rebuilding an engine

[uzibear]

wondering about the prospect of buying an old 1st gen runner with 250k miles on it or so, and having the engine rebuilt. is thi a worthwile idea? i think i can find a 22RE 1987 manual with about that, maybe 300k for $1500-$2000

so, is it usually about $2k to rebuild an engine? then i wonder what other issues would be most prevalent. tranny? brakes? electrical?

what about buying something like this:
http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c...th&advanced=&start_year=1981&isp=y&cardist=16

talking him down to $1300 or so, and rebuilding the engine? etc. i think if i put $2500 or so into it, it could be an excellent vehicle, or am i just kidding myself with the rebuilding thing?

 

[Gryphon]

I understand the 22RE is a decent engine to rebuild. I have not done one, but have done a head gasket on one. I will say this much: never again! Too much stuff I could not reach and too many vacuum hoses to keep track of! But that is just for me.

I have considered the very thing you are suggesting. For the numbers you are tossing out, I would think you could just have it rebuilt for about that or a little more...and you KNOW it is done right...and if not, it is someone else's problem to fix! (gotta love a warranty!)

 

[uzibear]

I understand the 22RE is a decent engine to rebuild. I have not done one, but have done a head gasket on one. I will say this much: never again! Too much stuff I could not reach and too many vacuum hoses to keep track of! But that is just for me.

I have considered the very thing you are suggesting. For the numbers you are tossing out, I would think you could just have it rebuilt for about that or a little more...and you KNOW it is done right...and if not, it is someone else's problem to fix! (gotta love a warranty!)

yes, actually what i meant was "have my mechanic rebuild it for me". i don't nearly have the skills, tools, space etc. to rebuild an engine myself, though i very much want to learn to do stuff myself little by little.

 

[mikes4runner]

The 22R is a great engine almost bullet proof. Get a rebuilt one or your trusted shop your god for lots of miles.

Just look for rust on the older 4Runners(1st Gen) frame, wheel wells..etc.

 

[joshuabrady]

have you pretty much decided to buy the 1st generation 4Runner, or are you still deciding? I am selling my 94 4Runner.

 

[uzibear]

have you pretty much decided to buy the 1st generation 4Runner, or are you still deciding? I am selling my 94 4Runner.

not necessarily. i need to be able to remove the rear seats though, and have the floor of the truck be level so i can build a platfrom for sleeping-can that be done with 2nd gen? also, i want a 4cyl. and i need the tailgate to fold-down, rather than lift-up, if you follow me

 

[joshuabrady]

well the thing with the 2nd generation, the seats fold down to make the back flat. The tailgate didnt lift up until the 3rd generation, so it still folds down, but mine is a 6 cylinder(just rebuilt motor). Just to let you know

 

[uzibear]

well the thing with the 2nd generation, the seats fold down to make the back flat. The tailgate didnt lift up until the 3rd generation, so it still folds down, but mine is a 6 cylinder(just rebuilt motor). Just to let you know

thanks. i'm gonna stick with 1st gen 22RE

 

[Gryphon]

have you pretty much decided to buy the 1st generation 4Runner, or are you still deciding? I am selling my 94 4Runner.

Didn't you just have the engine rebuilt?

Dang! Wish I had some funds!

 

[joshuabrady]

yeah i am selling her, just cant afford the gas and everything. She is costing me $40 in gas a week, i drive about 280-300 miles a week on average latley, and gas is over $2 a gallon here (dont know what it is everywhere else, but i would figure it is about the same.) Plus i only make about $250 every 2 weeks so i just cant affor her right now, plus i need to start saving for my mission.

 

[Klez]

1300 is a steal. You can't get a first gen down here (they all got shipped over seas). I flew to NC to buy mine and drove it back. The only reason I bought my 1st gen was to save on gas. Even though I ended up with a V6 and 35's I still get about 19mpg (mixed driving). I also run 87 and the tank is smaller than my big car. My gas bill has gone from $100+ a week down to about $30.

 

[uzibear]

1300 is a steal. You can't get a first gen down here (they all got shipped over seas). I flew to NC to buy mine and drove it back. The only reason I bought my 1st gen was to save on gas. Even though I ended up with a V6 and 35's I still get about 19mpg (mixed driving). I also run 87 and the tank is smaller than my big car. My gas bill has gone from $100+ a week down to about $30.

and i must ask: what the $%&# did you drive before? heh hummer, tank? amphibious assault vehicle? ahhh, suburban right????

well, the one mentioned above is really quite intriguing. there is also another for $2400 that has 180k miles, looks very clean and rather low rust. i think i'll look at that as well. just got a call for a car i'm trying to sell, so hopefully i'll have the cash to get the runner soon!!

what do you guys think about "smokes a bit in the morning"???

i'm a big fan of buying old cars with minor cosmetic damage easy to talk seller down, and you usually come away well for it

 

[Klez]

Smokes when starts = valve seals.

I still drive my 12 second 4900lb Buick Roadmaster Wagon. Just don't drive it to work and back all the time.

 

[uzibear]

Smokes when starts = valve seals.

I still drive my 12 second 4900lb Buick Roadmaster Wagon. Just don't drive it to work and back all the time.

now that's just the real deal. nuff said