1Gen Buyer's guide??

M

MoboHaji

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Hello, I'm looking for a older model 4x4 that will serve me well as a photography vehicle for traveling around the South West (USA). Cosmetics are not a concern for me, getting stuck out in the middle of know where is.

I've searched around a bit on the forum here and have seen people talking about looking for rust in the rear wheel area and checking on the mounts. Is there any other items that I should look at closely for this vehicle? The basic I have covered.

Gas mileage is an issue. Also, is there a certain mileage where major things have to be replaced? Which would be better, the 4cyc or 6cyc. Manual or Auto tranny?

Thanks for any help.
 
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Better MPG go with a 4cyl manual tranny, Rust is the biggest issue.

The 22R (4cyl) is a time tested rock solid engine.

Look for the front solid axle early first gen.

good luck
 
Thanks Mike. Should I be worried at all motor or tranny wise on one with 100k-150k miles on it? Assuming it has been reasonably taken care of?
 
MoboHaji said:
Thanks Mike. Should I be worried at all motor or tranny wise on one with 100k-150k miles on it? Assuming it has been reasonably taken care of?
Click to expand...

Are you kidding that is nothing, That has to be on a rebuilt engine right?, If your talking early 1st Gen.

If it is a well mantained engine/tranny you can get over 200-250K easy.
 
Sorry, was not talking about a specific truck...just in general. That eases my mind about the higher mileage trucks. Thanks.
 
I searched and searched for a 1st Generation 4Runner as well. I got a 1988 SR5 with the infamous 3.0 V6. I would imagine most will recommend you steer clear of the V6, from what I have read the 22re is as reliable as it gets, personally my 4Runner has 201000 miles on it and runs like a top. I guess you should check any 3.0 to make sure that it has had the service campaign work for the head gaskets.

Here is a 4Runner on ebay right now that looks good

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...item=4532034177&category=6442&sspagename=WDVW


Here is a pic of my '88 (I paid $2100 2 months ago)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/gohawks444/19884Runner.jpg
 
gohawks, I looked at that one on ebay yesterday as well. If it was a little closer, I might bid on it. As it is right now, I'm in Afghanistan and a buddy would have to go pick it up for me.

I think I will go with the 22R. Since I will not be towing any thing and I will not be doing any off roading for fun, it should have more then enough power for me.

As long as it dives good and the heater and ac work, I should be fine.

What do the different models mean? Like SR5 and stuff??

Thanks again for all the help!
 
SR5, DLX, etc are trim levels, SR5 being the top and DLX being the base model.

Since you don't want it for serious wheeling, skip looking for an 84-85 with the solid front axle and get a newer IFS model with a 22RE engine. The IFS will give you a better ride onroad but is still capable offroad.
 
1994 is obviously a different body style (second gen), the one drawback for me personally was that you can't take the top off as in the first generations. That is a matter of personal choice, I like the fact the top comes off of mine.
 
The removable top was on models from 1985-1989. That's why I went with the 1st Generation. I also like the kind of quirky body style the best, so old its almost cool again.
 
Keith,

Should be lots of 'em still left in Colorado from what people say on the boards. Have you done a serach on cars.com or autotrader.com ? You should be able to put parameters in such as year, price, location to pinpoint some to look at.

A lot of the ones here in the midwest are really rusty, I got one from Minneapolis that had spent 95% of its life in California so the rust wasn't really much of an issue.

I guess the 1st Gen is a bit more spartan inside as well, but I think the SR5 trim package is pretty nice and it is easily more comfortable the the 94 Ford F150 XLT I drove previous.

Good luck!
 
There are quite a few in the CO area. I was just not sure which modle and what to really look out for. When I was first searching, the really high miles worried me a bit. But looks like if i fined any in the 100k-200k range i'll be just fine.

Thanks for all the help guys.
 
Keith,

Mine had 200000 when I bought it. However it was a one owner with all the service records. I was in the same boat as you, it made me nervous with the high miles but if you discriminating enough you can find one that has been taken care of.

They say the 22re will go 500000 miles, I hope my 3.0 gets 300,000!
 
Beware

OK I haven't ever actually posted anything in this forum. I have just been reading for a while.

I just wanted to comment about rust issues in buying trucks from web auctions. I bought a 90 last August from Rhode Island from a yahoo auction. There were tons of pictures and loads of information on previous owners and maintenance. I was really skeptical about committing $3000 for a vehicle that I had never driven. I asked lots of questions, look at every picture and finally bought it. One picture I should have requested is a pic of the frame in the rear. It was so rusted out, the spare tire holder had actually rusted away, gone, only a chain hanging there. I also noticed some other rust around the wheel wells and the bottoms of the doors. All of this rust was hidden under the almost perfect paint job and even though I looked at all of the pics very closely, you could not see any problems from the surface.

I would not have a problem buying a truck from an auction if it's origin was Georgia or further south but I will never again buy one from North of there without at least getting pics of the frame.
 
Good point Schooler, I too would be cautious with auctions.
I like things I can see and look over, not to say I have never bought anything from e-bay but your right when your talking thousands I would becareful.
 
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