[FrogginAround]

Do you guys think this is worth buying as a beater/parts car?

1996 4runner SR5 4WD - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

[UnderFire]

Easily saved with a little elbow grease. I'm going to guess the mileage is also somewhat high. Likely not worth it in parts due to the thrashed interior, but you could have it back to a decent beater and come in under $3000 if you have a source for parts.

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[brillo_76]

You can salvage it. However, it's up to you. I have salvage ones that were headed to the scrap yard..

How is the frame and underneath?

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[plcfcng]

Check the engine oil, Transmission fluid, Coolant. Check under it for major leaks (don't for get the rear brake backing plates) Ask to drive it when it's stone cold so times this reveals problems. If it drives fine remember to try the 4wd if it acts fine it could be a decent little driver.

[FrogginAround]

Originally Posted by plcfcng

Check the engine oil, Transmission fluid, Coolant. Check under it for major leaks (don't for get the rear brake backing plates) Ask to drive it when it's stone cold so times this reveals problems. If it drives fine remember to try the 4wd if it acts fine it could be a decent little driver.

Ya. I want to meet you at your house so it is a cold start. I know this doesn't always work but still.

If you can audibly hear it when you hit the push button 4hi, does that actually mean it is working correctly everytime or can you hear that while the 4hi isn't working?

[plcfcng]

Hearing it from a cold condition allow you to listen for a miss like what happens with a head gasket leak if it's minor sometimes it goes away when it warms up. Valve lash noise is easier to pick up when it cold as it can go away when it warms up. Automatic Transmissions also can exhibit problems when cold that go away when warm. If your trying to look into the radiator if you pull it off hot look out. If you can not see it stone cold and they want to go to a neutral place like a shopping mall ask to see it after it has cooled off as much as possible. You should be able to find a youtube on checking out a car they may have some other tips.

[sleepydad]

Originally Posted by FrogginAround

Do you guys think this is worth buying as a beater/parts car?

1996 4runner SR5 4WD - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

I can smell that truck from here

take some tools and do some serious poking around. I would bring enough to pull a couple of plugs and test compression.

cold start then... letting it run for 20-30 mins will tell you a lot.

everything on the inside of that thing needs to be tossed, unless you like that mold spore smell.

to me it looks like minimal rust, if I was local I would be checking it out.