Need advice! Buying a 97 4Runner with a blown head gasket

Hey guys I'm buying a 97 4Runner this weekend with 199k and a blown head gasket. Any advice on what I should look for besides body rust and what not?

Once I get it in my garage I'm not sure if I'm just gonna replace the head gasket, get a new head, or buy an $800 55k mile engine on Craigslist nearby. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself because I haven't bought it yet but just thinking ahead haha.

Also, regardless if I'm buying it or not, I will be buying a 3rd gen 4Runner, so I want to ask about towing. I'm buying an enclosed trailer for my dirtbike and me to sleep in at races. I was thinking 5x8 v nose, but could I get something bigger without putting too much strain on the engine and gas mileage? Is a 6x12 v nose too big? Anyone have experience towing these trailers or any in between?

Sorry for all the questions. I wanted to keep it to one forum. I really appreciate the feedback.
Thanks, Will

 

Not much advice as far as the headgasket but I tow a small three rail dirtbike trailer behind my runner. Its pretty sluggish, granted im on larger tires and fully armored. I need to regear to get my power back. Towing with these things is much better with a manual transmission. Something to consider when purchasing your new runner. I think a nice 5x8 would be the ticket. Maybe someone who has towed similar trailers on a stock runner would have some better input.

 

Any input is better than none! So thank you. Yeah I'd prefer a manual, but I'm just trying to get what I can find for a good deal that needs work. I'm in college, so anywhere I can save helps. If I decide to put a low mileage engine in, I'll look for a junker that I can take the manual tranny, pedals and accessories for cheap. Should save some work if I do it at the same time. Thanks again

 

The gearing is what is most important with an automatic. If the gears are too tall, the power will be lacking. However the cost to re-gear seems reasonable, for return on investment (imo).

As always, you may find new issues after the head gasket. Price seems good, but I would look it over carefully.

 

Sounds good. About to look at it now just waiting on uhaul cause my trailer is falling apart.

 

Brought it home on Saturday. In very good shape. I think it's been garage kept most of its life with minimal rust. The intake, some pulleys, and steering pump have been removed because the guy started it, but had health complications. It looks that everything is there except maybe some hardware.

I'm ordering everything today. Head gasket kit and extra hardware. I'd rather spend an extra $30 on hardware than not being able to get it done for a week.

I'm going to need new tires. Do the new toyotas 6 lug fit? I keep finding stock rims with fairly new tires on Craigslist for 5-1000 from 2017 4runners because people buy big tires as soon as they get the car.
Thanks!

 

Looks good, keep us posted on the rebuild!

 

Got everything together last week and it was smoking coolant bad. After running it a couple times and driving it, it cleared out just cause there was so much coolant in the exhaust. I thought for sure the head was cracked and I was 5 seconds from ripping the head off again... anyway got it tagged yesterday and drove 30 miles no problems. Just a minor exhaust leak. Will take it to inspection today and see what else I need