Update on 330k mile 1990 22RE T4R purchase

[jmitchell79]

Today I had the owner take it to a local shop and I paid for the pre-purchase inspection and they found a myriad of things wrong with it. Some are big deals, some not so big. Main things are these:

Timing chain is loose
Oil leaking
Compression 150-180 on each cylinder
Steering is very loose (inner/outer tie rod ends, pittman/idler arms)
Brakes needed
No A/C components AT ALL

Those are the main deals

Sounds like the shop was trying to make a big deal about the steering stuff, but after watching some videos I might be able to tackle those with the help of a friend.

What scares me is the timing chain. I just wanted 3/4 part series of how to replace the chain and it looks very time consuming, but fairly doable. I just don't know anything about TDC and how to find that.

Owner said she would lower her price to 1700. I offered her 1400-1500, but the problem is I only have about $2k to work with. I don't have a very far commute at this point, but I want the car to be safe and reliable.

Thoughts?

 

[thatoneguy]

First, I wouldn't expect too many of these trucks to still have perfectly functioning A/C. It sounds like this seller is too firm on their high price. Not knowing much else about this 4runner and reading the information, I'd pass on this one and keep looking. If you're gonna own a 22re for years to come, you're gonna end up replacing a timing set sooner or later; the single-row chains stretch and break the plastic drivers' side chain guide, and can cause havok if left to break on their own. I'd do that repair yourself - shops charge way too much for it (several hundred I believe).

Keep checking your local listings. Pre '96 4runners are getting harder to find, even more so at a fair price, but they're still there.


EDIT: Minor comment about your last point of "safe". I'm not gonna say these are outright unsafe trucks, buuut they were 'awarded' a 1-star drivers side frontal crash test rating (something about the steering column impaling the driver), and they don't do well in side impact crashes.

 

[541joseph]

I'd pass that's a big deal. Timing chain would really need to be done right now and I believe the chain and tensioner are like 200 or more. And it's a good one to learn on if you have the tools and the time. But for more then 1300 I'd pass. Good luck

 

[Hyde802]

First, I wouldn't expect too many of these trucks to still have perfectly functioning anything

Fixed it!

Uh, its an old truck. This is all to be expected. Download the factory service manual. hence "mechanics special"

And no need to start a new thread for things like this, just keep the old one going.

 

[jmitchell79]

Sorry for starting a new thread Hyde. The owner agreed to sell it for $1450. That still allows me to purchase the parts I need to fix it and hopefully fix it myself with the help of my roommate. I'm not sure if it's a good repair to make for my first experiences of working on a car, because it seems very intimidating to open up the engine like that, but I watched a few videos and it doesn't seem impossible, even for a novice...

 

[jmitchell79]

EDIT: Minor comment about your last point of "safe". I'm not gonna say these are outright unsafe trucks, buuut they were 'awarded' a 1-star drivers side frontal crash test rating (something about the steering column impaling the driver), and they don't do well in side impact crashes.

Yeah I realize that. I'm talking about safety in the sense of things I can control like having fully functioning brakes or not having a wheel pop off while going 70mph on the freeway and careening into oncoming traffic. If someone else hits me, then, well... :happens:

 

[fourwd1]

If you think you can handle the steering repairs, you can probably handle the Timing Chain replacement.

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Plus it's really great knowing that if you've fixed something - it's done right.

And if you do run into issues - we're here to help!

ps - get the Factory Service Manuals!

 

[jmitchell79]

Plus it's really great knowing that if you've fixed something - it's done right.

And if you do run into issues - we're here to help!

ps - get the Factory Service Manuals!

IDK if I've fixed something I can't guarantee it will be done right. I end up breaking stuff more than fixing it. I'm just hoping I can watch enough videos and get a little bit of help...

 

[RiFF RaFF]

IDK if I've fixed something I can't guarantee it will be done right. I end up breaking stuff more than fixing it. I'm just hoping I can watch enough videos and get a little bit of help...

You'll do fine. Also YouTube has a ton of videos that have helped me in a jam to figure out ... how to ....