Hello. I'm new here and have found myself in quite the conundrum. I've always wanted a 1st get 4runner (1987) and I finally found one. It has 140,000 miles on it, has no rust whatsoever, is in immaculate condition and it's a turbo model which I've heard is rare. The turbo has gone out on it and it may need a new head gasket/other stuff repaired or replaced. I've done some research and found that the turbo alone is $2500 not including labor. The guy was asking $5900 for it and I talked him down to $4000. But having never owned one of these, I'm hesitant to buy not knowing much about them. But...let's be honest, they're pretty dang awesome and I don't mind putting some money into but I don't want to buy a major money pit. At the moment, I've got possession of the 4runner and I have it at a mechanic. For those of you that know this car, are there specifics I should ask the mechanic about? Anything specific with the turbo engine in general? Thoughts on whether or not $4000 is a fair deal for the vehicle? Many many thanks in advance.
To Buy or Not to Buy
- Thread starter FlipThom
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
vandert
New member
The answer is depends!
How did the turbo go out - did it loose balance, then send shards of metal all through the entire engines oil system - which is what I would venture it did - and the stock turbo may cost that much to replace but aftermarket is better and no-where near that. I will say from your questions your asking - stay away from it.
It's a project vehicle that with the right mindset and skills can be a great investment, but if your going to be paying a mechanic to fix it - might as well look at the big picture and count on finding some metal in the oilpan... Not wanting to be mean or anyting just honest - they are awesome and fairly rare - but you would be buying one with known issues.
I would get a second opinion on the "turbo being out" in it. As a mechanic I have had quite a few turbo vehicles come into the shop, having been diagnosed as needing a turbo by another shop, that didn't. I bought a 1st gen DSM turbo from a person who had it at a shop that said the turbo was bad..... It needed a head gasket (turbo was fine). I actually bough my 87' turbo 4Runner from a guy who said a mechanic told him it needed a turbo... it needed a TPS sensor.
Get another opinion.
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
Moved topic to new thread
BigRyan1986
New member
If it were me and i had the money i would buy that sucker up. They dont come around everyday. Even with some issues i would buy the hell out of it
KidVermicious
New member
^ This is dead on. If you're paying a guy to do your repairs, you can't afford a 1st gen anyway so forget about it. If you're doing your own work and don't mind a project, $4000 for a clean 22RTE truck with unknown mechanical issues isn't too far off.
Bad_Vision
Moderator
It is way far off!
It's a non running truck!
As it sits it's rust free and clean that's the only selling point. If the engine has issues in the block the cost of repair will be $5,000 or more and if you can't wrench on it yourself you effectively double that price to have it fixed. Making his 4,000$ price way over what it should be. He will be lucky to see $2500.
It's a non running truck!
As it sits it's rust free and clean that's the only selling point. If the engine has issues in the block the cost of repair will be $5,000 or more and if you can't wrench on it yourself you effectively double that price to have it fixed. Making his 4,000$ price way over what it should be. He will be lucky to see $2500.
flyinhawaiian01
New member
I'd agree with that. The money in labor could easily be 5-7 grand if you need them to go through the whole engine and replace the turbo (along with whatever is destroyed).
With what little info we have from you, I think we all agree that this sounds like a great project vehicle, and not something to buy unless you are comfortable and well-versed in pulling the engine out and tearing it completely down, then going through and redoing it all correctly.
I'm curious, what makes you think the turbo has "gone out"? Is it seized up? Making lots of noise? Leaking oil from the housing? Just no boost?
How does the truck run now, assuming you drove it to your mechanic?
With what little info we have from you, I think we all agree that this sounds like a great project vehicle, and not something to buy unless you are comfortable and well-versed in pulling the engine out and tearing it completely down, then going through and redoing it all correctly.
I'm curious, what makes you think the turbo has "gone out"? Is it seized up? Making lots of noise? Leaking oil from the housing? Just no boost?
How does the truck run now, assuming you drove it to your mechanic?
Kean
New member
I don't see the link anymore but when I looked at the picture of the tailgate (showing the turbo emblem) it was obvious that at least that panel had been repainted. ...quite poorly I might add. Just throwing it out there but the body may not be as clean as they say or what you see at first glance.
KidVermicious
New member
Or be willing to learn. It's not that scary, and everybody has to start somewhere, and it's damned rewarding when you're done. Don't let us scare you off this truck if you're up for a project. But if you don't already have those skills or the willingness to learn them, don't buy this truck.
Unless you hit the Powerball. Then you can buy whatever you damned well want.
