Alright, stop me if you’ve heard this before…man invents fire, man invents wheel, man marries woman, woman gets pregnant, man sells toys.
I present – my toy for sale, 89 4runner, v6, 5-speed, 4x4 (of course). Located near Cincinnati, OH.
When I bought this truck I searched far and wide, ended up taking a 7 hour bus ride based on pictures to buy it. I was a little disappointed when I picked the truck up, but with not many options home and the truck still being a good deal I went through with it. My goal is to be as completely honest as possible – I hate having surprises, and I always hope others do the same for me. Quick pros and cons list, then more details and the story of the truck following, if you’re still interested.
Pros:
• New frame, like amazing looking, a frame from the gods, frame off restoration was in 2011
• Engine – replaced at 194,xxx miles, approx. 40,000 on the new one (this was done in 2007, pre me purchasing the truck)
• Fuel pump, sending unit and clutch all replaced when engine was
• Headers – aftermarket…the stockers are the big cause of head gasket issues
• Aluminum radiator, new water pump, new timing belt, all new accessory belts and thermostat – all done recently after the oem radiator gave up on life
• Body – solid, no visible rust on 99% of the truck, the rust that was present was cut and repaired in 2011 (rear wheel wells, rocker panels)
• Lift – has a 4” lift kit, if you’re into that sort of thing
• Updated stereo and speakers
• Newer brakes, under 10K miles
• Interior looks great
• Working A/C and heat
• I purchased from the original owner
• This truck also comes with all my leftover parts from two other trucks, yes, really.
Cons, all of which have been on my fix list, but I’ll explain in greater detail below:
• Paint job done in 2010, explained below, needs tlc
• TTS – tiny tire syndrome
• Suspension is past it’s prime, all bushing look shot
• Steering is loose, most of which has to do with the suspension
• Rear differential has a leak
Alright, now for some long winded explanations that expand upon my pro-con list.
I thought I was buying the perfect 4runner, lots of great things about the truck when I picked it up including the new engine. When I finally got to the truck I realized that quite a few details were omitted in describing the condition. The interior was nonexistent. The pictures I was sent were old…and even they didn’t look promising. Two seats, a speedo, and very few other parts. To top it off, the guy chain smoked in this car for 20 years. The radiator had a small leak to it – which turned to a larger leak within a few weeks, the rear differential had a slow oil drip, and the paint was terrible. I even asked how the paint looked…so I was a bit upset when I saw the true condition. But, for the price I paid, I still felt that the pros were too great to ignore…and so started the repair process.
The money I spent replacing and repairing items dug into the fun items I wanted to buy – bigger tires and some new gears, upgraded suspension, you know, the important stuff. Instead I purchased not one, but two parts 4runners to piece together one truck.
Interior:
The interior, what was left, was gutted. Too much to fumigate. The two parts trucks had everything I needed and more – problem was, not a perfect color match. So, everything was prepped well and sprayed with bedliner. Has held up amazing for over a year. With a newly refurbished interior this truck looks great. Has some front seat covers, the back seats were dismantled, cushion deep cleaned, lots of work. I installed a water temp gauge in the dash that is functional, I put an oil temp and volt gauge in as well (but never hooked them up). A/C works, heat works, passenger seat is stuck in its current (but normal) position. I have two sets of extra seats at my buddy garage – also included if you want to pick them up.
Exterior:
The exterior of the truck I haven’t touched, one of the next things on my list until the baby news. The paint, really this could be a pro, could be a con, but for me goes in the list of items that I want to fix…the body was brought to bare metal, the body was chemically stripped and then coated in a self-etching primer that is about 1/8 of an inch thick. Why a con? The paint job the original owner did after all this work is a 10 footer – looks good from 10 feet, but up close there are visible runs. So I planned on doing some sanding to see if I could get the paint drips out before potentially prepping for all new paint again. I have the truck in a nearly “bare” state. Fender flares are now off, badges are off, not much left before I started prep work. All these parts, plus many extras come in the sale. After removing the fender flares I found the only rust spot on the exterior of the body…it’s still in the surface stages, nothing major (at least it does not appear or feel major). The previous owner did some rust repair, and the only place I found with rust are along the underneath of the doors (I have an extra set of doors that comes with the truck) and in the bed of the truck…which I sanded down, used a small bit of filler, and primed. Notes from the previous owner: new rockers, front fenders, and door hinges were added and the body was repainted. The rocker panels were MIG welded on after both the inner and outer rocker were coated in weld thru primer. The body was then chemically stripped and sanded to bare metal and any and all signs of rust were removed. The topper is in great shape, one rust patch on a side window trim, needs paint, but rear window works as it should.
