Looking to buy a 88' 4Runner

[MEYota]

New to the forum and to 4Runners. I have a 2002 Tacoma and love it and want to buy an older 4Runner... spotted this one close by Its a 1988, 140K, manual, and this is the description "needs a idler arm and a lower balljoint. I have new parts for the complete front end. also needs differential seal (I have) and small frame patch near rear spring shackle. The rest of the truck is solid and could be easy daily driver."

I have very basic small engine skills.... and would have a shop do the work, seller said all he has all the new parts in come with it and would cost me about $1,500.00 for a shop to fix it, Seller is asking $1,800 I offered $1,300 and he said he will think about it and get back to me. Not sure which motor it has.

He said it would either need a new batter or a jump to get going.... and says once running it could be driven home...

Thoughts? Are patches to the frame common? What sould be my biggest concern? Thanks!

 

[541joseph]

Just frame rust and head gaskets. And long term cost of fixing the little things that will go wrong.

 

[KidVermicious]

Patches to the frame are not common at all, and if it needs one it's going to need more. I'd look at the entire frame very very carefully before I committed to anything, and take a friend with you with strict instructions to beat you over the head and drive you home if you do something stupid because it sounds like you already want this truck and that's bad.

These trucks are very easy to work on, but you'd better be ready to work on them, because if you pay a mechanic to keep your truck on the road you're going to put all his kids through college. If you don't think you're up for doing your own maintenance, I'd skip the idea of an older truck.

 

[pat24]

your location says Maine is that where the truck is ? i live in new Hampshire the fact that you found a 1st gen in NE that isnt full of holes in the body is amazing if the body is in good shape buy it because i can tell you you wont find one with a good body up here

 

[crash813]

My basic philosophy on buying older (+20 years) cars. If you don't plan to do 80% of the work yourself then you need to buy the nicest one you can find that already has had tons of money put into it. Almost all of those things listed are pretty basic mechanical wise (save the frame patch). Honestly, those are probably the tip of the iceberg that has to be corrected. If you're not willing do the wrenching yourself, just walk away. If you want something fun to work on, to learn, that might be sitting for months at a time in the garage, then go for it. Looks like a deal from the pics but rust and drivetrain can't be judged from here. Good Luck.

 

[MEYota]

Another Toyota

Thanks everyone . Not sure if I can post this one so remove if needed. I came across a 1989 FJ62, has 180k, daily driver but says it needs a new valve cover gasket. And owner patched the body with bondo wants $3,500

 

[KidVermicious]

60s are rad. Same story though - if you're ready for some wrenching, you could be very very happy with that truck. If not, it's going to eat your wallet.

No idea if that's a good price or not, you'll want to check it against other listings and make your own decision there.

 

[Hyde802]

Maybe not the best for a DD if you do alot of miles. While they are wicked trucks, not so good MPGs.

That being said. I want one.