Newbie from CO

[alex c.]

Hey guys, I just bought my first runner (fri). I mainly bought it because I wanted a reliable 4x4 that was good on gas. After searching around for a cpl mos. I decided to get the runner where you can take the top off. So much versatility with these trucks. This is actually the link to my new/used truck.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ar=1989&start_year=1988&isp=y&lang=&cardist=7

I talked him waaaay down and it seems like a good deal to me. It's pretty clean except for the rust. I'm still not sure what's the best way to go with that. Any suggestions? Anyways, hope to post some pics of it later and see everyone else's rides. Thanks

 

[uzibear]

holy smokes. that's the strangest thing. i just had a page open looking at that exact runner. you bought it! how bout that. where are you? i'm in boulder and looking to buy a 1st gen; i want to remove the rear seats and make a bed/storage under type of deal back there. cool man. how much did they sell for?

and hey, do they really have two 89 red runners? or is it the same one at two prices? i can't tell.....

definitely looks like just one. what mileage? they give you any warranty? do any inspection?

 

[alex c.]

Wow! That is pretty crazy. I picked it up for about 1/2 of the listed price. I wasn't even planning on buying it, just looking at it since it was more than I wanted to spend. Haha. Lucky me. The truck is actually from Boulder too!

From what I saw at the lot, they only had 1, but you can call and ask. The guy's name is Eric. Really nice guy too. Tell him Alex sent you and that you were looking at that runner also. I know they had another one, but can't remember what yr. This one just hit 200k, but still runs pretty strong. What other price was listed?

 

[uzibear]

autotrader has two ads, one for $1700, one for $1900 (or so).

that's wild you were able to talk them down so much. looks like a good vehicle. no salt on the roads is a big plus of buying colorado runners.

 

[zspokess]

also been watching

That's crazy that you bought that 4runner, I also live in Boulder and always check autotrader every few weeks to see what new Gen 1's are on there. That $10, 000 one and the red one you bought have both been on there for over 2 months! Not surprised you could get him down on price.

I have a red one that I just took the top off and got a new bumper for, see post a little ways down "new bumper".

As far as the rust goes, forget about it, nothing much to do for those 1/4 panels, even in Colorado. Just make sure the the timing chain has been done a few times if it's over 200k, if you end up needing to do it, definitely get the metal timing guides, that will make sure you have no worries in the future.

 

[alex c.]

Sounds good, I will do that. I had been searching on Auto trader for about a month and had'nt see that runner till the Mon before I bought it. I went and saw about 4 from Craigslist b4 this one, but didnt like them as much. If its the same one you said, I wonder why it hadnt sold? All it needed was a little elbow grease and now it looks pretty good, interior is clean and it drives really nice too.

I bought another runner on Mon. an '89 sr5 v6 with 253k. It needs a clutch and a ton of cleaning but it drives well and the engine sounds good. I'm actually gona give that one to my dad though. I paid $500 for that one.

On the rust, I'm thinking of cutting out the rusted metal on the fenders and quater panels, sealing them and installing some fender flares over those areas. Depends on total cost.

 

[uzibear]

sounds like a good idea, assuming you'd have enough unrusted metal left to solidly attatch your flares.

 

[uzibear]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...1989&start_year=1981&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=18

i gotta call this one see what the deal is. it looks like i'm moving back to socal at the end of the month, but the prices of 1st gens there don't look so good, overpriced. i'm thinking of trying to get one before i leave; i'd also be able to move more back.

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/176861492.html
this also looks intriguing; more than i'd like to pay, but looks quite cherry. those new repairs look rather pricey.

 

[alex c.]

They both look pretty good. Did you call to see how much they are asking on the '85?

I had seen the '87 since last week, it does look cherry, im sure its very nice. I emailed him and called him before I went to get the one I got. Told him I was very interested and that I was going to look at another but I was more interested in his and to get in touch asap. He ended up calling me like 4 days later, said he wasnt in too big of a hurry to sell it, but that it was still available. BAH, I was already enjoying my runner. My runner looks as clean as his now (minus the rust). I buffed it twice, washed the engine, steam cleaned the seats, carpet, put NGk plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and fixed pretty much everything that was needed. All for about $80. I even offered him $1900 on the VM. Sorry for him.

 

[rustyrazor]

I purchased an old 4runner this week. I started a thread in the Gallery specifically for old 4runners. You should post a picture of your newly purchased 4runner there. The thread is called Old 4runners aka "the legacy".