Thinking about buying a 1st gen 4Runner.. what do you think of this rust, manageable?

Altonymous

Altonymous

Lost Wheelin'
Joined
Nov 4, 2013
Location
Raleigh, NC
Frame looks clean, but what do you think of these spots?

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Some in the fenders too but not too worried about them...
 
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I would be scared if it were anything more than a trail rig
 
Looks like about $150 in scrap metal
 
on 4runners, the serious rust spots to watch out for is on the rear end. check the rear of the frame and the axle.
 
If it's a trail rig I wouldn't be too worried, worry more about the frame. For a DD/street queen - I'd bet that the inside of those side QPs is completely rusted out.
 
It's still so tempting...

Here's the mods list...


22re manual
frame off restoration 10 years ago
solid axle swap
4.88 gears
lock right locker
marlin 4.1 transfer case
marlin HD clutch
4 disc brakes
4 bilstein piggyback 5150s
disc brake e-brake
diff armor front/rear
33 12.5 15 Irock pretty new
on-board York air compressor with tank
optima red top
sandwich cooker/hot dogger
4 undercarriage lights
star bright headlights
custom interior with GPS unit
driver seat lift
10" subwoofer and amp
ammo box center console
flat screen mounted w/VGA to laptop
soft top
hard top
bumpers and armor all around
warn m8000 with synthetic rope
custom fuel tank relocation
many, many upgrades too many to list
Click to expand...

Asking price $4.5k
 
That rust looks serious. Having seen some with my 85 4runner for 10 years now, I can say the stuff below gas door is rusting from in side out. The rocker is likely the same. The original body seam seal goes bad with age and spots hold water. Find my long term build thread for some reference.

The pictures look like the rust has all been trapped under paint from the last respray.

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With that much rust, I would really be concerned with the frame. The fully boxed frame has factory holes all in it and baffles/braces within the frame rails that catch and hold dirt/road grime. The frame may look fine from the outside, but on the inside could be shot.

Im guessing it is an 85 since it mentions diff armor front/rear. This is the holy grail of 4runners. The only year of solid axle AND 22RE. $4500 seems a little steep with the rust.

What is your intended use? If it is going to be a dedicated trail rig and you are planning on bashing the body anyways, I would probably offer $4k and no more. Does it have hi steer or still the factory steering setup?
 
You need to buy it just so we can see that sandwich/hotdog cooker.

Seriously, the intended usage is what matters here. And, how you feel about body repair later. And more importantly, the frame.
Mine is completely rotten there, you could poke holes in it w/ a screwdriver. But it's b/c of water seeping into the sides from having the top off a long time, in my case the frame is perfectly fine.
 
Appreciate the advice everyone. I'm going to pass on it. It's a bit of a drive, and with my lack of knowledge around rust and how to deal with it, I figure I'll just keep looking. I'm in no hurry.
 
Altonymous said:
Appreciate the advice everyone. I'm going to pass on it. It's a bit of a drive, and with my lack of knowledge around rust and how to deal with it, I figure I'll just keep looking. I'm in no hurry.
Click to expand...
An 88 SAS 2.7 swap just showed up on craigslist. $7800 ...high but room to negotiate

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