Im considering a First Gen 4Runner! Am I nuts?

[Viggen]

So, Ive found a few solid axle (original and swapped) 4Runners for sale that are solid, body and frame wise, built with goodies (skids, bumpers, winch, etc...) and good running 22R motors (sub 150k mileage). I really like the first gen for the simplicity of it all and the availability of solid axle. Im thinking that this will make a great long distance camping rig. Am I way off? I see a lot of third/ fourth gens and 4 door Tacos but not much in the way of first gens. Why is that?

 

[slus]

I have an 84 4runner that I'm slowly getting to the point of being able to take on camping trips and drive daily. It took a lot of work to get it to that point, it looked and drove good when I got it, but making it reliable has been a chore.

I do love the simplicity. I recently put together a tool kit that I carry around, basically threw everything that I was using regularly in the garage in a toolbag and added to it for a few months as needed. Now I rarely head to the tool chest, I just use my little bag for 95% of the repairs.

Solid Axle might not be as important factor as you might think (or hear). A live axle rides rougher and probably always will than an IFS setup. Solid axles can be much stronger and flex better for crawling than an IFS setup, but that is becoming less and less of a concern for me for a camping/light expedition truck.

I've got a mildly built 22r in mine. It is still slow, and it always will be slow. I was pretty used to driving my 3rz tacoma everywhere, but hauling gear up a mountain pass in my 4runner gets old pretty quick

It does have a HUGE "cool" factor though, at least to me:victory:

 

[kletzenklueffer]

I miss my 86 a lot. IT was still IFS, but went anywhere I cared to go. Gas mileage was the same as my 3.4L 6 with little to no power, but gearing would have made the difference. I just needed 4 doors (well, the family needed 4 doors- I only needed one )

 

[obscurotron]

Probably the same reason you don't see "lots" of anything that old - most owners drove 'em hard and put 'em away wet. No care, minimal or poor maintenance, etc. At that point, for most people, a banged up old rig is not preferable to a shiny new latest-n-greatest truck from the dealer lot.

I'm sort of in the same boat, slowly building up my CJ-7 to make it a reliable rig for more than a daily driver.

So, Ive found a few solid axle (original and swapped) 4Runners for sale that are solid, body and frame wise, built with goodies (skids, bumpers, winch, etc...) and good running 22R motors (sub 150k mileage). I really like the first gen for the simplicity of it all and the availability of solid axle. Im thinking that this will make a great long distance camping rig. Am I way off? I see a lot of third/ fourth gens and 4 door Tacos but not much in the way of first gens. Why is that?

 

[SOAZ]

I love first gens. Who doesn't!
I have to admit I love this one and have for a LONG time. It's a first gen body on a 3rd gen everything else. Since it's a truck I know well, 3rd, and a truck I love the looks of! No solid axle though, but I wouldn't miss it. That's just me. :victory:

Now get a first gen and enjoy! :smiley_drive:


http://irbisoffroad.com/Skyrunner_pics.asp

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

I have an 84 4runner that I'm slowly getting to the point of being able to take on camping trips and drive daily. It took a lot of work to get it to that point, it looked and drove good when I got it, but making it reliable has been a chore.

I've got a mildly built 22r in mine. It is still slow, and it always will be slow. I was pretty used to driving my 3rz tacoma everywhere, but hauling gear up a mountain pass in my 4runner gets old pretty quick

It does have a HUGE "cool" factor though, at least to me:victory:

I'm in the same boat. Needing to fix all sorts of stuff to make me feel better.

I thought about putting a "performance" 22RE in the truck, but I'm now convinced to do the Supra 7MGE swap.

 

[Viggen]

I know that theyre older and will require a little more basic upkeep in the beginning but I would rather have something older for the simplicity of it. I passed up a very well built Disco 1 (basically just needed a tent) for a lot less than a nicely built 4Runner because I just didnt want to deal with the on again off again electronics of them (personal experience with it as I drove it for a week to decide). It was a great truck but it just was going to be too much pain to deal with the electrics. I would like a solid axle truck as a lot of the stuff around here involves mud and with a solid axle, there is less to clean up. I dont mind IFS but do mind torsion bars (had them in my 3" lifted Rodeo) and the stiffness in ride that comes with increased diameter bars and cranked bolts. Im not too worried about the power, or lack thereof, with the 22R. Its a 4 cyl and Im not trying to win any races here just get down the highway at 70 mph and into the woods to relax. Eventually, the 22R would go and I would replace it with a VW ALH TDi. Simple nozzle change and reflash and youve got around 270 torque and 130 horse to pull you around and will bolt to the trans with the Acme adapters kit.

I was thinking about a first gen Trooper also but like the 4Runner just a little bit better.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

I was thinking about a first gen Trooper also but like the 4Runner just a little bit better.

First gen Troopers are quite nice. They have a lot of room inside and have a lot of features the early 4runner doesnt. That being said, the 1G 4Runner is much much cooler and sexier.

 

[RusM]

In hindsight this is what I should have done, and am in the process of offloading my truck to do. Way cheaper to buy and build, you can laugh at body damage and you'll still have some money left over after the build to pick up a decent DD.

 

[Viggen]

In hindsight this is what I should have done, and am in the process of offloading my truck to do. Way cheaper to buy and build, you can laugh at body damage and you'll still have some money left over after the build to pick up a decent DD.

Bingo!

 

[Owyhee H]

Get it.....I love my first gen....slow and steady wins the race. Seriously they take a little bit of love constantly but are easy to work on, can be very reliable if taken care of, and just darn coooooool. Any rig that gets used will need constant maintainance but the first gen you can do yourself and make it stronger and know your vehicle inside and out along the way.

One question to ask yourself before you buy any old rig, especially a slow one, is how patient are you?

 

[ntsqd]

This is "Patch", he was put away wet many times before I got him:

You can probably guess about my response to the basic question. I wring him pretty hard sometimes, but he always (sometimes eventually) gets the attention needed. Has only ever left me stranded once, and that was my fault for over looking the obvious.

 

[tanglefoot]

You're not nuts at all. I have no plans to replace my '85. It never needs a thing. And you can put a camper in it even though the manual says not to.

 

[Toyotero]

Viggen,

The only downside to 1st gen 4Runners is their size (which may or may not matter to you) and their age. Age = wear and potentially neglect.

When well maintained, they are solid rigs. Check this one out. It was driven from the US to Argentina.
http://ramblewriter.com/buythetruck.htm
but before it went, it got a new engine and a lot of other parts.

I'd recommend that you get an 85+ because they came with EFI... and don't get a V6 (3VZ-E). (google "3vze headgasket"). They aren't all bad, but their reputation precedes them

Regards,

Toyotero.

So, Ive found a few solid axle (original and swapped) 4Runners for sale that are solid, body and frame wise, built with goodies (skids, bumpers, winch, etc...) and good running 22R motors (sub 150k mileage). I really like the first gen for the simplicity of it all and the availability of solid axle. Im thinking that this will make a great long distance camping rig. Am I way off? I see a lot of third/ fourth gens and 4 door Tacos but not much in the way of first gens. Why is that?

 

[djrez4]

I say do it. :victory: