biggadfly

I can't afford my kickass 99 taco, so I am selling it and got an offer to trade down to an '89 4 Runner. I was going to just drive my old '93 escort wagon in the winter and use that for hauling stuff, and use my super nice nice condition '81 celica convertable I just got recently all the rest of the while. I am thinking now that I should trade down and sell the escort. It runs great, but it is starting to puff out a mini cloud of smoke every morning and may need new valve seals and eventual head gasket. Runs great otherwise right now anyway. My questions for the 89 runner are... Since this is like a truck with a super nice cap on the back.... How is the road noise compared to the 2nd gen 4 runners? It is the v6 and I know them to be very very good. I had a friend who bought a first gen 4 runner that was a salvaged car for like a little less than $3k he got it with 120,000 miles on it and drove it to nearly 300,000 with putting in less than $700 in repairs. Lucky... My main concern would be the transmission going out on it since its an AUTO... eh? what do we think how long might this trans last? It hasnt towed or done off roading and is real nice shape from one owner. No rust. 130k miles on it. It makes some sort of noise when it is cold requarding some belts or something, said to be characteristic of the timing belt or something??. How are these things on going thorugh timming belts or is it a chain? on my '99 it is said to do it every 90k miles, were these much better? What should be some big concerns? Yes it has 4x4 and it works, hard part is it is out of state. How hard is it to take off the shell and get it back on properly?? Anything else? Thanks. -Vince

GreeneHoosier

I will address a few of your questions. first, on your Escort. I am not sure of your ability or knowledge or your geography, so I am just going to throw this out there. It is normal for a car in cooler weather to blow smoke. It is the warm exhaust/cold atmosphere interacting. If that is not it then I would definitely get out of the Escort. The 4-Runner's are pretty quiet. Very reliable. The top is heavy, but, I get mine on and off by myself. I am kind of a big guy, though. It is easy for two people. Downey sells a folding convertible top if that becomes too big a hassle. First generations are addictive, be careful. Good luck.

toy4x4runner

Vince,

I second the notion that 1st gens are addictive. I may move up some day, but as long as parts are plentiful, it is the only 4R i'll own. I hated the 2nd gens when they came out, but have gotten used to the look and lack of removable top. My daughter has a 2nd gen, and I really noticed a difference when I drove it. Much more of a car-like ride and handling. 1st gens can be a handful when lifted, big tired, etc.
1st gens will have more noise in the cab. Basically, they are overall more truck-like, but still comfortable. Our Sponge Bob Square Fenders takes my family of 4 (including two full grown teenagers) from n. Maryland to the Outer Banks every summer in comfort.
I don't have any info for you on the auto trans - never owned one. But the top is very easy to remove with 4 (even if they include the wife and kids), it's OK with 3, a struggle with 2 people - unless they are strong, and impossible with one. Especially when you have even a slight lift, the strength required to lift the top up about 1-2 inches and then "walk" it back off the rear is more than most people can handle. I tried to do it alone one time by removing all the bolts, then crouching in the bed with my back centered on the top. First, you have the roll bar in the way, then even if you do get it lifted up and back to the tailgate, then what?
I have set up a winch system in my garage with a "come along" on the beam and 4 straps for the corners. I have also seen a one-man system set up with rachet style straps and heavy duty hooks mounted a floor joist in the garage.
Unfortunately, the timing belt is less reliable than the '99. As the years passed, they improved the system, but you should only expect about 60K out of an 80s 3.0 timing belt.
Other than that, I love my 1st gens! Good luck!

biggadfly

on the escort I forgot to mention that the smoke is blue-ish oil burning smoke - seems to have some leaky seals and the oil burns off right away when it starts. has anyone had good luck with engine stop leak products? Anymore feedback on road noise. I really like a quiet ride, its nice sometimes. Do the 1st gen 4 runners have 4x4 trouble? Thanks.

lofreqjeff

I live in Arizona, and I think i have the top on my 1st gen probably 10 days a year (when it actually rains). It takes 2 of us to get the top on and off. I just bought one of the Downey folding bikini tops for it, but I havn't received it yet, but when I get it, I'll post some pics. Its my Christmas preasent from me to my truck. I made a hanging rack for the top and it hangs on the wall in my garage till I need to put it back on.
My 4x4 works great! I take it out to the trials every Sunday and it has not once failed me in any situation and it is my daily driver too.
Mine is a stick, so I don't know about how the Auto's hold up, but my truck has 174K miles and still runs great. I just did a seafoam treatment Sautrday, and it drives better now than it has since I owned it. That was one of the best things I have done to it hands down.
As far as road noise is concerned, my '99 was much quieter, but I had Dynomat'd the entire truck as soon as I got it, so I don't even know what it should have sounded like. But, my opinion of the 1st gen. is that it is much better than any other convertable vehicle cuz there is still some roof over your head so there isn't quite as much wind up front as you might think. And I have a pretty nice stereo system in it too, so when the road noise picks up, the volume goes up to match. I can talk on my cell phone on the freeway with the top off with no problem.
Within the first week I had the 89, we replaced all the belts, tie rods and shocks. So I can't really comment on the belt question.
Really, the only thing I liked about my '99 better, was that it was a 4 door and it stayed warmer in the winter on our 10 hr drives to go snowboarding. but when I bought that one, it was more of a people hauler and less than a trail rig. But, now that I have a 1st gen. I do way more wheelin than I ever thought I would do. And when I need to get people in and out of the back, they just step on the rear wheel and jump in.
Some day I will buy another 3rd gen for a daily driver and go all out on the '89, but till then, I wouldn't trade my '89 for anything! (well, maybe for a '85)