Dirtyfingers
Senior Member
What should I look for? What's a good deal? Ect ect. I'm really hoping to find solid axles and not IFS if I do go with buying a first gen.
Looking to buy a 1st gen...
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KidVermicious
New member
Both motors are good, the 22RE gets better mileage and the 3.0 gets a little better power. I'd avoid the carbed 22R unless you really like carbed motors, it's the weakest of the three. The 22RTE is a hopped up 22RE, but it's not very hopped up and the turbo has a reputation for being problematic. The 22R/22RE/22RTE is an interference engine and requires attention paid to the timing chain, the 3.0 CANNOT be allowed to overheat. Stay away from the automatics, they're reliable but slushboxes - 5speed is where it's at.
You'll pay a premium for a solid axle, and even more for a solid axle with the 22RE... I'd respectfully suggest that unless you find yourself wheeling hard enough to be breaking CV axles on your current truck, the "cool" factor of the solid axle is not worth the extra cash. Most guys with solid axles don't wheel hard enough to need them, and I had to drop $1000 into my suspension to get my current '85 to ride as well on the road as the stock IFS on my '86.
Don't buy somebody else's unfinished project. Find a truck near stock, and wheel it stock for a while until you get to know it and know what you want from it that it can't already do. These trucks are amazingly capable in stock form, assuming you know how to drive them
.
Be ready to wrench. These trucks are old and require maintenance, and it'll get expensive if you decide to have a shop do your dirty work. They're pretty easy to work on, but they do need love.
Around here, $2000 will get you a relatively clean 1st gen. They're probably more where you're at, but I definitely wouldn't pay over $3000.
You'll pay a premium for a solid axle, and even more for a solid axle with the 22RE... I'd respectfully suggest that unless you find yourself wheeling hard enough to be breaking CV axles on your current truck, the "cool" factor of the solid axle is not worth the extra cash. Most guys with solid axles don't wheel hard enough to need them, and I had to drop $1000 into my suspension to get my current '85 to ride as well on the road as the stock IFS on my '86.
Don't buy somebody else's unfinished project. Find a truck near stock, and wheel it stock for a while until you get to know it and know what you want from it that it can't already do. These trucks are amazingly capable in stock form, assuming you know how to drive them
.Be ready to wrench. These trucks are old and require maintenance, and it'll get expensive if you decide to have a shop do your dirty work. They're pretty easy to work on, but they do need love.
Around here, $2000 will get you a relatively clean 1st gen. They're probably more where you're at, but I definitely wouldn't pay over $3000.
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Night_Wolf84
New member
I respectfully agree with Kid. And also, thanks for the info on the turbo. I was actually thinking of upgrading to a turbo, but if they are a problem, I'll just run with my fixed up 22RE till I get tired of it and go with a 3.4L V6. That'll be a long way down the road though.
I must admit, I probably poured a little over $20,000 (including what I payed for it) into my '87. However, I almost did a ground up restoration minus repainting the frame and haven't replaced exactly everything....yet.
A little advice, look for rust. The frame most importantly, inside all the wheel wells (they like to rust near the driver/passenger side front...mine did anyway) Body rust is almost common in any state that applies road salt during the winter, unless you find that lucky one that was hardly ever driven during the winter and was garaged all the time. :shrug:
I must admit, I probably poured a little over $20,000 (including what I payed for it) into my '87. However, I almost did a ground up restoration minus repainting the frame and haven't replaced exactly everything....yet.
A little advice, look for rust. The frame most importantly, inside all the wheel wells (they like to rust near the driver/passenger side front...mine did anyway) Body rust is almost common in any state that applies road salt during the winter, unless you find that lucky one that was hardly ever driven during the winter and was garaged all the time. :shrug:
RAD4Runner
Senior Member
Thank you for defending our freedom. OOOORAAAH!
Still in San Diego? 1985 toyota 4runner
I vote 22R-E(liable).
Roomy so you easily see, inspect and access things
Simple so easier to learn the systems and you would not have to rely on shop to troubleshoot for you.
I.e., If starter will not crank:
- You can troubleshoot (using only your senses and digital multi-meter) down to the component. If you don't feel confident about replacing a part -the starter, for example-
- You tell the mech just replace the starter, and not to mess with the C.O.R. the fuel pump, the oxygen sensor, the alternator, the ignition coil, etc.
