Hey All,

New to the boards. I have owned a 2004 2.4 SR5 2WD Tacoma for 10 years and a 2017 4Runner (DD) for 3 years.

I am considering buying a 1988 4Runner as a DD I wanted to hear everybody's thought is on the reliability of what I can get out of this truck and what price point I should be negotiating around. I plan on keeping the truck until the wheels fall off because that's what Toyotas are known for.
What should I be looking for on the Carb conversion to make sure it was done right?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-Toyota...b-a008be7b74f0

 

I would question why a 4runner with 118k miles has had a carb conversion in the first place. Then after i found out what other kind of ˟˟˟˟ery has gone on with the rig. If you still bought it at that point, id find the parts and put EFI back on it.

 

I personally would rather have a stock 1988 4Runner with the factory 22-RE, rather than a converted 22R.

Just at a quick glance, the 4Runner you posted has had the gauge cluster swapped at some point, so the mileage shown may or may not be accurate. This gauge cluster has the "grid line" gauge style with the 85 MPH speedometer, which is the older style. The factory gauge cluster for this truck would have been the base 110 MPH gauge cluster without a tachometer, volt gauge, and oil pressure gauge; only speedometer, fuel and engine coolant temperature gauges.

I find it kind of weird that they put an aftermarket volt meter, oil pressure gauge, and coolant temperature gauge where an altimeter/inclinometer would go, and they still switched to the fancier gauge cluster that already has those gauges?

It also looks like it is missing the rear wiper arm.


The dashboard has a "dash cover" probably covering the original cracked dashboard (and someone installed the vents upside down, not a big deal, just something I noticed).

As far as the carburetor conversion itself, it looks to be just okay. They used the correct vacuum advance distributor and used a custom coil and igniter setup, and a mechanical fuel pump, however that fuel pump might be putting out too much pressure for the Weber carburetor. Webers like low pressure (3-4 psi, I believe) but that mechanical fuel pump probably puts out a little too much. It is common to install an aftermarket fuel pressure regulator between that fuel pump and the carburetor for proper pressure.

 

yeah, after lookin at the pics more closely. That rig has had a typical "restoration" done by an amateur in order to present it as something its not to make the average person go WOW!! and the bidding is reflecting that it was a success. I would guess this will be one of those ebay sales that gets relisted over and over after people keep backing out. Not really straight, orange peely, but still "shiny" paint...incorrect upholstery, ill fitting carpet. The whole rig just screams "used car lot turd polish special"