?? Before I buy an '87.

[jgrider16]

Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1
jgrider16 is on a distinguished road

Shopping ... questions before I buy.
Hi there -

I'm shopping for a 1st gen 4r. Found an '87 w/ 244k miles for $1800. Body is in pretty good shape with very little rust. Interior is a little rough but functional. Runs and drives smooth and strong (relatively speaking). Previous owner seemed to have kept up with maintenance pretty well ... timing chain, head gasket, brakes. It leaks a little oil (looks like from the back / bottom of motor) about 1 quart every 3000 miles but no smoke.

Looking forward to a few little fixes and having a nice old truck to cruise around the local mountains with.

Anything in particular that I should have checked out before I dive in??? Thanks!

 

[fourwd1]

Depending on where you are, frame rust can be a big problem, even if it looks ok from the outside.

 

[zidaro]

$1800 isnt a wicked deal, but not out of the park either.
i usually look for one of two rigs-
one with a perfect body and interior with mechanical issues (my personal favorite)
one with a perfect drivetrain but some cosmetic issues

Its tough to find a rig in sound cosmetic condition b/c of the years and i like to fix the mechanicals myself so i know they are done right and gonna hold up. I cannot stand a nasty interior or rusty frames/undercarriage so that is my priority. Luckily i live in cali where rust is less common of an issue.

Honestly- if it is a trail rig to just fart around in, make sure it is sound mechanically. Im not too excited when i hear it burns a quart every 3K. Are the cv's dripping with torn boots, rear axle dripping at the back of the drums, new brakes, new anything?? Or is it just a neglected stocker? You can find those for 1K-$1500 down here often that are in good shape just left out to dry.
Try to make sure it will not nickel-n-dime you to death just keeping it running. that is the worst and youll end up buying another junker just for parts

Good luck, 1st gens rule.

 

[jgrider16]

I'm in Colorado. Most of them under $2000 are pretty rough in one way or another. I'm happy as long as it runs well enough and needs a little work here and there. The current owner has done timing chain, head gasket, brakes, within the last 30K miles as well as regular maintenance. Basically hoping for a solid frame and decent engine.

This will pretty much be my into to DIY auto work (other than basic maintenance), so I'm actually looking forward to a few little project.

 

[zidaro]

take a peen hammer to the framerails (underside is best) to check basic integrity/rustout.