Wanted: 1st Gen 1989 4Runner. Help!

[skullz14]

Hello -

We are looking (my son and I) for an 89' 4runner.

Here's the details:
5 spd manual SR5, prefer a v6, low miles (between 100k and 250k), in good to excellent condition. NO rust. Ok if motor or tranny need rebuilding as long as interior and exterior are good. Going to be my sons 1st vehicle so prefer a dependable and fun truck. I’ve owned 4 Toyota trucks over the years and they’ve all been great. My 1st vehicle was also a Toyota truck. Willing to travel a long ways for the right one! Needs to pass smog or have the ability to pass with minor repairs (live in CA). Hoping to stay within his budget of $5k. I'm familiar with what's out there (CL and other) so I know what a reasonable price is. My expectation when spending $5k is something like: 175k miles, exterior, interior, mechanics, electronics all in very good to excellent condition.

No plan to make this a crawler, but it can be lifted a little.

Any advice or pointers (what to watch for or ask when shopping) would be greatly appreciated too.

 

[txclimber]

Unless you're just dead set on a V-6, I'd steer clear. The 3.0 isn't exactly the best.

The 22re however, is very reliable. It's super easy to work on too.

 

[skullz14]

Any power issues? I do know that 22re is just about bullet proof. Better mpg too.

Unless you're just dead set on a V-6, I'd steer clear. The 3.0 isn't exactly the best.

The 22re however, is very reliable. It's super easy to work on too.

 

[txclimber]

Well, the 22re is not super powerful, but some things can be done to help. Headers and a mod using a 1982 Toyota Supra AFM really helped mine. Of course I did a full rebuild at the same time so it all played in. You'll never make the 22re a power house, but with stock tires it does the trick. Plus, I average about 22mpg.

The knock on the 3.0 is "all the power of a 4-cylinder, with the fuel economy of a v8". It's not too much more powerful than the 22re, but really sucks gas by comparison.

Either way, these are small little trucks with small little motors. Big power won't be found here.