Looking for a 1st gen 4runner

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levi10moore

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Hello all. I am looking for a 1st gen 4runner, I've owned a 3rd gen before my brother owns a 3rd gen sr5, my father owns a 4th gen rare trail edition, I currently own an 08 xterra, but I am looking for a pristine condition 1st gen. They are rare. The best one ive found is a 89 v6 manual with 94k miles yes that is 94000 miles no typo for a too high of a price $8800. It's in great shape. But I hear the 22rs are more reliable. I have plenty of time to look to find the right one but I'd rather it be sooner than later. I want to use it mainly as a daily driver. So I want to find one that's as much stock as possible. I go camping surfing general outdoor stuff. I'm wondering if the v6 is really that bad to stray from it. Is the v6 really slow like the 22r and what the main differences are. I want a the classic 4runner that's in great shape low miles. I just need help to know the ins and outs that I hope all you guys here can help me out. I feel that any more than 8k is too high of a price. But if it's cherry red and a complete beauty. I just want to know what I should be looking for because I want the best one out there for my price rang, As well do. This will be my first classic car I've purchased so I want to know all the details before I purchase one. Thanks! I will definitely slap a soft top on it right away for the beautiful SoCal summer days.
 
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The '85s are the ultimate 4rnr; last year for the solid axle, first year for EFI. The 3.0s came out in '88. If that 4rnr u looked at was an '85, 22RE, w/94K miles then yea I could see it going for $8800 no problem. Trucks like that are getting extremely hard to find. Hell finding any 1st Gen thats clean and has low miles is gonna be a challenge. Most of these trucks were rode hard and put away wet. We're talking nearly 30 year old trucks now so good luck finding a pristine one.
 
Dont know the milage of this one. also its a 3.0 & its not 100% stock but looks fairly decent. 1989 Toyota 4Runner SR5
Or this one is a 22re & looks decent too 1986 Toyota 4-Runner

Mine is an 89 w/ 3.0 3vze. Id prefer the 22re But I dont hate the V6. (its just a real PITA to work on) As for reliability, the only major issue is the head gaskets on the V6... (kindof like owning a Subaru) Mine was a 1 owner vehicle & taken care of. It had 333,000+ miles on it when the head gasket blew. (second one according to the PO) I decided to do a complete rebuild on the motor to be sure it will be as reliable as possible.

The 3.0 V6 is not a power house. Thats why they are called the 3.SL0W (the 22r isnt really fast either)

For street / mild off road the later IFS will ride & handle better.

the solid axle is better for serious off road use & cheaper/easier to lift.
 
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levi10moore said:
But I hear the 22rs are more reliable...
22R-Eliable.
Simpler engine, roomier engine compartment, hence easier to work on,
One can look into engine compartment and spot trouble more easily before it happens.I think 22R-E also has better gas mileage than the 3.0
Simpler Electrical, and I can help you :)

Only disadvantage of 22R-E is it has less power than the 3.0. Surfboards, bicycles, kayaks? No problem. Towing? Maybe.

...I want a the classic 4runner
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Classic = 22R-E :)

Quatre Coureur said:
The '85s are the ultimate 4rnr; last year for the solid axle, first year for EFI. .
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Resounding YES!
22R-E :)

Have a trusted mech/tech look it over before you buy.
If buying in San Diego, let me know :)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
he said he is looking for something thats clean, a rust bucket like that. not to mention rated out interior, rattle can paint job, missing interior pices, etc. LOL
 
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I love these old 4runners because they are freaking sweet first of all. I had a jeep and I loved to take the top off but not enough room. This 4runner would solve all of life's problems haha. I'm selling my 08 xterra because I know it will loose a quarter of its value in two years easy. These old 4runner value have been steady if not on the rise for sure. I don't want to loose my money when these tr4 are way cooler and do the same thing. Here is one in looking at. I think I would like the v6 because it would have more power and wouldn't be so slow. Is that a problem with the 22. I don't do any towing so nothing to worry about there. Also I know they are rare and it'll be hard to find ones in mint condition. So I wonder about the head gasket problem with the v6. Here is one I'm looking at. Tell me what you think. I think the price is to high but I can try I haggle a bit. 1989 Toyota 4runner he sent me other photos I can't upload them now. But I see no rust no dings interior is so clean like new. But is it worth it to wait for a 22 because those are more sought after an value will stay high?
 

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I guess it worked. Also I'm in west LA area. So if I find one that clean in San Diego I'll drive on down there and get one.
 

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levi10moore said:
I guess it worked. Also I'm in west LA area. So if I find one that clean in San Diego I'll drive on down there and get one.
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That one looks clean. Before you decide on 3.0 or 22R-E, I suggest you read up on people's experiences. Check Out Redeth's on yotatech. He has a 3.0. When I looked at the engine compartment I was intimidated by how tight it is.

On my 22RE, occasionally, I'd just lie down underneath and see almost everything, leaks worn out parts or wiring insulation, if any...
 
I'd say don't do it!! I live very close to you and the 1st gens around here are worth waitin for. We don't get the rust that some other states have to deal with and the 22re is worth the wait. One will pop up. I check c list often and I've seen a few tht I wish I had.
 
You have to spend some time here and other Toyota forums and decide what you want. You said you want a daily driver so the statements that the '85 is best are silly. They are better for off road. The independent front suspension on the '86 to '89 are a better street ride. The early 4Runners, 1984-1985 seem to have black steering wheels and columns which don't match the rest of the interior. They also have a slab of a back set compared to the later years split rear seats that can be folded down independently. It seems like mainly the 6 cyl with automatic are the ones that survived intact and come up for sale. I would speculate that they were owned by older adults who didn't take them off road and could afford all the options. I bought one new in 1988 and I felt bad that I couldn't afford power windows, chrome or a 6 cyl automatic. I got a stripped DLX that had A/C and a vinyl floor for $12,500. I sold it at 8 years and 100,000 miles for $8,500. I wish I'd kept it. I'd hold out for a 22RE 5speed. I don't consider them rare because there are two or three on Craigslist here in VA most of the time. I found one after only a couple of weeks four years ago. The picture at the bottom of this posts shows what I got for $2400, 22RE 5 speed.
 
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