Hello, I'm new to 1st gen 4runners and have acquired an 86 DLX that I'm trying to decide on fixing up or selling. Is it normal for the 22re engines to sound like a diesel engine?

 

You mean like clickity clackity?? They are ticky but hard to tell without hearing it, if you go on YouTube and search a bit for 22re videos you may be able to kinda see what you think the best you can from a video. What’s the history on maintenance? Valves do need to be adjusted as a routine maintenance item, timing chain slap can cause extra loud noises if it’s time to replace.

 

Yes, I did check some videos and it does sound like them. I haven't adjusted the valves yet but it sounded very loud to me but I guess that's normal. This truck has been sitting for at least a decade and from what I've seen the maintenance has not been done.

The truck wasn't running when I got it. I threw a fuel pump in, drained the old fuel and got it started. Drove it a short distance home. I'm now going through it to see if I can finance a rebuilt. Here's a list of issues I know of.

Brakes-Fluid was like coffee. I replaced wheel cylinders and am waiting for a master cylinder to arrive so I can replace that.
Engine compression- 170 to 140. I put a little oil in the low cylinders and see improvement.
Engine starts right up and idles great.
I'm trying to get it driveable so I can get it smogged.
The truck vibrates a bit while in drive at a stop.
Auto trans shifts fine but clunks when changing gears.
Interior is a mess which isn't a big deal to me. H
Body is in pretty good shape.
Suspension is pretty worn.
CV's and ball joint boots are ripped.

I'm a sucker for old cars but I don't need another money pit so I'm trying to decide on if it's worth the cost to move forward or let it go. What do you think the value is on a truck like this?

 

Hard to say on the value but it does sound like it needs quite a bit, return on investment is hard to judge depending on how much is needed and if you’re doing the work or paying someone to do it, I can tell you parts are out there but are becoming harder to find especially interior stuff. It can turn into a money pit real quick……I frequent Bring a Trailer and they pop up quite a bit, you can go search first gen 4Runners and see what they have gone for and kinda go from there, this of course depends on what other things it needs the more you dig in

 

I will do most of the work myself but still, I've been looking at parts on ebay and wow....I don't think the value of these trucks justifies the cost of the used parts. It's definately going to be a tough decision to keep or sell. I'll get the brakes wrapped up and take it to get smogged. Then I can make a decision. Thanks for your advice.

 

First gen 4Runners are still desirable to Toyota lovers. Especially rust free basically stock ones. Unfortunately, parts are getting scarce and expensive. At this point in time, people have them because they love them. Not so much as an investment or to flip.

My wife and I bought an 86 DLX with auto trans as our first new vehicle and first Toyota. Had it for MANY years and over 450K miles on it when our son totaled it. I personally think the auto trans with that 4 cylinder is a negative but it never gave a lick of trouble. Didn't even leak after all those miles.

If you decide you don't love it enough to bear the cost of parts, you can easily sell it for a fair price. There ARE people out there looking for a good solid platform to build on. Especially if it runs well and passes smog.