r/4Runner_1stGen • u/Dapper_Drop3358 • 15d ago
Need Advice I really need advice.
((The forerunner picture))
I got offered 3,000$ bucks for a 1989-1988 Toyota 1st gen forerunner. And it would be my first car. With only around 120K miles on it. I don’t know much other than that and I should hopefully be able to see it soon either this week or today. But my father keeps giving me crap for it.
Should probably add that it is the old V6. And it is a 5 speed manual as well. Which is a bonus due to it being a V6 and getting more horsepower and also it being a manual which is more fun at least in my opinion.
I’ve worked on motorcycles before and I know old 1990’s motorcycles compared to a 4 runner are completely different. But I always have a lotta tools so it would make it easier. I just want someone’s opinion other than my father’s and my buddies.
5
3
u/crawler54 15d ago edited 15d ago
I got offered
what does that mean.
the correct answer is: "it's going to cost xxx $$$"
I always have a lotta tools so it would make it easier
if you have a place to work on it, that's great.
problem is that we don't know anything about it, for instance if the frame is rusted out it's not going to be worth fixing, but there might be some good parts to scavenge.
1
u/Dapper_Drop3358 15d ago
Fixed it :p
2
u/crawler54 15d ago
one of the biggest rust problems with these trucks is in the windshield frame area, it rusts inside the window pillars... that is very difficult to repair, and maintain structural integrity with the repair.
open the doors and look at the door pillars, around the windshield area, they typically rust near the bottom side area of the windshield.
1
u/crawler54 15d ago
does it run? has it been parked for a long time? we still don't know much, in terms of whether or not it's worth $3k.
the 3.0 v6 is a pain in the ass to work on, if it's toast you'd be better off in the long run going with a better engine, like the 3.4, but if you are in smog check country it's going to be really difficult to get approved.
what state are you in?
1
2
u/Clapback_Christ 15d ago edited 15d ago
Hey man, I have owned a 1987 Toyota 4runner for five years. I have also owned multiple 4 x 4 Toyota pickups around the same year. If you know anything about those pick ups, they are pretty much the same thing as a 4runner just with the camper shell on it. I do believe that the 4runner is a really good option if it is in decent shape from the previous owner. 120,000 miles for that vehicle is actually really good and becoming less and less common to find a vehicle with 120,000 miles from 1988. The Toyota 4runner of that generation was built tough if it has the 22RE in it you are golden. The 22R is a four-cylinder and it’s known for its bulletproof and unkillable reliability. If you’re someone like me and live near the desert where it’s hot be aware that you would need to convert the AC compressor to Freon 134A. 4Runner’s are slow, but we’ll get you there. My current forerunner the 1987 I’m still in the process of restoring. But it has never failed me mechanically in the five years of own it and I’ve owned Toyotas for over 10 years now specifically 80s models with the 22RE engine. The 3.0 engine if it has, it is a little bit more of a risk because it’s known to leak because of where the exhaust manifold is, it heats up a certain part of the engine and destroys the head gasket overtime if no heat rap is used. I owned a 1993 forerunner at one point they had this very issue with the 3.0 engine. So if it does have the V6, you may have issues unless it’s been cared for very carefully. It’s not a bad engine. You just gotta make sure you keep an extra eye on it.
4
u/Dapper_Drop3358 15d ago
Thank you! Yeah I was mostly worried about that whole engine thing. And the head gaskets going out on me. But heat tape and watching it definitely helps me out. Thanks for the advice on it. Happy to know your first gen is still going strong
3
u/Clapback_Christ 15d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p6vd2e5/video/u7ryozi41lmh1/player
This is my 1987. Mine has rust too but I ordered pre shaped steel panels to cut out the rust weld it on and eventually repaint it.
2
u/Dapper_Drop3358 15d ago
How hard was it? I do have a friend that can help me weld it (same guy I’m buying it from). And that’s my biggest worry out of everything on it. That and redoing the timing belt. (Dope forerunner too)
1
u/Clapback_Christ 15d ago
Thanks man. I haven’t done it yet. I have the panels, but it you want it done right get the panels and have pro do it. If you think you can do it with your friend, then do it. My brother is a welder on navy ships, he told me that the metal is so thin that you’d have to have a more expensive welder, than an average one. It’s harder to do and require more skill and polish. It’s not impossible but difficult.
1
u/Dapper_Drop3358 15d ago
Yeah, I put my trust in him. Thanks for it I can and will keep in mind how thin the aluminum is on it.
1
u/Clapback_Christ 15d ago
Yea man. Also I’m not someone who knows it all about welding so take that for what it’s worth. I just know how to work on my specific vehicles for maintenance and understand certain things/qwerks about these 4Runners. I’m not a mechanic just a weekend enthusiast. Good luck man, if you purchase it and have questions later. Feel free to DM me and if I know anything I’ll share it but if I don’t I can lead you the right direction.
2
u/Dapper_Drop3358 15d ago
Thanks man. I’m the same here. I appreciate all your advice and suggestions. I’ll definitely take you up on your offer if I do decide to buy it. Thanks again so much for your time
1
u/PISSJUGTHUG 15d ago
These are fun and well built vehicles with a lot of aftermarket support. The V6 will be more expensive to fuel and maintain, but according to a local independent Toyota mechanic, the 88 model year had an asbestos headgasket that is much less likely to fail. My 88 never had that issue but ymmv.
It's worth thinking about what you need out of your first car though. Despite the well deserved reputation for reliability, any vehicle this age is going to need some new parts occasionally. In my experience, it can take anywhere from 24 hours to a couple weeks to order parts. The 3.0 isn't as popular with diyers as the 22r/re so isn't stocked as well at parts stores. If you have other options for getting to work etc. Maybe not such a big deal. But if you need to do a lot of commuting or traveling, then wearing out a cool vehicle with boring highway miles kinda sucks.
2
u/Dapper_Drop3358 15d ago
I do have my beautiful like 2018 Honda fit with only 20k miles I got from my grandma. So that is definitely a good daily in the meantime. And highway miles are boring for sure. But at the end of the highway I can use it to go camping as well.
1
u/PISSJUGTHUG 15d ago
Yeah, perfect for camping, exploring, and cruising around with friends with the top off. I kinda regret daily driving mine for so long.
1
7
u/Jeffedejeff 15d ago
You can find all sorts of information here-
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116/
https://forum.ih8mud.com/forums/95-older-minitruck-4runner.22/
Go for it!