Buying someone else's complete/incomplete build?

sfvtrdpro

sfvtrdpro

New member
I'm in the market for a dedicated off road truck and I've been debating whether to buy one that is ready to go or get a stock truck and do all the work. And by "do the work" I mean pay someone to do all the work because unfortunately I don't have the mechanical know-how or more accurately, the time required to learn the mechanical know-how to do it myself.

I was considering a built gen 2 4runner that was priced very attractively, but I wasn't sure about the quality of the build and if anything went wrong, I'd need to pay someone to fix it i.e. a money pit.

Any suggestions/recommendations/experiences/feedback would be welcome and helpful. I don't want to buy someone else's money pit, but the thought of having one that's plug & play is appealing.

Btw, there are 2 in CA in the vehicles for sale section. One is in SD for $12k and one is in norcal for $8k. $12k is above what I want to spend, but the $8k might work if I could get it at a discount since I'd only have to buy front/rear bumpers and sliders.
 
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Well if you buy from the forum your bound to find a well maintained rig based on this being an enthusiasts group. But I'd suggest 99-02 as was suggested to me.

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You will save butt loads of money by buying something that is already built. Especially Toyotas, you can put $30k in these trucks and you won't even get a 1/4 of that back.


There's a really nice red 1st gen on san diego cl too
 
85RedRunner said:
You will save butt loads of money by buying something that is already built. Especially Toyotas, you can put $30k in these trucks and you won't even get a 1/4 of that back.


There's a really nice red 1st gen on san diego cl too
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Subtle... very subtle lol

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mwray8909 said:
Well if you buy from the forum your bound to find a well maintained rig based on this being an enthusiasts group. But I'd suggest 99-02 as was suggested to me.

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Any particular reason for '99-'02? The one in norcal happens to be a '00 limited.
 
Keep in mind if you have a dedicated offroad truck you're bound to break it (or you're not doing it right).

Even if you find a great quality build, you'll either have to pay someone to fix it or do it yourself.

FWIW I really like my 3rd gen, but if I was getting a dedicated rig, it would either be a Landcruiser or a 1st gen 4runner. Solid axle and that removable top is pretty cool.

Trailered or driven to the trail?
 
If I had my choice of a trail dedicated truck I'd choose a LC too

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Yes buy built. If things are not done right or not to your specs you can have those items redone at your leisure or drive it till it breaks. Starting from scratch as I did is very costly although I wouldn't have done it any other way I don't think but that's just me. I like building more than using!!! DO NOT GET A RIG WITH 3.0 !!! NO MATTER HOW ATTRACTIVE IT OR THE PRICE LOOKS!!!!
 
JBurt said:
Keep in mind if you have a dedicated offroad truck you're bound to break it (or you're not doing it right).

Even if you find a great quality build, you'll either have to pay someone to fix it or do it yourself.

FWIW I really like my 3rd gen, but if I was getting a dedicated rig, it would either be a Landcruiser or a 1st gen 4runner. Solid axle and that removable top is pretty cool.

Trailered or driven to the trail?
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Driven.
 
Dirtybird333 said:
Yes buy built. If things are not done right or not to your specs you can have those items redone at your leisure or drive it till it breaks. Starting from scratch as I did is very costly although I wouldn't have done it any other way I don't think but that's just me. I like building more than using!!! DO NOT GET A RIG WITH 3.0 !!! NO MATTER HOW ATTRACTIVE IT OR THE PRICE LOOKS!!!!
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You're the 4th person who told me to avoid the 3.0.

There's a stock '02 4runner for sale I test drove last Saturday. It's from Colorado/Kentucky and there was rust underneath but it has a SC. Thought it might make a decent starting point, but asking $7,500 and other than a SC, it doesn't have anything else.

I looked at LC's, but the power to weight ratio seemed anemic.
 
I wouldn't go wheeling in anything other than a 1st gen runner (or a 1st-3rd gen truck). I couldn't imagine all that extra weight and tight turns vs the giant 1/4 panels.. done.

Where do you plan on wheeling?
 
85RedRunner said:
I wouldn't go wheeling in anything other than a 1st gen runner (or a 1st-3rd gen truck). I couldn't imagine all that extra weight and tight turns vs the giant 1/4 panels.. done.

Where do you plan on wheeling?
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For now, just local areas. Plan to venture out farther with dedicated truck as I gain more experience.
 
Once you get something, come on down to corral canyon and I'll show you those fun spots..

Also wouldn't worry too much about getting something pretty for a wheeler. Mine came with a new paint job and I still wish it was just rattle canned lol.. easier to do touch ups and you'll have way more fun when you can focus on the good lines rather than getting a scratch.
 
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I bought mine already built and saved quite a bit by doing so. You can do likewise-as long as the build matches what you wanted to put on. Of course mine wasn't a dedicated trail build-I commute in it as well (2 miles, roundtrip).
 
85RedRunner said:
I wouldn't go wheeling in anything other than a 1st gen runner (or a 1st-3rd gen truck). I couldn't imagine all that extra weight and tight turns vs the giant 1/4 panels.. done.

Where do you plan on wheeling?
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Meh. My 4th gen is my dedicated trail rig. Just recently took her off daily duties so I'd keep the miles off. Think I'm the only 4th gen coming tomorrow.

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Drunner97 said:
Meh. My 4th gen is my dedicated trail rig. Just recently took her off daily duties so I'd keep the miles off. Think I'm the only 4th gen coming tomorrow.

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Don't want to derail this thread to much.. and I'm not doubting you at all (have no clue what mods you have)... but I would love to see a 4th gen do the trails I go on.. I'll buy you dinner and a 6 pack if I can watch this.
 
85RedRunner said:
Don't want to derail this thread to much.. and I'm not doubting you at all (have no clue what mods you have)... but I would love to see a 4th gen do the trails I go on.. I'll buy you dinner and a 6 pack if I can watch this.
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Can't beat solid axle. I'm running metal tech lt rear with extended length icons. 2.5 coil overs on camburgs up front. Full skids, sliders, 32s, etc. Pick a trail and let's go, hahah. I've done some pretty wicked trails, today will be some of the hardest I've done. I'm sure there will be video of me stuck somewhere within the next t day or two.

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Drunner97 said:
Can't beat solid axle. I'm running metal tech lt rear with extended length icons. 2.5 coil overs on camburgs up front. Full skids, sliders, 32s, etc. Pick a trail and let's go, hahah. I've done some pretty wicked trails, today will be some of the hardest I've done. I'm sure there will be video of me stuck somewhere within the next t day or two.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
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I'll make an invite thread and tag you in it
 
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