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Need opinions on a purchase

Discussion in '1st Gen 4Runners (1984-1989)' started by Sketch_Gibster, Apr 20, 2021.

  1. Apr 20, 2021 at 8:23 AM
    #1
    Sketch_Gibster

    Sketch_Gibster [OP] New Member

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    Hey guys, I’m 16 and looking to buy a first gen runner for my first car, I’ve been saving for about 2 months since I’ve gotten a job but I’m starting to get a bit impatient. I’ve found a first gen for $3000 but it has issues, what do you guys think, everything from the post is put below. Thank you guys I appreciate it:)01E5C30B-D8D3-48C0-9DBE-D556015D4DD2.jpg0482E3D5-228A-4DA2-B6BB-912687D0D4D6.jpgF7D9A7C8-3A3C-4045-878A-875D798F7529.jpg111896F7-619F-4FDF-B8A1-EBA334601FC6.jpg98ABBF5C-977C-4E9F-B340-3B21504CBFDA.jpg
     
  2. Apr 20, 2021 at 8:46 AM
    #2
    Moon Landing

    Moon Landing AFFTC 1967/68 Eddies Air Patch

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    Impatience to own one that you'll not be able to drive?(a blown head gasket may be just the beginning). This is one old guys opinion so take with a grain of salt;). Temper your patience, save your bread, and the right one will come along.
     
  3. Apr 20, 2021 at 8:59 AM
    #3
    Sketch_Gibster

    Sketch_Gibster [OP] New Member

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    Yeah probably the best, I’m just getting the anticipation for it ya know, probably worse than a head gasket if that’s the price for it.
     
  4. Apr 20, 2021 at 11:57 AM
    #4
    PhantomTweak

    PhantomTweak New Member

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    None. Bone Stock. EXCEPT: Brushguard, tow hitch, both welded to the frame. It's good to have friends and a fully equipped garage!
    At the very least, besides the HG, you'd need to send the head to a machine shop. They'd need to make sure it's flat and smooth where it meets the HG. Besides that, the valves would need to be done. Every little thing adds to the cost from the machine shop.

    My question would be: How did it fail the HG? My pickup still has the factory HG in it, and if my "friend" hadn't overheated my 87 4Runner, it probably would too. He cracked the original head when he overheated it by throwing the belt for the water pump. Long story short, some friend, huh?
    Once I replaced the head and all the gaskets in the engine, it seemed like, it ran great, again.

    Other than all that, and you'd need to replace the valve cover gasket in any event, so that's no big deal, but you'd need to see how well he had kept up on the maintenance. Is the cooling system filled with clean, Toyota Red, coolant? When was the last time he flushed it, and changed the thermostat, and hoses? Did he keep up the oil, and filter, changes? When was the last time he replaced the oil in the transmission, pumpkins, and so forth? Is there any rust on the frame, or body panels?

    The list is long, but it all needs to be verified. Every maintenance item he didn't keep up on would be a price reduction. You'd really be better off looking at it with your own Mk. I eyeballs, but if that's not possible, you need to see if he will take pictures of what you want to see, like the frame underneath so YOU can look for rust. Also, you'll need to try and get the maintenance records from him. Don't trust things like "Well, I think I changed to coolant about 4 or 5 years back...".

    So, as you can see, it's a lot more than just "a head gasket".
    Good luck to you on finding just the right 4Runner for you :D

    Pat☺
     
  5. Apr 20, 2021 at 12:31 PM
    #5
    GrantA

    GrantA Enjoying God’s creation

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    First off I want to commend you for coming to the forums to ask such a question. It shows you are taking your first car purchase seriously and not just throwing your money at a vehicle. I would take the advice from the others. Don’t get anxious. Patience is a virtue and the right car will come along in due time. I would not get anxious (I understand where you are at in life though) I was there not long ago. I have owned over 10 vehicles and the upgrades I have done to my current 4Runner would buy 4 of these 4Runners. Point being cars can quickly become a money pit (upgrades, fixes, etc). I would not suggest making your first purchase one that needs work (unless you are into working on cars and enjoy a project). I assume though you need something reliable to get you back and forth to school and work.

