New to Classic Yota's need some buying advice!

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rusty904

New member
First time post after doing a bit of reading on this site. I'm looking to get a gen 1 4runner as a 2nd vehicle. I've admired these trucks for several years and now I have the means to get one (I think). I've started seriously looking for one.

A little background:

I have a 09 GTI as a DD and I would mostly use the T4R as a vehicle for camping, mountain bike hauling, and a bit of light off roading. General play vehicle. For this I'd hopefully want the truck to be reliable enough to handle a 2hr journey which is the usual distance I travel for a weekend mountain bike excursions.

I work in the vehicle sourcing department of a dealership chain so I have good friends that are mechanics (mostly honda guys) and access to nice tools and hydraulic lifts. I also have pretty good friends that do paint and body as well. None are classic Toyota experts however. I like to think of myself as mechanically competent but I don't have any delusions of being a master wrench. I've done all my own fluid changes, brake service, spark plugs, filters, some minor electrical work (window motor replacement, fog light install, and other easy stuff). Mostly just maintenance. I also built an M151 "jeep" out of a kit in high school. That was surprisingly easy.

Enough of that. I think I've decided on the 22re manual truck and I think I've found a decent one. 240k, no rust, nice black steelies and BFG AT tires, and corbeau front seats. The owner claims to have done a full timing chain service (cover, water pump, oil pump, etc) It also apparently has new front pads and rotors. Asking $4500.

I'd post the link but I'm not sure that's kosher here.

I'm seriously considering driving a couple hours to check this thing out. What issues should I look for that are specific to these vehicles? I've done enough appraisals to know what to look for in general but most of the time I'm looking at things like 2002 camry's!

What's good value for a vehicle like this? It seems like he's in the general ballpark given what's out there but I'm not sure.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!
 
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Welcome! You can post the link.

Speaking for myself, for $4500 I'd expect a very clean truck. You should have to hunt to find any wear in the interior or blemishes to the outside paint and bodywork. No rust hiding under the chrome, no missing trim bits, nothing but tiny specks of rust on the frame, in perfect mechanical condition, etc. A '85 with the solid front axle adds a little to the price, but isn't worth the premium.

Obviously that depends on your local market and what you're willing to pay. I'd want a $4500 truck to be a looker though.
 
Welcome to the forum !! Most people wanting advice will post the link, if you're worried about someone buying it out from under you, count me out, i barely have $45, much less $4500 lol....

One way to compare the dollars involved, go to craigslist and put $4500 in as max price and like $3000 as minimum price ( to weed out the scrap cars ) and compare what else can be bought in you area for the $4500, i know every owner has his own worth of his vehicle, but i have a feeling you'd find something a little newer for a good deal under $5k...... just my two pennies....
 
mikekfr said:
Welcome to the forum !! Most people wanting advice will post the link, if you're worried about someone buying it out from under you, count me out, i barely have $45, much less $4500 lol....

One way to compare the dollars involved, go to craigslist and put $4500 in as max price and like $3000 as minimum price ( to weed out the scrap cars ) and compare what else can be bought in you area for the $4500, i know every owner has his own worth of his vehicle, but i have a feeling you'd find something a little newer for a good deal under $5k...... just my two pennies....
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I just bought an 85 4runner for 2200. Rust on frame was my major concern but any major body rust as well. When it passed that I was not so worried about anything else. I wanted a clean interior but that is an easy fix.I bought it because they are able to be worked on. I bought it with the intention of buying a new motor from 22re performance so motor I wasn't worried about. Turns out fixing valve cover leak, heat exhaust leak, and transmission line rattling on block makes her hum like new :) I tuned her up, had timing chain guide on driver side replaced, new water pump, and all new vacuum lines replaced. I also found two almost new front seats. I figure I have about 3500 in it now and until something needs attention she is good to go.

I figure even if I spent another 5000 on her ( HOLA) and cost that over three years I have 175 per month in her and for that I couldn't have a better vehicle.

