My dilema, need sound advise

[JGrauman]

179k. My rig is in well maintained order. Never had issues out of it until what appears to be a piston/rod issue in cylinder 2. see this threadfor more info. Not looking to troubleshoot in this thread what the problem could be, only what should be done.

I have 4 kids now, 6, 4, 3, 2. I installed a 3rd row seat in my 98 to make it functional for me to take all 4 kids somewhere. But, in the future that 3rd row will only work for a little longer because of leg/headroom. Since the engine problem happened I am torn.
1. I swap the engine and keep using it until the leg room becomes an issue, 2years?
2. Sell it as is and invest in a larger vehicle.
3. swap it and sell it.

problem with 1. the longer I drive it, the less valuable it is, I'm going to have to replace it at some point, would like to get as much value out of it as possible

problem with 2. finding a buyer, parting out problem

problem with 3. is investing the $800 or so in an engine swap vs selling as is going to at least get me the $800 back?

Let me know your thoughts. I will post pics tonight if that helps.

 

[octanejunkie]

179k. My rig is in well maintained order. Never had issues out of it until what appears to be a piston/rod issue in cylinder 2. see this threadfor more info. Not looking to troubleshoot in this thread what the problem could be, only what should be done.

I have 4 kids now, 6, 4, 3, 2. I installed a 3rd row seat in my 98 to make it functional for me to take all 4 kids somewhere. But, in the future that 3rd row will only work for a little longer because of leg/headroom. Since the engine problem happened I am torn.
1. I swap the engine and keep using it until the leg room becomes an issue, 2years?
2. Sell it as is and invest in a larger vehicle.
3. swap it and sell it.

problem with 1. the longer I drive it, the less valuable it is, I'm going to have to replace it at some point, would like to get as much value out of it as possible

problem with 2. finding a buyer, parting out problem

problem with 3. is investing the $800 or so in an engine swap vs selling as is going to at least get me the $800 back?

Let me know your thoughts. I will post pics tonight if that helps.

The value in knowing your vehicle and history is invaluable to some, that being said, if you need a larger vehicle then you need a larger vehicle.

If it were my rig, and it fit my lifestyle/needs, I'd consider the engine swap if it were in my wheelhouse and budget. I'd rather not hassle with a part-out, personally.

 

[LittleCaesar]

That stinks but if I were in your boat option 3 would be the best option IMHO. Kids need their space and selling the 4runner would have to come sometime sooner than later.

 

[phattyduck]

problem with 3. is investing the $800 or so in an engine swap vs selling as is going to at least get me the $800 back?

Let me know your thoughts. I will post pics tonight if that helps.

If you have the time and ability to fix it, you will get MUCH more for a correctly running truck that you will for one with a blown motor. Something like $1500 for a non-running truck and $5000 for a running one.... (adjust values for your area)

-Charlie

 

[jkoni426]

Option 4- sell a kid or 2 to pay for the engine swap. As an added bonus you won't need the leg-room-killing 3rd row. win/win

 

[Rock_Rat]

Sorry about your dilemma. Awful position to be in.

That being said I looked at Craigslist in your area Chattanooga Craigslist to get a feel for prices. It seems the average price for a 1998 4Runner is around $2,800 with a cpl exceptions for the two that had mild builds.

After all is said and done you're still looking at selling it in the future for the kiddos like [MENTION=69868]LittleCaesar[/MENTION] said.

If it were me and I had a growing family;

1) I would sell as is and put that towards something else like a Sequoia, or an LC 80/100, with third row seats and more space. Doing a motor swap in your area is not going to net you a big return. You should break even if everything goes as planned.

If you have the time to do a motor swap and you find one with low mileage then go for it and still put it up on the market. You could get $3,500 on the high end after your swap. If you sell as it is now, you're under $2,000.

EDIT: I'm pretty amazed at how low the prices are in your area. Here in the Portland/Vancouver area prices for 98's run around $6500. Here's where a motor swap pays for itself. I could reasonably ask and possibly get 14K for my 01. sad prices here...

 

[JGrauman]

Sorry about your dilemma. Awful position to be in.

That being said I looked at Craigslist in your area Chattanooga Craigslist to get a feel for prices. It seems the average price for a 1998 4Runner is around $2,800 with a cpl exceptions for the two that had mild builds.

After all is said and done you're still looking at selling it in the future for the kiddos like [MENTION=69868]LittleCaesar[/MENTION] said.

If it were me and I had a growing family;

1) I would sell as is and put that towards something else like a Sequoia, or an LC 80/100, with third row seats and more space. Doing a motor swap in your area is not going to net you a big return. You should break even if everything goes as planned.

If you have the time to do a motor swap and you find one with low mileage then go for it and still put it up on the market. You could get $3,500 on the high end after your swap. If you sell as it is now, you're under $2,000.

EDIT: I'm pretty amazed at how low the prices are in your area. Here in the Portland/Vancouver area prices for 98's run around $6500. Here's where a motor swap pays for itself. I could reasonably ask and possibly get 14K for my 01. sad prices here...

