Need Help, Buying a 4Runner

[Soccernut]

Hey guys,
I have following the forum for a while and trying to learn from everyone here and I have gained a lot of knowledge from you guys.

I am looking to buy a 92 4Runner (http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-1992-toyota-4runner-W0QQAdIdZ186506885) and the clutch is gone.

It seems like a good price but the clutch needs to be replaced. Since my budget is low right now, I was thinking to buy it and do the repairs myself over time.

I am not in a hurry to get a car. This will be mainly for offroad use and maybe some city driving here and there so it will need to pass inspection and such.

I was wondering if you guys can answer some questions for me:

1. Is it worth it? should I just look for something else that is good condition?

2. How much time/money do I need to invest in it to make road worthy?

Any other comments about anything I may have missed are welcome as well.

Thanks

[874runnersr5]

looks like it also needs some body work, not sure if itll pass inspec with the front end like that

[tacotaco]

Just fix it but work on the price.

[Soccernut]

Just fix it but work on the price.

What do you think would be a fair price?

[freeze]

"A few weeks ago a chinese lady pulled out in front of me and I wacked her, bending the passenger side fender, and bending the hood latch." It's good thing he mentioned she was Chinese cause that makes a world of difference on if you're able to stop in time or not to prevent an accident. :rolleyes:

The price seems high for that runner given the front end is bunged. I'm wondering if you'll be paying mostly for the stereo?

somewhere in the $800's.

Receipts on the work done? Is there no rust because he chopped it off in the back? Hows the brake fluid look. When was the tranny replaced? Why didn't they replace the clutch if it was high-milage replacement?

What kind of wiring job went on under the dash? why's the dash all falling apart?
http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/100216/590r4/38375m8_20.jpeg

Rust under the bushwacker flares?

Rear shocks leaking oil? Axle's leaking driver's? Rear e-brake work?
http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/100216/590r5/7340baf_20.jpeg

Everything's fixable... it's a matter of how much it's gonna cost for parts. If stuff starts to add up, it might be a good idea to look for one that's a little more expensive but a better platform.

[freeze]

Might be a bit rusty but might be a bit more trusty?
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-Raised-1991-Toyota-4Runner-2-800-OBO-W0QQAdIdZ186542337

No Photo
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-1992-Toyota-4runner-red-EVERYTHING-WORKS-W0QQAdIdZ185875229

Motivated seller? Lots of ads
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-pickup-trucks-1990-Toyota-4Runner-LOTS-of-new-parts-W0QQAdIdZ184291153

[Soccernut]

WOW....Now thats some great advice...thanks.

I was thinking to give him $500 and let him keep the stereo. Does that sound fair?

[freeze]

Maybe have some of the other guys bring some advice on the price... I'm thinking around 8 is somewhat reasonable but I haven't seen it in person so hard to really say. Let's get some more ideas here before throwing down the $500 offer.

[Tarzan]

Hard to judge by pictures but my first impression is this rig is going to be a black hole in your wallet. Since it was in an accident it will need a police sticker and subsquent inspection which could open up a whole can of worms depending on how the lift was done and what shape it's in. I agee with Nathan too on what sort of shaped is the interior wiring in. Remember we may be on the trail with you and it's no fun stopping and fixing over and over cause this strikes me as that sort of rig (based on limited info/pictures). Best bet is to find a 4Runner with a blown timing belt that has never been wheeled they go for cheap and the engine is not an interference type so $50-$100 in parts and your done.

[RedApe]

I'd walk away from the first one...IMO.

[Brazenhead]

Here's another that's a much better starting point.
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-1992-TOYOTA-4RUNNER-4X4-W0QQAdIdZ186820561#

[RedApe]

Here's another that's a much better starting point.
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-1992-TOYOTA-4RUNNER-4X4-W0QQAdIdZ186820561#
That looks much cleaner! :)

[Soccernut]

Man, I didn't expect that much help.
Well the only issue is my budget right now (about $1000). I was thinking of getting something that would require some work and slowly work on it.
I think I will wait longer and free up a bit more cash and get something in better condition.

