I bought my 92 4runner(3.0 auto) for 1200 bucks. It ran like crap but everything else worked and looked good so I figured I would put a motor in it and still be ok. Then after driving it for a week, you guessed it BLOWN HEAD GASKET!!!! Then I found a thread on here about the recall/service campaign. I called toyota and i was eligable. Took it in and they called telling me that the block was junked from where the gasket had been bypassing =(it etched the deck ) . Toyota replaced the short block with a brand new factory shortblock. they also paid the dealer to have the heads redone valve job cams. all I had to pay for was plugs wires timing belt etc!! On top of all that there was a recall on the front end and I got a new drag link and tie rods / front end alignment free!! Can you say OH what a feelin toyota!!

Now I have finished my tranny swap from auto to 5 speed and cannot believe the difference in power and mileage. Its like a entirely different vehicle. Next and soon to come are 32 or 33 inch tires and a lift.

 

when was all this work done? I'm picking up a '92 and hopefully will be able to avoid all this, but nontheless, the information would be helpful.

thanks.

 

I think that they put a sticker on the drivers side door pillar. Not sure tho. If the runner has a 3.0 I would find out all I could about the head gaskets unless your prepared to fix em. Or unless your planning a swap. Alot of people dog out the 3.0 and it is down on power, but I am more than satisfied with mine since the 5speed swap.Also check the rear window , they are common to go out. I had to put a motor in mine which was a hundred bucks from oreilly.
Let me know if you I can help you with anything else

 

Thanks for the reply. All the windows work on the particular one I'm looking at right now. Once I get it I'll definitely be posting pictures. It's rough around the edges, but that's the way I'd like to get it, especially for $1800 bones.