Hi all,

I'm looking for advice on purchasing 4runners. Please redirect me if there is a better forum since I'm new to yotatech. Yes I'm a true enthusiast. I learned to drive on a 90 4runner and have been dreaming about the day I could finally start buying my own.
If I'm still in the wrong posting this question on this site, I apologize...if someone could point me to a more fitting site that'd be helpful...

So, I've got the sweats for 1st gens and have been shopping around. I'm still a student with a lot of debt so I'm looking for something reliable that is a daily driver.

Here are the specs I'm looking for: 88-89, v6, manual trans, power Windows/locks, sunroof, decent body & upholstery, everything in working condition, no leaks, ect, clean history... Now mileage, I know these things can run pretty long on the original if kept up, but I've been seeing lots that have rebuilds by 200k...so I'm curious if this is a trend?
And what the risk is in buying one on the original engine at 200k...?

A basic kbb states $2200 for "excellent" condition...but most people have added stereos, alalarm systems, & bigger tires...so I'm wondering what a reasonable selling price is for one of these babies.

Again, sorry if I'm out of my domain, I know these things can be sensitive around here...but I am a true lover of Toyota and hope to someday also buy an older FJ...

Thanks!

 

Welcome to Yotatech! Don't worry, you're in no way out of line. You're in the right place, plenty of knowledge and a great community.

Depending on your area the kbb value seems pretty reasonable. One that needs a little work with messy interior would be around $1000 or less. The average life out of these engines would depend on how well they were taken care of, maybe around 250k to 300k.

IMHO, I would find one with a 22re. Their simple, reliable, and strong.

 

A characteristic of pricing is largely dependent on your area. Obviously condition, modification, and maintenance also factor to price, but locations always have an impact. For instance, I paid $3650 for my 86 4runner with ~155k, 4cyl original. Lift, tires/rims, bumper and winch already on. This was in 2009.

Currently on my local CL, anything comparable is on either side of the extremes of condition. Some with more miles and no mods are selling for $2000, and some are off road only crawlers that go between 7-12k. (This is all speaking to 1st gens)

My advice is comb Craigslist until you see some choice that meet a certain parameter of your minimum requirements. Say something like no more than 200k unless rebuilt, a reasonable list of maintenance that has been done (starter, alt, Rad and rad hoses, ect). Make an itemized list of requirements and put them in order of priority.

I hope this helps some in your search. Happy yota hunting.

 

good post duckie.

i am in reno nevada and bought an original, high mileage (222,xxx miles) stocker, 3.0L V6, auto for 1700. good body and frame, power everything that still worked, interior decent but back cargo area sad with stains from paint or something.

bought in 2007.

 

Thanks all!

I'm in SoCal, found one with all the specs no extra work (lifts, winches, racks, etc) except regular maintenance, an alarm system & stereo. Asking price is 5500, but most other prices on Craigslist are in the $2-3000s, so I cant figure why they are asking so much.

Any thoughts or advice on what a reasonable price should be or an appropriate offering price?

 

it all depends on the truck, alot of people jack up the price cuz they put tires, winch, stereo in or on, and do basic maintenance and they think cuz of that they can sell for more. IMHO a truck is worth what IT ITSELF is. If it has a winch and lift and all that well it adds some value but not the price they pay for that item to be put on the truck. But its hard to say what to offer with out looking at it.

 

Welcome Dreamer! The first gen 4runner is a gem in it's own and an 84/85 with the solid axle and fuel injection(85' only year available) is a relic. Now the newer the year being like an 89' will be the most luxurious but as others have stated not as simple as say my 86'.

I payed $1,500 for her with a salvage title and since then have given it a newly rebuilt engine, not too mention have gone through everything myself now and she is pretty much 100%.

The problem with these trucks( all Toyotas alike) is people generally feel that just because their rig says "Toyota" it's worth gold to anyone else. Rather it should be it's priceless to them and should be valued to the consumer as "true" condition. Now that's not saying the one's going for $5-10k (like the one you've found) aren't realistic, they just better be top notch and usually left unmodified. If you have the funds, do yourself a favor and buy a beauty, if you just looking for a project in which to develop over time, get one that suits your needs and be prepared to give her some love, she's worth it Good Luck!

 

Thanks. Great feed back.

I guess my major concern is that I take a lot of trips to the beach & the mountains with my dog & friends so I'm hoping for something that will do that AND get me to work...so I'm nervous to throw down 5k immediately if the engine will die in 10k anyways versus paying 2-3k and maybe expecting that might happen...?

I guess this the gamble you take buying any older used car.

Thanks for all the responses I am clearly a newbie to buying cars.

 

Let me put it to you this way.

I bought my 86' 4Runner for $491 and i've put 30,000+mi on her and only had to replace (besides a tune-up) an alternator and rear brakes.

I have the 22RE mated to the W-56 (5 speed) by the way.

Granted she was pretty ugly when I first got her but she cleaned up nice.

A big thing about price is location!!

Here in the salt belt a clean Toyota 4Runner could go for thousands, where as somewhere such as SoCal that same truck could sell for a couple hundred.

The best combo of engine and trans in my opinion (and most others will agree) is the 22re (4cyl) and W-56 (5 speed). The V6 has headgasket issues which can get costly to repair. Best to stick with the 22RE.

Hope some of this helps.

 

A note, Worth and Value are two different things, always remember that. A quick example: I'm selling my ARB bumper and Warn winch. Separate, I want $600 each. Together I'll sell them for $1000. That would be a value. Worth is subjective. If you think that 4runner is worth 5500, then by all means buy it.

IMO, I would only drop that kind of coin if the truck was in some stellar condition.Full rebuild of engine and tranny, lots of maintenance receipts, or some decent mods. I'll say this, if I had waited another year and kept shopping, I could have gotten an 86 4runner in the same condition as mine, but with an SAS and 37s for only about 800 more than what I paid for mine. (Still kicking myself when I saw that ad of CL.)

 

Wow, this has been extremely helpful.

I guess I'll just keep combing craiglist...are there better sites to shop? Hard to beat the shop by location feature of craigslist though.

Maybe I'll make a low offer and see what happens...My issue is I'm still in school, and while I would love nothing more than a project to learn on and make my own, I just don't have the time right now (and funds, considering I'm in an extreme amount of debt).

Thanks!

 

Another question: What is the difference between the 22re & v6? Pros/cons of each, utility of each?

 

If you find a v6 with over 200k on the original engine and few receipts/beaten truck, I would factor the price of a new engine into that or a MLS head gasket replacement and ARP studs to say the least. Better off sticking to the 22re. You could also look for a 90-95 with the v6 and check the vin with your local dealer before buying it to see if the head gasket hasn't been redone under warranty already and if they will repair it for you! Overall, the 22re is much cheaper to work on and a new motor can be found from reputable places for as little as 1200. Not to mention it is bullet proof and people on this site swear by them There isn't a whole lot of power difference between the 2

 

Cool! Thanks, so towing capabilities and abilities to drive up a mountain at a reasonable pace should be similar?