My $2000 3rd gen

[ASUMTNEER]

So I picked this runner up in Charlotte for $2k about 6 weeks ago. I put some new tires on, new valve cover gaskets, new shocks, and after some Meguires scratch-x she looks great! Too bad the head is cracked and slowly sipping coolant or I would have stolen this thing! She still runs excellent and is in great condition considering she's 18 years old with 222k. We originally picked it up to get us through winter, but now I don't know if I can part with it in the spring. We have a 4th gen that we love, but I am quickly falling in love with this 3rd gen! Here's a pic after the scratch-x, my new favorite product.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

 

[asahi4runner]

Even with a cracked head I still think you stole the runner for that price. If you put a used motor in it you'll have a nice running truck that's worth over 5 grand. So I think you did very good.

 

[T4R2014]

Change out the head and undercoat it so that it doesn't start rusting away in the winter. That thing looks pretty nice for a winter vehicle.

 

[zcrew]

Nice find! Not bad at all. It may be hard to part with but it may be hard to turn down a good offer all things considered.

 

[Myrunr2010]

Change out the head and undercoat it so that it doesn't start rusting away in the winter. That thing looks pretty nice for a winter vehicle.

Undercoat it? That a DIY type thing or a take it somewhere? If it's DIY what are the details? I've got a 97 that I love and wanna do my best to protect, I'm worried rust could be the end of her though....

 

[T4R2014]

Undercoat it? That a DIY type thing or a take it somewhere? If it's DIY what are the details? I've got a 97 that I love and wanna do my best to protect, I'm worried rust could be the end of her though....

Fluidfilm. Spray it on and inject the frame with it too.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

Would it pay to go ahead and swap both heads while I'm having it done? I've got a Toyota master tech that will do the work for cheap (at his house) and can get both heads for a good price as well.

 

[4Running Daily]

Would it pay to go ahead and swap both heads while I'm having it done? I've got a Toyota master tech that will do the work for cheap (at his house) and can get both heads for a good price as well.

I think you'd be better off finding a JDM engine with under 100k miles then spending more money on a block that is still 220k miles old.

 

[Myrunr2010]

I only looked on one site, but new heads for the 3.4 were listed for 550, so 1100 to do both sides. Plus any gaskets, fluids ect that you may need along the way. I'm thinking 4Running Daily might be right....

 

[Appntr]

Good looking find. Exactly how mine looked when I bought it.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

[MENTION=8562]Appntr[/MENTION] is going to sell me a scrap engine he has for $400, I'll pull the heads off of it, and my tech buddy is only charging $300 for the head install. So I figure $850 installed with all applicable gaskets isn't all that bad. A new engine installed would cost me much more than $850. If this thing didn't run as great as it does, I may think more about swapping the engine out.

 

[Appntr]

[MENTION=8562]Appntr[/MENTION] is going to sell me a scrap engine he has for $400, I'll pull the heads off of it, and my tech buddy is only charging $300 for the head install. So I figure $850 installed with all applicable gaskets isn't all that bad. A new engine installed would cost me much more than $850. If this thing didn't run as great as it does, I may think more about swapping the engine out.

You'll probably have enough small parts left over to recoup some of that cost too unless you wanted to keep them for spares someday. Injectors, fuel rails, lower intake manifold, alternator, exhaust manifolds, oil pan, pickup, front timing cover, extra set of valve covers etc.

 

[nor_cal51501]

Same thing happened to my sisters 2000 3rd gen. Did a head job and then in the next two months her bottom end started to make noise. I'm onboard with the motor swap. New heads with increased compression is a great thing, but its still a motor with 222k on the rest of the motor. Looks like you got a deal on the truck though, so either way you're doing fine.