1988 Toyota 4ruuner - good deal?
#1
1988 Toyota 4ruuner - good deal?
Hello, I'm new here so I hope I'm posting this is in the right section. Anyways, I just recently moved up to CO and have been looking for a good 4wd vehicle for the snow.. I came across this particularly nice 88' 4runner and wanted to see what you guys thought of it -
It has 190k original miles, but only has around 20k on the new engine (dropped in locally) the tranny, and new Marlin Crawler clutch at 185k. It has a 5" Rancho Lift, Smitty front and rear bumpers, nerf bars and Bushwacker fender flares. BFG 33x12.5x15, with decent tread on the aluminum wheels. Has little rust damage, mostly just surface. The clear is peeling which is to be expected and the interior needs some work; dome light/door lights not functioning, passenger mirror got knocked off etc. I can deal with small cosmetic stuff like that but the drive train/4wd and reliability is what I'm really concerned about here; I need something to get me to and from work and up the slopes to snowboard. It runs solid and I like it. It has the SR5 option. He'll include the 5th spare and lifted jack for $3700, just wondering if I'm walking into a good deal.
Any help is appreciated!!
It has 190k original miles, but only has around 20k on the new engine (dropped in locally) the tranny, and new Marlin Crawler clutch at 185k. It has a 5" Rancho Lift, Smitty front and rear bumpers, nerf bars and Bushwacker fender flares. BFG 33x12.5x15, with decent tread on the aluminum wheels. Has little rust damage, mostly just surface. The clear is peeling which is to be expected and the interior needs some work; dome light/door lights not functioning, passenger mirror got knocked off etc. I can deal with small cosmetic stuff like that but the drive train/4wd and reliability is what I'm really concerned about here; I need something to get me to and from work and up the slopes to snowboard. It runs solid and I like it. It has the SR5 option. He'll include the 5th spare and lifted jack for $3700, just wondering if I'm walking into a good deal.
Any help is appreciated!!
Last edited by Stealthlead; 12-09-2013 at 09:14 PM.
#2
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My first question is if the differentials have been regeared for those 35" tires. I would assume so, considering the other stuff that has been done to it. I don't think his price is outrageous considering the new engine and transmission. I put a new trannie and engine in mine a few years ago and figure that I'm good to go for a long time. Of course, my fuel pump just went out to the cost of $600.00. I think it looks good, but be prepared for plenty of other things to need attention on a 25 year old truck.
#3
My first question is if the differentials have been regeared for those 35" tires. I would assume so, considering the other stuff that has been done to it. I don't think his price is outrageous considering the new engine and transmission. I put a new trannie and engine in mine a few years ago and figure that I'm good to go for a long time. Of course, my fuel pump just went out to the cost of $600.00. I think it looks good, but be prepared for plenty of other things to need attention on a 25 year old truck.
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I would say no. Not worth $3700.
Especially with the 3.0L V6 in there. I would find a clean 22re. Or, maybe take a look at this one if you are dead set on a V6.
http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showt...4x4-NEW-CLUTCH
I bet he would take $2000-2500 for it.
For $3700 you could likely find a 96-98 4runner which is a much more reliable V6.
Especially with the 3.0L V6 in there. I would find a clean 22re. Or, maybe take a look at this one if you are dead set on a V6.
http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showt...4x4-NEW-CLUTCH
I bet he would take $2000-2500 for it.
For $3700 you could likely find a 96-98 4runner which is a much more reliable V6.
#5
So you think the price is the biggest issue? I'm not particularly set on either, I'm just looking for a good 4wd/awd vehicle to get around for around $5k to be honest. Those kinds of vehicles are marked wayyy up around here in CO, especially this time of year. I'd much rather it be a 4runner than a Subaru to be honest, its just most of the subi's around here have 200k+ miles whereas this has a new drivetrain at 180k. But if you guys say this is a bad deal I'll listen.
#6
I have an '86 4runner with the 22re, it's gutless on the hills... it would be a nightmare on those Colorado mountains... same thing with the 3slo.
however, I refuse to get serious about any vehicle with 4 doors, which is why I have an early 4runner.
if you aren't hung up on the body style like that, get the newest vehicle you can afford... 4 valves per cylinder is nothing to sneeze at, and the fuel injection design and performance is much better.
however, I refuse to get serious about any vehicle with 4 doors, which is why I have an early 4runner.
if you aren't hung up on the body style like that, get the newest vehicle you can afford... 4 valves per cylinder is nothing to sneeze at, and the fuel injection design and performance is much better.
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Another thing to consider is appropriateness of the vehicle for the intended use. Stealthlead, you say you want this vehicle primarily as a daily driver to handle snow. A lifted truck with over-sized tires is not your best choice for that. The lift just decreases stability on the highway and during skids on ice, and in general narrower tires are better on packed snow, which is mostly what you have in Colorado winter driving. Consequently, with this truck you'd be paying for "features" and modifications which are not advantageous to you.
If you wanted a trail rig, this could be a reasonable starting point, but as it is, I would look for something more stock. And in truth, if driving to ski slopes is your major application, an AWD like a Suburu is a much better choice than any part-time 4WD SUV.
If you wanted a trail rig, this could be a reasonable starting point, but as it is, I would look for something more stock. And in truth, if driving to ski slopes is your major application, an AWD like a Suburu is a much better choice than any part-time 4WD SUV.
#13
Also agree on not wanting a lift; not advisable for daily driver and road use.
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Way to steep. That's more of a $2000 dollar deal. I'm usually not into buying a vehicle with a new anything. If they are confident in the work why are they selling (and have the bugs been worked out). My 2 cents
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