New to T4R...

[1st Gen 4Runner]

Hi,

My name is Brad, and I live in Greenville, South Carolina. I am currently in the market to purchase a 1st Generation 4Runner. I am someone who has been bitten by the "Mod Bug" more than just once. I very much enjoy modifying my vehicles, and like to lend a hand to others who have been bitten by the bug as well.

I am going to take my time and check out the forum for ideas, and will post answers to questions as I can. I have some knowledge of the 4Runner, as I have been a fan of them since 84 when they first came out. I also followed its predecessor the "Trekker" which also was a great innovation.


Brad
1G4R

 

[LakeTahoe94runner]

1st Gen 4Runners are my favorite.

I have a 94' but only because I got the deal of the century on mine and the condition is almost perfect and i am the 2nd owner as of 4 months ago, the owner before me owned it from early 1995 till September 2011 when I bought it.

1st gen are great due to their engine reliability, ease to work on and the awesome amount of setups you can have with the removable top.

In Lake Tahoe during the summer it is a steady 75F and rains about 1-2 inches all summer usually in 2-3 very hard storms at the most so a few of the 1st gen owners take their tops off all summer and use bikini tops if they want a top at all.
My best advice to you is wait to buy the right one if you are going to invest in it. Rust is the enemy, and Toyota engines during those years were bullet proof, if someone does the prescribed oil changes, belts, and stays on top of it then you should have no problems.
Engine, drivetrain & rust are your key points and most expensive to repair, anything else is easier and cheaper to replace.
If you have the time and money to travel to western states like Az or New Mexico those are super dry areas and have a plethora of Toyotas running around.
Ebay, craigslist, cars.com are examples of decent search tools for a good truck.

here is a link to an ebay listing for 89' 1st gen 4runner with insane low miles 77k original
Toyota : 4Runner Toyota : 4Runner | eBay

take your time and get something worthwhile, remember it as an investment where you hope to at the very least sell it for what you have put into it

 

[1st Gen 4Runner]

1st Gen 4Runners are my favorite.

I have a 94' but only because I got the deal of the century on mine and the condition is almost perfect and i am the 2nd owner as of 4 months ago, the owner before me owned it from early 1995 till September 2011 when I bought it.

1st gen are great due to their engine reliability, ease to work on and the awesome amount of setups you can have with the removable top.

In Lake Tahoe during the summer it is a steady 75F and rains about 1-2 inches all summer usually in 2-3 very hard storms at the most so a few of the 1st gen owners take their tops off all summer and use bikini tops if they want a top at all.
My best advice to you is wait to buy the right one if you are going to invest in it. Rust is the enemy, and Toyota engines during those years were bullet proof, if someone does the prescribed oil changes, belts, and stays on top of it then you should have no problems.
Engine, drivetrain & rust are your key points and most expensive to repair, anything else is easier and cheaper to replace.
If you have the time and money to travel to western states like Az or New Mexico those are super dry areas and have a plethora of Toyotas running around.
Ebay, craigslist, cars.com are examples of decent search tools for a good truck.

here is a link to an ebay listing for 89' 1st gen 4runner with insane low miles 77k original
Toyota : 4Runner Toyota : 4Runner | eBay
take your time and get something worthwhile, remember it as an investment where you hope to at the very least sell it for what you have put into it

Funny you should mension that 89 listed on Ebay... If you click on vehicle history, you will see that that particular 4Runner had over 160,000 miles on it back in 1996. It sounded too good to be true when I looked at it, and with just one click I found out that I was right.

Thanks for the heads up though... And you are correct, I do not plan on buying the first one I see. Unless it proves to be a great buy having little to no rust, mechanically sound drivetrain, and all working electrical accessories!

By the way... I lived in Southern California for several years, and bought a 1988 SR5 V6 Xtra Cab 4x4 off the showroom floor. Had 160,000+ miles on it when it was stolen in 1996, and have missed it ever since. While I am not in a rush to get my 4Runner, I am not going to put it off for another 15+ years either!

 

[cztheman64]

trekkers kickass!!!

and welcome, 1st gens are the best!

 

[LakeTahoe94runner]

well then the engine was replaced and maybe this guy is older and just acts like they are original cause maybe he doesn't know or some people strictly go by engine miles.
Never the less I would contact the seller through ebay unless he mentions his personal email or phone number in the auction listing and find out the info

find out if it is a Toyota replacement, it is a OEM engine replacement, was it done by johnny nobody neighbor friend or at a Toyota dealership or a respectable shop that does work like that on the regular.

Do not be scared at the mention of an engine replacement. Remember, that although the #1 rule of buying a car is never buy another man's engine swap, but if this was done right and with the right replacement then it should not affect your decision, ****, it could be an even better deal.
You saw the Ebay ad, that car exterior and interior can easily pass for 77k original miles.
maybe his cousin or brother owned it or something like that where he just knew the previous owner took good care of it and just never talked about the engine being replaced.

don't be put off by the initial answer you have gotten, dig deep cause that baby could be a diamond in the rough. how do you know he didn't put in a great toyota engine or a wonderful diesel engine? the original VIN gives ebay certain Original info, so just give it a shot man, don't be put off until you get the exact info from the horses mouth

 

[1st Gen 4Runner]

trekkers kickass!!!

and welcome, 1st gens are the best!

Thank you cz!