Is this too good to use as a parts truck? Pictures!

[Cole T]

I bought this 97 v6 4wd just to have for some parts that I needed for my 98. I got it for $800 and one of the head gaskets is blown. It is a 1 owner and it has new timing belt, alternator, alignment, Brand new firestone tires, battery, etc... 214,000 miles.

It is a bit rusty, although with the right care it could be saved.

My question: am I a fool to use it for parts and then part it out/ scrap it? is it worth more if I just flip it as is?

Let me know what you guys think!

 

[Mark_BC]

Do you have underside pics? Frame by rear lca bracket and rear axle.

Looks pretty nice. If you have the time to do a head gasket job I'd save it. I have 2 4runners with blown head gaskets. They are in the cue.

 

[Kanoe]

It doesn't look too bad at all for a salt belt truck. Pretty clean by the pics you posted. You could likely make a profit selling it as is if the underside is OK.

 

[absalom]

Looks like a perfect candidate for a swap!

 

[Silver Supra]

If the frame is good it would be a shame to part that out.

 

[T4R2014]

That thing is too nice.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Wow, that thing is gorgeous. The frame will be the deciding factor though, if it's beyond repair it doesn't matter how pretty it is. But if the frame is good, flip that sucker!

 

[onemanarmy]

Looks like some driver side front end damage?

 

[Cole T]

Looks like some driver side front end damage?

I had that fender pulled off to fix the only dent on the entire thing. It’s back on now and the truck is spotless.

The frame isn’t great, but pretty good for being a rust belt truck it’s whole life. I’ll post some pictures tomorrow of the frame. Thanks for your responses!

 

[T4R2014]

If the hitch isn't rusty and the rear bumper doesn't have holes, then this was probably loved. Not junk IMO. New engine and sell it. I dig the door panels.

 

[dogtail]

If you bought it as a rusty blown head gasket parts truck, should have went lower on purchase price, I'd be hesitant at going to $500 on that one. These things are a dime a dozen in the rust belt, they can look great on top and be garbage underneath. Here's a pic of a my parts rig paid $550 about the same miles as yours, good running 2000 5 speed with new clutch, frame has been repaired (not to my liking) and rusty, I'm chopping it up for my own parts use.
Not to say yours isn't repairable. Hows the rockers and frame? If the frame is thin and crispy and not worth repairing....and the work of pulling the heads, time and money may be better used on something else.

 

[MaineRunna]

If the frame is good or repairable I would absolutely fix it. If there are holes near the rear LCA mounts that can be fixed easily. If the frame is thin from one end to the other you or someone else will be chasing the holes every year at inspection time. I usually pay $2-600 for junk 4Runners and $6-1000 for repairable ones. I recently sold a pretty 2000 with 200k and a repaired frame for $4500, a decent 96 with 175k and a repaired frame for $3000 and just had a customer of mine sell a fair to good 2000 with high miles, a patched frame and an epoxied rear diff for $4500. Black with a leather interior is pretty desirable. I'd have a hard time using this for a parts vehicle.

 

[Cole T]

Here are the pictures of the frame. Honestly, I don't have the time to fix it and sell it. I'm thinking my best move is to let it sit on craigslist as is for a few weeks, and if it doesn't sell then ill end up taking the parts I want and parting out the rest.

 

[T4R2014]

Not bad. Looks decent. I wasn't expecting perfection, but this isn't junk. I'd just source a good cheap engine and swap. The time it will take to get a fair number on craigslist would be more time than to just swap an engine in over a few weekends.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

I'd say sad day if u part this, looks like a fantastic project.

 

[T4R2014]

There's uglier 4Runners being restored

 

[Hepar]

If the hitch isn't rusty and the rear bumper doesn't have holes, then this was probably loved.

Hitch has no stickers. I'm sure it has been painted. Judging by the amount of rust/corrosion on the rear hatch struts, I'm guessing the frame and everything underneath is pretty well nuked.

 

[Cole T]

Well, she's listed on craigslist: Beautiful 1997 4runner needs head gasket - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

If there isn't much interest over the next few weeks, I'll be taking what I want and parting out the rest.

It's definitely not a rust bucket however there just isn't much love for 3rd gens in my area.

Thanks everyone for the input!

 

[Cole T]

Hitch has no stickers. I'm sure it has been painted. Judging by the amount of rust/corrosion on the rear hatch struts, I'm guessing the frame and everything underneath is pretty well nuked.

In most other parts of the country, this would probably be unacceptable. but having lived in NY my whole life, I know that this is better than 95% of 3rd gens that have lived their lives in the rust belt.

 

[Hepar]

In most other parts of the country, this would probably be unacceptable. but having lived in NY my whole life, I know that this is better than 95% of 3rd gens that have lived their lives in the rust belt.

For sure. It's definitely all relative. And I'm actually surprised at how good that frame looks. Especially with how f'd the rest of the components are.