94runnerfan

I wish I can't even afford to think about it right now. I am only working like 6 hours a week I will be lucky to keep it insured. By the looks of it I will only be driving it two days a week for a while anyways I think I am going to start biking to school, so I can save some money on gas. It will help keep my legs going to while I am at school all day and I can't go riding.


I have been contemplating the idea of selling it once I graduate though, and looking for an extended cab 89-95 2wd truck with a bed cover like the colorado for the summer, and an 85 runner for the winter and wheeling, and driving the bass arround on occasion.

ryantowry_81

if you buy a 2wd for the summer why not just build up the runner you got instead of buying a 85. in the long run i think you will be happier with the one you got built up than an older one. and in a couple years yours willbe smog exempt too cause that 25 years is rolling close.

94runnerfan

I still have 10 years before mine will be smog exempt dude. It's not that old. I think the newer 1 would be a lot more comfortable than an 85, but that can be worked on, and after you go through the engine, and axles which will get done anyways, it should be similar reliability wise.
I guess my thinking is that if I am going to build a wheeling rig it would be better of trying to pick something up cheaper, and rougher than mine now, so I won't have to care about the investment aspect. I figure if I start out with an beater 85 for like $500-$1000 it won't be hard to get back what I paid for it if and when I do decide to move on to something else, so I don't have to care about the truck holding the value. Like if I started with the 94 I would be in for 3000 stock, so I would always have to worry about keeping the body and interior as nice as possible so I don't take a big hit if I ever need to sell it, that and an 85 with leafs, and SFA would be much cheaper to lift and wheel than the 94.

that and I'm thinking I could reasonably sell my truck for 3500ish in the condition it is in, I could probably find a decent mileage 2wd truck for less than 2000, and a running 85 for around 1000. And with a 4.3 or even a 22 I could still probably get better milage out of the 85 with 36's than I get now.

ryantowry_81

it is nice to start cheap as long as you dont get too much of a beater like i did with a weak frame. just be careful how cheap you go if you are still going to drive it in the winter.

94runnerfan

That would be the big concern, it sounds like you have had a lot of fun with your axles falling off at random times.
From the few that I have looked at the frames have generally looked decent, the really common issue is the sheet metal rotting around the rear wheel, and dings and dents up the ying yang.
That is defiantly something to think about, loosing the front hanger going 60 on the highway in the snow sounds like a blast!!!!

I guess I could always just move to idaho find another 94 with a blown 3.0 for $500 drop in a 4.7 and build that. . I bet the 89 has a solid frame though hint hint

ryantowry_81

i have seen at least 6 5 speed 3.0 runners like yours with blown head gaskets up here for under 700 bucks, even one 94 with leather and all the options, i had contemplated getting one to build but then there is no place in a runner to put a moose!

94runnerfan

yep blown 3.0's are a dime a dozen, and they are expensive as to rebuild to. a lot of them have have roof racks though you could tie a moose up there haha, or chop off the back.

ryantowry_81

how much did you spend on your head gasket replacement...i mean if you put them on the right way...lol dont tell dad i said that he will kick my a@#!!

oh and BTW you should really start collecting the little parts as you get any extra $$$ then it will be easier to build when you get there. if you want me to find some 5 speed parts for you just let me know. i know of a couple 3.0 5 speeds on craigs list that are being parted out and it shouldn't be too hard of a swap. you know me and craigs list, yesturday i picked up a rolling 83 chassis with axles for 250 bucks!!! axles only had 95k on them!

94runnerfan

the gasket set was like $150, but I got off easy just replacing the gaskets, the heads are very commonly f-ed when the gaskets blow, and I think I would either have to do it entirly on my own in the drive way or pay for the labor if I bought a pre blown 3.0. I don't think I could talk dad into that awesome project again.

I have been watching for lockers and tires on CL, and the leafs for the lift should be pretty easy to find at pull and save, I just need to decide what the final plan is and start getting the parts list together. So I know what to look for so I can have something to wheel once you make it down here this summer.

ryantowry_81

i got a good idea for you.... you start sending me money and i will build you a truck and then you can come up and drive it home...... just an idea......

94runnerfan

Dude where is the fun in that. How about you just get your ass down here and help me build it.

ryantowry_81

it is easier for you to come here where i know people with cheap parts and i have a extra 83 rolling frame sitting in the drive way and a friend who owes me selling a set of 36" tsls. and if all goes as planned i might even have a spare 84toyota witha 4.3 in it minus the axles and springs.....

ryantowry_81

so what happened to this? you cant claim no job or money anymore....

ryantowry_81

Well i dont know if anyone else is following this thread at all but it pains me to say that there will never be a post by my brother Shawn Towry( 94runnerfan).

Shawn was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident on september 3rd and was taken from all of us way too early at 24. he was my little brother and best friend even though we lived states away from each other. he was a very big man with a very big heart and he touched almost everyone he met.

he will be greatly missed.




also if any of you are in the spokane area and would like to come show your support, alot of his band mates are throwing a memorial/tribute concert for him and to help out my family pay for his final arrangements.

here is a link to facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/419451238114187/


thanks for letting me finalize this thread.