Hey Guys,

I've been looking to get something for off roading as a hobby and after looking at various trucks and SUVs, I found 4runners is what I prefer most. They seem to be best for parts and reliability and just overall fun. I came across this listing the other day and went to see it myself.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/2864879154.html

He also texted me the other day to tell me another buyer backed out, and hes willing to sell for $1500.

The head gasket leak is very minor, maybe dime size amount of oil lost, no leaks/smoke into the manifold. Power steering was non existence because the lines are bad according the seller so he just stopped putting fluid in. Typically a cheap fix in my experience with other vehicles. The car is mechanically sound from what I can tell and what I felt when I drove it.

The only problem I have is the body. Significant rust on the drivers and passenger door panels, one is rusted through near the bottom. Previous owner did some (****ty)bondo work around wheel wells, and the bumpers have rust as well. The bumpers I am not concerned with just because I know they can be replaced rather cheaply. Its the door panels and wheel wells I am worried about. Frame is solid though. I am willing to put some work into this but want to know what I am getting into when dealing with body issues.

Anything else I should be concerned with?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated, if all goes well I'd like to make a decision by the weekend :-)

"This posting has been flagged for removal" <--- This is all I see when I click your link.

A head gasket leak is a major turn-off - the head gaskets on these things are known to be weak, and if this one's leaking already, there's a good chance it could fail completely on you, which can lead to $700-$1500+ in repair work.

And $1500 for a rustbucket seems a bit steep. Are you sure there's not significant frame rust? With the amount of body rust you're describing, it seems like there should be. Body panels can be replaced, either through a junkyard or with fiberglass (there's at least one person on here who's gone that route). The wheel wells are a bit trickier though.

Must have been taken down. For some reason I can still access it. This is the description:

"1990 Toyota 4Runner with a 3.0 automatic, V6 BRAND NEW TIRES. starts up everytime and warms up great, solid idle. Heat and 4x4 work.
Low miles-142K. power windows. power locks. power sunroof. new alternator, Body is is decent condition. Inside of the car is clean. Has roof rack and running boards. 31 inch all terrain tires. Full size spare. New muffler. Front brakes are new(rotors and pads). Fresh oil and filter change. New air filter, cap and rotor. New spark plugs and spark plug wires. Brand new inner and outer tie Rods. New fuel filter. New valve cover gasket. Has crack in windshield. Parking brake doesnt work Power steering has a leak. Awesome truck never get stuck.
Great truck I just don't have a use for it anymore and need to pay of school loans which is why im selling ."

I can post pics later when I leave work.

it runs 500$ it has 4x4 and works +300$ head gasket bad - 1000
he should pay you.
but seriously thats too much i would go 900 at the most because of the head gasket.

If you want a rust bucket i have.
im in your backyard so if you want i could come down and check it out for you and give you a first hand idea of if its worth it.

Thanks for all the help so far guys. I've decided its not the best move right now. The search continues...

Yeah, not the right truck, not for that price. Once the rust gets that bad, it's time to part it out.