Checking out 88 4Runner

Storz

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Location
Boone NC
Can you guys give me some common things to check for on a 1st gen 4Runner? I am going to look at one on Sunday, thanks!
 
depends on what you are gonna do with it but the general things are rust in the frame particularly the rear and rust in the fenders condition of drive train most people stear away from auto and the 3.0 v-6 but I wouldnt sell my yotas for nothing
 
The one I am looking at is a manual trans, and pretty sure it has the 22re. It will be a daily driver for me that will see occasional light trails and beach time
 
Look in the fenders and the frame rail nest to the gas tank for rust.
 
This would lend more towards the 3 litre than the 22RE...but check under the oil fill cap and on the dipstick for milky oil, which would signal a popped head gasket. White, sweet smelling exhaust could possibly signal this as well. Although I didn't have a problem with a head gasket failure, electrolysis ate away at the cylinder head allowing coolant to leak into an exhaust port causing symptoms of a blown hg...significant coolant loss and steamy exhaust.

The mentioned frame and quarter panel rust. Frame rust is a biggie, but the quarter panels can easily be patched.

Since it's a manual, listen for transmission noise. Typically it can happen in all gears except 4th.

Listen for noise coming from the rear differential...could be a growling when coasting/accelerating with gear engaged. This could be a symptom of a bad pinion bearing.

It's always good to start the engine cold to observe any possible issues that the seller might try to cover up by bringing the engine up to operating temperature before you arrive.

As long as the frame is solid and there are no obvious catastrophic problems...you just can't go wrong with a 22RE/W56. These were just some examples of what I ran across over the past year.
 
Also, since it is a 22re, there is a well-known issue with the guides for the timing chain wearing out, and braking (the OE ones are made of plastic). This allows the chain to run loose and grind against the inside of teh timing cover. It takes like 100,000 miles for this to happen though (UNLESS it has not been well maintained, e.g. oil changed or run low alot). Chances are, they have been replaced at least once before - but if it was not with aftermarket metal-backed guides, it will happen again. Worth asking about.
Listen for a rattle at high RPMs, or kinda like the sound of marbles rolling around in the front end of the motor.

The rear removable bed top/cover is made of fiberglass, except for the metal trim around the windows. This tends to rust out pretty bad. No structural harm, but can get ugly.
 
Just got back from looking at the yota, pretty clean and the 4wd hi/low worked as it should. However it's a V6 and I really would prefer to have a 22re powered 4Runner so I am going to pass on this one.
 
How much was he asking? Auto or maunal?
 
That runner was for sale last summer, around the time I bought mine. Talked with the seller on the phone, but never made it over because of the 3.0 and the red-on-red. Used to have 33"s and black rockcrawlers.
If I remember correctly, the previous seller said he had the engine rebuilt to correct a leak. Don't remember if it was just the topend, or top and bottom.
 
It drove really well, and looked to have new valve covers on it. The interior was really clean as well.
 
It looks nice, My MIL has this old bronco 2, that is a total POS. She only uses it when it snows cause it's 4wd, but it never starts when she needs it to, so was thinking about something like this for her, just needs to be an auto. I had a 3.0 in a hilux that never gave me a problem. I know everyone is all in an uproar cause you only get 225k out of them before they blew head gaskets or drop valves.
 
Yea, that was kinda my point.:lol:
 
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