92 runner 3vze isn't well. 127K...Blown HG...frame rusty...good body...needs exhaust system...oil leaks...auto tranny good...had miss before blown HG...only running on 5 cyl?....like to fix...but not sure if it's worth it...dealer wants $1500 for HG fix. probably needs valve job too...plus should do water pump and timing belt not to mention radiator..that means atleast $2500...plus exhaust system..V06 recall done @ 60K. any opinions would be appreciated...thanks (rebuilt engine installed = $3500 + exhaust)

 

With a rusty frame and a blown engine, I'd part it out or sell it whole.

 

yea..man..that's what most most people have said...sorry to see it go though..

 

Try to find someone to fix it cheaper then sell it. The dealer is a rip off. You could probably get away with just a headgasket kit and new headbolts. That's about $350. Timing belt and water pump say $130. Radiator $200. Labor $500-600 That's about 1300 bucks. I bet you could buy the parts youself and fnd someone to do it just for the labor. That's what I did when mine went after calling the dealer. It would've cost me over 2 grand if I'd went to Toyota. Good luck

If it runs good though just keep it. Mine has 160k miles and it's running strong 127k is nothing.

 

Is tearing it apart and rebuilding it yourself out of the question? And by "tearing it apart" I mean full-on. Rusty frames can be fixed. It might be a good project truck.

 

I can do some work myself...but a rebuild is a bit over my head..

 

Yea I hear ya. I just hate seeing folks part ways with cool rides.

 

yea...I know..I just can't bear to watch the tow truck take it away for a few hundred bucks..

 

maybe I can find a mechanic to help me work on it...maybe i can mow his lawn with my bobcat ZT as a trade...all year..geeez

 

Just dont let lack of experience keep you from trying. Thats what YT is for.

 

yea...I bought the FSM thinking I might dive in...but I would probably have to invest a few hundred $$ for tools..plus the SST's

 

I understand man. I'm rebuilding a 83 only because my bro has a shop and is a factory trained toyota dude thats wrenched for like 30 years. I'd be totally lost without his help. Its a fun hobby though.

 

Let it go. There's too many inexpensive solid 2nd Generation 4-Runners out there to be had. Is it worth the time to replace a rusty frame? You'd still end up with a patchworked chassis. Not to mention all the mechanical stuff. You would never get back any of your investment, if you need to sell it. Who wants a 4-Runner with a patched-up chassis? If you don't remove 100% of the rust, it will be back...

Or, pull the engine, part out the rest. Use the money made off the parts to rebuild engine. Put that engine in a solid 4-Runner that has a bad engine.

 

well..I have another truck to drive...so it's not like I need it fixed..asap..but I don't want to leave it as is for long with the coolant in there...I drained out most of it in the crank case and replaced the oil with new..

 

I was only suggesting you keep it, to keep it. Turn it into something cool, thats yours, that you could never sell and get your money back.

 

yea wool...if I fix it I realize I would never get my $$ back...I would do it because I like the truck...and want to keep it for a while..

 

Word. I've drop like 7 grand in my 83 and its not even on the road, I ain't ever sellin it. But its mine all the way down to the frame. Every single bolt. Its an investment of the soul, man.

 

I hear ya dude...well..my neighbor is a mechanic...but I don't know him very well...maybe I should take him some brews..and see if he knows anything about yotas..

 

And so it begins.

 

hmmmm...next decision...buds..coronas or heinys..