Im considering a First Gen 4Runner! Am I nuts?

[Viggen]

So, Ive found a few solid axle (original and swapped) 4Runners for sale that are solid, body and frame wise, built with goodies (skids, bumpers, winch, etc...) and good running 22R motors (sub 150k mileage). I really like the first gen for the simplicity of it all and the availability of solid axle. Im thinking that this will make a great long distance camping rig. Am I way off? I see a lot of third/ fourth gens and 4 door Tacos but not much in the way of first gens. Why is that?

[slus]

I have an 84 4runner that I'm slowly getting to the point of being able to take on camping trips and drive daily. It took a lot of work to get it to that point, it looked and drove good when I got it, but making it reliable has been a chore.

I do love the simplicity. I recently put together a tool kit that I carry around, basically threw everything that I was using regularly in the garage in a toolbag and added to it for a few months as needed. Now I rarely head to the tool chest, I just use my little bag for 95% of the repairs.

Solid Axle might not be as important factor as you might think (or hear). A live axle rides rougher and probably always will than an IFS setup. Solid axles can be much stronger and flex better for crawling than an IFS setup, but that is becoming less and less of a concern for me for a camping/light expedition truck.

I've got a mildly built 22r in mine. It is still slow, and it always will be slow. I was pretty used to driving my 3rz tacoma everywhere, but hauling gear up a mountain pass in my 4runner gets old pretty quick

It does have a HUGE "cool" factor though, at least to me:victory:

[kletzenklueffer]

I miss my 86 a lot. IT was still IFS, but went anywhere I cared to go. Gas mileage was the same as my 3.4L 6 with little to no power, but gearing would have made the difference. I just needed 4 doors (well, the family needed 4 doors- I only needed one :) )

[obscurotron]

Probably the same reason you don't see "lots" of anything that old - most owners drove 'em hard and put 'em away wet. No care, minimal or poor maintenance, etc. At that point, for most people, a banged up old rig is not preferable to a shiny new latest-n-greatest truck from the dealer lot.

I'm sort of in the same boat, slowly building up my CJ-7 to make it a reliable rig for more than a daily driver.



So, Ive found a few solid axle (original and swapped) 4Runners for sale that are solid, body and frame wise, built with goodies (skids, bumpers, winch, etc...) and good running 22R motors (sub 150k mileage). I really like the first gen for the simplicity of it all and the availability of solid axle. Im thinking that this will make a great long distance camping rig. Am I way off? I see a lot of third/ fourth gens and 4 door Tacos but not much in the way of first gens. Why is that?

[SOAZ]

I love first gens. Who doesn't!
I have to admit I love this one and have for a LONG time. It's a first gen body on a 3rd gen everything else. Since it's a truck I know well, 3rd, and a truck I love the looks of! No solid axle though, but I wouldn't miss it. That's just me. :victory:

Now get a first gen and enjoy! :smiley_drive:


http://irbisoffroad.com/Skyrunner_pics.asp
http://irbisoffroad.com/img/sky21-800.gif

http://irbisoffroad.com/img/top_lifted-800.gif

[LaOutbackTrail]

I have an 84 4runner that I'm slowly getting to the point of being able to take on camping trips and drive daily. It took a lot of work to get it to that point, it looked and drove good when I got it, but making it reliable has been a chore.

I've got a mildly built 22r in mine. It is still slow, and it always will be slow. I was pretty used to driving my 3rz tacoma everywhere, but hauling gear up a mountain pass in my 4runner gets old pretty quick

It does have a HUGE "cool" factor though, at least to me:victory:

I'm in the same boat. Needing to fix all sorts of stuff to make me feel better.

I thought about putting a "performance" 22RE in the truck, but I'm now convinced to do the Supra 7MGE swap.

[Viggen]

I know that theyre older and will require a little more basic upkeep in the beginning but I would rather have something older for the simplicity of it. I passed up a very well built Disco 1 (basically just needed a tent) for a lot less than a nicely built 4Runner because I just didnt want to deal with the on again off again electronics of them (personal experience with it as I drove it for a week to decide). It was a great truck but it just was going to be too much pain to deal with the electrics. I would like a solid axle truck as a lot of the stuff around here involves mud and with a solid axle, there is less to clean up. I dont mind IFS but do mind torsion bars (had them in my 3" lifted Rodeo) and the stiffness in ride that comes with increased diameter bars and cranked bolts. Im not too worried about the power, or lack thereof, with the 22R. Its a 4 cyl and Im not trying to win any races here just get down the highway at 70 mph and into the woods to relax. Eventually, the 22R would go and I would replace it with a VW ALH TDi. Simple nozzle change and reflash and youve got around 270 torque and 130 horse to pull you around and will bolt to the trans with the Acme adapters kit.

I was thinking about a first gen Trooper also but like the 4Runner just a little bit better.

[LaOutbackTrail]

I was thinking about a first gen Trooper also but like the 4Runner just a little bit better.

First gen Troopers are quite nice. They have a lot of room inside and have a lot of features the early 4runner doesnt. That being said, the 1G 4Runner is much much cooler and sexier.

[RusM]

In hindsight this is what I should have done, and am in the process of offloading my truck to do. Way cheaper to buy and build, you can laugh at body damage and you'll still have some money left over after the build to pick up a decent DD.

[Viggen]

In hindsight this is what I should have done, and am in the process of offloading my truck to do. Way cheaper to buy and build, you can laugh at body damage and you'll still have some money left over after the build to pick up a decent DD.

Bingo!

[Owyhee H]

Get it.....I love my first gen....slow and steady wins the race. Seriously they take a little bit of love constantly but are easy to work on, can be very reliable if taken care of, and just darn coooooool. Any rig that gets used will need constant maintainance but the first gen you can do yourself and make it stronger and know your vehicle inside and out along the way.

