I got this beautiful beast about a month ago. She's clean. She doesn't leak oil. She runs the AC cold. She shifts well and the clutch is smooth. The TPS sensor was triggering 51 and 52 check engine lights and the window regulator in the right door decided to break this week. Other than that, she's a beast. I was just getting ready to take her in for a tune up and replace a few small things, but nothing needed immediate care and I drive easily 75-100 miles a day. She has 250K on an original 22RE, but the engine still does the things.

Unfortunately, she met her demise this morning on the way to classes. I rear-ended someone on the highway and she is f##$ed. She turns over, but doesn't crank and the front driver wheel and bumper have become one. Something is scraping on the ground, too. I have a feeling she isn't really fixable at this point...

The engine looks usable so I am trolling for a 4x4 because there's no better time like the present to upgrade... (RDU area if anyone has anything within a few hours that is just good enough to be driven home). I want to take my parts and throw them in the new beast. Is this realistic? I found a prospective 4x4 (...not the xtra cab but whatever) with a rod knocking that can possibly make it two hours to where my mechanic is, but I am just trying not to get myself into a position where I've invested in a flawed project or get my hopes up too much. What should I be careful of? What flaws are there in my game plan? Feel free to talk to me like I am an idiot; I'm a Yota-novice.

Don't take your eyes off the road! Even one second can end up being a multiple car pile up.

 

That makes me extremely sad, was a beautiful looking truck. A good lesson though, it only takes a split second. Sorry about your truck brother.

 

What a bummer. Glad your ok!

 

It's time for a 4runner!
Sorry man, lovely truck!

 

I was actually looking at some 4runners. What's the deal with the removable backs? Can they come with 22REs, too? I'm looking to have something with good offroading capabilities, but nothing crazy. I want space for bikes and kayaks. I also like being able to carry trash and crap for random jobs, though. Not sure how 4runners re for that. Thoughts?

 

Thanks for the solidarity!

Unfortunately, the more I look for another truck like it, the more I realize what an incredible deal I had. but at least that means the parts are worth something...

 

These trucks and 4runners are getting so hard to find, especially one that hasn't been beat to hell in the bush. I still regret selling the '88 4runner I had about twelve years ago, and I especially regret writing off the bone stock '88 4runner I had after that. Got T-boned in an intersection... I still dream about it, not the accident, but just having the truck itself :/

That's why I will never part with this 87 4runner I now have, and told my wife she will need to bury me in it!

 

I've found some, they're just out of my price range. But I'm at college kid prices, so I would take that with a grain of salt.

Honestly, I think Shirley was in the condition she was in simply because she was 2wd and owned by a sweet old man before I got her.

 

Wow, that just sucks!

That Truck was in such a nice condition!

My Truck is in a similar condition as your truck was before your crash for similar reasons. My great grandma bought my truck new, and barely drove it.

If you are willing to get another 2WD Truck again, they will be less expensive than a 4WD Truck or 4Runner in comparable condition.

Most of first generation 4Runners came with the 22R-E engine. The 1984s came with the carbureted 22R (before the 22R-E was released for the Trucks & 4Runners for the 1985 model year) and the 3VZ-E V6 engine was available for 1988 and 1989 for the first generation 4Runners. The turbo 22R-E (known as the 22R-TE) was also available, but would certainly be out of your price range if it is in working, reliable condition.

Just remember that these vehicles are 30 to 35 years old, and even though they are well built and were very reliable, they still can suffer from typical old car problems. These Trucks can still be very reliable, but take more of a watchful eye to make sure you can take care of potential problems before they actually become problems. I have been very lucky with my Truck. The only time it "stranded" me was when the 12 (yes, 12) year old battery finally decided to die, and this battery did actually give some warning before it finally died.

Good luck!

 

That is very much repairable if you are willing to put in the effort.

You learned a valuable lesson about following distance I hope. Two seconds separation above 45, three seconds above 55. Since the invention of these new auto braking computers they don't seem to teach this any more. No matter what your reaction time you still need room to come to a stop.

 

I would agree it's likely repairable, as long as the frame isn't tweaked, but finding the body parts won't be easy or necessarily cheap. My daughter's '97 had an encounter with a new jersey barrier in a snowstorm, and looked similar afterwards. No frame damage, so we had it repaired. The only things replaced were sheet metal. That was 11 years ago. The vehicle is still running strong at 325,000 miles, so the repair was worth it.

 

It really was... I am so mad at myself.

I don't trust the 3VZE much. My area has about a thousand with head gaskets blown. I've seen some good success stories, too, though.

I really want another 22RE-fuel injected and I found a '90 a few states over with a new frame, manual, 4x4, with lift and tires, for $1400 that needs an injecotr. I am looking at some 4runners before I make the decision, but I am starting to get that "oohhhhh pretty" tunnel vision for it.

Now I honestly don't know much about the Turbo. I hadn't seen any before reading your comment, but looked one up in my area. Needless to say, it's a bit out of my price range. Haha. That was a 5 figure truck, even as old as it was!

 

Honestly, someone offered me $300 for the bed, another $50 for the rear bumper, and I listed the rest for $900 on Craigslist. I got a few offers for $6-700 so I am just going to wait a few days and give it to the highest offer I get by mid-next week. I am a student and if a shop can't do it for a reasonable price, I don't have the time. I'm replacing it with another 22-re fuel injected, downgrading to a small cab (unfortunately) and upgrading to 4x4 and a lift.

And YES, I definitely did. I felt like I had enough distance but my brother reminded me that rear-wheel drive and low rear weight really affect your handling. He made me sit through an hour of videos on how trucks handle... That's real love.