So I'm looking for an SUV before and I ran into this 1992 4runner. It is at a good price. It is a 4x4 with manual transmission and about 250000 km. The seller claims everything is working nicely except that it needs front inner and outer cv joints, new wires for the spark plugs, as well as a new back right tail light. I am wondering if with this particular vehicle if it'd be worth buying the vehicle needing repairs or if I should continue my vehicle search. This will be my first automotive purchase, so advice is much appreciated!
Is it worth it? 1992 4runner repairs needed
- Thread starter zjccarter
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jazmynpuma
New member
Not sure how worth it is or not. I got a 1992 4Runner 4X4 for $1900 and put $2500 worth of parts in it just to pass smog. Got scammed good by someone who had to have known it had been driven into the ground. I don't blame the 4Runner. Its been badly abused mechanically. Blew a head gasket right off the bat, even though I ASKED the seller if the head gasket had ever been worked on. (4Runners do seem to have that weakness). I like the 4Runner, even if everyone around me says its a P-o-S. I am old and abused, its old and abused. Maybe we are a good match? Parts really were not as expensive as my old Chevy S10, but it needed a lot of parts. Still needs work, but is purring along for the time being and behaving itself. Key gets stuck in the ignition all the time though.. Might be the transmission isn't wanting to go into park properly?
I suspect any car is 'worth it' if you like the car enough. Depends on how much of an investment you want to make into keeping an older vehicle running. Mine was in sorry shape and am investing a lot of TLC cause I like the cargo space and high, but stable profile that allows me to see clearly. don't like low profile cars).
SCRunner12
New member
Pretty much what he said. These 2nd gen 4runners (90-95) can give you grief if you don't pick the right one. I would definitely check into the head gaskets, timing belt, water pump and make sure there aren't any leaks like the power steering pump. It is a gamble with the head gaskets and become costly when they go.
Have you driven a similar year and engine 4runner before? I say that because I'm assuming it is the v6 (3.0). This engine is really lacking in power and it sucks for gas mileage. I didn't test drive any before I bought mine with the head gaskets issue and I'm kind of kicking myself now. If you travel hills a lot, I would suggest not getting the 3.0 because it struggles really bad on them and you will see your mpg drop quickly. I love my 95 and I have no complaints except the lack of power and gas mileage.
The 3rd gens (96-02) have much more power, better fuel economy and no head gasket issue. If you have the extra cash I would try to find one of those. But if you just want something to have fun in and will be just driving around town then the 92 will be fine.
Good luck on your purchase and I really suggest taking it into a shop to get looked at first. What could look like a good deal, may end up costing you a lot. Congrats on your frist auto purchase.
Have you driven a similar year and engine 4runner before? I say that because I'm assuming it is the v6 (3.0). This engine is really lacking in power and it sucks for gas mileage. I didn't test drive any before I bought mine with the head gaskets issue and I'm kind of kicking myself now. If you travel hills a lot, I would suggest not getting the 3.0 because it struggles really bad on them and you will see your mpg drop quickly. I love my 95 and I have no complaints except the lack of power and gas mileage.
The 3rd gens (96-02) have much more power, better fuel economy and no head gasket issue. If you have the extra cash I would try to find one of those. But if you just want something to have fun in and will be just driving around town then the 92 will be fine.
Good luck on your purchase and I really suggest taking it into a shop to get looked at first. What could look like a good deal, may end up costing you a lot. Congrats on your frist auto purchase.
Regarding the Head Gaskets. Check into to the Recall, they replace the Gaskets for free as long as it hasnt been done already, I have a 1991 sr5 v6 that has an A/C valve recall, steering relay rod recall, but the head gaskets have already been done by the previous owner, i dont know for sure whether or not it applies to any other year, but definently worth the call, just give them your VIN and schedule an appt, easy as that.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
From what I've seen around me buying a higher mileage 2nd gen is a risk as most need work and while some were cared for most people don't replace shocks,bushing and other assorted parts that are just ready to wear out. A friend of mine paid $4k for a '94 w/180k on the odo and it was in great shape and rust free but it needed another $3000 plus in a new radiator,tires,$1500 in suspension,water pump and timing belt and all the assorted goodies got pretty pricey and may have actually saved money and spent $7k on a 100k mile 3rd gen and one thing that is showing with the 3rd gens is they seem to be aging well with owners that even just add a little care to them.
Most 2nd gens are simply getting old and your saddled with a slow engine when new and a tired engine doesn't know what acceleration is.
You could have a 300k mile '96 and it would still would be quicker than a 2nd gen brand new. It's only a 33hp difference from the 3.4 to the 3.0 but it might as well be a hundred and I'm not exaggerating especially up here at 5800ft.
A 2nd gen 4Runner is a forerunner (ha!) to a more civil but capable SUV for the street and trail and is one of the few that started out with good intentions but ddin't evolve into glorified station wagons when showroom equipped and the 4Runner is on a short list that still offers a true SUV and has models aimed at enthusiasts and while the 2nd gen has it's charm the 3rd gen is an improvement in everyway and is a safer more stable vehicle and it's old tech is still holding up well today IMO.
I still love the look of a 2nd gen and the rare 2 door is really cool but I couldn't go backwards with a 4Runner unless it was a 5 speed 1st gen. (I'm sure there are 4th and 5th gen owners that couldn't go back either so it's all perspective)
Buy a 3rd gen. :flamethrwoer2::lasercannon:
Most 2nd gens are simply getting old and your saddled with a slow engine when new and a tired engine doesn't know what acceleration is.
You could have a 300k mile '96 and it would still would be quicker than a 2nd gen brand new. It's only a 33hp difference from the 3.4 to the 3.0 but it might as well be a hundred and I'm not exaggerating especially up here at 5800ft.
A 2nd gen 4Runner is a forerunner (ha!) to a more civil but capable SUV for the street and trail and is one of the few that started out with good intentions but ddin't evolve into glorified station wagons when showroom equipped and the 4Runner is on a short list that still offers a true SUV and has models aimed at enthusiasts and while the 2nd gen has it's charm the 3rd gen is an improvement in everyway and is a safer more stable vehicle and it's old tech is still holding up well today IMO.
I still love the look of a 2nd gen and the rare 2 door is really cool but I couldn't go backwards with a 4Runner unless it was a 5 speed 1st gen. (I'm sure there are 4th and 5th gen owners that couldn't go back either so it's all perspective)
Buy a 3rd gen. :flamethrwoer2::lasercannon:
