iam_turner

Hello all,

I don't have any pictures right now, but I can get some tomorrow, or in the days to follow. I have a 1970 landcruiser (fj40) pretty much stock, but she's parked because she needs a lot of time, work, money, and effort. The 40's also a little too impractical to drive where I live (in the NWT - Canada).

Anyway, I had a 1991 Toyota Hilux Serf edition (imported from Ausie land) a few years ago, I absolutely loved this truck, but it was too hard to find parts for, so I had to sell it. Since then I've been wanting another 4 runner, but there so expensive I havn't been able to find one for the right price.

But, I found a 1988 4Runner all stock 22RE 5 spd with some problems (bad cylinder head). I bought it for $200 thinking at the very least I could use the tires for my fj40. The truck is in so so condition, some rust problems on the body and underneith. I did some research and found all the parts needed to get her running on ebay, and looks like all told it will cost roughly 600 to have the parts on my door step (new cylinderhead/camshaft ect, timing chain, cover, guides ect, water pump, oil pump, and exhaust manifold). I'm just wondering what ppl out there think? I will do the labour myself (with the help of my brother in law - a certified mechanic), do you think it will be worth it to sink the money into the truck???

Any thoughts and opinions are appreciated, thanks.
Andrew.

ken.vs.ryu

$800 total? Yes.

MMA_Alex

absolutely! You can have a running/driving car for under $1000

BluYot

Definitely worth it. Once you get that puppy fine-tuned and puurrring you'll have a solid reliable truck. If you ever need parts in the future you could always phone the closest dealership/napa/autoparts and have em shipped...I'm sure there are lots of people willing to help here as well on YotaTech. Where are you in NWT? I have a friend that just got back from Great Slave Lake...or Hay River...working at a fishing lodge...it's looks beautiful up there. So, keep the truck, get it going, even if you spent a little more than quoted, good deal...and work on the FJ on the side.

TORTIS

iTrader: (1)

projects are never ending, or should i say constantly evolving. sounds like you have self a great platform. go for it. post lots of pics.

thook

Yeah, I bought my '86 4rnr with rust and also needing some motor work. I put about $800 into it (at that point) and had a good reliable vehicle. Over the past six years I've made more repairs and improvements as needed and it's still going strong....even stronger. The rust I still need to address as time and money permits, but no big deal. I have a great running Toyota 4rnr. Well worth it, in my book.

One of the things I love about this vehicle is how easy it is to work on and how it just keeps going and going until I can get all the things done to it that I want. It will never look new or even as good as others of the same generation, but I don't care. I use it....and pretty hard sometimes.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

22RE is one of the top 10 engines ever built IMO.
$600 is a well placed investment in a 1st gen 4Runner (84-89).
Most cars today won't be around in 20+ years, much less be able to invest $600 into them and get them running again.

thook

(Pssst....hey...it's an 88')

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

86 or 88...same damn difference!

thook

(Tehehehe...snicker, snort)

yotasavg

i'd say go for it. that's a great platform as stated above.

88-surf

go for it!