If you're still in San Diego, you already have someone who could help you troubleshoot and do electrical mods
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Pisa 8687
New member
Hey just wanted to add there are lots of locals around to help out as sated ^. The 22re and 5spd is flat out the best. If you look at Craigslist you can find a super clean rig within a 50 miles of you. Kidv is right I have wheeled both sa and ifs rigs and you really can do just about anything you want in either. It's more about building it right.
Dirtyfingers
Senior Member
Thank you for defending our freedom. OOOORAAAH!
Still in San Diego? 1985 toyota 4runner
I vote 22R-E(liable).
Roomy so you easily see, inspect and access things
Simple so easier to learn the systems and you would not have to rely on shop to troubleshoot for you.
I.e., If starter will not crank:
- You can troubleshoot (using only your senses and digital multi-meter) down to the component. If you don't feel confident about replacing a part -the starter, for example-
- You tell the mech just replace the starter, and not to mess with the C.O.R. the fuel pump, the oxygen sensor, the alternator, the ignition coil, etc.
If you're still in San Diego, you already have someone who could help you troubleshoot and do electrical mods
Yea I saw that one it looks good, I'm on deployment right now and got the idea. I want to learn manual. And thank you all for the advice. It will help me in buying. I'm still stationed in San Diego and I did see this 1st. Looks good but I like to see things in person.
thatoneguy
New member
Keep in mind the pickier you get, the longer the search will take. It is considerably easier to find a clean IFS ('86-'89) 1st-gen, than a clean solid axle ('84 carb'd/'85 EFI) model.
If you're not looking to make a huge rock-crawler out of it, I would go with the independent. Kid's not lying - stock for stock, the factory IFS rides far better than the factory solid front axle.
Happy hunting!
If you're not looking to make a huge rock-crawler out of it, I would go with the independent. Kid's not lying - stock for stock, the factory IFS rides far better than the factory solid front axle.
Happy hunting!
Dirtyfingers
Senior Member
Thank you, I'm not being super picky. I'll go ahead with the IFS, I want a 1st because it would look awesome next to my 3rd haha. Not only that but I want a second car
RAD4Runner
Senior Member
Agree; you gotta see, hear and feel how the truck runs. Drive a known-good truck, then test drive your prospect. That's what I did, and am very happy with mine (22RE, 86 Dlx trim, IFS, manual).
Enjoy the cruise. I did mine on board the USS Tripoli, when an Iraqi mine interrupted my beauty sleep - LOL!
Why not do the shopping while you're out there and bring us one of these?
Yes, manual tranny is best.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ― Leonardo da Vinci
Although I have no problem with battery or starter I like practicing clutch starting. Feels cool - Truck feels like a hybrid; engine starts without the sound of a cranking starter
Look me up when you're ready to inspect your prospect.
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Dirtyfingers
Senior Member
Agree; you gotta see, hear and feel how the truck runs. Drive a known-good truck, then test drive your prospect. That's what I did, and am very happy with mine (22RE, 86 Dlx trim, IFS, manual).
Enjoy the cruise. I did mine on board the USS Tripoli, when an Iraqi mine interrupted my beauty sleep - LOL!
Why not do the shopping while you're out there and bring us one of these?
Yes, manual tranny is best.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ― Leonardo da Vinci
Although I have no problem with battery or starter I like practicing clutch starting. Feels cool - Truck feels like a hybrid; engine starts without the sound of a cranking starter
Look me up when you're ready to inspect your prospect.
Bahahaha ill try to bring back a haji ride like that. I'm on the USS Scout in Bahrain. Fun stuff...it's alright here haha. It's funny you say your ship got hit by a mine because I'm on this ship that's supposed to stop that from happening. I'd hate to be off watch enjoying my sleep the suddenly "bong bong bong bong GQ GQ all hands man your battle stations"... The sound on that makes me cringe hahaha
I've looked throughout Orange County and San Diego for 1st gens the past few weeks and test rode some decent ones at very good prices. Manual feels way more better IMO. I just bought mine not too long ago and think I got a great deal. When you get back, Msg me, I'll tell you the ones to stay away from if they are still on craigslist haha
Lunch-Box
New member
I chose solid axle, AND turbo for the cool factor ( don't actually need either). But I spent more under the hood rebuilding it right than the rig cost me in the first place. The CT20 turbo has its issues...and parts are damn near impossible to find. The IFS 1st-gens are VERY capable off road...but I'm stuck on solid axle...just me.
soj1057
New member
I spent a year and a half combined in and around that damn island when I was in the Marine Corps. Hit up Hunters and have a kamakazi for me.
Dirtyfingers
Senior Member
Roger that I'm actually there right now which is weird you say that! Finally got a night off.
