So. I just recently (two months ago) bought a 1990 4runner for 1800. Not bad, eh? Well, it's got a few issues that I've been ignoring but I'm not sure how serious they really are, some small.. others rather noticeable.

1. "Rear Anti-lock" dash light is on. My breaks work fine, the previous own said it had been on for quite some time now. I suspect it's just the sensor.

2. Rear tail-gate window... Not functioning. I've done some research on the issues. I took the rear relay out and looked at it; It clicks and all. And the window works after a few minutes of constantly clicking the up / down button. (Both relays are working). I haven't had a chance to directly test the motor, but I had doubts since it works fine.. when it does work. I had gotten it to go down more easily the other day by shaking some wires. So I suspect a wire is broken somewhere...

3. A strange clank / clunk comes from what sounds like my front passenger side tire when I turn right. It's painful to hear, but I haven't been able to find any obvious culprit.

4. Cracked muffler. When you pull into a gas station and the guy filling his snowmobiles asks if it's a custom exhaust, you know it's loud. It's not bad, just a 3 - 4 inch crack on the under belly. Like the last guy landed on a rock.

5. Driver side lock (Powered). It works when the door is closed or if I have the door very close to being closed. Otherwise it doesn't do much.

6. My backing lights weren't working for a bit. Then worked for a week. Now don't work anymore.. I haven't had a chance to look for the switch yet...

Other than that, it's been running fine. I had an issue with the coolant, but a new radiator cap fixed it. Though, I have a suspicion that i'm burning oil. Though, there are no active leaks. The clutch seems okay, but is getting to it's golden years...

Any advice? (Oh, it's also 4wd. And the front 4-wheel cuffs are torn or something like that... I don't think it's a big deal?)

Thanks!

 

1. Unplug the sensor above the rear diff and clean the plug. The sensor itself it just a magnet. Mine is zip tied to my frame and I have no light so it's gotta be in your wiring. Also check the fuse behind the drivers side kick panel. Nothing to worry about the rear anti lock is worthless anyways.

2. Take the cover off the tailgate, carefully remove the clear plastic and and clean all the window components and lube the tracks it runs on. I've replaced both the relays and the motor on mine over years, they are prone to "issues"

3. Turn your wheels to full lock and crawl under your rig and see where the steering stops are. Straighten your wheels out and get your grease gun and lube them up. There is one in the front and and one on the backside. This is common.

4. Cut your muffler out, spend 100 bucks and get a decent aftermarket (magnaflow, flowmaster, ect) welded in. Stock is junk

The rest is piddly crap except your "4wd cuffs" Those are called CV boots and they contain the vital grease that keeps the CV joint lubed. It will run for a while like that but pretty soon it's gonna start coming apart and cause you some real issues. If fact it may be the sound your hearing. Autozone sells them for $70 for the entire CV shaft. There are lots of write ups on here on how to change it out. I'd say of all your issues that one is the most important as it will leave you on the side of the road when it finally decides to explode.