First Time Buyer Needs Help Choosing!

[dirtymudtrucks]

Hey Guys!

I am a first time buyer dont know much about them except that I am in LOVE with them, have to have one!!! I want an 85-89 and have been looking at a few just dont know the differences and whats better etc. Off roading of course and I want to be dressed to impress.

6CYL or 4CYL? I ve heard v6 cause some problems?

Turbo or Non-Turbo?

Which year? I like the 86-87

Auto or Manny? I heard that some of the autos arent half bad.

Solid axle?


Trying to figure out the best truck out of the ones I have been looking at.

 

[fourwd1]

The 85 is the most popular for offroading because it's the last year for solid front axle and first year for EFI.

But don't let that put you off the 84 or 86-89s.

I'd avoid the 3.slow V6 and the turbo 4, but that's just my .02

For offroading I'd go with a manual, I don't think the Toy auto would last long under serious offroading.
But I prefer an auto for offroading, especially rock crawling.

As for IFS, it can actually take a lot of punishment.
Three guys I wheel with regularly wheeled the crap out of their IFS trucks in the rocks for years before doing solid axle swaps.

 

[Red]

I bought my 95' 4Runner last April with the 3.slow and I wouldnt recommend getting one with the V6 if you have the choice.
very little can be done to boost performance and they are sluggish. I havent had any problems with mine yet, which is good but I'd still rather have the 22RE, those motors are bullet proof and alot more can be done with them.

I still love my 95' though it just has a poorly designed motor.
Im constantly worried about blowing a head gasket because they are notorious for that.

I wish I could find a mint 1st gen with 22RE, I love the fact that they have a removable top.

 

[dirtymudtrucks]

Price?

What should I be paying for a 4runner, how much is too much?

For example that 85 4runner you were talking about , how much would be too much to pay?

 

[dirtymudtrucks]

so would a 85 solid axle auto be good or no?

 

[4x4runner91]

I bought my first 4Runner about 2 weeks ago and while I was looking, I noticed that (85-95 trucks) they were all in the $2200-$4000 range....and it seemed to me, price was based on condition of the interior/exterior....b/c as long as the motor and tranny have been taken care of, it really doesn't matter the mileage on it. I drove several 4runners that had over 230Kmiles and a few that were nearing 300k+. I would recommend driving a few so that you can get the feel of which seems to "drive" better....without irritating and problem causing noises/leaks. Good luck on your search.