One question to ask yourself before you buy any old rig, especially a slow one, is how patient are you?

[ntsqd]

This is "Patch", he was put away wet many times before I got him:
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/ntsqd/Toyota%20Stuff/Patch/IMG_0364-1.jpg

You can probably guess about my response to the basic question. I wring him pretty hard sometimes, but he always (sometimes eventually) gets the attention needed. Has only ever left me stranded once, and that was my fault for over looking the obvious.

[tanglefoot]

You're not nuts at all. I have no plans to replace my '85. It never needs a thing. And you can put a camper in it even though the manual says not to. :)

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=39190

[Toyotero]

Viggen,

The only downside to 1st gen 4Runners is their size (which may or may not matter to you) and their age. Age = wear and potentially neglect.

When well maintained, they are solid rigs. Check this one out. It was driven from the US to Argentina.
http://ramblewriter.com/buythetruck.htm
but before it went, it got a new engine and a lot of other parts.

I'd recommend that you get an 85+ because they came with EFI... and don't get a V6 (3VZ-E). (google "3vze headgasket (http://www.google.com/search?q=3VZ-E+4runner&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a)"). They aren't all bad, but their reputation precedes them

Regards,

Toyotero.



So, Ive found a few solid axle (original and swapped) 4Runners for sale that are solid, body and frame wise, built with goodies (skids, bumpers, winch, etc...) and good running 22R motors (sub 150k mileage). I really like the first gen for the simplicity of it all and the availability of solid axle. Im thinking that this will make a great long distance camping rig. Am I way off? I see a lot of third/ fourth gens and 4 door Tacos but not much in the way of first gens. Why is that?

[djrez4]

I say do it. :victory:

[Keaster]

Alright so I have had my first gen for just over two years and am the seconed owner. I swear it was the best two grand I ever spent. I go everywhere in it, and it even took it on 3786 mi. road trip to Montana and all parts in between in a week. Its like everyone else has already stated easy to work on and learn. As for the size I find it perfect, narrow trac width and a
103" wheel base makes for smoother ride and yet its not to long to be a problem. Oh and I have the 3vze 6 cyl. and I still love it! The further west you look the better shape they tend to be in. If your still not sure post your specific concerns and I bet people will jump to tell you what to look for and look out for. Not to mention they love helping newbs fix, repair, and improve they're rigs. Best of luck with the hunt!

[Root Moose]

If you really like the eighties retro look and can deal with Toyota ergonomics of the time then go for it absolutely. I only say it in that context because I remember you have been looking at newer vehicles.

Warning: RUST, RUST, RUST!

The frames on these things at the leaf spring hangers like to fatigue rust and get soft. It results in cracked/broken frames in these areas. If you don't know what to look for in this regard make certain you take the truck to someone that does.

The bodies can be rusty as well. The rear tailgate is bad for this and the electric lift for the window is prone to issues (i.e. most don't work any more).

Drivetrain is fine - if it is fresh enough.

Buying a vehicle of this vintage is either expensive or cheap and ends up being a restoration project (i.e. expensive). Depends on what your expectation levels are of course.

There's a couple of these trucks in our club. It took a wheelbarrow full of money to get them into good spec. That said, we are in the rust belt.

Make sure you find the correct truck. If there is _anything_ suspect about a truck you are looking at then move on to the next one. I'm a big believer in buying old trucks from areas where they don't rust as much. You pay for it up front in shipping and/or travel costs but in the long term they end up being better trucks. I guess it depends on if you are the type to keep a truck "forever" even if you don't end up using it as your preferred mode of transport.

If you settle on this platform make sure you drive one for a good distance before committing. I know that I don't fit. I'm 6' tall and more long in the leg than the body. I hate the legs straight out in front seating position and my head almost brushes the headliner so I feel like I have to have my head cocked to one side all the time.

Make sure you fit and don't get caught up in the excitement of a new vehicle purchase.

$0.02

[Toyotero]

Warning: RUST, RUST, RUST!

Ditto on the rust warning. I don't think that old Toyotas are any more prone to rusting than any other vehicle, they just last longer to show the damage. :-)

Here in Central TX, we don't have a problem with vehicles rusting, so I never think about it much. If you live somewhere where they salt the roads in the winter, you definitely need to check out the frame and a few key sheet metal spots as Root Moose described.

Best of luck,

Toyotero.

[slus]

I know that I don't fit. I'm 6' tall and more long in the leg than the body. I hate the legs straight out in front seating position and my head almost brushes the headliner so I feel like I have to have my head cocked to one side all the time.


Amazing. I'm a touch over 6'4", my seat is one click forward and there is at least 2-3" between my hair and the roof. Different seat combo perhaps? I have WAY more headroom in my 84 4runner than in both my tacomas or any 3 of my later model 4runners.

[austintaco]

I love them so much, I bought mine back and drove it to TX from Minniapolis. It was the best decision I ever made:

http://www.yotatech.com/f115/anyone-buy-back-truck-you-sold-10-years-ago-119933/

We did break down on the way back, but it was related to the locker set up. Being broke down did suck, but it was all part of the adventure.

I am currently having the head rebuilt with some other goodies.

[TACODOC]

I had an '88 4Runner SR5 with the 22RE - awesome truck and I wish I never sold it.

1st Gens Rule IMO, with the new 4th Gen being a distant second. YMMV.

[RobD]

I have a 2nd gen and love it, but my next project will be a 1st gen with a 3.4 swap.

Good looking truck, especially with the fiberglass top off and a bikini top on. The truck, I mean. Not me.

[LaOutbackTrail]

I'm definitely doing the 7MGE motor swap!