I had an ‘86 4runner that was my baby and never let me down but it was totaled when I was hit in a car wreck not long ago. I’ve been back and forth whether or not to switch to a Subaru just for a little better gas mileage but I continually find myself drawn back to looking for another first gen runner. I’ve found one that has ~163k miles and is super clean minus a dent on the driver’s door that extends over to the front quarter panel. I guess my worry is that it’s such low mileage and if I buy it it will be my daily driver. Will the sudden increase in usage be a bad thing and potentially cause problems? I’ll also have to drive it home about 10-12 hours but will definitely split that drive up. Am I overthinking this? Thanks for any input. I’m so envious of the knowledge people in these forums have about these trucks.

 

It looks really nice. Don't forget to check underneath for rust! Very important. Looking at the brake booster, it makes me wonder. Make certain the brakes function correctly, IE: no leaks in the booster.

No, suddenly driving it much more isn't going to cause any troubles, provided all the normal maintenance is done. Oil and coolant changes, lubrication of the drive shafts, plugs and wires...all the usual stuff. Make sure there's no leaks underneath on the ground.
Toyotas prefer, nay love, to be driven, the more the better. I used to drive my pickup an hour each way to/from work, all highway miles. In Yuma, Az. We're talking 110-120°F in the afternoon. 372,000 miles, and still going strong. Just bear in mind, that doing so will require doing the maintenance more often. Be ready.

You should be able to pop out that dent, at least on the door. Take the cover inside the door off, and whack it with a rubber mallet. Make sure the window's all the way up, first!
Maybe use a toilet plunger on the quarter panel. Worked great for me on a dent my 99 4Runner had in the rear door when we bought it. My lovely wife walked up, stuck the plunger on it and pulled. Popped right out. Handy dandy little tool for dents.

Take it for a test drive, some highway, some city and see how it FEELS to you. Work all the controls. If you can find a gravel road nearby, try out the 4WD. After you get back, park it someplace fairly clean, and watch for a while for leaks. Maybe while you eat lunch or something.

All just MY personal opinions. We all know about those...
Pat☺

 

Give it a real good close inspection and Road test.

Vehicles like this are always going to needs lots of love

I have had vehicles do strange things when how they are used is completely changed Engines and gear boxes when they get heat soaked.

A blocked breather vent might not be a problem if your long trip is only 20 miles at 100 miles plus gear oil pushes out where it can

things expand valve seals rings oil use goes way up not to mention seals can start leaking.

I have had all these happen over 40 years

 

Thank you for the replies! It’s clean underneath as far as rust goes. I’ve asked for pictures of that and everything looks really nice. I noticed the brake booster as well but the owner says it drives amazing and has no leaks anywhere. I reckon it’s decision making time now.

 

Looks a lot better than a subaru

 

Will the sudden increase in usage be a bad thing and potentially cause problems?

Absolutely. You just need to be mentally prepared for that. It's not a bad thing, it's just that driving habits may hide, or reveal, underlying issues. You just plan and budget accordingly . Have financial resources available to deal with issues. The more repairs you can do yourself the more options you'll have.

And buy quality parts whenever you can. Especially anything electrical. Or bearings. Or if it has moving parts.

 

Get AAA, the one with 3 100 mile tows. Ive been towed across multiple state lines in my first toyota.

 

Mine made it 30 miles the day I bought it. AAA towed it further than I drove it.

 

$12K? no thanks. the interior is pretty shabby; not easy to find replacements for it, either. and 350+K miles? not at that price.

 

and now it's listed on c-list for less than $10K. still not low enough.

 

I only paid $8000.00 for my 2000 Tacoma with 125,000 miles

I must say driving the 3.4 spoiled me .

I loved the 22RE engines I still have more then I can count

 

At 163k, i want to know about the starter, timing chain, water pump, alternator and clutch. Which of these parts have been changed because they are in that interval in my experience. Still has the metal-tanked radiator…that’s good. Don’t buy a Subaru. There’s nothing cool about that.

 

other than the older ones (early to mid-90s) that had a non-interference 2.2, and could rival toyota as far as miles on the engine without a rebuild. my own '95 legacy wagon had 300k miles, no rebuilds, 3 timing belts, and a used transmission swapped in at 272K because of a failed center "differential" fluid at the back of the transmission. i had to retire it because of significant rust (something toyota is equally prone to), otherwise, i believe it would still be my primary vehicle. never had any electrical issues. original twin fuel pumps. etc. i'd easily consider buying another '95 with no rust and moderate miles. as much as i really like my 1st gens, that legacy was just more reliable (and i am totally confident in both of my 4runners; they are reliable, and i'd drive either one across the country and back).

163K miles? they changed the c-list ad. it previously showed on odo reading of 350k.

 

Agreed. Prices are a little whacky right now but Id wait. My wife wanted a 3rd Gen 4runner and there were a couple we looked at but they were all at least 6k$ for 200k+ miles vehicles.