I am buying a 1987 tr4. I am taking it to a mechanic for inspection on Monday and wanted to know if anyone had any advice or suggestions that may be trouble areas I should have throughly looked at? I live in the panhandle of Fl. The body is in good condition with no visible rust, it has 285,000 miles on it. When I first tried to start it, it would not turn over however the power windows and lights were working fine. I do not think it was the battery, that is the only problem I have found so far. It has since started and runs fine. Any help or suggestions would be apprecitated.
Buying an 87 4runner
- Thread starter Aschwagg
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KidVermicious
New member
What engine?
RiFF RaFF
New member
I'll give you the same advice I give my kids about buying a used vehicle.
Right off the bat expect to drop $1,000.00 to get it road ready. This could be more (if you're unlucky), or less (if you're very lucky). This is especially true of a 25 year old vehicle.
New fluids - including brakes, radiator, oil, power steering, diffs (front and rear), tranny and transfer case. Hoses, timing belt, vacuum lines....and the list goes on and on. Hence the $1,000.00 for repairs/maintenance in the beginning.
Also - WHERE'S THE PICTURES???!!! :cowboy:
:worthless
pandaemonium
New member
I wish I had someone like Riff Raff around!
RiFF RaFF
New member
LOL! I didn't say I'd pay for the repairs for my kids vehicles. Just that I would help with the mechanics.
It's an 88 not an 87
Good thing I went to a mechanic because I even had the year wrong. It has a 3.0 V6. After visiting a mechanic it appears to be leaking oil. The engine needs to be cleaned to determine where the leak is coming from, could be valve cover, timing cover, or possibly heads. All belts appear to be new and rear drums are below spec. Rear spring bushings are almost completely gone and radiator is cracking near cap. Other than minor things this was the report I got, any advice? The body and interior are in good condition, price is $2,500 but may try to negotiate a little lower. If the leaks are fixed could I expect this engine to last a few more years, mileage is 286,000
Good thing I went to a mechanic because I even had the year wrong. It has a 3.0 V6. After visiting a mechanic it appears to be leaking oil. The engine needs to be cleaned to determine where the leak is coming from, could be valve cover, timing cover, or possibly heads. All belts appear to be new and rear drums are below spec. Rear spring bushings are almost completely gone and radiator is cracking near cap. Other than minor things this was the report I got, any advice? The body and interior are in good condition, price is $2,500 but may try to negotiate a little lower. If the leaks are fixed could I expect this engine to last a few more years, mileage is 286,000
nevada
Senior Member
unless you are dead set on THAT rig, id pass.
the 3.0 is barely better than a boat anchor, and is a real ***** to work on.
I agree with Nevada, I would pass on this rig. I know how hard it is to be patient, but thats too much money. I waited and watched Craigslist for over a year but finally found a 88 with the 22RE (204,000 Miles) and a brand new clutch, radiator, and tires for a asking price of 1500. Talked him down to $1000. Granted it needed new front fenders and some patch work from rust on the body, and it also has a oil leak from the front of the engine, but for $1000 i didnt expect perfect. It does drive well. Overall $2500 is too much for that truck IMHO.
4runnertank
New member
Yea that's definitely too much money. Plus, that's a hell of a lot of miles. I regretted gettin mine with 278k even with it being rebuilt 60k before that. There are sooooo many seals that are going to wear out as well with those miles. I've prob done around 12 in less then 3 years. $2500 is expensive for any vehicle that doesn't run.
Just my 2 cents
Just my 2 cents
Aznwolf118
Member
I had the same issue and ended up finding out the 4runner 3.slo had a blown head gasket. But I took the gamble buying it for 1k even though it ran and had a oil leak. You just never know,
But guess what now I can't decide if I want a diesel or 1uz swap
But guess what now I can't decide if I want a diesel or 1uz swap
85HJ75
New member
Sorry to hijack your thread but for those of us who are new to the 1st Generation 4Runner world what would be a reasonable price for the above vehicle if it didn't have the issues. In other words if it had reasonable mileage ( say less than 150,000 ) a solid engine (22RE) and drivetrain, and an above average interior and exterior?
Just curious.......
Just curious.......
CAN-03runner
New member
I'm going to say 300-1500$ Remember, it is a 1st gen IFS 4runner, 1986-1988/9. It is almost as old as they come. If it wasn't a 4runner, and you weren't a 4runner or toyota truck guy and this wasn't a 4runner forum, this truck would have little to no value. To us it has value. But in reality, this isn't too different from and 86 chevy cavalier.
The demand would increase the price. If the guy thinks he's got a classic gem he might hold out for a bigger price if he has lots of interest in it. If no one gives interest in it, he might realize that really, it isn't worth much and let it go for a few hundred$.
I know guys who basically have bought solid axle 1st gens for a few hundred. For them the only thing worth anything is the front axle. So they offer a price like they were only buying a complete axle. Then turn around and scrap the truck and put that axle on a suzuki.
On the other hand, a nice clean one, no rust, that starts first time all the time, and no leaks, may be worth even extra to avoid the hassles of major repairs.
The demand would increase the price. If the guy thinks he's got a classic gem he might hold out for a bigger price if he has lots of interest in it. If no one gives interest in it, he might realize that really, it isn't worth much and let it go for a few hundred$.
I know guys who basically have bought solid axle 1st gens for a few hundred. For them the only thing worth anything is the front axle. So they offer a price like they were only buying a complete axle. Then turn around and scrap the truck and put that axle on a suzuki.
On the other hand, a nice clean one, no rust, that starts first time all the time, and no leaks, may be worth even extra to avoid the hassles of major repairs.
85HJ75
New member
I fully understand that concept. If you compare my 1985 HJ75 pickup with a modern Tacoma you would be crazy to buy the old Land Cruiser however in good condition they often command obscene money.
thatoneguy
New member
This is what i would tell someone. But when I bought mine i got lucky, it's been just about zero problems for eight thousand miles so far. It could've easily been a problem child, my chassis has 300k!
I don't even recommend these older trucks to friends unless they're willing to accept the risk. A friends' brother bought an 85, and it ended up needing immediate head gasket and timing chain work.
KidVermicious
New member
It's going to depend on the area and the time of year, but I think $2000-$2500 is a reasonable range for a truck in reasonable operating condition. The mileage doesn't even really count, nobody looking at a gen1 is really concerned with mileage. It's getting to where trucks with decent bodies and interiors are pretty rare, though, so that's definitely going to influence the price just as much as the mechanical condition.
