Hello YotaTech,

I'm a new member, and kind of getting new to this whole forum thing, so I was wondering if you guys (and gals) could help me out here.

A friend of mine made me an offer for a 1986 Toyota 4Runner, with a 5 speed manual transmission and the 22-RE motor. He claimed it to have badly torn up front seats, and that it runs very rough (motor shaking, barely running... things of that nature).

It comes equipped with 33" tires that are 10" wide on the tread, and the front wheels have manual locking hub caps, the body is strait, and as far as I could tell there does not appear to be any rust.

He is offering it to me for $800 and I wanted to get the opinion of people who have much more experience in this field than I do, as I am a beginner in this world of Toyota's and Off-Roading. Would it be worth investing in it, and possibly repairing for a first car that I could use as both a daily driver and occasional weekend toy?

Any and all input is welcome. Once again, I'm just looking for some answers here from people who are MUCH more experienced in this field. Thank you in advance for your help![/SIZE]

 

Got any pics?? Mileage, etc.. How much cash do you have to initially spend if you buy this runner?? Seats are no big deal. Motor could just need a tune up but possibly have bigger issues?? Lots of questions for a runner at 800 bucks.

You say he claimed things so I take it you haven't seen it yet or..........

Welcome to yotatech

 

I would be able to put in about $150 or so every two weeks. I am planning on meeting the seller tomorrow and made a list of things that I plan on checking as much as I can. I have attached three pictures that he was able to send to me earlier

 

as for the other details (such as mileage and previous accidents if any and so forth), I will be finding them out tomorrow when I meet with the seller

 

If he would allow a compression test I would jump on it for $800

 

It looks good for that price. It's worth that in parts alone. Spend some time here getting to know the things you can do to improve the truck. A 22RE 5 speed is the ideal platform to start with. I have no idea how mechanical you are but these have a reputation for being easy to work on. There is support here that will help you troubleshoot the issues. Rough running could be a lot of things but the first thing would be to replace the spark plugs and wires with Denso (OEM) brand and do an old fashioned tune up. Change all the fluids and check the old oil for metal shavings. Get a note pad and start listing what you need to do. For now you can just throw some beach towels or seat covers over the old seats and clean the heck out of the interior. Get a memory stick and download the 84-89 Factory Service Manual:


http://web.archive.org/web/201101022...ttora.com/FSM/

 

As long as its not rusted out Its worth 800easy (assuming its complete and has a title), but at some point it has been in a accident the drivers door says so. Prolly a minor one.

 

I'd say go for it. Looks like no snow in your area if pics are recent, therefore no rust issues. For $800, no rust and it runs it could be a good deal. There is never a true way to know whether or not you're getting a lemon, but since your title says its a firsts car, I would heavily suggest you get the seller to let you take it to a mechanic to get checked out. This way they'd go through everything for like $100-150 and you get a fairly complete list of things needing attention. Also, in CA at least, the vehicle needs to be smogged before selling - so if it passes this then definitely a good deal! These old Toyotas are very reliable, which is why so many are still on the roads. Usually you can research issues and find the fix quickly since chances are someone has already had the issue since Toyota made so many of them...and guess what...they're likely still running! Good luck!

 

Hey guys, so I'm meeting with the owner today, but I was able to find the rig and get some pictures. Hopefully it will help you guys discern whether it is a good investment or not! Thank you for your help thus far as well, very appreciated!

 

aside from the interior being beat to hell, it's possible for the rig to run fine. don't really know until you see it and drive it and find out any other mechanical information. sure the interior is trashed, but i'd expect many sub $1k vehicles to have their interior issues. you can always find junyard seats, go reupholster them, or get covers. the rest needs a good cleanup and possibly get the carpet cleaned or bid it with reupholstering your seats if you're concerned. i'd leave the fender for now, you can find a replacement if that's waht it is. tires are 33x12.5s - rig will be slightly sluggish with these unless it's regeared for them, i'm guessing it's not.

there is an oil leak somewhere up front, i'm guessing it's either the front main seal or the valve cover gaskets unless the engine's been opened up in the past for something like timing cover. either way, it should still run with the leak. as long as you make sure it runs good, you can easily take care of the rest as you go. if you end up having to rebuild or even replace the engine, figure maybe $2-3k to have a shop do it and she'll run great. it's really hard to say though since we don't know what's causing the engine to shake like you described - could be as simple as timing is off or it could be a dead cylinder, who knows.


how comparable is this 4runner to the other onese in your area? pricing and condition.

 

Hey guys so here's an UPDATE

Met the owner today and got the key to the truck. Got it to run, but if you try to let it idle, it just dies. Engine sounded like it was fine, but I don't know why it won't idle. If I put my foot on the gas and keep the rpm's up a little, it's fine, but it won't just idle if it's in neutral and the same happened when transfer case was in neutral. Do you guys think it may be a wiring problem? Short circuit? What do you guys think?

 

Best case, the timing is off. and a tune up will cure it. You could advance the idle screw a little and see what that does.


By this being your first car, does that mean you're only 16 or so? If you don't have anyone to help you work on it maybe you should find something that runs. If something at the pit of your stomach is telling you not to get it, just hold out for a better deal. In the mean while you can keep saving money.