Need Help... Should I Buy this '85?!?!?

[clemson4rnr]

So to make a long story short, I have the opportunity to buy a 85 5-speed with about 150k miles on it for $1100. I have never undertaken quiet a task before, but I know my way around a wrench for general maintenance stuff. I ahve a 5th gen as my DD but am lookin for a reliable camping / light wheelin rig. My main concern is the rust on the body and frame (See pics below). BTW it comes with the hard top (sorry no pics)

I was planning on buying an FJ60 or FJ62, but I dont want to pass up this deal. Because of the cost savings I have an extra 3 grand or so I can throw to a local shop to do a general tune-up and some body work.

Just wanted to get a few more opinions in terms of whether or not I will be getting in over my head (even with 3 grand worth of help from the shop) and if you think the price is right?

There are pictures below and on my Flickr ( Flickr: alex.mikhalevsky's Photostream )

 

[clemson4rnr]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53379623@N04/4931083390/" title="photo 5 by alex.mikhalevsky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4931083390_8a48149d44.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="photo 5" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53379623@N04/4930493545/" title="photo 1 by alex.mikhalevsky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4930493545_2ef0a2c9f8.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="photo 1" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53379623@N04/4931083632/" title="photo 4 by alex.mikhalevsky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4931083632_1479f6a66e.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="photo 4" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53379623@N04/4931084030/" title="photo 3 by alex.mikhalevsky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4931084030_5e4d1a709b.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="photo 3" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53379623@N04/4931087672/" title="photo 1-1 by alex.mikhalevsky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4931087672_bea57f9a69.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="photo 1-1" /></a>

 

[KidVermicious]

That's a really good price, I'd check that frame carefully. That truck looks to have been loved, long and hard.

 

[cometobanks]

Thats cool. Do it.

 

[T?@\7]

Thats cool. Do it.

i agree

 

[clemson4rnr]

Body is in pretty rough shape.

Do any of you have experience with costs to remove all body and undercarriage rust and replace metal (I know it varies just want an idea of what ill be getting myself into)

 

[T?@\7]

i would say "expensive".

However, if this is gonna be your camping/trail rig, is it really a priority to get rid of the rust all together? It doesn't look THAT bad in the pics...... i mean its a GA truck, so has it seen salt?
I just think it would be awesome to have a 1st gen and a 6th , but ofcourse you cant buy the truck just because (though its cheap).
Can you get some better rust specific shots?

 

[clemson4rnr]

I might go check it out / purchase tonight and i will be sure to post more detailed rust pictures. I am giving myself a 5k budget for this project.

Ideally, with 5k I would...

1) Clean all the rust up
2) Clean up the interior (Possibly new seats) and bed line
3) Replace the halfway decent lift with something better (probably OME)
4) Add other doodads and widgets (ARB bumper, lock the rear, disc brakes, new paint job, etc.)

We will see how far I can stretch 5k... The possibilities are endless

 

[T?@\7]

that sounds like around $5k worth of stuff, easily...

OME (just paid $1100 for full kit + greasbale shackles shipped)
ARB Bumper (another $1000, maybe more painted )
Locker (another $1000, installed +/-)
Rust repair + Paint (atleast $1000)

you should be RIGHT IN THERE, esp if you know people with experience either in body/paint or installing the fun stuff.

 

[jmooremtb]

Rust repair is extremely expensive if you want it done right. And "right" means removing it in a way that it won't come back. A cheap rust repair job will result in the rust returning in a short period of time. I have always found it better to wait and find a vehicle that didn't have rust to begin with. You might pay a little more for the truck, but you will save in the long run. There are plenty of rust free trucks in your part of the country.
T?@/7 listed some rough expense figures and stated that you would be right in there. In every project I have ever done, the unforeseen items add up to at least a 30% increase over my original budget. All I am trying to say is don't get too eager to start a project on a rough vehicle until you have done a thorough assessment of what your goals are for the truck and what it will cost to get there. You may just be better off finding a truck that is already where you want it to be.

 

[cometobanks]

You guys are crazy! That thing is near perfect the way it is!!!! It reminds me of someone elses 4runner....hmmm

 

[clemson4rnr]

haha

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Suh-weet Ride!

 

[85toyrunner]

You guys are crazy! That thing is near perfect the way it is!!!! It reminds me of someone elses 4runner....hmmm

x2!! :lookout: Looks like it's ready for the trails to me! It looks better than my 85 trail rig!

Any specs on this runner? Gears? Lockers? Still, if it runs good and drives decent it is well worth $1100

 

[clemson4rnr]

Well i took a closer look at it yesterday... THe guy who owned it actually passed away and his brother is the one selling it.

A friend of his did some engine work on it (bored it out, new head, new alternator) so I need to call him to figure out what exactly was done. There is a bent connecting rod in the back so that isnt a great sign.

Other misc. things...

-Rear diff is welded, i want to drive it around town a bit so I would probably need to either get an ARB installed or find a stock one for sale

-Probably needs to have a steering box added to the power steering.

-S hitty electrical work (needs a new battery and battery cables at the very least.

-Comfort features like rear window dont work (obviously but it sure would be nice if they did)

-Tailgate doesnt work

-Lot of s hitty bondo and body work throughout (Passenger front quarter panel is cracked and has a bit of rust, driver side rear wheel wheel has a piece of scrap metal held in with some sort of epoxy)

-Front suspension is a homemade spring over that has a pretty S hitty welding job and a hell of a lot of rust so I would need to take it to a shop to have it redone. Pic Below

Other than that its pretty mechanically sound. The gas pedal needed constant attention or it would die and need a jump. But it does have 6month old gas in it and a piss poor battery.

After I speak with the guy who worked on the engine I will probably drive it down to the local shop and have them take a look and see how much trouble i would be getting into and how much damage on the wallet.

Overall, its a sweet truck

 

[cometobanks]

Thats a coool trail rig. Find a nicer one if you want a restore project. That one will turn you wallet inside out. That truck belongs on a trail!

 

[T?@\7]

You guys are crazy! That thing is near perfect the way it is!!!! It reminds me of someone elses 4runner....hmmm

Thats a coool trail rig. Find a nicer one if you want a restore project. That one will turn you wallet inside out. That truck belongs on a trail!

change of heart?

 

[cometobanks]

Not at all. ...But there are trail trucks and restoration trucks, thats a badask trail truck! Do it! Im confused...Whats the question??? Gonna pass that thing or what???

 

[clemson4rnr]

Im taking it to the local shop to have them check it out on Tuesday....

I agree its a great trail truck, but I want to make sure its in good mechanical condition and isnt F****D to kingdom come before I buy it.

I wont be getting into anything too serious with it. Just want something reliable to camp and do some light wheeling in.

If all goes well, the trigger will be pulled Tuesday night and I will be the proud owner of the second to oldest year 4Runner and the Newest year. That alone is pretty bad*ss :guitar3:

 

[T?@\7]

cool! Man I could only wish I still had my 05 and my 87! What a combo.....
Aslong as that truck checks out to your standard, im sure it would fulfill your camping/trailing requirements. Dont let the computers of the '10 get you spoiled, the 1st gen is a special beast.

 

[cometobanks]

I concur with the distinguished gentleman from Fl..