1995 Diesel in Canada

[Sebby]

Hi,
I currently live on a small island in the South Pacific were I have a 1995 diesel 4runner. I will most likely head back home to eastern Canada in the next year. I'm considering taking her back but is it a good idea?

On the plus side
- I already have her.
- Mechanically good
- My employer covers the cost of shipping my things back home.
- Aside from a little rust the body is still good and there is not rust on the chassis
- I like my diesel engine.
- She's got 155 000km which I think is not too bad.

On the down side
- She has no turbo. I'm planning on adding one but everything here as to be imported at very high cost.
- The air con has been taken out. Don't use it, didn't want to fix it.
- She has had an accident but no major mechanical damage.
- I paid too much for her ( compared to North America price)
- She's 15 and looks it. But nothing a paint job a bit of TLC can't fix.

Is she worth taking back? How hard to find and how expensive are diesel 4runners in Canada? I don't mind paying an extra 2-3k once I get back home to fix her up a little. would it be cheaper to take her then lets say the 7000$ I can get for her here?

 

[ironhippy]

I'm in Eastern Canada and the 2nd gen 4runners are in horrible shape. It is difficult to find one without significant rust on the frame, let alone the body. Also it's hard to find one with less than 200 - 250,000 kms, and it's impossible to find a diesel 4runner around here.

So your truck would certainly be a diamond in the rough as is.

The only reason why I would recommend you not bringing it back is if you want a newer truck and can sell it easily there. If you are happy with the 95, then it'll last you another 15 years, just use an oil based under coating.

You could sell it here, but you may have to wait a little while to get the price you want for it.

 

[Sebby]

Thanks for the answer.

Thats the thing I could sell quite easily here for more than back home. But I don't really want to. I really like the diesel engine. It's tough as, and easy to maintain. I was just wondering if it was easier to bring it with me or get one there.

I would much rather keep it and run it till it dies. I'd also like to try diesel to vegetable oil conversion. Maybe get back some of the money I gave Dixie Lee over the years.

Since you're are also from NB. (I was born in Caraquet) You wouldn't happen to know where I can get a detailed list of vehicule inspection points? Here is you have brakes a horde and 4 wheels you're pretty much good to go.

 

[ironhippy]

Mechanic's responsibilities
Listed below are the parts of a vehicle that should be inspected by the mechanic during an inspection on a passenger vehicle:

The body, and seat belt assemblies
The windshield and windows
The horn
The windshield wipers
The rear-view mirror
The lighting systems
The exhaust system
The brake system
The steering system
The suspension system
The wheels and tires
The coupling system

From New Brunswick Public Safety - Motor Vehicle Inspection Program

If you have holes rusted in your body/floor, you won't pass. Just make sure the above things work and you should be good to go.

You can usually get a smaller garage to be bit more lenient if needed.