i am about to buy a 1989 4 runner it will be my first toyota it is my off road project is there anything i should look for for problems with the 1989??

 

Look for rust, crappy welds in odd places, straight components (IFS), does it shift smoothly? brakes work good? Engine not caked in oil

how loud does it tick? REALLY LOUD LIKE A DIESEL!!!?!?!? or calmly but noticeable (normal)

Takes experience to really see through the BS.

Also make sure you ASK them if its been in any accidents or even fender benders. I've made that mistake and paying the price. ask lots of questions!!!

oh and always offer really low, never just go with their price =) hehe

 

How many miles on it? If there is a TON then check the coolant and see if they used the right (red) coolant, if they used the green stuff then the aluminum head could have rotted over time. If you have to add water often then this could be the case. The idler arm, mine was broken when I got it, and they are notorious. Other than that I dont think I had any problems just check the hoses, belts, and fluids. Thats all I can think of.

 

I would pass on 3.0 1989's unless it's been rebuilt. Second, try to stay with 22RE's. Great engine and as the folks above have said, listen for the valves and timing chain chatter, watch for oil sludge, and coolant problems.

don't worry about the body parts, stay with the core, brakes, engine transmission and axles. There's on thing I do pay attention too...water or mold in side the cab. It could mean the vehicle was in South of US while one of the major storms can by. Swallowed it and spat it out.

 

hey man, if u are lookin to buy this rig. Send me the VIN number i have carfax till the end of the month, I will run it for u... send it to aaron2k77 at yahoo dot com and then post here and let me know u sent it thanks.. I got a 89 with the 22re. And my valves are loud like a diesel but she still runs great, smokes some but runs great.. got oil in the throttle body too, if this is a v6 or a 4 banger u can look in the air intake and see if there is any oil in it, if so she has blow by lol..