I have already been chased down and offered 5000 twice for her, but with a solid "NO" the individuals asked to name my price. I respectfully declined to do so. I bet I could of gotten upwards 6000 or may be better.

So I think you might lower that price a bit if that is his asking price. And anything you might spend you can get mostly back if you sell later so it is a decent deal.
 
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Thanks for the info! From the pics I have the truck looks pretty clean. The clear coat on the hood and the roof of the "cab" is in rough shape but that should not be a huge deal for me as I can get a great deal on a decent paint job.

The body looks clean in the pic as well, no signs of rust as far as I can tell. For me the big pluses on this one are the Toyota tundra steelies, the nice aftermarket seats, and the bfg A/T's which is the tire I'd want on the truck anyway.

Is the solid axle preferred just for ease of modification/ off road toughness or is the IFS a problem area for these trucks?

I'd expect him to haggle with me a bit as it does say OBO. If he has documentation for the work he's done on it recently that'll add to the value for me. The price is definitely on the high end given the miles and the fact that it's a base model truck. I think it's worth about $3500 but I don't want to offend the guy. Here's the ad. He sent me some good additional pics and service info.

1988 4RNR- $4,500 OBO
 
rusty904 said:
Thanks for the info! From the pics I have the truck looks pretty clean. The clear coat on the hood and the roof of the "cab" is in rough shape but that should not be a huge deal for me as I can get a great deal on a decent paint job.

The body looks clean in the pic as well, no signs of rust as far as I can tell. For me the big pluses on this one are the Toyota tundra steelies, the nice aftermarket seats, and the bfg A/T's which is the tire I'd want on the truck anyway.

Is the solid axle preferred just for ease of modification/ off road toughness or is the IFS a problem area for these trucks?

I'd expect him to haggle with me a bit as it does say OBO. If he has documentation for the work he's done on it recently that'll add to the value for me. The price is definitely on the high end given the miles and the fact that it's a base model truck. I think it's worth about $3500 but I don't want to offend the guy. Here's the ad. He sent me some good additional pics and service info.

1988 4RNR- $4,500 OBO
Click to expand...

I would use the IFJ as a point to lower price. Saying something like, " Gosh I wish it had the Solid Axle as that was what I was looking for. I think the price would be a solid 4000-4500 if it had that solid axle, but I think I can find others for less even though this is a very nice truck."
 
rusty904 said:
Is the solid axle preferred just for ease of modification/ off road toughness or is the IFS a problem area for these trucks?
Click to expand...

The IFS is fine for up to moderate rock crawling, and superior to the solid axle for pavement driving and bombing dirt roads. If you get the rock crawling bug and decide you need a solid axle down the road, a solid axle swap is not super tough in the grand scheme of things.
 
Sound like IFS is probably a better option for me anyway. I'd like to go check this thing out but I have my doubts about making this truck reliable enough to take on 2-3hr road trips.

Just based on the ad does anyone else have opinions on the value of the vehicle? It's funny because I spend all day determining the correct market prices for used cars but something this old and somewhat rare is hard to figure.

Finally, does anyone know of a good shop/mechanic in the NC area that could do work on this thing that would be beyond my depth? Like I said I have a little bit of know how and skilled friends but nobody that knows this type of vehicle.

Thanks for the friendly reception here BTW!
 
We drove one of these halfway across the country, 2-3 hours is nothing. $4500 seems high to me for something that will need a paint job immediately, although the work that's been done was probably an easy grand in a shop and tires aren't cheap either. As long as there really is no rust it isn't crazy for the east coast.

Clearance for the tires looks a bit tight, flex it up on something and check for rubbing if you drive out.
 
jbtvt said:
We drove one of these halfway across the country, 2-3 hours is nothing. $4500 seems high to me for something that will need a paint job immediately, although the work that's been done was probably an easy grand in a shop and tires aren't cheap either. As long as there really is no rust it isn't crazy for the east coast.

Clearance for the tires looks a bit tight, flex it up on something and check for rubbing if you drive out.
Click to expand...

