Hi and Should I Retire My 1995 Runner?

I’ve had it for 27 years and I am starting to find nagging little problems with it (rear gate engine is gone, a/c refrigerant isn’t available, fear my head gasket or timing belt will go soon (had one timing belt replace at about 150k) will need exhaust work soon )

What do you think? I love this vehicle, but how much is too much?

It a solid, with very little rust given it’s age.

 

Keep her going is my advice; or if you want a 5th Gen get one now and keep your 95 for while longer

 

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Welcome from the center of the bourbon universe.

If you don't plan on getting rid of it for a few more years, in other words you plan on "driving it into the ground", then put some money in it. If you want to get rid of it soon then do the bare minimum and sell/trade it for a newer one.

 

I'd fix it up and run it till the frame rusts out.

 

Welcome. And it's your $$$. If you love it but in fear of repars, then keep it. Those repairs are WAY less than a new one.

But if you're just looking for am excuse to buy a new one, which I do that also, then get a new one while you can still get something from the old one.

 

I had a 95 exactly like that same color same wheels with the 5 speed manual it was awesome! only reason I had to let it go was I hit a Deer at 65Mph or maybe faster? Rolled it and that resulted in being totaled.
You upgrade the A/C to updated refrigerant and the rear window motor is easy replacement and it certainly cost less to keep a rig that you know the entire story about running than taking a chance on something used but newer that you don't know how it was cared for, but if you have the means or don't mind monthly payments new 4Runners are awesome and as for the old one there are plenty of buyers out there looking for those.

 

No I wouldn't get rid of it unless you stopped liking it. If you like it for being a rugged, dependable, comfortable, compact SUV- you won't find another, they haven't made that sort of vehicle in at least 20 years. The modern 4runner is large, and comparable vehicles in size normally aren't rugged and have worse interior room.

From what I've read about the 3vz is the early engines failed, but later ones like yours were fine as long as it was maintained. I wouldn't worry about it unless it was being abused. Owning a vehicle is a give and take arrangement, at some point you'll have to put some money into it to keep it running. Putting money to maintain the engine, fix the window motor, and replace the exhaust system isn't unreasonable for the age and miles.

Also you can still buy refrigerant. Your 4runner being from 1995 should have R134a because R12 was illegal by then. Both R12 and R134a can be bought. R134a is in the process of being phased out in new cars but you can still buy it easily, R12 is still purchasable because it's only illegal to make, using old stock is fine. But you should get your AC pressure tested to make sure that the loss of refrigerant wasn't from a leak.

 

Well, thanks for the replies, but I got bad news yesterday. My 4runner has blown a head gasket. It recently overheated and started spewing coolant through the reservoir. I brought it to my mechanic and he replace the thermostat and flushed the cooling system but to no avail. It still runs but it heats up really quick now.

Any advice?

 

Every vehicle, even a 4Runner, crosses a threshold from reliable transportation to money pit at some point, where you're dumping money into a vehicle you're never going to get back, and you still have an old unreliable vehicle. It's not like you can reasonably expect to put $5K in it and get another relatively trouble free 2 or 3 years out of it. I'd think just about anything original on a 27 year old vehicle is suspect. You could pay to have the head gasket replaced and the other pressing problems fixed, and find out a month later that you need a new transmission. Maybe you could put aside any emotional attachment to the vehicle by asking yourself if this was somebody else's vehicle and they offered it to me at the price I thought I could get for it, would I even think about buying it? If not, I'd sell it as is.

 

5spd, very little rust and you knowing the history are real pluses.
What would you replace it with?
Myself, I would do the head gasket and belt.
The rear window motor could be still good, relay failure is the usual culprit.

 

Welcome! Tough choices ahead, good luck.

 

I think my view mimics others. If it were me, I would sit down at the table and lay out the costs of keeping, including replacing the old/worn stuff you’re aware of. I would then add at least another 25%. Then decide what you want to do. You won’t find your 4Runner again, so keep that in mind. But if another $3k-$4k is ok with you, you may be ok for years.