I Bought a 1993 4Runner!

[Zinarac]

So I recently bought a 1993 4Runner V6 SR5 5-speed manual with 107,000 miles on it. So far I am loving it. I bought it from the original owner and he had the head gasket replaced with the recall. I also had the steering relay rod recall done on it shortly after I bought it.

I have had a few problems with my 4Runner since I bought it. First the oxygen sensor failed, so I had that replaced. At the same time I had a valve adjustment done and I had my radiator replaced because it had a crack in it. Even though temperatures were not running high, I did it for safe measures. I did not want to overheat the engine.

Two weeks after I had all that work done I started to hear a loud clanking noise in my engine compartment driving home from work. I was on ther freeway going about 65mph and pulled over as quickly as I could to inspect the engine. The drive belt going to the alternator had started to shread and crack in multiple places. I drove on side roads for about 15 miles and replaced all three drive belts.

I bought the 4Runner for $3,400 and have put about $2,100 into it. I think I have taken care of most of the major maintanence.

I love driving the 4Runner but I have noticed a few wierd things since I have owned it. When I start it up for the first time each day, whether it be in the morning or the afternoon, I sometimes have a hard time starting out in first gear. The previous owner said that he had the clutch replaced about 15,000 miles ago, but the clutch seems to chatter and slip until the truck has been driving for about 10 minutes. Is this normal? Also, my exaust tip is badly corrded but nothing else on the truck seems to be corroded. Someone told me that my engine was running to rich, but I am not sure.

Anyway, I have tons of questions but I want to hear back from you guys and see what you think about my new purchase.

 

[SlowYourRoll]

hey looks like a nice truck, I bought mine for 6,000 with 115,000 miles on it. and since then put about $3,000 into it just on repairs and maintnence, so don't feel alone in this.

 

[Zinarac]

It's good to hear that I am not the only one that has had a few issues with the 2nd generation 4Runners. Despite the few problems that I have encountered I love driving it.

Do you guys have any suggestions on what I should start upgrading? My 4Runner doesn't have the rear air deflector or roof rack. I find it too look a little plain. Any ideas on where I can get those parts for a reasonable price?

 

[toyoboy]

i hope i dont ruin your day...it sounds like your first gear sincrow (did i spell that right)is going out..heres what you do to test this run the vehicle first thing in the morning and try shifting it into 2nd gear then shift into first...now if its smooth shifting into 2nd and first feel harder and sometimes grinds then it would be your sincrow....but if its hard to shift into all the gears 1st,2nd 3rd (with the vehicle not moving just run though all the gears) then it might be your clutch assembly, master, or slave...now i might have some good news..you said that you just bought the vehicle and i looks like you live i cali judging by you license plate..you must have done a smog test to get it registered...so if you passed your smog test i highly doubt that your vehicle is running rich...by chance did you have this vehicle inspected before you bought it..if not shame on you...but it does look like a clean truck from the picture..

 

[Zinarac]

toyoboy... thanks for the info. I have never really had any problems running through the gears at a stop, but i will give it a try tomorrow. The only gear that is a pain to get into is reverse. One thing I have noticed is that when the clutch is all the way out and my foot is completely off the pedal i hear a somewhat high pitched wistle/(cricket on LSD) type of sound coming from underneath the truck. I hear that noise if I am moving or not. I'm assuming it has something to do with the clutch though.

My truck passed smog just fine so it probably isnt running rich like i thought it might be. I did not have it inspected like i should have. I kinda just bought it on the spur of the moment thing. Not the smartest way to buy a vehicle. The truck is pretty clean. Everything is functional, but there is some body damage that I hate looking at. I doubt I will ever get that fixed though.

Hopefully that clutch isn't too jacked up. I have had truck looked at by a very reputable shop that only services toyotas and hondas. They haven't noticed anything wrong with my clutch or transmission, but they always service the truck after it has been running for the day. After the truck warms up everything works perfect. My mechanic told me that the clutch plate may have some hot spots that are more warn down than other spots.

 

[Blurr]

ugh, that alternator belt is such a pain to get really tight.

 

[Zinarac]

ugh, that alternator belt is such a pain to get really tight.

Yeah I agree with you on that. It took me and a friend 5 attempts to get it somewhat tight. It is pretty tight after that, but i wish i could get it tighter.