Restore, replace, or sell?

I have a very clean 1988 4runner with a 5 speed and 220k on the dash. Starting to have a knocking and burning oil pretty bad. I was getting ready to list it for auction on bring a trailer, but then this happened. Any advice on sell as is? Rebuild the engine? Replace the engine entirely? Thanks in advance y’all!

updated with some pictures. More to follow.

 

Could you give a bit more detail? Maybe a picture?

 

Yes a couple pics would help us help you.

 

88 is a pretty desirable year. You gotta any pics?

 

88 and 89 are very desirable years, I would just drop another engine in and go with it (keep it!)

 

Looks pretty darn clean, I don’t know what part of the country you’re in (rust belt) but i would think about putting a 3.4 in it, and keep on keepin on.

 

Depends on what you can do yourself and if you want to keep it. Personally, I would sell as is and list what is wrong. Price it right, you will sell it quickly as 1st gens are highly desirable.

 

great year....pics ????

 

It’s lived in New Mexico it’s entire life up until last week when I moved to East Tennessee. Living in the desert means no rust!

 

Should have pics loaded now to the original thread.

 

I wouldn't sell that! Rebuild an keep

 

Rebuild it forever/keep it forever. Either that or sell it to me and I will rebuild & keep it forever.

 

Don’t tempt me, I’m on the fence of selling

 

4 or 6 cyl.? Seems like a pretty nice truck to get rid of for the issues you are describing. Unless you just don't want it anymore.

There's a lot of people who would love to turn that truck into one of these:

 

Drooling..... I had an 89 back in Up State NY but it was a Rotted out mess it was sure fun off road thought

 

It’s the 22RE motor, I’ve been debating about selling it for awhile now. Times have changed and I don’t need two vehicles.

 

That’s what I said to justify selling my 99 Tacoma. Regretted it ever since.

 

I feel you Noah, sometimes you just need to do what works for you at the time. I sold my 3rd gen. because it was vehicle #3. I kept it maintained, and it needed nothing when i sold her, but i just felt i did not want to keep spending money keeping it insured, maintenance, upkeep. I missed it, but it all works out in the end, do you man and keep on keepin on, best of luck with your decision.

 

Agreed. I had a 2004 Jeep Rubicon that was mint with 25k miles I just got tired of keeping up. A lot of people said I was crazy to sell it, but it got me to my '19 4Runner, and I haven't really looked back.

 

I am willing to make a deal for you! not rot in this rig at all!

 

One doesn't keep a 1988 Toyota 4Runner because one needs it. You keep it because you have it. Very little thought needed here.

Or sell it to me and I'll have it. And keep it.

 

I am willing to sell, unfortunately I have to let her go.

 

I would however with 2 trucks now and 1 car 2 boats and another special Toyota Project waiting for this winter it would just end up in the back yard.

 

Hello,

We specialize in restoring older 4Runners, and we can give you some advice on this.

Just make sure that you have budgeted enough funds to be able to complete the restoration project, if that's what you intend to do.
There's nothing worse than starting a restoration project, getting halfway through it, only to run out of money and not be able to complete the restoration.
We've seen this time and time again, and over the years, we've had to rescue a few half-completed restorations.
And you don't want to cut corners when doing a professional restoration.

We can give you a pretty good idea as to what this would cost to do a full restoration, or even a partial restore.
And it looks like your truck would be an excellent candidate for a restoration.

If you would like to see more details about our 4Runner Restorations, then goto to www.4RunnerRestoration.com and send us a message through the website.
We will be glad to help if we can, and our advice and recommendations are always free!

Good luck!

www.4RunnerRestoration.com