Masters in Geography, now the wife is in law school. I sold the mazda when the second kid came round and bought a 92 4runner. I have a pretty good job finally doing GIS for La DNR but still don't have much money to spend.

Its bone stock except for Rancho RS5000's. I've had some trouble with it pretty much since day one. I bought it for $3400 replaced a cv joint, false water pump, water pump, timing belt, power steering pump, and a few other small jobs. A year ago the rear diff locked up (it always made a whining noise on the hwy). I found a junkyard rear end with the 488's for 300 shipped and bolted it on. While the truck was sitting I got a free 88 buick lasabre with 47000 miles- full on great grandma's car.

I have just found a 98 runner 4x4 5spd, with 185k for $5500. Here is my question should I sell the 2 cars I have now and buy the 3rd gen or wait until my wife is out of school in 2 years and buy what i really want- a DC Tacoma? The runner has lots of advantages like- locking up gear, room for kids and dogs, etc, but every time i see a taco I can't keep my eyes off it.

We will be moving back to Co when she is done with school, until then the only 4x4 adventure I have around here is a place called Fourchon beach, a 2.5 hr hwy drive to a driveable beach with tremendous kayak fishing. I don't need to go there because there is a state park very nearby, but I love camping out there in my truck. AAAAHHHHHH what to do what to do?

Hey thanks for putting up with my post and keep up all the photos- ya'll get me through the day sometimes.

cp

 

[Jacket]

Well - having owned (nearly) each truck in your list (I had a 92 Runner and a 00 Runner before my current Tacoma), they are all great trucks for different reasons. My biggest complaint about the 92 is the 3.0 motor - it really struggles out here in Colorado. The 3rd gen with the 3.4 is better for power, and is a great option as well, although 185K is a lot of miles (depending one what has been done to it).

Rather than delving too far into the details further, my advice would be this. If you plan is really 2 years out (minimum), I'd wait and keep what you have. So many things can change in 2 years, so if you can stand it, let your wife finish school, see what kind of debt you have, and then make a decision. If you can keep that 92 Runner going, it's a great truck for getting around on and off pavement, and with the Buick as a backup, you have reliable transportation.

In two years, you can move out here to paradise, get the Tacoma of your choice, and put a locking shell on the back to secure your gear, and be a happy man.

 

[crawler#976]

Welcome to the crew!

How much can you get outta the two other vehicles?

Has the used '98 had all the maintinance done?

At 185K, it's probably due for a timing belt, water pump, cam and crank seals, belts and hoses, etc, etc, etc. That's not cheap - well over a grand if it's done by a dealer. The timing belt/water pump requires SST (special service tools) and a torque wrench that goes to 285 Ft/Lbs to tighten the crank bolt. It's also probably due for all fluids to be changed - diffs, tranny and transfer case.

MARK

 

[datrupr]

Welcome to ExPo!!!:beer:

 

[DaveInDenver]

a torque wrench that goes to 285 Ft/Lbs to tighten the crank bolt

WOW! Seriously, is that ft-lbf or maybe N-m? The spec for the crank bolt on my 22R-E is 157 N-m, which is 116 ft-lbf. But even if that's N-m, it would still be ~200 ft-lbf! Once again, wow!

BTW, welcome. I'd keep the '92, but I'm a sucker for the 2nd gen 4Runner and 3rd gen 4wd pickups...

 

[Andrew Walcker]

Welcome aboard! :beer:

I'll leave the comments to the Yota guys, but looking forward to your decision:lurk:

 

[Maddmatt]

Here's no help at all. I had an '02 DC Taco, absolutely loved it. Sold it when kid #2 came along, both to cut down on expenses and because it was difficult to fit the rear facing child seat in it. Still miss it.

Currently drive a 3rd Gen 4runner (96) with 183,000 miles on it. Runs perfectly. I was lucky in that I bought it from a reputable person (my brother) who bought it from a reputable person, and it was fully checked out by another reputable Toyota guy, so I knew what I was getting.

If it was me, I would keep what you have, make the move, and then decide what kind of vehicle you need. As has been said, things change very quickly.

Do what I do, keep what you have, cruise Craigslist every day thinking about what else you'd like, but don't buy any of it. Cheap entertainment, (check it out honey, this guy put a pinto body on a lifted blazer frame with a 454 in it, and he only wants $1500!) and once your wife realizes you aren't actually going to buy any of it, its good for hours of entertainment.

 

[crawler#976]

WOW! Seriously, is that ft-lbf or maybe N-m? The spec for the crank bolt on my 22R-E is 157 N-m, which is 116 ft-lbf. But even if that's N-m, it would still be ~200 ft-lbf! Once again, wow!

My BAD!

It's 218 Ft/Lbs, not 285...

That's still a lot of torque.

 

[DaveInDenver]

My BAD!

It's 218 Ft/Lbs, not 285...

That's still a lot of torque.

Yeah, I actually thought so (I read a lot of Yotatech, you know). Anyway, 218 ft-lbf is huge, my 1/2" torque wrench only goes to 175 max I think.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

What ever you do........Keep the Buick!

It can get 31mpg on the freeway. And the 3.8V6 is known for being just about the best USA engine ever built. My 1990 Le Sabre just turned over 253,000 miles and the engine has never been apart.

Use it for your everyday runner.....save miles and wear and tear on your expedition vehicle.

Stay out of debt.

Less pressure......you will be happier!

 

[whitethaiger]

Welcome to the forum.

If you keep the 2gen 4Runner and put a sleeping platform in you may find the internal rear window switch handy.
I should also put up some sleeping platform pics of my truck.

 

[kcowyo]

I should also put up some sleeping platform pics of my truck.

:iagree:

 

[c_p]

Well thats what I mean about the number of people who dig this stuff- lots of quality replys and welcomes in a few hours- Thanks!
While I really like the 98 runner I found for sale and I think the price is good, I do worry about getting into another high mileage truck. The Buick runs like a champ but I kinda hate driving it- superficial I know but its the truth I am much more comfortable driving the runner.
I do worry about taking the truck on long trips, I've had so many issues with it it has just never really earned my trust, but then I think "hey xx and x are brand new so they won't fail right?"
I'm sure its here somewhere so I'll search, but any priority reliability suggestions are welcomed. Obviously belts, hoses, fluids, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, (most of that I did when I bought it- then the big stuff started going out) what else? What would you say is the sucker punch you never saw coming that left you walking? Thanks again for the welcome.

cp

 

[DaveInDenver]

Like driving 4Runner, but the Buick runs like a champ, eh? Seems obvious to me: Advance Adapter 713104

 

[slosurfer]

Welcome to Expo! I agree, if you only are two years out, I would suggest keeping what you have till then. At least with the one you have now, you know some history with it, while buying another high mileage one, you may just end up doing all the work again.

FWIW, the taco dcab with a shell, makes a far better family car than a 2nd gen 4runner, but I still drive my 4runner more than the taco. I can't get enough of it.