How to change windshield of 1992 4Runner, and is this a good buy?

Hello,

I'm considering purchasing a 1992 4Runner with 255,000 miles on it. I started my negotiation at $3000 and have thus far talked the guy down to $3500 from $5500. He seems a bit desperate to sell it. There is a large crack on the front windshield and the tires made a weird pinging sound when he turned the car hard.

My first question is: Is this a reasonable price?

Second: There is a large crack on the front windshield which I will need to replace. How easy would this be for me to do myself (what tools), and how much would this run me? I can't seem to find instructions on how to do this anywhere.

Third: If anyone is in Los Angeles, where would they recommend I get the windshield fixed if I went that route?

Fourth: There was a big ping sound when the guy turned really far to one side when we were driving it which he just blamed on the wheels making that sound. Any ideas what this could be/is this a reasonable explanation?

If you couldn't tell already, I'm not much of a car guy, but I love to learn. Any thoughts on any of these questions would be seriously appreciated. Cheers

 

Don't even try to replace a windshield yourself. Google replace windshield for your area and call around for price. As for the ping, are you sure it is a ping and not a grating sound? If a grating sound then it is probably the steering bumpstop. It should be rubber but the rubber is probably gone and it is now metal on metal. Check that first. Easy fix if that is what it is. Not sure about a pinging. As far as the price, does it look like it has been taken care of? If yes then it is a good price. I would definitely have it inspected for that kind of cash. Look for leaks, make sure everything works including all windows, and no rust on frame. Good luck.

 

If its rust free and has no major issues then I think the price seems good, especially considering the current used market. Also this is one with 4wd? I would change my answer if it only had 2wd.

 

Also is it the V6 or 4 cyl?

 

4x4 v6 automatic, sorry should have mentioned that earlier!

 

Be careful about the 3vz V6, that engine likes to blow head gaskets. Make sure you ask about it because its very costly if that work needs to be done.

 

How could I tell a 3vz vs other engines apart? The guy says he's only had it for a month but decided he actually wants a Tacoma now which is his reason for selling it. A little suspicious! Would it be easy for me to check the gaskets for wear myself?

Any general things I should inspect or tune ups you'd recommend before I finalize this deal?

 

The vehicle in question has the 3vz. Toyota offered only two engines on the 2nd gen 4runner (in the US), the 22RE 4 cylinder which is rare, and the V6 3vz which is fitted on ~95% of them. You said that it has a V6 so it has the 3vz. You can tell if a 2nd gen 4runner has the 3vz v6 if it has the V6 badge, and if you open the hood it should be apparent what your looking at because the v6 will say something like "3.0 EFI".

There are a few ways to tell if it has head gasket issues. I'm haven't had the need to check for blown head gaskets, so you will have to look at the countless threads on this particular engine. You can buy a kit to check for blown head gaskets. I should say that the 1988-1989 (this was on 1st gen 4runners) 3vz have undebatable issues, the later ones (the later the better) improved from what I've read.

On any 3vz after 1990 its more of a YMMV thing because some people own them and never have issues and others say they've replaced them multiple times. I personally don't like them for performance (lack of), plus these engines aren't like normal Toyota engines that can take abuse and keep going, keeping on maintenance is especially important on this engine regardless of when the 3vz was made.

I do think its suspicious the guy is flipping the car this quick at that price. You should get a mechanic to look at the vehicle if your concerned about it. Remember that you can always wait for another, it might not be so inexpensive but you don't want to get burned either.

 

Hi:

Second Gen. USA 4Runners came from the factory with one of two gas engines, 3VZE V6 cylinder, and 22RE-inline-4 cylinder.
Don't know about Canada, they may have gotten diesels.
If it has the original engine, (3VZE), and the head gasket has never been replaced, the motor is in the gasket "death zone" mileage wise.
Also if the H/G hasn't been replaced, chances are good that the timing belt is the original one also. This is a 30 year old vehicle.
If you know your way around an engine, then you got a full weekends work ahead of you,(12 hour days) for a gasket, and belt job.
Check the oil closely. If it has been just changed, be suspicious. The owner may be trying to cover up a H/G failure.
The fact that the owner wants to sell it after a month of ownership raises a red flag to me, 'I really wanted a Taco" sounds fishy.
Look at the transmission fluid, it should be clear and red in color. It it smells burnt with a darlk orange, or brown color, a rebuild is in your future.
Drive the car on the freeway, and see how it shifts gears
Ask to see the smog report he had to get when he registered it. If he didn't register it because it wouldn't smog, walk away.
Look for any sign of a chocolate milk colored substance under the oil filler cap, or inside the valve cover.
This is a sign of oil and coolant mixing due to gasket failure.
Bring a bright flashlight, and an inspection mirror with you. Check for coolant weepage at the head/block joint on both heads.
The area around cylinder #6 (rear one on driver side) is where most H/G failures start
Doing a windshield yourself is a crap shoot. I have done it myself 3 times.
It is easy to take out using 50 lb. test monofilament fish line to cut the adhesive, (the glass is glued in).
Putting it in is another story, the channel must be properly prepared, cleaned religiously, and primed with a special primer that will accept the adhesive.
The lower corners down by the cowl will be rusted through if the car came from salt belt. That must be fixed first.
You get one shot at placing the new glass, the adhesive has a 10-12 minute working life. It's a two man job with a couple of suction cups from Harbor Freight.
If you crack the glass, then you get to do it all over again. (about $200 down the drain).
Have a pro do it.
They do it in your driveway in under 2 hours.
Of course, interior condition, tires, battery, paint condition, working power windows, and locks, dents , chrome, power antenna, sun roof leaks?, all come into play
in determining price.
If he sounds desperate to sell, then he is. He probably bought a dud, and he wants to palm it off on someone else.
Be careful, maybe bring a knowledgeable Toyota guy with you.
Good Luck
Art.

 

Thank you for your advice everyone. I told the guy I wanted to have a pre-purchase inspection done by a third party mechanic and he gave me all this crap about how he "doesn't trust any other mechanic!". Immediately bailed on it. Bummer as she was a sweet looking car.

 

Good for you. Anyone who says NO to a pre inspection on their used car tells me he is trying to dump it cause it has lots of issues.