Help! Should I buy a 1986 4runner for $600?

[FL-400S]

Theres a 1986 4runner in my local classifieds for $650. It says its got a bad clutch though. Its a 4x4 with a 5 speed, and Id buy it for a "toy" vehicle. And I like the fact that the hardtop is removable, sweet! What would a new clutch cost? What other problems should I look out for?

Thanks!

 

[ayoung101]

Theres a 1986 4runner in my local classifieds for $650. It says its got a bad clutch though. Its a 4x4 with a 5 speed, and Id buy it for a "toy" vehicle. And I like the fact that the hardtop is removable, sweet! What would a new clutch cost? What other problems should I look out for?

Thanks!

depends on how mechanical saavy you are. if that's the ONLY thing wrong with it and you can do it yourself, then you should buy it before i get to it! (by the way, where did you say this was for sale at?) if you don't know how to do it yourself, call some local repair shops and get estimates on how much it'll cost to have it done. then, do the math. i just paid $2700 for a beautiful 89 runner about 3 weeks ago, in excellent running condition with only 108,000 miles on it. as of yet, it's been by FAR worth every single penny.

 

[ayoung101]

not to mention, the engine and tranny (assuming to be in good running condition) would be worth WELL over $650 if pulled from the vehicle and sold individually.

 

[Sidney]

Check the back fenders and frame for deep rust by taking a hammer and tapping the back frame,also do a fluid analysis on the engine oil by buying a fluid/oil analysis kit from any Caterpillar dealer's parts dept or some heavy duty shops which would tell you how healthy the engine is if the engine oil and radiator coolant was changed regularly on those engines you can get at least 300 000 miles.
Finally remove the spark plugs and look at them as a picture means a thousand words if it has a manual tranny park the vehicle on a hill facing downwards then put the tranny in first gear and shut it off,don't use the parking brake or foot break if the vehicle holds itself well in first then your engines piston rings are great then you have high compression (no leakage past the rings),also when the engine is running remove the oil filler cap and see if you have b l o w by,a healthy engine should have a vaccum effect if you put your palm on the oil filler cap.
Finally if you have a portable air compressor perform a leak down test on the engine,for more info on a leak down test do a search on Google.
By the way find out where the guy works which would tell you if it has highway miles or city miles.

"Knowledge is a dangerous thing"-Sidney's quote


Sidney
E-mail:sidneybek(at)yahoo.com
Dartmouth,Nova Scotia
Canada
1985 Toyota 4-Runner,22R-E,W56,RN60LV-MSEK,rusted rear step/towing factory chrome bumper with 239 000 KM
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