Hey all,

Previous OME lifted Tacoma and OME lifted 4th Gen owner coming to you. Currently have my 4R sold, awaiting pick-up and have been looking to step down in to something older. This list pretty much only includes FJ60's and 1st Gen 4R's.

This 4R: http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ctd/4186337401.html
has been for sale for a while and has caught my eye. Always wanted a 1st Gen and always wanted a Softopper on one, just think its looks righteous. Anyway, I finally called on it yesterday and as expected, it was an auction vehicle at what I imagine is a slightly sketchy inner-Chicago dealership.

First off, does anyone recognize this rig? It has a POW-MIA sticker on the back but I do not know anything as to how its lifted or anything.

Second, the first thing I noticed was that it states it is an 85. Obviously not as its IFS and the dealership confirmed it is the 3.0. Thinking the dealership just mislabeled it, I ran the VIN. Truck actually checks out well, accurate mileage etc. Not much for service records but passed yearly inspection in Illinois and Indiana since new.

BUT, the Carfax also says 85, and that is has the 22RE. Something isn't adding up here. I know most of you are going to say stay away but this is exactly what I've been looking for and I tossed out a pretty low number over the phone and they said they would take it. Hoping there's something I missed or one of you recognizes the truck!

More pics here:http://www.chicagocarsales.info/r/to...487d435c07a093

Thanks for any and all help.

Hayden

 

it's an ifs front end, which proves that it can't be an '85, and no '85 came with a 3.0 motor.

if you insist on checking it out... unlike most vehicles, there won't be a vin number on the frame, the vin is on all of the body parts; fenders, doors, etc.

the title that you checked on isn't for this vehicle.

 

Right, what I was saying.

In regards to no VIN tag on the frame, do you mean that there isn't one up by the window of the cab and they may have pulled the number off of the door or something? I guess that still doesn't explain why their copy of the title says 85.

I'll take the risk of someone buying this out from under me but I offered $4k out the door and they said they would take it. I live in the UP of Michigan but will be home about 2 hours from Chicago next week and also have relatives there. It's impossibly to find a 1st Gen here that's not beat to ˟˟˟˟.

 

I grew up in the rust belt, I know all about it.

if it's really lived in the Midwest all it's life, it probably has clean paint over a bunch of bondo.

most vehicles have the vin number stamped on the frame, not tagged, but these Toyotas don't have any vin anywhere on the frame... it's rather unusual.

yes, there should be a vin tag under the windshield, but when you open the hood you should also be able to find at least three vin stickers on the body parts... probably the same thing when you open the doors, and maybe even the tailgate.

the only way that they could match those vin stickers is if someone switched out all of those body parts, and maybe riveted the tag under the windshield.

if you are serious about an early 4runner, you should get one from the southwest... just start looking at the craiglists from those cities, and take a trip.

 

Looks like an '88-89 v6 sr5.

Modified front crossmember which, if it was like mine, completely rotted out.

Nothing "1985" about it

 

Who could get past the porno red interior? yuk!

Def an 88 or 89.

5999 is too much.

There is a sweet one on here now for like 6500....real sweet.

 

With all the mislabeling and no motor pics or undercarriage pic's, looks like a sh$t storm in the making, I'd make like Forrest and run--------------

 

Grew up in the rust belt as well, I know how it goes.

Nobody thinks this is worth a shot at $4k out the door? I'm really surprised nobody recognizes it, given the light mod's (sliders, softopper etc.) I would think a previous owner was a member of a forum.

 

My 93 IFS has a VIN on the frame rail behind the passenger front tire...

 

Could be an 85 body on a newer frame....all they could've done is use the vin in the windshield for reference.

As much as I love my truck with swapped parts and mods, I know its not worth that much...(I can't see the link due to work internet filters) just based on the facts of 85's had a SFA and no V6. Somebody had done a lot of work to it, and you don't know if it's quality, trustworthy work or not. You need to be well south of $3k for that truck.

 

Hold on, my trucks drivers side pilar has the original vin plate on it and it was sold and is labeled as "built" in 85' but registered as 86'. It does have IFS.
Family owned new from dealer. So until you see registration it could be 86'.
Guess you bought it because link to Craigslist is no longer there.

 

my 4runner has a part number on the frame, not a vin number... they do not match.

 

This is backwards to that....it's registered as an 85, but the IFS and 3.0 L weren't offered until later.

 

It's hard for me to decide on the 4k especially coming from little dealers, anytime a first gen runner ends up at car lot something is strange IMO.

If the truck belonged to a member here it would have came across the classifieds I would think. I would have to check it in person to make a 4k decision on that one. At that price it might stick around for a while, make arrangements to get it checked out by somebody.

Good luck with whatever you decide let us know what you end up doing

BUT....I personally would pass, I have seen some incredible runners come across the classifieds here you just need to start looking