Engine:
The engine and mechanicals, seem to be in great shape…now. The radiator was shot when I got it, so I bought a really nice one…the noticed the belts looked like they needed love, and before you know it I have the entire front of the engine apart. I figured, let’s just do this all now and not worry about it later. So in came the new water pump, t-stat, timing belts, accessory belts, and radiator. Fun project, and solid piece of mind. I also installed a new battery and K&N intake. The headers are newer, so is the fuel pump, sending unit and clutch – all replaced 40K miles prior to my repairs.
Suspension:
Lift kit was added by the previous owner. It’s a 4'' kit that drops the k member in the front and uses lifting blocks in the back. But I really feel like he skipped any and all suspension maintenance. Truck doesn’t ride bad, but the steering is sloppy as can be. This was my next project…fix it, all of it. The shocks seem fine, but anything with a bushing is done. I started to buy pieces to put it all back together…so a lot of new parts come included.
Extras
There are a lot of extra parts that come with the truck. Like I said, I bought two more of these trucks and took them all apart. One was a 87 22RE, one was a 89 V6 auto, sold a few items here and there, but storing a ton, whatever is left the next owner Both parts trucks came with no engines or transmissions, but it had all the stuff I was looking for to restore mine. Parts I have left include, but not limited to; the rear bumper and caps, new fenders (the ones on there are in great shape), fender flares, 15x10 rims to accommodate any huge tire you want, rear window glass, lots of interior trim, dash parts, carpet, two grills, wiring pieces, extra locking hubs, hella headlights, extra wipers and motors, steering column, turn and wiper stiches, buttons, splash guards, front skid plate, extra topper window, extra tailgate internals (that all work), trim parts, complete and excellent condition topper trim…the list goes on.
I have taken a lot of pictures – a complete gallery can be found here: 89 4Runner Slideshow by mortensentye | Photobucket
$5000 for everything. If you want just the truck, no parts, I’m asking $4,999. Just $1 more and you can have so much! I priced the truck at what I would have paid myself for the same truck in this condition. Is it perfect? No. Is it 25 years old? Yep.
A perfect frame, low miles, and great looking 4runner that has an easy project list for someone. I’d love to keep it…but once baby is here it will just sit. My biggest worry about selling this is that I won’t find something as nice when I’m finally ready for another “fun” car for myself.
At this point I do not see taking any less than my asking price, as I don’t have to sell the truck. But it would be nice to pass it along to someone who is looking for a really clean and hard to find 4R.
Email: [email protected] – I can respond with my phone # from an email or PM…I just don’t like posting it on the interwebs. I can also take any additional pics that people want/need.
I present – my toy for sale, 89 4runner, v6, 5-speed, 4x4 (of course). Located near Cincinnati, OH.
When I bought this truck I searched far and wide, ended up taking a 7 hour bus ride based on pictures to buy it. I was a little disappointed when I picked the truck up, but with not many options home and the truck still being a good deal I went through with it. My goal is to be as completely honest as possible – I hate having surprises, and I always hope others do the same for me. Quick pros and cons list, then more details and the story of the truck following, if you’re still interested.
Pros:
• New frame, like amazing looking, a frame from the gods, frame off restoration was in 2011
• Engine – replaced at 194,xxx miles, approx. 40,000 on the new one (this was done in 2007, pre me purchasing the truck)
• Fuel pump, sending unit and clutch all replaced when engine was
• Headers – aftermarket…the stockers are the big cause of head gasket issues
• Aluminum radiator, new water pump, new timing belt, all new accessory belts and thermostat – all done recently after the oem radiator gave up on life
• Body – solid, no visible rust on 99% of the truck, the rust that was present was cut and repaired in 2011 (rear wheel wells, rocker panels)
• Lift – has a 4” lift kit, if you’re into that sort of thing
• Updated stereo and speakers
• Newer brakes, under 10K miles
• Interior looks great
• Working A/C and heat
• I purchased from the original owner
• This truck also comes with all my leftover parts from two other trucks, yes, really.
Cons, all of which have been on my fix list, but I’ll explain in greater detail below:
• Paint job done in 2010, explained below, needs tlc
• TTS – tiny tire syndrome
• Suspension is past it’s prime, all bushing look shot
• Steering is loose, most of which has to do with the suspension
• Rear differential has a leak
Alright, now for some long winded explanations that expand upon my pro-con list.
I thought I was buying the perfect 4runner, lots of great things about the truck when I picked it up including the new engine. When I finally got to the truck I realized that quite a few details were omitted in describing the condition. The interior was nonexistent. The pictures I was sent were old…and even they didn’t look promising. Two seats, a speedo, and very few other parts. To top it off, the guy chain smoked in this car for 20 years. The radiator had a small leak to it – which turned to a larger leak within a few weeks, the rear differential had a slow oil drip, and the paint was terrible. I even asked how the paint looked…so I was a bit upset when I saw the true condition. But, for the price I paid, I still felt that the pros were too great to ignore…and so started the repair process.
