Looking at buying a 92 need some help

[Ares]

First of all, Hello from the new guy.

So, in true newbie fashion...

Im looking at purchaseing a 92 SR5 4wd 4R. 100k on the clock and it still has its original owner, a pediatrician. I am going to look at it more closely in a few days and would like to have a few things in mind when looking at it. And, was hoping you fine people here could give me an idea of things to look for. This will be a daily driver and will some some light off-road duty. Do the 92s still use leaf suspensions? What are some of the common rust areas? What are the most common problems with 4runners of this vintage? Thanks all.

 

[regularguy412]

Welcome Ares,

I have a 92. I bought it 2 yrs ago and it had 145,000 on it at that time. I had several things swarm on me soon after I made the purchase. Luckily, I only had $4,000 invested.

With only 100,000 on it, you may not have too much to worry about, for now. Find out when (or if) the timing belt has been replaced. Should have been completed around 70-80,000 miles. Another thing to check is the engine cooling fan and shroud. After enough heating and cooling cycles, the fans tend to warp and crack. Then they disintegrate. Mine did this and trashed the shroud and the battery , all at the same time. I also had a major issue with intermittent bucking when trying to accelerate. This did not happen all the time and I thot it was the transmission. Since then, I have found that the transmissions are almost bullet proof. The issue was with the fuel pump. The previous owner evidently did not change the fuel filter (PITA) and it eventually clogged up enough to wear the fuel pump out. So, $400 later and a new pump,, no more bucking like a bronco. Should prolly check to see if the CV joint boots are still intact and not cracked. The 92 uses torsion bars for springs on the Independent Front Suspension and coils on the axel in the rear. Might also try and find out how long since a complete tune-up. Can't hurt to put on a new rotor cap and button,, plus spark plugs.

Sounds like you may have found a great lil machine. I was lucky that mine has no rust spots on it, even though it was originally bought and driven in Illinois ( where they use chemicals on the roads in winter a lot).

Hope some of this helps.

Mike in AR

 

[fourwd1]

Toyota frames rust from inside out, so it's not always visible until it's bad. Places to check are anywhere it turns upward, above the rear wheels, and where the fuel tank sits against the frame.

If it's a 22R (4 cyl) the timing chain may not have been replaced yet, but it's due, so factor that in. If it's a 6 cyl, it has a timing belt and should have been done by now.

Also if it's the 3.0 V6, there was a recall for head gasket failures. Check to see if it applies to that year, and has it been done. You'll need the VIN off the dash plate for that.

 

[Ares]

Thanks a bunch for the replies! Im not real familiar with how well the truck has been maintained other than regular oil changes. The owner basically drives it every day to and from his clinic and to the hospital. Im a 3rd year med student and just finished rotating with him. The truck probably hasnt been cleaned for several years and the paint is faded. The interior is in decent shape except for a cracked dash. I road with him on a 40 mi trip and it drove like a champ and the V6 had plenty of get up and go. No clunks, clicks, ticks, or other weird noises. Felt real solid. A/C worked increadibly. He hasnt put the truck up for sale, but he just bought his son a new Lexus 470 SUV and is taking over his sons old car (lexus IS300). Must be rough huh? I told him that I wanted the truck when he gets ready to sell. His sons old car should be here later this month. Anyway, I can probably get the truck for around $3k.

I will look at the issues you guys have mentioned. Good to hear it has coils in the back. Maybe, if I can get the price low enough I can splurge on a small lift and tires. I will also check on the status of the head gaskets (it is a V6), the timing belt.

If the areas of concern you guys mention are in good shape, I will be the owner of my first Toyota. Then I can post more ignorant questions.

 

[fourwd1]

Good luck, and ask away.