95 4Runner Gold, Leather 4x, 175k Feedback!

[bowrappyo]

Hey everybody,

I found a pretty clean 95 4runner its gold with leather it is 4x4 and has 175k miles on it. Single owner owned by an older lady.

It had a steering and rod recall done on 12/06 and there are no pending recalls on it. I know of the head gasket recall for the 3.0 and there is no record of this vin having that service done or the recall pending - weird.

should I be worried. looks really clean and could be a good deal. Real interested in what everybody thinks.

I am also looking at a 3rd gen highlander or a 4th gen v8 but I like the money saved with this 2nd gen buy. Worth it?

:spy::spy::hungry::hungry:

 

[Dropzone]

I would at least do a compression test. 175K +/- 15k'ish is the range the head gaskets tend to decide they have had it. Do a compression test on all 6 cylinders.


as much time and effort I have put into my 94 I really like it (plus I only paid $400 for it from a family member) but if you have the options I would get a 3rd or 4th gen for a couple of reasons:
1) its not a 25+ year old truck
2) big thing: 96 + have air bags...2nd gens don't have the best accident ratings.

Sure you roll the dice on any used car but IMO newer is better, especially if it has been well cared for

 

[bowrappyo]

This is great feedback. I appreciate it. Thank you.

:hatsoff::hatsoff:

I would at least do a compression test. 175K +/- 15k'ish is the range the head gaskets tend to decide they have had it. Do a compression test on all 6 cylinders.


as much time and effort I have put into my 94 I really like it (plus I only paid $400 for it from a family member) but if you have the options I would get a 3rd or 4th gen for a couple of reasons:
1) its not a 25+ year old truck
2) big thing: 96 + have air bags...2nd gens don't have the best accident ratings.

Sure you roll the dice on any used car but IMO newer is better, especially if it has been well cared for

 

[RonJR]

I believe the head gasket service campaign (wasn't really an official recall) applied to early '94's and before. After that Toyota got the head gasket formula "correct" again and decided the later ones were not susceptible to early HG failures. My '94, manufactured in mid '94, also has no record of HG replacement or eligibility for such. At 220K miles it's still running just fine.

That being said, a 2nd gen is a completely different beast than a 4th gen. It's significantly smaller, much less powerful, less comfortable, and less civilized in many ways. It really depends what you want to use it for. It's a great fishing and backcountry truck; the small size and excellent ground clearance are great for moderate offroad. For a DD around town or on the interstate, however, you can do better.