First Gen Opinions - $8500 budget

[alawson]

Hi y'all. I'm new to the forum, but I've been lurking and researching for about 6 months now. I started out interested in a beater truck that I could have a little fun in, and now I've convinced the wife we should get more than a beater. I got $8500 to spend (plus shipping, etc).

I was planning on finding a 4R in AZ or SOCAL (no rust issues). I want something clean with no rust.

I found an '88 with the 3.4 v6 swap, manual... but it's IFS. Details in post below. I was hoping I could get opinions on if it's worth $8600. I really dig the 3.4 swap, but the IFS kind of bothers me.

I'm not going to really go rock crawling, but I say that now... I guess I could always pay the extra money down the line for a SAS swap if I really wanted to.

OR.... should I just find a clean stock 4R and do the mods I want? I'll probably spend a lot more than $8600 though I would think, but less wear and tear from previous off road use?

Thoughts?

 

[alawson]

4Runner Details:

Receipts and warranties on all work done. It is a 3.4L motor swap from a 1998 4Runner and a 5 speed manual transmission. Only 52,000 miles on the drive train!
Specs listed
4 wheel drive
Rebuilt Aisin lockers in front
33 inch tires
5 speed annual trans
3.4L V6 motor
New rebuilt transfer case
New axles with seals
Roof rack
A/C upgraded to R134 coolant
Brand new compressor
Auto locks and windows
Tube rear bumper
4 inch old man emu suspension lift
Full ECU from 1998 4runner concerted to fit
All electricals still work
Viper alarm system ready to go with
High lift Jack included
Have two sets of front fenders to go with
Stock set of wheels and tires as well if wanted
Spare shackles
Receipts and warranties to go with, clean title.

 

[alawson]

Front Interior...

 

[89T4runner]

Wow I would buy that in a heartbeat! I personally love my ifs. It rides so much better than a solid axle and still wheels good. I wouldnt let that scare you away. I think a solid axle is only worth it if it's your crawler that you use every weekend. I would drive that every day on 100 mile commutes the way it's set up. Of course, this is just my opinion.

 

[alawson]

Wow I would buy that in a heartbeat! I personally love my ifs. It rides so much better than a solid axle and still wheels good. I wouldnt let that scare you away. I think a solid axle is only worth it if it's your crawler that you use every weekend. I would drive that every day on 100 mile commutes the way it's set up. Of course, this is just my opinion.

Really?! Awesome, thanks for the reply.. I'm really not all that educated in this stuff so I'm trying to get as many opinions as possible.... before I spend $2000 flying out there and shipping it home lol. Glad to hear some positive feedback. Thanks.

 

[Dropzone]

first gen prices have just been going up.
It all comes down to if you are happy with it.

Does the previous owner still have rear interior trim pieces that cover the bolts for keeping the top on (missing the 4 at the cap and the pieces along the top of the bed)

52K on the drivetrain but how many on the frame/body?

what's the story with the thing that looks like someone took a dump on the hood?

if you get it take some ratchet straps to tie down the spare...they can become a missile in a quick stop etc...yes, i learned the hard way

oh and if they include the club sitting in the back seat, don't count on it too much...they take about 3 seconds to defeat if it's the steering wheel version

Good luck!

 

[alawson]

first gen prices have just been going up.
It all comes down to if you are happy with it....
Good luck!

Thanks for the reply! Well it has 335k on the frame, so that is my biggest worry. I’m really bad making decisions. I’ll probably overthink this and then regret my decision for a week before loving it haha. That’s just what happens when I make big purchases.

 

[Dropzone]

Thanks for the reply! Well it has 335k on the frame, so that is my biggest worry. I’m really bad making decisions. I’ll probably overthink this and then regret my decision for a week before loving it haha. That’s just what happens when I make big purchases.

i know the feeling! i bought my 94 for $400 from a family member knowing it was going to be somewhat of a project. 2.5 years later and about $4-4.5K later I still have stuff to do. I could have just fixed the front CV and brakes and probably sold it for $3k stock but had the suspensions and axles left from my 81 project so decided to SAS it

I just checked the local craiglist for 1st gen 4runners, i would have to say that compared to some of those the one you are looking at is priced about right,.
a few examples
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/d/1985-toyota-4runner-sr5/6552718629.html
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/d/1988-toyota-4runner-sas-built/6550283535.html
https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/d/1989-toyota-4runner-4x4/6541977327.html
https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/d/runner-on-new-40s/6555620717.html
https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/d/4runner-with-or-without/6554819694.html
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/d/1987-4runner/6556641394.html

 

[alawson]

Thanks again man.. I really wonder if I should just build one from a lower mileage stock 4R. Ugh haha. I’ll go back and forth on this until it’s sold to someone else lol

I guess the thing I’m hung up on is it has the 3.4 swap, which would be expensive for me to do. :noidea:

It is really clean for the mileage though.

