Kid is deffinitly one of the best guys on here to ask about 1st gens.
Here's my 2 cents though. Rust is a problem obviously on these older Runners, but since the one you posted is in Utah, it probably has a lot less rust than mine did when I bought it.
To be sure though, check in and around the fender wells and frame. Maybe do a carfax on it to check where it has been. Has it been in Utah all its life, accidents, etc.
One of the cons is that it is an older truck, so over time you'll be replacing parts here and there as they start to go out.
I've dumped probably a little over $20k in mine. However, most of it is because I wanted to put that much in it (new engine, new tranny, new tcase, new gears, locker, etc.) I could've spent a lot less if I had known what I know now.
This is pretty much dead on - what you need to know right now, Noah, is that it's going to be an older truck. Stuff is worn out, and it's gonna take work to keep in good shape. It'll probably cost you less than paying insurance and a loan on a newer truck, unless you have a mechanic doing all your work, in which case it may cost more.
You don't want an '84 truck, that'll have the 22R carbed motor and you don't want that unless you're ready for a motor swap right off the bat. An '85 will have the solid front axle and probably the fuel injected 22RE, but you'll pay extra for that axle. '86 and '87 will be IFS and 22RE, that'd be my choice. You can find '88 and '89 trucks with the 22RE too, but the 3.0 will be more common. I've never had a 3.0, but I hear they're a stone ***** to work on and don't make much more power, so I'd stay away from those motors.
Stay away from a truck that's too modified - you don't want somebody else's project.
Look specifically for rust around the frame and over the wheel wells. Listen for a chuckling or diesel sound when the motor is running, that can be timing chain slap, which is an intermediate repair - not so hard you can't do it, but hard enough you can use it to talk the price down
. Oil on the front and underneath is probably a bad front main seal (easy to replace). Oil just underneath and behind is a bad rear main (not so easy).
You totally should get a 1st gen. If/when you find one you're ready to go look at, let me know, I'll come with you if I can. If thatoneguy decides to sell his, that'd be a good truck for you.