Thanks for the input. I'm thinking parting out I could get 2k for the major stuff I have ie brand new tires with wheels, full Yakima roof system with bike racks, basket 4 bars, fairings, snowski/board racks. 3rd row seat. Transmission, engine accessories.. Sell off what ever small stuff and scrap the rest for $500. I've been looking at 100's but evidently they are made of gold and have cash hidden under all the seats.....

 

[jgue467]

Above all you need to consider safety.

Ditch that crazy idea and get a vehicle designed to carry the number of folks ya' got. That simple, anything else is shortchanging safety in this situation. Luck and enjoy the kiddos! :cowboy:

 

[thegipper]

That sucks your engine took a dump. It is fairly rare for this motor to have a major failure like that.

If you are going to need a larger vehicle, might as well plan on getting something bigger now.

Whether you have the time/resources to swap it, or even part it all out, is really up to you.

If money/time is limited, might as well just sell it as is and put the money towards a larger vehicle.

If you do have the time/money, swap a used engine in it and sell it so you can get the bigger vehicle.

Your kids aren't getting any smaller...

It sucks either way, there really is no good option when your motor shits the bed.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I see Sequoias here in SC, in good shape such as an 04, 120k, 4wd, for $5k to $6k. That should work well for them offspring, and the 2uz is a great engine.

 

[JGrauman]

I see Sequoias here in SC, in good shape such as an 04, 120k, 4wd, for $5k to $6k. That should work well for them offspring, and the 2uz is a great engine.

wow, nothing close to that here. I've been looking at some 100's, and a few sequoias, but in that price range, they have 250-300k miles.

 

[Hepar]

Minivan! The Odyssey's are sweet. Sometimes I wish I had kids just to have a good excuse to get one.

 

[JGrauman]

Above all you need to consider safety.

Ditch that crazy idea and get a vehicle designed to carry the number of folks ya' got. That simple, anything else is shortchanging safety in this situation. Luck and enjoy the kiddos! :cowboy:

ha, we have an odyssey that they ride in 99% of the time. It's for the camping, fishing and other stuff we take the 4runner. the bigger they get, the easier they actually will fit, 3 in the back and one in the front. It's these car seats that make room lacking. But will still need one more spot for the wife if we all go camping. leaning towards selling as is more and more.

 

[theesotericone]

ha, we have an odyssey that they ride in 99% of the time. It's for the camping, fishing and other stuff we take the 4runner. the bigger they get, the easier they actually will fit, 3 in the back and one in the front. It's these car seats that make room lacking. But will still need one more spot for the wife if we all go camping. leaning towards selling as is more and more.

If the 100's aren't doing it for you look into the 80's. It's the only vehicle that I would consider selling my runner to purchase. They may be older but they last and are truly bad ass. Whatever you decide to do with the rig best of luck with recouping as much as you can.

 

[JGrauman]

 

[Cree]

Fix it. 800 now is less than a car payment for the next 2 years. You're not going to sell it for enough to buy something larger outright with the profit. Fix it, drive it, keep it for your oldest in a few years and get a Sequoia.

 

[69project]

I would cut your losses and sell....time to turn this lemon into lemonade. Use the proceeds into something big enough for your clan. You can always get another 4runner later if you want your own personal project.

 

[JGrauman]

Fix it. 800 now is less than a car payment for the next 2 years. You're not going to sell it for enough to buy something larger outright with the profit. Fix it, drive it, keep it for your oldest in a few years and get a Sequoia.

wouldn't be a car payment... not trying to make enough to swap free and clear, just get as close as possible. I'd hate to strip this thing and scrap it, it's a great rig. Had plans to keep it, but just doesn't work with my family and definitely don't want it sitting at the house, have a work truck as well. can't load up in the minivan and go trail riding and camping. can't really do that in the 4runner anymore. Took just my oldest son a few months ago and hardly had the room.

 

[Cree]

wouldn't be a car payment... not trying to make enough to swap free and clear, just get as close as possible. I'd hate to strip this thing and scrap it, it's a great rig. Had plans to keep it, but just doesn't work with my family and definitely don't want it sitting at the house, have a work truck as well. can't load up in the minivan and go trail riding and camping. can't really do that in the 4runner anymore. Took just my oldest son a few months ago and hardly had the room.

Well, it sounds like you already have your answer then. Swap it and sell it man. If you have 4 kids you don't have time for all that part out non sense.

 

[tvpierce]

Fix it and drive it.

Sounds like you have it how you want it in terms of mods. As you said, the larger the kids get, the better they fit sans car seats. (Been there!)

You have the van for when you NEED the space. You have the 4Runner for when you NEED the capability.

If in a couple years, you decide you need something larger, sell the 4Runner. The bulk of the depreciation's already happened -- you'll have driven a vehicle for 2 years, for $800. Pretty good deal IMHO.