Hey guys...I need some advice. I found a 1988 4Runner 4x4 with the 3VZE, auto tranny, for sale for $500. It's got rust over every wheel, but not too bad and the rear window doesn't work...those are the only problems I see with the truck. The engine sounds/looks good, and the tranny feels ok.

My thoughts are I could fix the rust, get it painted, and sell it...or, I could part it out on here and craigslist/ebay. It's not like I have an extra $500 just laying around, but if I could make that $500 into more, it might be a good deal.

Any advice/ideas on what to look for to make sure I'm not just buying someone else's problem? It really seems to be ok to me. It is owned by an older couple from up north, they're the original owners, they've retired and since gotten a car and say they don't need the truck anymore.

I appreciate all your thoughts and comments.

 

well the 3.0 and auto tranny are not very desired so personally i wouldnt want it also it has rust, so unless your good at body repairs i wouldnt bother with it.

 

I say go for it if you feel you can make some $$$$$ on it.

 

You might be able to part it out and make a few bucks, but consider how much work it will be to pull the useable stuff off of it. You may find that you would be working for less than minimum wage when it is all said and done. I dunno, just thought I would throw that out there for consideration.

 

If your wanting to make a few extra bucks you could be wasting your time, but if you actually wanted a potential rig, for 500 bucks I don't think I would pass it up, auto or not. I bought my 86 for 800 and all 4 fenders were rusted badly, i've since replaced the front ($30 for both front fenders on CL) and am getting ready to fix the rear rust. It runs great and is slowly turning into a really nice rig. Just my opinion and experience.

 

If you are looking for a truck then do it, otherwise don't bother. It's a ton of work to part out a car.

Rob

 

I would look for something in better condition

 

Probably won't find something in better condition for $500.

 

10-1 the body mounts are also rusted out if every wheel well is. Not worth it. I thought the same thing on an 87 I bought with the same rust and got screwed.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions! I will definitely look at the body mounts...I didn't even think about that.

On another note: I drove my girlfriend by it this morning. She has a '97 Lincoln Mark VIII, and when she saw the truck, she told me to sell her car and let her have the 4Runner! She wants a trail rig now after looking at all the ones on YotaTech, and she likes the 1st gen runners best because of the removable top! I never thought she would be caught dead in it!!!

I'm getting a pretty fat paycheck next week, so I think next Saturday will be the day. I will definitely look it over alot better, and if everything looks good (good enough for me to fix) I'm gonna go for it. I'll take some pictures and let you guys see what I turn it into.

I'm freakin' stoked!!!