The money I spent replacing and repairing items dug into the fun items I wanted to buy – bigger tires and some new gears, upgraded suspension, you know, the important stuff. Instead I purchased not one, but two parts 4runners to piece together one truck.
Interior:
The interior, what was left, was gutted. Too much to fumigate. The two parts trucks had everything I needed and more – problem was, not a perfect color match. So, everything was prepped well and sprayed with bedliner. Has held up amazing for over a year. With a newly refurbished interior this truck looks great. Has some front seat covers, the back seats were dismantled, cushion deep cleaned, lots of work. I installed a water temp gauge in the dash that is functional, I put an oil temp and volt gauge in as well (but never hooked them up). A/C works, heat works, passenger seat is stuck in its current (but normal) position. I have two sets of extra seats at my buddy garage – also included if you want to pick them up.
Exterior:
The exterior of the truck I haven’t touched, one of the next things on my list until the baby news. The paint, really this could be a pro, could be a con, but for me goes in the list of items that I want to fix…the body was brought to bare metal, the body was chemically stripped and then coated in a self-etching primer that is about 1/8 of an inch thick. Why a con? The paint job the original owner did after all this work is a 10 footer – looks good from 10 feet, but up close there are visible runs. So I planned on doing some sanding to see if I could get the paint drips out before potentially prepping for all new paint again. I have the truck in a nearly “bare” state. Fender flares are now off, badges are off, not much left before I started prep work. All these parts, plus many extras come in the sale. After removing the fender flares I found the only rust spot on the exterior of the body…it’s still in the surface stages, nothing major (at least it does not appear or feel major). The previous owner did some rust repair, and the only place I found with rust are along the underneath of the doors (I have an extra set of doors that comes with the truck) and in the bed of the truck…which I sanded down, used a small bit of filler, and primed. Notes from the previous owner: new rockers, front fenders, and door hinges were added and the body was repainted. The rocker panels were MIG welded on after both the inner and outer rocker were coated in weld thru primer. The body was then chemically stripped and sanded to bare metal and any and all signs of rust were removed. The topper is in great shape, one rust patch on a side window trim, needs paint, but rear window works as it should.
Engine:
The engine and mechanicals, seem to be in great shape…now. The radiator was shot when I got it, so I bought a really nice one…the noticed the belts looked like they needed love, and before you know it I have the entire front of the engine apart. I figured, let’s just do this all now and not worry about it later. So in came the new water pump, t-stat, timing belts, accessory belts, and radiator. Fun project, and solid piece of mind. I also installed a new battery and K&N intake. The headers are newer, so is the fuel pump, sending unit and clutch – all replaced 40K miles prior to my repairs.
Suspension:
Lift kit was added by the previous owner. It’s a 4'' kit that drops the k member in the front and uses lifting blocks in the back. But I really feel like he skipped any and all suspension maintenance. Truck doesn’t ride bad, but the steering is sloppy as can be. This was my next project…fix it, all of it. The shocks seem fine, but anything with a bushing is done. I started to buy pieces to put it all back together…so a lot of new parts come included.
Extras
There are a lot of extra parts that come with the truck. Like I said, I bought two more of these trucks and took them all apart. One was a 87 22RE, one was a 89 V6 auto, sold a few items here and there, but storing a ton, whatever is left the next owner Both parts trucks came with no engines or transmissions, but it had all the stuff I was looking for to restore mine. Parts I have left include, but not limited to; the rear bumper and caps, new fenders (the ones on there are in great shape), fender flares, 15x10 rims to accommodate any huge tire you want, rear window glass, lots of interior trim, dash parts, carpet, two grills, wiring pieces, extra locking hubs, hella headlights, extra wipers and motors, steering column, turn and wiper stiches, buttons, splash guards, front skid plate, extra topper window, extra tailgate internals (that all work), trim parts, complete and excellent condition topper trim…the list goes on.
I have taken a lot of pictures – a complete gallery can be found here: 89 4Runner Slideshow by mortensentye | Photobucket
$5000 for everything. If you want just the truck, no parts, I’m asking $4,999. Just $1 more and you can have so much! I priced the truck at what I would have paid myself for the same truck in this condition. Is it perfect? No. Is it 25 years old? Yep.
A perfect frame, low miles, and great looking 4runner that has an easy project list for someone. I’d love to keep it…but once baby is here it will just sit. My biggest worry about selling this is that I won’t find something as nice when I’m finally ready for another “fun” car for myself.
At this point I do not see taking any less than my asking price, as I don’t have to sell the truck. But it would be nice to pass it along to someone who is looking for a really clean and hard to find 4R.
Email: [email protected] – I can respond with my phone # from an email or PM…I just don’t like posting it on the interwebs. I can also take any additional pics that people want/need.