Yeah I noticed the tight clearance as well. It does have the BFG AT's in the first pic not the tires in the 2nd pic (crawler T/A's?) so it's not too bad. $4500 does seem high to me as well and the truck has been on CL for about three weeks now.

I will probably at least go check the truck out next weekend if he still has it.
 
rusty904 said:
Yeah I noticed the tight clearance as well. It does have the BFG AT's in the first pic not the tires in the 2nd pic (crawler T/A's?) so it's not too bad. $4500 does seem high to me as well and the truck has been on CL for about three weeks now.

I will probably at least go check the truck out next weekend if he still has it.
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honestly, that's not a bad price for that truck in your area. would you take a 2nd gen? if so, there's this: 4Runner 4x4 Limited and this: Toyota 4Runner

really nice for sale classic runners are not super easy to find in NC
 
Are there any good specialty shops in NC for this kind of truck? Where are good places to pick up parts online?
 
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So it turns out the owner of this truck has a shop specializing in old land cruisers and toyota trucks. He bought this 4runner from a customer 3years ago after the timing chain broke (or the little guides broke). He fixed that and a few other things. (front brakes, radiator, tires)

Truck needs a full re-spray and two large dents repaired but mechanically he has told me the truck is in perfect working order, no leaks, all the electricals work (including the sliding rear window).

It's good news that this guy knows what he's doing and he seemed honest over the phone. Bad news is that I think he might be less keen to make me a deal. I'm definitely going to see this thing on Saturday and if all goes to plan, I will likely buy the thing. Question is, how much?

If anyone has any more buying advice please let me know. Buying a truck that's older than me is a bit frightening.
 
So your guy is trying to make a profit, is what he's doing. You're right, he's not going to want to haggle as much as you'd hoped.

And honestly, two large dents knock that well down below $4500, for me anyway. I can live with bad paint, but if I'm going to pay over $3000 for one of these, I want a clean body. Maybe I'm too picky, but I'd be trying to hassle him down over the phone and if he doesn't budge, I'd keep looking.

In terms of reliability, you don't need to worry. In good mechanical condition these trucks are as reliable as anything fresh off the lot. It's going to need a little more love in the preventative maintenance department, but as long as you keep that up, you can drive all the way across the country without fear.
 
KidVermicious said:
So your guy is trying to make a profit, is what he's doing. You're right, he's not going to want to haggle as much as you'd hoped.

And honestly, two large dents knock that well down below $4500, for me anyway. I can live with bad paint, but if I'm going to pay over $3000 for one of these, I want a clean body. Maybe I'm too picky, but I'd be trying to hassle him down over the phone and if he doesn't budge, I'd keep looking.

In terms of reliability, you don't need to worry. In good mechanical condition these trucks are as reliable as anything fresh off the lot. It's going to need a little more love in the preventative maintenance department, but as long as you keep that up, you can drive all the way across the country without fear.
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Given what I've posted, what's the most you'd pay for the truck in question? I'm trying to figure out a hard ceiling where I'd walk away.
 
Personally, I'd keep looking. I'm in south Alabama but for 4-5K around here you can find mint first gens. I'd spread my search radius and be willing to drive a good piece for a better deal IMO. Although, I'm admittedly in the boat where I'd rather buy one that wasn't perfect and wasn't as costly. No major issues but the tinkering and piddling is half the fun. That being said, I have $800 in mine and wouldn't trade it for much of nothing.
 
I'm pretty much looking from Virginia down to Central FL. Problem is with one far away is I'd have to trailer it back which can get pricey.

This is one of the better ones I've seen if everything the seller says is true. To be fair I've only been seriously looking for 2 months or so. Before that I was just browsing and dreaming.

I'd love to have one that's sub 200k or a well done new or rebuilt motor. I may just bid him one price at around $3500 or even $3750 and just walk if he doesn't take it.

I do want this body style because of the removable top, and I definitely want the 22re 5speed combo. Seems like clean ones are few and far between around here.
 
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