'93 4x4 4cyl pick-up buyer advice

[KMX3060]

Many of you guys have had toyotas for a while so I thought I would post my question here.

My friend has a toyota pick-up, '93 4x4 with a 5 speed and 4 cyl.

It has low compression, the shifter is hard to get into 1st gear when stopped, otherwise it is in fair to good condition.

Would this be a good prospect to buy?
What is a fair price?
What could be the problem with the engine?
What causes the hard shifting?
What other things should I look for?

If I need a rebuilt engine, who can I go to in the So Cal area?

Any help would be appreciated.

Oh yeah, it has 120,000 miles on the odo

 

[rivertrek]

I had this exact truck before I bought the Runner. I had the extra cab truck, it was a great truck. The 4-cyl is a bullet proof motor.

As for the low compression, it might be piston rings, OR nothing at all. Is the compression the same on all cylinders? If so that is a good sign.

Hard to get in 1st gear could be as simple as needing to adjust the clutch.

If I was you I would ask your friend if you could borrow the truck and take it to a mechanic that you