buy an 86 4-runner? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

sparky7720 · 03-27-2005, 09:45 AM

I drove two hours last night to look at a 4-runner i have been wanting one for some time...but i just don't know if the guy is asking too much...2900 with 170000 needs new tires..maybe timing chain done...and there is something going on with the power steering..steering wheel feels a little loose..and motor sounds like it is struggling a little bit..blue book is $1800 is that accurate? I want to offer $2400 for it i don't know if he will take it....wife thinks i am paying too much for it so if i get it and i have a lot go wrong with it i will never hear the end of it....any advice would be great....

***Bakemono*** · 03-27-2005, 12:51 PM

They are asking waaaay too much for that 4Runner!
Dude, $2900???? Thats insane!
Way back in '97 I paid $1800 for an '85 4Runner SR5 with 243,000 miles on it! Plus, mine had the solid front axle suspension, so it was pretty rare. (Toyota only put that suspension in the 4Runner for 1.5 years).
The steering will be a little bit loose, that truck is almost 20 years old!
The reason why the engine feels like it is struggling is because IT IS! The 22R-E was only 118 hp. It was a great engine in the truck but it wasnt enough engine for the 4Runner.
Id pass on it.
Cap'n

texas12 · 03-27-2005, 01:26 PM

I love my 4runner. $2900 is high. Paid $2400 for mine a couple years ago, but he had papers showing it just had the engine, trans and transfer case rebuilt recently. Also had ZERO rust.

ps I put lift, tires and paint on it.

sparky7720 · 03-27-2005, 04:12 PM

well thanks for your responses i didn't think the engine was strugling i thought the power steering was struggling...i think that engine is great..i think that guy is asking too much for that maybe i am too eager...what about 2400 is that a good price for it is that too much also..it has no rust..and all the paper work on the work that has been done...i don't know.....

texas12 · 03-27-2005, 05:02 PM

If you feel good about it, just do it. If you're having second thoughts, then let it go and keep looking.

***Bakemono*** · 03-27-2005, 05:06 PM

I dunno man, Id think Id have to pass. If it was a solid-axle 4Runner Id say go for it, but because its IFS I wouldnt pay it.
You could find one that was newer, maybe even one with a V6 for probably less money.
Cap'n

sparky7720 · 03-27-2005, 07:15 PM

well i just got back from my neighbor's and he has an 85 and that front axel is nice...i think i am going offer a low price if he takes it great...if not i will wait...they are hard to find here..all the college kids will pay for them..i am just a ski bum electrician...looking for something to get me into the mountains and around during heavy snowfall.the old 4 runners are perfect ..i don't need power...i have a 76 chevy suburban for that.....

texas12 · 03-28-2005, 03:52 AM

OK, solid front axle might be better if your into serious rock crawling but for most of us with the snow (not much in south Texas) and the romp in the mud, IFS's are just fine.

crazycruzer · 03-28-2005, 10:21 AM

That's too high. And why would you want to pay more than blue book value???

***Bakemono*** · 03-28-2005, 08:14 PM

Oh yeah, IFS will be just fine for 90% of the situations you wil encounter but solid-axle is stronger.
If you want a nice ride, go with IFS. If you want something that is nearly unbreakable, go with solid axle.
On advantage that solid axle has is that you can put a lift on it a lot easier than if it were IFS. IFS reaches a point where you have to go with different a-arms to make a taller lift work. It can be done, but its much less expensive to lift something with solid axles front and rear.
Cap'n

sparky7720 · 03-29-2005, 02:02 PM

well i talked to a respected mechanic here that all he does is toyota and he thinks i should offer 2000 so i am going to go for it...i am kinda hamstringed right now i can't drive that surbaban around much more with gas getting so high...i do have a ford ranger but i am trying to fix it up to sell it and i have a few things to take apart on that so it will be out of commision while i do that ....i think that toyota will serve me well....i think it has a strong engine and most of the things that could go wrong now i can fix...let you know how it works out.....

sparky7720 · 04-02-2005, 12:32 PM

well that guy won't come down and i am not going up.....so don't think it will happen i just have to keep looking...he wants 2600 and won't take anything..else i need to do some work on it and put new tires on it so that is way to high for it.....