My First 4Runner

[MickeyMouse]

My Wife and I looked at a '93 4Runner SR5 this weekend with 3L v6, 5spd, 4wd, 142K miles, ac, ps, pd, pw. The body is in very good shape, the under carriage was dry of any oil, the engine was dry also, but not spotless. The driver side CV boot was missing, but was not dirty so it must not have been gone for long, it had all original equipment, not any new front end parts or new engine parts, the tires looked to have about 30k miles on them and had a slight wear on the inside of them (possibly needs tie-rod ends). The ac got cold pretty quick, but would need to be converted from the old R12. They were asking $6,200, we offered $5,500 and they said they would hold it until we could get the funds together this week.

They were not sure if the head gasket recall has been completed on it.

Any thing specific I should look for or do as soon as we get it (besides the CV boot).

Thoughts?

 

[TRD04RUNNER]

WTF they wanted $6,200 for a 93 with shit missing?! that is way too much for a 93. this guy down the road from me just get a use loaded 1997 sr5 sunroof,leather,cd , manual tran. etc with 175k mile in excellent for $6500 at the toyota dealer use car lot.

 

[MickeyMouse]

We live in Arizona, they go like hotcakes because it's the 'ol "fun in the sun" thing. I've called over 30 adds over the last week and they are constantly sold (specifically the at one's). The local dealer we visited laughed at having anything older than a '02. One dealer had a '99 that was trashy and wanted $10k... we laughed at them. They are hard to hunt down here and our last car went belly up so we are kind of in a pinch.

Thanks for the info, I appriciate it.

 

[dancojgl]

Kelley Blue Book lists that vehicle (using a Tucson zip code) at between $4620 (good) and $5140 (excellent). I ran it bare bones except for the options you listed (and cruise control, privacy glass, and roof rack).

Sounds like your $5500 offer isn't too out of line, considering the price premium for the high demand...

I'd get the CV boot taken care of as soon as practicable, and the head gasket looked at (but after 142,000 miles, it's probably already been replaced at least once...)

—Dan

 

[MickeyMouse]

Thanks Dan,

Yea, my brother said to get a universal CV boot from Autozone first thing and get it on there, but I plan to take it by my local Toyota Dealer first and have them give it a once over and give me what they feel could be wrong with it... specifically if the CV joint has a problem. I've always did all my own basic work (oil, filters, starters, alternators, water pumps, etc) but nothing to the level of timing chains and such, but my Dad was a Senior Mechnic for 30 years with the local power co and had been to both GM and Ford schools, so he has always been great at helping out. I would like to start doing as much as I can with the 4Runner on my own (not that I don't like his help) so I understand it's in's and out's... I would also think that this would help you going down the road if you have a problem because you know your vehicle better just from working on it.

I saw a thread where you could purchase the Toyota tech manuals for the '93, so as long as everything goes ok this week and we get it picked up, I'll see if I can hunt down a set.

Thanks for the info.

(btw - The price tell's me why this one was one of them that had not sold so quick).

 

[Kanab]

Have you looked at 93-95 FZJ80 Landcruisers? You should be able to pick one up for $7-10K with that same kind of mileage. No comparison in the product. The FZJ80 will go a good 250K plus and still look real good doing it. Plus they are the most dependable SUV you can buy. I sold a 95 with 130K miles loaded, including leather. New OME shocks, new spark plug wires, plugs, hoses, belts, all new fluids and all Synthetics. It was perfect and looked like new. Even the BFG AT/KO's had 80% tread left on them. I just wanted something more comfortable and liked the looks of the new 4runners. I sold my FZJ80 for $10K.

 

[biglatka]

Thanks Dan,

I saw a thread where you could purchase the Toyota tech manuals for the '93, so as long as everything goes ok this week and we get it picked up, I'll see if I can hunt down a set.

Thanks for the info.

(btw - The price tell's me why this one was one of them that had not sold so quick).

Sometimes you can get the Toyota 4Runner service manuals on Ebay. You have to keep checking their site to see if someone put them up for auction. I got my service manuals there.