[City_Rider]

Man, I didn't expect that much help.
Well the only issue is my budget right now (about $1000). I was thinking of getting something that would require some work and slowly work on it.
I think I will wait longer and free up a bit more cash and get something in better condition.

That will work out much better in the long run - if you can put it off for a little while longer and add to your funds you may have an easier time finding a better starting point. Hopefully one that has service records to show the work and isn't rusting too bad...

Good luck!

[Soccernut]

Hey guys, I was interested in this one (http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-1983-Toyota-Land-Cruiser-Diesel-4X4-NO-EMAILS-PLEASE-PH-466-7943-W0QQAdIdZ187958969).
Anyone have any advice for me about this one? What do I need to look for? what type of questions I should ask?

[RedApe]

I personally LOVE the G wagons...
Mods to do:
SOA
36's
ARB's
etc

Not sure what you're looking for...but that is one HEAVY rig, with a non turbo diesel...it will be as slow as a VW van on the Coq! If yer looking to be happy bombing around town, with Deerfoot, McLeod, Anderson, Ring Road in your mix...keep shopping.

Things to look for:
rotten frame...I'd head straight for the inner frame rails right at the rear spring hangers, looking for rust, or stress fractures in areas where the frame has become thin with rust.

[874runnersr5]

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-1987-Toyota-4Runner-W0QQAdIdZ188649283


theres a winner ;)

[TOYREX]

Yah take a peek at the frame for sure.
this one looks to be in great shape compared to the one I just picked up. I only bought mine for the diesel and 5 speed though. As for speed I'm not beating anyone off the line. but I can get her chuggiing along deerfoot at 120 no prob. and I think I'm only using 10L/100km awesome awesome milage..

[freeze]

This one's a tad rusty but may have potential:

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/100211/453r3/4830374_20.jpeg
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-Landcruiser-Diesel-Wagon-OFFERS-W0QQAdIdZ185343811

[freeze]

Here's a 4Runner but photo's seem to be a tad dark
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-TOYOTA-4-RUNNER-W0QQAdIdZ186894061

[freeze]

And another that looks like better body condition

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/100217/600r7/4619g47_20.jpeg
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-4RUNNER-FOR-SALE-W0QQAdIdZ186817406

[freeze]

Also interesting

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/100111/473r4/3872k7_20.jpeg
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-1991-Toyota-4Runner-163kms-W0QQAdIdZ179211681

[TOYREX]

Good looking truck.
Most of the expensive mechanical work looks to have been done already.

[Brazenhead]

here's a cheapy
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-1989-Toyota-4Runner-V6-SR5-EFI-4X4-Locking-Hubs-Solid-Runner-W0QQAdIdZ190482613#

[Soccernut]

So I finally got one. Found this one in Canmore on Craigslist. Its a first owner with a 22R-E Engine and it has only 229,000 km on it. First I was worried cause it would not start unless you boost it. I thought it would a starter or an alternator but it turned out to be a $3 dollar fix. They had spilled battery fluid on the battery claps and there was no good contact to the battery head so I took a wire brush from wall mart and cleaned everything and everything is in great working order.

The best part was..........it was only for $600.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=cb08b6c515&view=att&th=12725a6a6fc798e8&attid=0.2&disp=inline&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=cb08b6c515&view=att&th=12725a6a6fc798e8&attid=0.4&disp=inline&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=cb08b6c515&view=att&th=12725a6a6fc798e8&attid=0.8&disp=inline&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=cb08b6c515&view=att&th=12725a6a6fc798e8&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=cb08b6c515&view=att&th=12725a6a6fc798e8&attid=0.6&disp=inline&zw

[Doc McCoy]

Doh. Picture linkys look busted. Must see pictures!

[Soccernut]

Sorry, hope this works

[Soccernut]

Here is more

[ljtuck]

Cool find. I sold one just like that with 325,000 KM last spring for $1000. My wife had bought it for the grand price of 2 pumpkin pies! We had fun in that truck for sure. There's a pic in my profile of it with some decent tires and after I upgraded the front fenders ;-) I'll dig around in my shed and see if I had any left over parts from it (I put most of them in the back of the truck when I sold it).