NWcityguy2

Hi everybody, I'm new to this forum and I'm looking at an old 1st gen 4runner, so I thought I'd come and ask for a bit of advise.

Basically I'm getting a re-enlistment bonus with the military and my reward is going to be an off road rig in addition to my daily driver. I was looking at either getting a pathfinder or 4runner, say around an early 90's for around $2000-3000 until I came across a decent looking 1985 4runner SR5. I'm looking into this because of it's solid front axle, already installed lift and very new tires. It runs fine and has no major mechanical problems, just some light trail damage and body rust. Right now as it stands:

1985 4runner SR5
manual tranny
22RE w/ 176,000 miles
4" procomp lift w/ year old shocks
15x8 alloy wheels, decent shape
33x12.5x15 Pro-comp all terrains, 90% tread life
Very clean interior
Aftermarket CD player
Rusty but no holes, nothing some work can't fix.
Clean carfax, no accidents/not stolen etc.

He is asking $2700 for it which seems overpriced, but in the end for me it would be cheaper than buy a newer one and modifying it. And then even after I'm done it still wouldn't have 2 solid axles. What do you guys think a fair price would be? Sorry I can’t post any pictures at the moment.

Also over the next couple days I'm going to go take a closer look at the frame for rust and rot. What is the best way of going about this? I’ve read on here they rust from the inside out so how do I tell if it is damaged or not? Also are there any other areas that I might want to take a second look at? Any advise would be great appreciated.

Adam

Hayes

That isn't a bad price. i would try and talk him down to 2400 or so, but with the lift and good body condition you are getting a steal. Of course that is just my opinion.

Brandon

rebel_one

Ask for a test drive. You can then see how it drives and see if youa re comforable driving it. Ask if he put the lift on himself or if a shop did it professionalily(sp?). Sounds like a sturdy truck and welcome to yotatech!

Jimmeh

If you do like it, I would try talking him/her down to 2500.

Elton

i know they go for abut 3-6k here but there in great shape

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

4" lift is worth nothing resell value-wise.

Offer him $2K and split the difference.

mmessier2

Here in CA that would be at least 3K

cbabywolf02

I would do the test drive thing and see how you like it. You don't want to spend alot of money and then you go and dump more into it b/c you don't like the ride of feel of the truck. AND REMEMBER CASH ALWAYS TALKS

1985 4Runner

Check the frame
Check the frame
Check the frame....
wear old clothes, take a flashlight & a small hammer & get up UNDER there & check the frame, just tap lightly & listen for a different sound if the metal is thin & rusted you'll be able to tell.


If OK, buy it.


EDIT: Thanks for re-enlisting & serving our country!

fourwd1

[QUOTE=1985 4Runner]Check the frame
Check the frame
Check the frame....
wear old clothes, take a flashlight & a small hammer & get up UNDER there & check the frame, just tap lightly & listen for a different sound if the metal is thin & rusted you'll be able to tell.[QUOTE]

Ditto that.
Toy frames do rust ffrom the inside out. Once you can see it, it's already worse.
Places to especially check are where frame transitions upward from the horizontal, above the rear wheels, and where the fuel tank sits against the inner pass side rail. Check both sides and bottom of each side of the truck.

As for the worth, depends a lot on what part of the country.
Here in the mid-Atlantic $2K tops, while in the PNW closer to $4K.

NWcityguy2

Thanks for all the good advice guys. Yesterday I did a test drive and checked out the vehicle. Frame looks and sounds good, engine runs well. According to the seller the 22re is from a '93 toyota and he has the receipts to show it but doesn't know exactly how many miles are on it.

I found out there are a few short commings though, but everythnig looks fixable. The engine has a ticking problem which the seller thinks is a cracked exhaust manifold, but from reading here on the boards may be other things also. It increases in speed when you lay on the throttle but then goes away when you let off.

There is also a hole torn is a hose in the air intake, but the seller says he'll fix that before he sells it.

Also the drivers seat belt buckle is broken, meaning the vehicle isn't street legal at the moment. Along with that one of the front running lights are out and the reverse lights don't work. One again more problems that would need to get taking care of before I'd be able to drive it around much.

The 4runner also comes with some extra parts but I really don't know how much they are worth and if I even need them. But he has several extra body panels, a spare 3rd member for the diff, and a few other odds and ends that have accumulated over the years.

I'll probably end up going for the deal next week. I'm still not sure exaclty what to offer him though. I'll probably start at 2400 because it will take some money even to get it back on the road. I'll let you know what happens.

Adam

cbabywolf02

Thats good the hear, but lets just hope it's not a wiring nightmare seeing as how he did a swap, other than that sounds good glad you like it. You will love the 1st gen solid axle