I found a local with an uncompleted rebuild on a 1985 4runner. It looks like a super great starting point. Just looking for some thoughts and price what you guys would think. I had an 85 pickup that I bought and finished but ended up selling and have been kicking myself since.


His info/ad:
"Original miles, automatic
Fuel injected, with solid front axle
Lots of new parts, project needs to be finished
Was running/driving last about 1.5 years ago
New Motor has about 25,000 miles
New torque converter 0 miles
All new suspension 4" lift
Aluminum radiator
ARB air lockers front and rear
Have many receipts
Seats in perfect condition


What's left to be done
Needs wheels and tires
Needs exhaust from motor back
Steering arms
Shocks
Carpet
Fenders and bumpers
Return fuel lines
All parts are easily found online

Currently not running
The picture of it all together is what it looked like before I tore it down
Has rocker rust
Had the under body and engine bay sandblasted and painted with por15 and lizard skin
Waited to repair the rockers until I got the body painted
Frame sandblasted as well and painted with por15, solid frame no patches at all"

 

Damn that's nice! What's he asking?

 

He's around 3500.

 

"New motor" but "not currently running" means you need a new motor.

 

Really depends on your facility to work on it, tools, and knowledge. Oh and money...

He doesn't mention gears, are ARBs set up?? Who did set up?? Compressor?? And rest of ARB goodies there? If pro set up and new parts then they are worth about what he's asking. But most places won't transfer warrantee.

I'd look it over really good. And if you decide to have cash in hand to haggle with. If everything he's done is legit still gonna cost another $2000 to $3000 to get it running and on road. At least.

Why's he dumping the project???
I'd ask lots of questions.

 

Something like this is a hard call to make.

To me since I have way to many projects a vehicle not running is only worth scrap price.

The extra goodies if still new in the box about 1/4 of the new price based on what people offer me.

It depends on what your willing to pay .

Me to often trying to fix someones project is a real night mare I like to start fresh on my own.

Remember building something like this the seller always loses money big time .

 

find out what gear ratio are in the thirds and who set up the gears.
Newly build thirds with an ARB are $1500 each.
With out more info i would say the $3500'ish price is about right

 

Sorry guys for the lack of info, but yes it does have 5.29 gearing in the front and rear and has receipts for both of them. It sounded as if he bought assembled thirds. Im planning to go on Sunday or Monday and take a look in person and then really get a feel for it.


As for costs to complete, I did estimate it around 2500 and if I can pick it up for 3k or maybe a little less I think for the 5500ish it will be a real solid truck for the money.

 

I jus paid 3k for my 85 runner and it is damn near perfect. It does need a motor but still runs. She's down 30psi in the number 2&3 cylinder. And the exhaust is leaking. By over all it's perfect. The power radio antenna even works. I know I got a deal but I have seen stock 85 runners with no motor go for sale in the Seattle area for 2k Edit: after rereading your first post I would see if he could take 3k. The gears and lockers are great, but motors that sit rot. So it could be a rebuild on the motor. 1k for good parts if you do most of it yourself. See if he will split the difference @$500 off

 

sounds too good to be true. Why would someone sell the whole truck for the prices if just the assembled 3rds, what other information do you have?

 

Ok so I went to look it over in person and it certainly is a project... There is fair amount of rust still visible and I can see where he tried to cover up holes without properly patching or repairing them, just coated right over them. He also firmed up on his price of 3,500 so I just can see it for that. He has put a lot of time into the frame but other than that the underbody has been coated but again coated right over rust holes and still needs some big dollars in parts to just make it complete. For the axles I had sworn over the phone he had receipts for them, but did not and they were with the gearing and arbs from the previous owner.


Wasn't feeling it, maybe for 2k range but not over 3k.

 

how good was the frame tho? Well done or still rusted inside? Lol

 

Looked good and solid, I didn't see any patched spots but it was was freezing in his garage and when I saw the rest of the work it needed I pretty much decided this was a no go.

 

okay. I'm looking to do a frame off restore and I have a body off of a 86 in good enough shape but I wanna do a SAS. I would rather have a 84-85 frame. Worth my time or no? I could also use a automatic trans for my wifes 4runner she keeps bitching about the manual..

 

i think I found the ad in wisconsin
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/4897708261.html