 

[Melrose 4r]

Having had a solid axle 84 and an IFS 86 4Runner, both street driven, I'd take the IFS in a heartbeat. It rides so much better.

I watch Ebay and craigslist for firstgens out west. The best ones I see actually selling lately are at about $6500. In fact one in Albuquerque recently sold on Ebay for $6500 and the buyer has it for sale again in Colorado at $11.9k
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TOYOTA-4RU...ash=item5b45badf15:g:CP0AAOSwKBRawkOE&vxp=mtr

Look around the LA area for a stock one. There seem to be lots there. 200,000 miles is typical but of course you want one with the best history of repairs and maintenance. The lowest mileage one I've ever seen is 60k miles and not for sale- yet.... "Low mileage" is 150k.

 

[rufflz]

Really?! Awesome, thanks for the reply.. I'm really not all that educated in this stuff so I'm trying to get as many opinions as possible.... before I spend $2000 flying out there and shipping it home lol. Glad to hear some positive feedback. Thanks.

+1 on IFS! If this is going to be your daily, I would accept IFS w/ open arms.

 

[alawson]

This won’t be my daily, but I’d like it to be as reliable as a daily. So I’m not too worried about on-road comfort.

I did find a 1984 with 140k miles. Completely stock, supposedly 1 owner and garaged it’s entire life. But it’s from Utah, so I’m a little worried about the frame, but with that little use I’m hoping it’s clean. They apparently salt the roads in winter in this area.

It’s also got a 22r which from my limited research is a little slower than the 22re. I guess I’d drive it and save up for a 3.4 engine swap, and sell the working 22r.

I’d have to spend money on suspension, wheels, tires, lockers etc.

 

[RonJR]

If you're going to wheel it with IFS, you'll need a locker in either the front or rear axle. The IFS on these early trucks has really short travel, and you just can't keep all the wheels on the ground if the terrain is at all uneven.

With a locker, though, the IFS will go pretty much anywhere. Totally transforms the offroad capabilities.

Oh, and rust shouldn't be much of a problem on a Colorado or Utah truck. Yes, they do salt the roads, but rusting requires two things - salt and moisture. Out here, in between storms, the humidity is so low that the salt just sits there and does nothing. Plus, with all of the sunny weather we have, people are pretty quick to wash their vehicles after a storm.

Neither of my Colorado trucks have any significant rust, except for the fender trim areas on the '94.

 

[Cali 4runner]

https://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/cto/d/1984-toyota-4-runner-1-owner/6553046879.html

This one?!
That thing is way clean looking. Almost one I'd want to keep all original..

 

[89T4runner]

Wow! Here in norcal ,an 84-85 4runner in just driveable condition sells for close to that! If the undercarriage is clean, that's a damn nice 4runner. But I wouldnt be able to beat on a truck that nice, I'd like to see that stay as an original example of these old trucks, there aren't to many like that left! That's one reason why my truck will never see any irreversable modifications, I love my slightly modified past stock status.

 

[alawson]

Oh, and rust shouldn't be much of a problem on a Colorado or Utah truck.

Thanks for the info!

 

[alawson]

https://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/cto/d/1984-toyota-4-runner-1-owner/6553046879.html

This one?!
That thing is way clean looking. Almost one I'd want to keep all original..

That’s the one haha.

 

[85straight]

Hi y'all. I'm new to the forum, but I've been lurking and researching for about 6 months now. I started out interested in a beater truck that I could have a little fun in, and now I've convinced the wife we should get more than a beater. I got $8500 to spend (plus shipping, etc).

I was planning on finding a 4R in AZ or SOCAL (no rust issues). I want something clean with no rust.

I found an '88 with the 3.4 v6 swap, manual... but it's IFS. Details in post below. I was hoping I could get opinions on if it's worth $8600. I really dig the 3.4 swap, but the IFS kind of bothers me.

I'm not going to really go rock crawling, but I say that now... I guess I could always pay the extra money down the line for a SAS swap if I really wanted to.

OR.... should I just find a clean stock 4R and do the mods I want? I'll probably spend a lot more than $8600 though I would think, but less wear and tear from previous off road use?

Thoughts?

Assuming the swap is legit and done properly I’d go with the 88 for sure. The 22r series motors are pretty dependable but so gutless it’s not even funny. The 3.4 is equally as dependable with almost double the power.

IFS really is not that bad for a big majority of people as far as wheeling capabilities. You’d be pretty into the sport before the benefits of a SA really start to shine.

I think you could bring down the price on the 88 a bit though because of the body damage

 

[alawson]

I think you could bring down the price on the 88 a bit though because of the body damage

I got him down from $9500 and he’s not willing to go any lower unfortunately. My biggest worry at this point is the 335k miles on the frame with prior off-road use. I’d almost rather buy the 1984 because the miles are so low and wait to upgrade to a 3.4.

I’m just worried about spending all that money on a vehicle with that many miles. Spending more money in the long run may be better?

 

[alawson]

Or is high mileage really not that big of a deal when the drivetrain has been rebuilt?