What's a good price?? 85 4Runner

[Twiss]

I just found an 85 4Runner for sale down the street. I stopped last night and here is what I saw:

Paint is faided and fenders are different colors
I didn't see a lot of Body rust (though it was dark
had around 221k miles
30" at tires
no carpet
5spd
Springs looked flat
Moisture on front axle (near spring perch) not sure what it was..
Had a aftermarket tube rear bumper and a roof rack

The sign said $1500 obo...

I'm hoping to go look at it today or tomorrow. I'm new to the Toyota trucks, but I've always loved the 4Runner..

What Should I look for? What should I check? What's a good price?

I know the parts are worth atleast a $1k, but I'm thinking I can "scrap" the Sami project and move the parts over to the 4Runner.. I guess I'm worried about the motor....

Thoughts?


Thanks
Chris

[KatzTRD]

Most important is the frame. Make sure no rust on it.
If the frame is good and the engine runs good, then its worth 1,000. And will probably be a great rock crawler with about 3-4 more K put into it.

[HOODLUM]

And pay very close attention to the fuel tank area of the frame. It's the most common area for rust.

[Twiss]

Cool, thanks... I just talked to the guy. He can't "show it" till Monday the 12th....

He said it has the 22re and is an Auto. He bought it 3 years ago to build it, but has lost interest. said he replaced the Front brakes when he got and that it runs good.

I'm planning to go by it again at lunch and make some notes about it. I'll try to get pics if my camra phone will work.

[Twiss]

Looked at it at lunch... The Frame as rust, but nothing looked "thru" the frame. There is some Body rust around the rear fenders and door sill. Some small rust holes in the floor board.

My 87 Sami has less rust....

The Tranny seemed to have mosture around the drain plug as well was the oil pain. I'm thinking they are leaking somewhere. Seals??

The Front knuckles need to be rebuilt as they are leaking too.

The Truck was open, the inside it not that great. The motor looked like it hadn't been driven in a year or too.

He has a receipt from having a new Cat install in 03', cost was $300. I'm thinking that is when he bought it. He prob drove it for a few months then parked it.

We'll see what happens Monday.

[Mike]

Tap on the frame with a screw driver. If it goes through, walk away.

The leaks are probably from 20-year old gaskets that have never been replaced. Easy fix.

They sell patch panels for the common rusty spots.

[locknload]

I wouldn't pay more than $1,000 for an auto, you'll probably end up swapping it out. for a manual As stated earlier check the frame REALLY well. I'd take a good size ball peen hammer and smack the frame with the back side in different areas. Axle rebuild is no biggie. There are 4Runners all over for that price. Some alot cleaner than that one.
Don't get stuck on buying a solid axle truck. If you do the suspension right you'll end up doing an almost complete SAS anyway. The only benefit is you already have the axle and the shackle holes are already drilled. You can pick up a newer 1st. Gen 4Runner with nicer newer interior, a wider rear axle with larger rear brakes and axle tube, and in overall better shape. SAS is not that hard just save up for it. Not much more than doing a solid axle truck.
If I had to do it over again I'd well, do it over again and buy an IFS and hack it!

[BeaterToyota]

Doesnt' sound like a great deal. Solid axle 4Runners are getting scarce, but I wouldn't just buy one to buy one.

If you would plan to build it for off road, you can build a new IFS truck just as easily. If you would plan to keep it stock and just drive it, I think you'd hate the combination of an underpowered 4 cyl with an automatic, and all the extra weight of a 4Runner versus a pickup with the same drivetrain.

[KnuckleHead]

I'll sell you my '85 Pickup for $4,500. It's already built. :D

[Twiss]

Doesnt' sound like a great deal. Solid axle 4Runners are getting scarce, but I wouldn't just buy one to buy one.

If you would plan to build it for off road, you can build a new IFS truck just as easily. If you would plan to keep it stock and just drive it, I think you'd hate the combination of an underpowered 4 cyl with an automatic, and all the extra weight of a 4Runner versus a pickup with the same drivetrain.


That's what I was looking for... Only way I would buy one is if it was a Good Deal.

Thanks.

I'm stilling going to test drive it on Monday.

[Ted]

I'll sell you my '85 Pickup for $4,500. It's already built. :D


Did you fix the bed yet?

[KnuckleHead]

Did you fix the bed yet?



Que? Fix? What are you talking about, there's nothing wrong with that bed. :D




Actually, no. I haven't had the time or money to pick up or bend any tube yet.

[locknload]

Terry, your build up page is jacked up. Can't view it.

[KnuckleHead]

I know. We (Delaware4WD) didn't have enough interest anymore to justify paying to keep the site/domain online. I need to move it all to a new site I guess.

[locknload]

I was going to show Jason (jjrgr21) your link. He's looking for a truck, not sure his price range though.

[KnuckleHead]

See if this link works: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/btlovin/truck.html

a few more pics are here: http://www.yotatech.com/f85/knuckleheads-85-pickup-61412/



Oh, and I'm not actively looking to sell it, but if the price is right, who knows ;). I can always build another one.