I found an 85 4Runner that I really want (online), it's out of state, it's super clean and rust free and all mechanically rebuilt. There's only one snag, it was hit in back quarter (right between the door and the wheel).

Given how nice the rest of the truck is, a bidding war has started and I am virtual. I am willing to make a run at it if I can have a body shop of my choice put in writing that the the frame is straight.

I've called around locally describing the damage to my best understanding to get some verbal 'ballparks'. I know that these are not real quotes and I don't expect them to be entirely accurate, but the numbers I'm hearing are off the charts ($4-$6k!!!)

Since I'm virtual with this purchase I wanted to see what others thought about how bad the damage is what I should be prepared to spend on the repair.

Here are some pics of the damage. The owner bought it this way off someone else. The damage led it to be an insurance loss so it has a reconstructed title. Remainder of exterior is 8/10, interior is 9/10, undercarriage is 10/10. 20k miles on full mechanical rebuild.

How bad do you think this is. I need to make the purchase decision virtual.

Thanks in advance!
Mike

 

id leave it the way it was if it was me dont look bad at all

 

Was the wheel hit at all? If so, I'd be worried about a bent axle as well. Body damage, blah... leave it as is as long as it won't catch the tire, call it a wheeling mishap. lol.

 

I'm not planning on making it a wheeler. So I want it clean and done right. I'm told the axle is straight but it is something I want checked out as well.

$4-6k seems really high. But I need to have a sense of what I'm getting into.

 

If you don't want a wheeler go for an 86+. They have ifs and a nicer ride, plus they can go for cheaper. There are several on the portland craigslist. Good luck either way.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I moved on from this one. Buying it virtually with this much damage and with what I wanted it to be, it was too much of a gamble.

Thanks again!

 

Lol, too bad, because that all looks like superficial damage to the body to me.

 

Yeah. Well. It was getting harder and harder to justify. He was asking for it just under what it was worth with no body damage. Add having to commit to that price long distance and the fact it had a reconstructed title as a result.

 

I think you made a good decision walking away from this one as a DD. A good one will find you.

 

you can swap that panel out yourself with a donor piece, im not saying it was the truck for you but 4-6 grand is alot to have a shop do it. hell with a slide hammer, some bondo, and a few hours of your time and that thing would be perfect. maybe some touch up paint if that bothers you. but i agree, theres plenty to choose from locally, and i agree with JBurt, get an '86 plus right(86-89) with the ifs if your not going to wheel it. i have a first gen solid front axle and let me tell you it wasnt built for a soft ride. whereas i have owned an ifs(1989) 4runner and it was smooth as a brand new car.

I would have moved on too. that all being said, i highly recomend a black or charcoal grey runner as they look AWESOME. mine was grey and i miss the hell out of it. cruising with friends with the top off on an overcast oregon day just makes you feel good inside.

 

salvage title and he was asking KBB value?
i would have offered him 2,000 dollars and no more...
salvage titles are so expensive to insure.