Parts availability on a 1987
 

Looking at possibly buying a 1987 4 runner that may be coming available. Are there plenty of parts for these old 4 runners or are they getting scarce? Don't want to buy something that cannot be fixed. Is frame rot an issue in the classics, This one is not coming from the rust belt, been in the south. Looking for something to tinker on. Already have a2014 4runner. Thanks

ENGINE OVERHAUL GASKET KIT. 1987 Toyota 4Runner SR5 2.4L AT | Toyota

1987 Toyota 4Runner 2.4L AT SR5 Parts & Accessories | Toyota Parts Center Online

parts availability is pretty good...

Mainly concerned with the drive train and I checked and see some things are not available.

After market isn’t as big as most American muscle but the 1st gen has been “vintage” as long either.
Plenty of people are able to keep their rigs going and even improve them using online resources. It’s doable.

I bought an 87 about 8 months ago. I've been getting most parts from Toyota dealer and RockAuto. The hard parts to find, for me, have been interior trim pieces. Not a lot of action at the pick and pull.

Does it look like the transfer case, etc.. is available?

My 87 with Jasper motor has required some parts recently... some stuff like windshield wiper pump, pcv valve, radiator, various hoses and belts, all easily available and findable online or local. Other stuff like rear window glass, rear window switch, bumper and trim pieces... these things border on very very difficult and really depend on good timing in used aftermarket. Other stuff like interior trim, sunroof related items, window gaskets, charcoal vapor canister, are virtually impossible to find and require dumb luck or extremely clever improvising... but its all worth it to have a first gen 4 runner in the long run.
Havent had to do major drivetrain/motor/transmission work, but clutch/suspension/fuel system (aside from charcoal canister) have been no problem.

Quick search = LKQ on ebay for $191 + $150 shipping.

I have been able to get a lot of parts for my 1986 from Toyota. For trim pieces, I have been buying whatever I can find on ebay and dying them to match.

We Just Finished The Full Restoration of an 1986 4Runner
 

FYI .. we just finished the complete and total restoration of an 1986 Toyota 4Runner (Gen 1) and we were able to find all of the parts we needed.

We also installed a brand new 22RE crate engine, did a platinum total rebuild of the trans and front transfer case and installed a new 4.88 locker rear diff.

We did a complete restoration of the interior (even got parts from Toyota in Japan) and we also restored all of the mechanicals on the truck, including the entire suspension including newer and much better rear leaf springs, all around new shocks, new front suspension components, SS exhaust, hubs, brakes (front & rear) wheels and tires, and of course, with ALL NEW parts.

We even installed brand new, REAL carbon-fiber fender flares.

In short, every single nut and bolt on this truck, (and every square inch of the truck) was disassembled, restored and re-assembled and of course we did all of the body work and new paint. For more information on the restore go to: 4RunnerRestoration.com (more pictures of the finished truck are coming - which will show the newly installed carbon-fiber fender flares.)

So to answer your concerns about parts availability, … yes they are available for the most part, and if you look hard enough you should be able to find everything you need for your Gen-1 4Runner.

Check out: 4RunnerRestoration.com for more info on our restore and we are in the process of updating the website (now that the truck is finished) over the coming weeks.

Would like to add Toyota Parts Deal Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Toyota Parts and Accessories Online as another online parts source

Dang! That is beautiful!