I'm to the point now where I despise my 3vze. I mean, on one hand it hasn't left me stranded yet, even with a shot harmonic balancer (I did fix that but what a PIA) leaky water pump, leaky oil, blown head gasket (oil in coolant), roughy idle from some strange TPS problem. Sometimes only running on 5 or ever 4 cylinders. It's one thing after another. However, it does have 1,223,000 miles. That's not a typo either it really does have one million, two hundred, and twenty three thousand miles. The odometer went around once. I use this truck to plow snow, beat the piss out of it off roading, pulled jeeps outta mud up to their doors and it just doesn't quit.

So, now that I think about it, I kinda love my 3.slow. It keeps on ticking and showing me love even though I haven't changed the oil since I've owned it (guess it kinda changes itself since I add a quart every week)

I should be in a toyota commercial.

 

Oh yeah, a few weeks ago there was what seemed like a mini explosion under the hood when I pulled outta my drive way. I pulled over and checked what it was and my fan blades just randomly exploded. There was big chunks of white plastic everywhere. Who knows how it happened? Maybe a squirrel was in there or something, either way I just giggled and got back in the truck and went about my evening.

 

I have an 86 runner and I figured out one thing..If you wanna get a 1st gen, you better be a good mechanic haha. Like the guy said above, these trucks are over 20 years old. I have had soo much problems with mine. But let me tell you, once you get all the bugs worked out (and worked out right), she will treat you good! Look for rust under the camper along the rail, especially closer to the main cab and like all toyotas the A-pillars!

 

We have a good amount of mechanical know how and body work know how. I would be willing to travel in to michigan or PA for a decent truck. I guess I will get a 5speed but if I find one with an auto for a good price I will buy it. I'm also interested in getting one with a blown motor and doing an engine swap

 

If you see something in CA around San Jose I would be happy to go take a look at it for you. I'm kinda into it. There wont be hardly any rust on vehicles out here. Once you work out the gremlins you will love it. I suggest that you do some research into the newer models that have the 3.4 motor.
The removable top is not that great for me because I never take it off for security reasons and because I don't want the interior exposed to the elements all of the time. With the top on it is hard to get to things in the back seat because it is a 2 door. Because the second gen is a 4 door it is more practical, but they almost all have 3.0 motors and for me that is a deal breaker.

 

That's a hell of an offer thank you, I'm looking into a 2 root removable top one though. It doesn't have to be practical because it really only has to seat one person in it(me) because it's only my rig. I want an open top one for the summers as this will be a summer only rig because I DD my T100.

 

So you're saying I'm going to hate my 3vze in another million miles. 'Cause I'm happy with it now. Sad to know it's not going to last.:-(

 

this ^^^ should be mandatory reading for everyone who lives in the rust belt.

if you are buying it to keep, don't get a rust bucket.

 

Actually a lot I see are from western states that were brought 4 or5 years ago to ohio or michigan.

 

It may be all well and good now, but wait till your cup holder breaks at a million miles like mine did- that's when ˟˟˟˟˟ gets real.

 

It's funny how the market is, or what people think it is.
I was looking at an '89 4Runner, nice white paint with full
Bushwaker cut out flares and on 33 BF A/T's, all local to me.
Only thing is it's a V6, but I could live with it, 3500 asking
Was about to go over and take a look then find out no
tailgate and backglass ( replaced with a panel )
Slept on it and decided to just build up my 22RE PU instead.
Now guy pulls it from market, going to cut it up and
make a truggy. Just saying, it looked real nice on the pic.
Makes me wonder when all the nice pictures were taken.
If it was as nice as he said and the pics looked no way he
chops it up.
Just saying.

 

I always wonder when something like that happens

 

Thoughts on the market.
Bought mine for $2400 in 2010 and now its worth about $5000. If I had only invested $2500 into it it would be good investment but I have put more than that into it and have installed all of the parts myself and of course I'm not done. My point is if you can get a rig with some combination of fresh engine, gears, lockers, tires or armor already installed it could be a good investment. Especially armor because bumpers can be expensive and what you see is what you get.

 

Armor is one thing that I can make. My buddy makes dune buggies in winter (he's a farmer) and has a lot of good steel DOM and a bender that he says I can use for free whenever.

 

For example:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4274449263.html
Could be a bargain but it probably been wheeled hard.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4271842949.html
Interesting

 

Those are bada** I need to look at a picture of a 4runner when I don't want to work. Wish I had the money now and the garage space.

 

Replying about where to buy a truck from.... I know this is out of the question, but just figure I say it anyway.. Im In Hawaii......Dont buy a truck from Hawaii.... My truck doesnt have rust... My truck IS rust!!!

 

Ok I know this isn't a 4runner it's a newer pickup but it seems like a pretty good deal. Here is the CL picture. I think it's a 22re manual judging by the lack of v6 badges all over the place.
Bumper are rusty but the truck appears to be mostly rust free. I think I could get him down a hundred or so for the bad injector

 

So her pic

 

Price seems right.