skyler

I'm looking at a 1994 Pickup 4wd, 5spd with 218K miles.

The problem is it's been sitting for about 6 months and the owner can't get it to start right now. I'm not sure what all he's tried, but he said it was running previously. Needs a new rear vent window (~$60) and possibly a new master cylinder (~$130).

He's got it listed at $3K, but I'm considering buying it if I can get it for $2K or less.

How much work is typically involved in getting something like this up and running after it's been sitting for awhile? It seems like the obvious things are to check the battery / replace, refill the gas tank, Sea Foam and try removing spark plugs / add Marvel Oil to each cylinder, replace fluids and filters and grease / lube all joints.

Is there anything else that could possibly end up costing me to try and get this thing running or are the steps involved usually limited to the above?

Trying to decide if it's worth bothering with or should I just keep looking? I've had a pretty hard time finding the 2nd/3rd gen pickups in an extended cab / 4x4 / 5spd here in Tampa.

4x4climber

2-3k for a truck that doesn't run?? he is asking 3k cuz he knows someone will be dumb enough...you don't know what is wrong with it.. but it obviously has other problems too..

i would give him 1500$ and hope it is nothing major.

if he wont take 1500$ as is. i would laugh at him and walk away.

skyler

I just spoke to him again. I guess I misunderstood him the first time. He said it ran the last time he started it, he just hasn't tried yet because he knew it had old gas in it and wanted to drain it before he tried to start it.

He's gonna get it running before he sells it, but said he'd take $2500.

snobdds

Well I think you need to start with a major tune up.

Plugs
Wires
Cap
Rotor
Air Filter
Fuel Filter
Valve Adj.
Set Timing

Then proceed from there. I always go for the motor stuff first and then do the drive train stuff.

4x4climber

if it has great compression across the board and runs good. i would do $2500. it is ALL about that motor running cherry. Everything else is cheap n easy.

iIf you don't have a tester, see if he does. If he doesn't rent one at autozone or something.

Make sure the tranny n all that feel smooth n everything seems good. If you can't drive it make sure it rolls quiet and smooth.

BTW, I would recommend 22reperformance.com for all of those little things mentioned above.

PLUS bleed your brakes and your clutch...

ALLLLL new fluids in EVERYTHING that takes oil or fluids... and only the best-of-the best. don't cheap out on oils and fluids.. they make everything else last longer

Junkers88

Does it crank over and over and over and not start? If so it could be something as simple as mice in the intake that have chewed and clogged the air filter. I say that because a friend recently bought a little rice rocket Honda for almost nothing that would not start, or when it did it ran like crap, and it had about 99% of the Spectre air filter plugged with mouse stuff. Filter replaced and it ran like a champ..... for a Honda.

Go look at it and turn it over. Once you get it running you can replace things as needed. I would NOT pay 2500 or 2000 or even 1500 for a rig that doesn't start and run unless the front bumper was made of solid gold.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

I would try and find some one to go check this out that knows these trucks.

Is it A born and raised Florida truck or did it just come from upstate New York

Look at the frame Drive it Make sure both 4low and 4 High work.

The more you can find questionable the more you can get the price down maybe.

Seems kinda expensive to me but regional markets can change I bought two running 22RTEC for less then that.

Good luck

mountaingoat

I paid 2500 for my 90 22RE 4x4 pickup a few years back, had 197k on it at the time. Needed a timing set and a couple other odds and ends, but the body and frame were clean and that was the big thing for me.

I think it sounds like an OK deal, but do drive it first.

rhill

You guys are going kinda crazy.

Just see if you can get it to start up first. If he's telling the truth and it ran fine before sitting for 6 months and now won't start, it's probably just either a battery or starter issue. Check the battery voltage, or if you don't have a meter try jumping it and wiggling around the battery cables. Get under the truck and bang on the starter, see what happens. If it starts and runs well, then I think it's worth 3k. After that if you decide to buy it THEN think about doing plugs, fuel treatment, etc. You really shouldn't have to drain the gas...

93yota300

If you are willing to drive to Jacksonville I have seen a few on CL for less then that. I got my 93 with 326,000 on it for 1200 a few weeks ago. But I knew the guy selling it and he knew I was not going to beat it to death.