Hi All,

I have been lurking and occasionally posting here, and I jsut want to get some opinions on a 1st gen please.
I sold my 3rd gen recently after 5 years of ownership. I loved it, but wanted something with lower mileage.
I had a 2nd gen before that too.
Now I'm thinking of getting a 1st gen. I would be importing from Japan, so it would be a 2.4 turbo diesel. I would have no need for a solid, so I would prefer an 87 or 88 ifs equipped one.
Are these suitable as a daily driver. I don't do real big miles <200 week.
Bar the engine components, are all parts easily available in the US.
I am in Ireland, but there are very few 1st gens here.
I suppose I just want convincing that this is what I should go for. For a good low mileage one it would be the equivalent of $6500.

So what do you think people???

 

Id say hell ya with that turbo diesel you can't go wrong. If i could i would get me a third 1st gen with ifs for my DD.
What are your reservations on getting one?
B

 

Sounds good to me. That 2.4L Turbo Diesel must make the value jump.
You see alot here form $1500 to $3500.
I a first gen as my DD.
If you wanted to get a more modern interior you could try to score an 89.
If I'm not mistaken, they have the 2nd gen dash/interior.
I have an 88'. I caan't wait to drive her again.

 

I suppose I have the good old rip off republic to thank for the price. The cost of tax, customs and registration in Ireland adds about $2500 to the price !

My reservations are around the availability of spares, and the dreaded rust. Because I have to buy without seeing it, that's the chance I have to take.

Is there any pics of the '89 dash? I hadn't heard of that difference. '89 was the transition year from 1st to 2nd right? Did they make they make them much into the 1989 year?

 

I don't think that's right about the 89 having the 2nd gen dash.. Every one I've seen has the first gen dash. I would say go for it! If you can get a decent 1st gen it makes a great DD. Long trips might be a little more tiresome than the later models but I really wouldn't hesitate to take mine (actually, I'm taking about a 10 hour road trip in it in May).

If you can try to get pics of the undercarriage. Rust is the biggest problem down there but if the undercarriage is clean you can fix about everything else. Be sure to post up pics if you get it!

 

My 89 has 1st gen styled dash... Dunno where yall have seen otherwise.

 

I've had 2 1st gens and loved them both.

You can't go wrong w/ any 4Runner IMO Ciaran. Long time no post.

 

Hi Brian, yeah long time since I was on here...
Hopefully if I find a nice JDM 1st gen (Hilux Surf) I'll be back on regularly :-)

 

Good luck. Cheers.

 

Get one for sure! Especially with the turbo-diesel. I am getting rid of the 22re in mine and putting in a 302. Oh ya, i have a 22re with about 200000 miles on it. They are great in the snow and mud, perfect for off-roading cause they are so small, but good power to weight ratio.

 

Have one myself.... looking for 2 more.... one for my girlfriend so she'll stop trying to ruin my clutch, and one for a buddy of mine.

 

Like many would probably agree here, getting a diesel would be great!!!

vmax84

 

It's pretty rare to find petrol 4x4 in Ireland. Mostly they have diesel or turbo diesel engines. I don't think I'll have any problems getting one imported from Japan, but I just want to make sure as a daily driver, it will be up to the job.

 

Do the job as a DD.
the answer is YES!
B