Worth buying?

[Millerad1651]

Found this listing this morning. I don't know too much about the 3.0, but I have a 1998 SR5 and I love it. Was thinking about getting this for my fiance, and just having the gasket replaced if that is the problem. Besides possible engine damage from overheating, anything else I should be looking for on this gen? She will most likely just be driving around town, maybe 5000 miles a year tops. Thanks.

1994 Toyota 4Runner SR5/V6- Great Vehicle!!

 

[Millerad1651]

Anybody? Is it worth $900 or should I run?

 

[turboSR5]

At that price even if the engine were totally thrashed and you didn't want to deal with it, you could probably re-sell it and make your money back. If it all turns out to be a simple radiator or other cooling related issue then you are coming out way ahead. If it needs more work than just gaskets (resurfacing etc...) then you are probably getting a fair deal.

 

[DC runner]

Will negotitate on a 900 Dollar price.

First. Parting a car sucks. It is hard work. Seriously. Sure, someone MIGHT be willing to buy that tranny from you for 200 bucks, if they have a guarantee it works; which it might or might not.

Usually, you don't buy a ****ty car to part it out. Very little money in it, in terms of time vs. money made. Salvage yards make it off high volume turn over. Enough people buy 20 buck mirrors, eventually they scrape a profit. If you notice, the facilities at salvage yards don't speak of high profit. They squeak buy.

Don't buy it with that in mind. Not worth it.

So. They are willing to negotiate off 900 dollar price. You start getting sub 1000 when stuff is broken. Either the engine or tranny or both.

Walk away. Not worth it.

 

[DC runner]

Will negotiate on a 900 Dollar price.

First. Parting a car sucks. It is hard work. Seriously. Sure, someone MIGHT be willing to buy that tranny from you for 200 bucks, if they have a guarantee it works; which it might or might not.

Usually, you don't buy a ****ty car to part it out. Very little money in it, in terms of time vs. money made. Salvage yards make it off high volume turn over. Enough people buy 20 buck mirrors, eventually they scrape a profit. If you notice, the facilities at salvage yards don't speak of high profit. They squeak buy.

Don't buy it with that in mind. Not worth it.

So. They are willing to negotiate off 900 dollar price. You start getting sub 1000 when stuff is broken. Either the engine or tranny or both.

Walk away. Not worth it.

 

[KidVermicious]

At that price even if the engine were totally thrashed and you didn't want to deal with it, you could probably re-sell it and make your money back. If it all turns out to be a simple radiator or other cooling related issue then you are coming out way ahead. If it needs more work than just gaskets (resurfacing etc...) then you are probably getting a fair deal.

I agree. If you can buy it for $700 or $800 and it turns out to be crap, you could probably resell it for the same as it sits. Also, if you didn't mind investing more money it, the 3.0 to 3.4 is supposed to be a fairly easy swap, as such things go.

Are you too far away to have a mechanic look at it first? A busted head gasket is generally a fairly easy spot.

 

[Millerad1651]

I would fix it and have her use as a daily driver. I don't want to part it out, too much work! I'm fairly mechanically inclined, so I'm not too worried about changing head gaskets or radiator...just didn't know if there were any other tell tale signs to look for. It's only about 20 min away so I can go look at it. What should I look for in a blown head gasket? Anything specific would be helpful. Thanks

 

[turboSR5]

Check the oil for "Milkshake", it should look like a chocolate milk color if the coolant has burst past the gasket and mixed with the oil. Another trick is to sniff the overflow canister, if it smells like an aerosol can then it is contaminated with exhaust gasses. Sometimes the oil gets in the radiator, if you can't see any coolant in the radiator then that is a possible sign that it is burning it off out of the tailpipe. Start it up and watch for a smoke show.

Other than the above obvious signs, the only way to tell is a leakdown test.

 

[DukesRide]

I agree the above mentioned are tell tell signs that you may have a blown head gasket or other coolant issues that may or may not be an easy fix. I would also recommend either checking the vin on toyota's recall website or calling them directly to see if the headgasket recall has already been performed or not. The 1994 is one of the years that did have a known headgasket issue and the recalls are still being honored so you may be able to have toyota pick up the tab for the work and the tow to the shop. Definitely worth looking into. There is another recall on the relay rod which is part of your steering that you will want to check on as well. Hope this helps.

 

[hellsbells]

If that was in my area it would be in my driveway. If you can do the labour yourself its totally worth it. I could get it fixed/ running good for around $500 This truck would sell for around $3000