Looking for a 96-02 V6 Automatic 4WD 4Runner with blown engine

[azcat90]

Anyone know the best way to find a 4Runner that needs an engine for cheap? I'm in Western PA (Pittsburgh). I keep checking craigslist but no luck yet. My son's 4Runner has a rusted frame and I don't feel like selling it to the junkyard for $1200. If I can find one for less than $2K that needs an engine I can make the swap.

 

[rajuncajun]

How bad is the rest of his truck?
I would think even if you had to pay a little more for one that was still running but had high mileage, you could part out your son's truck after removing the engine and make quite a bit of money back just in parts.

Just a thought...

 

[JohnsD90]

WOW, they offered you $1200 for it at the junkyard? **** i would take that and run. Now you have $3200 to find a good truck, and there should be a few non rusty ones in that range, just gonna be higher milage and maybe needs some paint.

 

[azcat90]

???

I kept the 2000 4Runner that runs great with a rusted frame. I didn't take the $1,200. I'm looking for another 4Runner that perhaps has a blown engine that I can buy for less than $2K so I don't have to eat the $8,000 I paid for it in 2010. As far as parting it out I really don't have the garage space to do that and my neighbors would turn me in for violating the no-junkers outside ordinance.

 

[LINY4Runner]

join the Northeast 4Runner Owner's Association (link in my sig)...the guy Tommy finds these things everywhere, fixes and sells them...he might have something or be able to find something for you

 

[redbull9944]

PitbullRescuer is a member here on the forum and lives in Philly. He's found some cheap that have had blown engines if I recall correctly. I would talk to him about the best ways of tracking them down.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Are you sh*ting me? I was trying for 4 months to sell my '00 that needed an engine. I just finished putting an engine in it yesterday.

There's one in Texas for $900 with a bad motor. Probably super rust free down there. Just need to take the trip to go get it.

 

[azcat90]

Stickin' with it.

I got someone to inspect it and I'm keeping it. Thanks for the info anyway. Wife probably would have killed me if I took on that project...