Need Advice - Thinking of buying an '86 4Runner

[4Beater]

Another new guy here..

This will not only be my first Toyota, but also my first truck (unless you count my ex-wife's 2001 Pathfinder which is of unibody construction)

here's what I've seen with this T4R so far:
downsides:
It's an automatic
needs new windshield
needs new exhaust
interior is very dirty, this had to be a hunting truck
Independant Front Suspension
The tailgate doesn't open
lots of rust on body panels
visible rust on frame (but it still seems solid)
non-turbo 4 banger (depends on how you look at it)
leaking oil

upside:
4x4
it runs
it stops
non-turbo 4 banger (depends on how you look at it)

What else should I look for?

The price is $800 (he was originally asking $1950 but I talked him down over the few months it has been sitting on the lot)

thanks,
Matt

 

[Blurr]

how many total miles on the vehicle?
engine/trans rebuild?

if the truck has low miles and has had a engine/trans rebuild in the last 30k miles, it might be worth it. all that rust is a bumout and will only get worse.

 

[4Beater]

how many total miles on the vehicle?
engine/trans rebuild?

if the truck has low miles and has had a engine/trans rebuild in the last 30k miles, it might be worth it. all that rust is a bumout and will only get worse.

the way it's leaking oil, I doubt the engine has been rebuilt, or the tranny for that matter. I think I remember it having about 170k miles. How much would an engine rebuild set me back?

 

[4Beater]

here's the autotrader link..

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...vanced=&end_year=1986&max_price=950&cardist=2

 

[Blurr]

i don't know man, the fact that a dealer is selling the 4runner would make me even more hesitant to buy the truck. only if the dealer had a good relationship with the prior owner and could give you answers to ALL of your questions about the vehicles history, would I recommend buying this one.

 

[4Beater]

i don't know man, the fact that a dealer is selling the 4runner would make me even more hesitant to buy the truck. only if the dealer had a good relationship with the prior owner and could give you answers to ALL of your questions about the vehicles history, would I recommend buying this one.

well for $800 isn't this to be expected? If it had all of it's service records and was in proven tip-top mechanical shape it would be going for $2000 or more. Right?

Or does the fact that it's an automatic, Independant front suspension make it not worth so much even in known good condition?

 

[Blurr]

the mileage is relatively low which is good and Toyotas are known for their reliability but if there hasn't been any rebuilds, i think you could expect to do so if this will be a daily driver.

to me, the widespread cancer is enough of a deterrant. unless you don't care about the rust or have the time/money/expertise to do the body work and future repairs, i'd stay away from the truck.

 

[4Beater]

the mileage is relatively low which is good and Toyotas are known for their reliability but if there hasn't been any rebuilds, i think you could expect to do so if this will be a daily driver.

to me, the widespread cancer is enough of a deterrant. unless you don't care about the rust or have the time/money/expertise to do the body work and future repairs, i'd stay away from the truck.

ok, so if I stay away from this truck, where am I going to find a reliable/rust free ride that I can pick up for $800?

This is my main goal --> to get cheap transportation. I currently drive a 1995 BMW 740iL and I'd like some money to buy a house now that my divorce is final..

 

[Blurr]

like i said earlier, if you don't care about the rust, $800 isn't a bad deal. just expect to put some money into it if this will be your daily driver.

good luck.

 

[junoirT4Rboi]

buy it the mileage is'nt that bad, i have a 93 t4r and it got rebuilt in hte last 60k and its going good. i just got it down from my parents so it was really rusty or it still is i am putting in alot of work on it right now its going pretty good if u go to the topic my 93 pics in this classic forum u can still what mine looks like. i found the same model as yours in the junk yard the other day, it seems like that, that truck has alot of potiental, for 800 get it. My t4r is automatic too to me the transmission is'nt such a big deal for me so yeah. by all means it gets u from point a to point b other then that its a good year to put on some mods and such too.

 

[fourwd1]

needs new windshield
needs new exhaust
The tailgate doesn't open
lots of rust on body panels
visible rust on frame (but it still seems solid)

new windshield - ~$300
new exhaust - $200-500
new timing chain - $300-500
If you can see rust on the frame, it's probably a lot worse than it looks. The frames rust from the inside out. Get a small hammer and start tapping all over. Especially anywhere it turns from horizontal, over the rear wheels, and where the tank sits against the frame.
Check the tranny fluid, it should be red. If it's cherry red it's new, and that could mean someone's trying to hide a problem.

If you're satisfied the frame's solid, and you're ready to put some time and $ into fixing it up, get him down to $500