Advice for crippled 89 4runner

[Bobyfet]

Hello all,

I'm new to the forum but have been a guest here many times since buying my first 1st gen. in 2007. Tons of info on here, so thank you all. I had no idea how attached I'd get to the truck. I've got a dilemma I hope some of you can help me with:

The transmission in my beloved 89 (22re, 4x4, automatic) went out recently and in the process, white/grayish smoke began billowing out of the exhaust. Not sure if these things are related. My hope was that the engine was in good shape, but I'm not so sure. One guy who looked at it said it's been WAAAAAY overfilled with oil, which may have caused damage to the engine. I drained and refilled the oil, but the smoke persists. It's been taking up space in my garage, and I don't know what to do with it. I am not very mechanically inclined. I've changed an alternator, replaced belts and hoses and a few other things, but not sure I could handle a rebuild. I've since bought an 88 V6 5spd to help me get over the loss of the 89, so I considered selling it on craigslist, but all I get are a bunch of jackwagons with lowball offers. Details on the 89: lots of rust on wheel wells and quite a bit on frame. Engine is relatively clean and ran well before the tranny issue. It leaked a bit of oil, however.

My questions:

• Am I stupid if I unload this for $400 just to get it off my hands?
• What are my options for rebuilding it and how tough is it to learn? Cost involved? (A friend suggested pulling the auto tranny out and finding a used manual to put in because it's easier and cheaper).
• Or just pull parts I may need in the future for the 88 and get rid of the rest?
• Fill in the blank with an option I haven't considered...

Time is not too much of an issue, but money is. I'm willing to learn, since I hope to have the 88 for a long time and know it'll need maintenance, but much of what I've read on the rebuilding threads is over my head. Anyone been there before that can offer some advice and suggestions? What would you do if you were in my shoes with my level of experience?

If you made it thru all that, thanks, and I appreciate any comments. I'm really paralyzed by indecision.

 

[the_dingman]

I would do some research and find out how bad the engine issue is. A bad transmission will NOT cause exhaust smoke unless it's caused engine damage.

A new engine is anywhere from a couple hundred used to a couple thousand rebuilt or new. Same with the transmission.

As for selling it, $400 isn't a bad sell for a truck with body and frame cancer and a blown engine and transmission... In fact, I don't know why anyone would buy it... If in fact the engine and transmission are both shot.

 

[Bobyfet]

Thanks for the input. I don't know that the engine is crippled for sure. It's definitely worth some investigation. I'm just trying to figure out if I have the time/money to do the investigating or pass it on. I'd rather have someone take it who's willing to put it back on the road. Otherwise, I'll pull as many useful parts as I can and (tear) scrap it.

 

[Bobyfet]

Anyone else got some words of wisdom?

 

[as3goliath]

If the motor smoking is the 3.0 then head gasket has failed highly common took me total of 18hrs and 600 dollars to do mine not easy for beginning wrencher if its 22re then slot easier is it running rough? The exhaust is very captive so to speak took 3 hrs of driving before my smoke went away Plus I have a climate muffler that holds anything u can name in chambers

 

[fourwd1]

H'mm,it has a bad engine, a bad trans (an auto at that), and quite a bit of frame rust.

I'd try to find out more specifically what is wrong with engine (maybe a blown Head Gasket), and trans if possible.

Depending on the results, selling it for whatever you can get may be a good option.