Should I buy this truck?

[jjanderson86]

Hello, Im new to this forum with an inquiry on whether or not I should invest in this truck.

This would be my first 4runner. A family friend has a 1997 white 4runner limited. Body is in great shape, and interior is aged for sure, but still in good shape. Blown head gasket. Its been sitting for a couple months with water in one cylinder. Upon further investigation there were 2-3 oz of oily/ rusty water. Im trying to acquire a borescope so i can tell the condition for sure. The car has 225000 on it and was running great until the head gasket went bad. I can do the work (besides machine work). I just helped her brother tear down his 98 tacoma engine down to the head gasket and built it back up to running condition following the manual. Now to the pricing: they just want it out of their driveway. They are teachers and just want it gone. If there was'nt any rust, i was going to give them 1000. But the rust raises the risk factor and work. Please advise if anyone has had experience in head gasket repair, high mileage, or anything relevant.

Thank you so much in advance and hope to hear something soon. Take care.

 

[Qjake]

Got any pic's??

Check the frame for rot!

 

[jjanderson86]

I don't have pictures quite yet. I will grab some next time I'm over there. I was crawling around underneath it and didn't notice anything too bad.

 

[zonianbrat]

Buy that thing! I'd jump on it if you didnt and it was close by.

 

[jjanderson86]

Buy that thing! I'd jump on it if you didnt and it was close by.

HAH! thanks. I do some work with her dad. After further investigation. It sounds as if I can probably make an offer of 500 bucks and they would take it. I don't want to cheat them, but the risk is unknown until i tear it down.

 

[TRDCal]

HAH! thanks. I do some work with her dad. After further investigation. It sounds as if I can probably make an offer of 500 bucks and they would take it. I don't want to cheat them, but the risk is unknown until i tear it down.

Its a 15 year old vehicle with 225k on it, doesn't run and looks to have been in an accident. I wouldn't pay much more than 500 bucks. Don't get me wrong, its plenty worth the money and I would buy it if it were my family friend but since your taking all the risk, $500 seems fair.

 

[jjanderson86]

Its a 15 year old vehicle with 225k on it, doesn't run and looks to have been in an accident. I wouldn't pay much more than 500 bucks. Don't get me wrong, its plenty worth the money and I would buy it if it were my family friend but since your taking all the risk, $500 seems fair.

Thanks for the advice. I did forget to mention the back corner of the bumper was a bit dented. Also the front left bumper/ tire molding is missing too.

 

[jjanderson86]

Just got back from the last visit with an update. My uncle is a machinist with his own shop. He checked out the engine and said it was going to need to be rebuilt, pretty standard for a 225k engine I guess. So I got the 4runner for $500 (once i make some space for it).

I'm pretty excited. Maybe I can get rid of my 300 payment on my 2008 Ford Escape. It just doesn't have any "soul" so to speak and I would like something I can get dirty every once and awhile.

The plan for now is to acquire an engine to replace this one with, which my uncle is helping me with. He has some reputable guys who he uses. Thanks for the advice again, if anyone knows of a better path please chime in.

I couldn't locate any rust on the underbody. It appears to be pretty clean. Pictures aren't that great but it's all i can get for now.

 

[MpJustice]

Nice truck good luck.

 

[stevec5000]

Hello, Im new to this forum with an inquiry on whether or not I should invest in this truck.
This would be my first 4runner. A family friend has a 1997 white 4runner limited. Body is in great shape, and interior is aged for sure, but still in good shape. Blown head gasket. Its been sitting for a couple months with water in one cylinder. Upon further investigation there were 2-3 oz of oily/ rusty water. Im trying to acquire a borescope so i can tell the condition for sure. The car has 225000 on it and was running great until the head gasket went bad. I can do the work (besides machine work). I just helped her brother tear down his 98 tacoma engine down to the head gasket and built it back up to running condition following the manual. Now to the pricing: they just want it out of their driveway. They are teachers and just want it gone. If there was'nt any rust, i was going to give them 1000. But the rust raises the risk factor and work. Please advise if anyone has had experience in head gasket repair, high mileage, or anything relevant.
Thank you so much in advance and hope to hear something soon. Take care.

I've had that happen to my pickup a couple of times. Once in the '90's the head gasket blew and it leaked water into the cylinders. It sat behind my house for about 6 years until I decided to get it out and fix it up. Since the cylinders were rusted inside I had to take the engine completely out, take it all apart and get the pistons out. For the most part all I had to do to fix it was hone the cylinders until they were shiny again and put it all back together. I didn't even put new rings in it although I probably should have but they looked OK and I didn't want to spend any money besides buying a gasket set so they went back in as-is. The rest of the engine looked like new inside despite having over 200k miles on it. The head was a little warped though and I had to use a belt sander to grind it smooth and wash it off with some kerosene, then it was ready to put back together. I've had to replace the head twice because of water eating the metal away around the combustion chambers so watch out for that before re-using the head. The damage looks kind of like worm holes in the metal around the area where the head gasket seals around the cylinders. If that happens you'll have to toss it out and get another one. Also make sure the top of the block is flat and not warped and when you put the head back on tighten the head bolts extra tight so it won't leak again. Be sure and use antifreeze made for aluminum engines, which is the most expensive kind, so it won't corrode and leak again. Also check the radiator to make sure it doesn't overheat since that will cause the head to warp. When it's running the water coming in the top of the radiator will be hot but at the bottom coming out it should be cold. My exhaust manifold was also warped so I ground that flat with the belt sander also and it's still running OK today.

 

[jmildoc]

the wheels and tires would sell for half that in a day! you got a good deal, now rebuild and drive another 200K

 

[jjanderson86]

"Stevec5000": thanks for the input but I think I will be going with a rebuilt engine from a company close to me. It's about 1700. I have a little bit of money to play with and I really only want to do this once, haha. If i rebuild i wouldn't feel comfortable sanding/ planing the surfaces. in other words i would have my uncle do it. I drive about 1000 miles a month just for work, reliability is the name of the game.

"Lmildoc": glad you feel I got a good deal. I figure if worst comes to worst, I can part the thing out and break even.

I'm looking at a rebuilt engine from engine world up in San Fran. It's 1700. New pistons, rings, bearings, valves, etc... Guaranteed for some odd months. Any ideas?

Thanks again.