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Advice on buying a 1st Gen 4Runner

Discussion in '1st Gen 4Runners (1984-1989)' started by bankswilson, Mar 15, 2017.

  1. Mar 15, 2017 at 10:19 AM
    #1
    bankswilson

    #1
    bankswilson [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2017
    Member:
    #3704
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Banks Wilson
    Hello.

    I am in the market for a 1st Gen 4Runner. In the past I have owned a 2nd Gen and a 3rd Gen 4Runner.

    I'm wanting one that can be a good daily driver. So I'm looking for one that hasn't been too heavily modified and is in great, near original condition.

    Can you guys give me pointers on things to look out for? Concerns I should be aware of?

    Should I try to find a certain year?

    Fuel-injected over a carburated?

    6 Cylinder or 4?

    Advantages of SR5 over non-SR5?

    Best places to look for 1st Gen 4Runners for sale?

    Banks
     
    bankswilson, Mar 15, 2017
    #1
  2. Mar 16, 2017 at 8:33 PM
    #2
    BestGen

    #2
    BestGen Member #57

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2014
    Member:
    #57
    Messages:
    954
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Haunted Turnbull Canyon, CA
    Vehicle:
    1988 4Runner XTE 22RE/W56, '93 G144 4.88s, Spartan Locker, AllPro Sliders, OEM 15x6" rims, BFG KM2 33/10.5s, 4Crawler 1.5" BJS, OME 2" Dakar springs, TG rear bumper.
    33"KM2s, 4.88s, Spartan Locker, TG rear bumper, AllPro Kickout sliders, 4Crawler 1.5" BJS, OME 2" Dakar springs.
    1) Four cylinder over six!
    2) Fuel injected over carb. This means 22rE, not 22r.
    3) SR-5 if possible. Comes with tach and gauges.
    4) 85 is thee best year if u plan on any tough 'wheeling. Last year for the solid axle. First year for the fuel injected 22re.
    5) Avoid the 3.0 V-6. Notorious for blown headgaskets.
    6) Avoid the automatic. Not that it's bad, it's super reliable, it just sucks up a lot of power which these engines don't have to spare.
    As always check for rust in the frame. They have box frames which rust from the inside out. And the best place to find clean 1st Gens is of course SoCal. Good luck.
     
    BestGen, Mar 16, 2017
    #2
    Backslider likes this.
  3. Apr 17, 2017 at 9:46 AM
    #3
    Charles4x4

    #3
    Charles4x4 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2017
    Member:
    #3893
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    I just bought a '87 SR5 Turbo last weekend. Agreed with everythign BestGen said above, but try to get the Turbo SR5 22R-E if you can find one. The turbo comes in handy in DD situations - especially merging, uphill, and going over 70 on the interstate. And watching the Yellow Turbo gauge is a lot of fun!
     
    Charles4x4, Apr 17, 2017
    #3
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