    At 16 I remember wanting something dependable to get me back and forth to school. I got a 1985 Toyota Corolla. Bought it for $2k and that car was fun to drive and reliable. You will have other things to think about when you buy a car as well. Insurance, gas, and maintenance. Good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for.

    fwiw I have owned the following vehicles:
    - 5 Toyota’s
    - 1 Infiniti
    - 1 Nissan
    - 1 Ford
    - 1 Mitsubishi
    - 1 Chevy
    A few motorcycles and more cars I am probably missing. As you can tell I buy Toyota because they are great vehicles. The motor in that 4Runner is great but if it is broken it can be great again but will require money for sure.
     
  6. Apr 20, 2021 at 12:42 PM
    #6
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

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    I think you’ve been getting very good advice here, emphasizing patience and cautioning that this particular truck could end up being very expensive indeed. I’d add safety considerations. I didn’t care about such things when I was 16 — but should have. The truck you’re looking at is far more dangerous than a lot of cars you can buy for the same price.

    Even though this is a 4Runner forum, and you wisely came here for 4Runner advice, I’d strongly encourage you to consider something more practical for a first car. A Toyota or Honda with solid service records would probably be safer, more reliable and cost you less to maintain and run. Maybe something like a Corolla or Camry, Civic or Accord.

    To me, this truck you’re looking at could be a fun project car — but it almost certainly IS a project car. Not a car for reliably and safely getting you from point a to point b.
     
  7. Apr 22, 2021 at 12:21 PM
    #7
    4x4dive72

    4x4dive72 New Member

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    Totally stock.
    I've owned three (3!!) 1st Gens!! (Still drive my last one for fun!) They were a blast to have & drive , BUT i ALWAYS had a new/newer/ reliable DD (daily driver!) automobile!!
    SINGLEMINDED said it better than i think anybody could have! IMHO - fun project car (truck!) but considering their age and lack of newer safety features (as well as upkeep!) even if you do
    your own wrenching etc mtce, repair $$$... THEY ARE a project ( some might say even PITA - LOL!) vehicles. Just my 2 cents.
     
  8. Apr 27, 2021 at 3:00 PM
    #8
    texturl

    texturl New Member

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    If the Craigslist ad says "project," run away.
     
    Patcell likes this.
  9. Apr 28, 2021 at 12:42 PM
    #9
    se7enine

    se7enine New Member

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    If you know what you're doing I wouldn't let this deter you from a good deal. Rust is the only thing I would stay away from. Unless you are expecting a complete and immaculate interior cause finding those parts are getting impossible.
     
  10. Apr 28, 2021 at 12:44 PM
    #10
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    16

    First job

    Get a beater like a Civic or Corolla

    Now is not the time to be dumping money into cars. Finish school. Get a CAREER then buy toys.
     
    Patcell and 7385 like this.
  11. Apr 29, 2021 at 12:11 PM
    #11
    se7enine

    se7enine New Member

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    That's sound advice. Good luck telling the youf how to live their lives
     
  12. Apr 29, 2021 at 1:56 PM
    #12
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    They ask I'll give my 2 cents. I see too much young people around here driving their Lexus or Mercedes while living at home. All fine and dandy if thats their life goal.
     
  13. Apr 29, 2021 at 8:26 PM
    #13
    1/68 Armor Ventre A Terra

    1/68 Armor Ventre A Terra 24 Silver ORP w/KDSS

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    I’d wait. I live in the Rockies and flipped many 4runnners and none had a blown head gasket. It was my hobby to find old used but mechanically sound 4runners that just needed a little tlc. I paid as low as 1,800 3years ago and spent 4,500 on 99-02’s and most of them had under 200,000 miles. Craigslist and patience young sky walker!
     
    Moon Landing likes this.
  14. Apr 30, 2021 at 6:56 AM
    #14
    se7enine

    se7enine New Member

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    The prices for 1st gens aren't going down, remember that. You can buy a running 22re for a couple hundred bucks on CL and swap it out in a day and have it running again.
     
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