So I want to buy a 4Runner to explore some more of the trails around Palmdale and the high desert. Is there any pre-purchase advice anyone can offer up as I am looking at vehicles? Next week I am planning on checking out an 87 4Runner down in the LA area for $4k. I have always liked the 85-89 (2nd Gens?) but I am also open to other ideas as well. I have seen some pretty good looking 3rd gens etc. I have seen a lot of cheap buys for vehicles with a blown head gasket (~$1000 down in LA). Are they worth looking into? How tough is the rebuild? Would it be better to buy a moderately built up 87 for 4k or should I look for a stock 1st or 2nd gen for less and then build it up myself? Any and all advice welcome!

Also, anyone here from Palmdale that wants someone to run with or wants to show me the ropes that would be awesome too!

Best Regards,

Kyle

 

If you have to ask

I start at the ground and work up

Anything that can not be driven to me is only worth scrap price

Make sure the hubs lock and unlock freely

4 High and 4 Low should go into gear with trouble or strange sounds

If manual clutch should engage and disengage with no odd sounds

Engine should fire right up with out access cranking

Rubber hoses and belts should by pliable and belts should be crack and damage free

Charging system should be putting out at least 12.5 Volts with full electrical load.

Engine bay should be some what neat Romex wire nuts are never a good sign

Your going to spend @ $1000.00 in parts to catch up on neglected maintenance never fails

Others I am sure have things important to them as longas all the doors and body parts are there the colors don`t need to match for me.

 

I would get a less expensive stock 22RE manual for less, because one could not really be sure about the condition of a "built-up" one. I'd rather get one super-cheap and have the engine rebuilt.

 

Thank you for the response. I was going to post the specs but the ad has expired and the owner is out of town so he may or may not renew it until I look at it next week. But this is his response from my initial email and what I remember of the original ad:

1987 4 Runner
200k
Bilstein Shocks claims spending about 1800 on interior.
FJ Wheels with oversize tires (dont remember the specs)
LED Trail Lights
Interior Decent shape with original interior panels removed replaced with wood panels

Response from owner:
4lo/4hi work fine as do the locking hubs, the lights up front put out a ton of light.
As far as things it would need depending on how much effort you want to put forth: front brake pads, rear brake cyl. New vacuum hoses, tires, wheel bearings, and ball joints find use a look too.
That's for everything to be 100% doubt-free The truck doesn't NEED all those things by any means.

Thanks.... I will also see what I can find stock as well.

 

This is one of those owners who the look of the truck is more important then the mechanical.

If that is your thing go for it

How needing brake parts is no big deal to a doubt free truck pretty much says to me this would take quite a lot of $$$$ to bring the mechanical up to speed

 

....85-89 4Runners are considered 1st gens. In '86 they went to an IFS (the '85 is a solid front axle which makes it more desirable for some).

 

...And 84-88 Toyota Pickups are second gen pickups so your confusion is valid. '84 and '85 4Runners had the single axle. IFS is a smoother ride if you plan to use it for daily driving. IMO I would (and did) hold out for a 22RE 5 speed and try to get the nicest most stock one. If there are parts broken or missing the truck will nickel and dime you to death. Also get your money ready and be ready to pounce when one comes up for sale. Waiting until next week usually ends in disappointment unless there's something wrong with the truck.