I was recenlty given a 95 4runner with 133,000 miles. I just spent $500 fixing a CV boot, the master cylinder, oil change and oil filter. The mechanic told me it needed new shocks. I searched the web and realized that I'm going to spend another $400 for new shocks and springs (sags in rear) I took it to my mechanic today because it was leaking from oil from the transmission. The mechanic told me the seal was bad and would be about $500 to replace it. The mechanic told me that the oil leak is not excessive and really not to worry about it. The mechanic said it would leak not even a queart in 3 to 4 months. If it was his car that he would not fix it until he needed to get inside the tranny.

I need suggestions in what I should do. Should I invest the money and keep it until it literally has no more or get rid of it and get a used 98 and up 4Runner. The only reason that I have it is because I have a standard cab 97 Tacoma and I'm having a baby in upcoming weeks. I planned to keep the runner and do light to moderate wheeling, however I dont want to have to worry about engine problems. Please help...

 

I think you should keep it and put money in at as you can afford it. It will be reliable once you get all of the neglect issues worked out. Start hitting the maintenace issues and that should just about eliminate future problems. I never had any cv issues because I used manual hubs to keep the cv's from wearing on the street--otherwise they turn all the time and this sucks gas to boot. Get a set of manual hubs--they are easy to install yourself. Get a shop manual. Start doing the maintenance yourself too and get to know your truck. You think that mechanic is any smarter than you are? Plus a lot of techs now days mess up as much as they fix.

 

Wait a sec - it's a FREE 4runner that you have a total of $500 into thus far and might have to put another few hundred into???

Uh... keep it.

 

Sounds normal.
Welcome to the world of maintaining older vehicles.
It helps if you don't have to pay mechanics to do the work, but it's still cheaper than the world of new car payments...

 

keep it... duh... so what, a couple hundred for a decent condition 2nd gen 4Runner? I paid a lot more than that, had to do all the stuff you talked about and still am very pumped about mine

 

Even if you put a couple hundred a month into it, it is still cheaper then a new one with payments. I would get everything fixed. ONce fixed you won't have a lot to do to it. They are pretty reliable. I have over 230,000 on my 92. I would (and do) still drive it anywhere and not worry about breaking down.

 

It's nice to get a free automobile, but a free 4Runner! Cool.

Weighing the pros and cons can be difficult. I'll assume the 95 has the 3.0L V6, correct? If so, then you'll want to determine if it qualifies for the headgasket repair campaign. If it does, has the work been done? If not, has any head gasket work been done? Mine didn't qualify since it was supposedly built after the problem had been fixed, but it failed around 90,000 miles, anyways.

If you're looking to learn about your 4Runner and are willing to do most of the work necessary to make/keep it mechanically sound over the next several years then I'd suggest you hang onto it. There are A LOT of aftermarket parts and upgrades available for the 2nd gen 4Runners, and I've had some fun building up mine. They can be very capable off-road toys.

If you're not mechanically inclined and don't plan to do much of the repair/maintenance/upgrade work then I'd put enough money into it to get it fixed up nice to sell. Take that money and apply it toward a '99 - '00 4Runner with an e-locker. A much better (and more fun) engine and you already will have the one option that makes you off-road ready right out of the gate.

Ed

 

i suppose there's another option... Sell it to me for the $500 you have invested in it.

 

If you're going to wheel it, you should learn to do at the very least, basic maintanance. Everytime you go wheeling, you should inspect your truck. If you know very little about the mechanics of it, you not gonna know what to look for. Besides, you can use your knowledge to help others too.

 

I just bought a '93, and have done most all of the things you mention. I did the ProComp shocks off 4wheelparts.com and the Eibach springs off nopi.com - each was about $150, and pretty easy to install with basic tools. I have also done timing belt, brakes, and coolant flush. It cost about $1200 total. Being that blue book is somewhere in the $4000 to $6000 range in good condition, I think you have a helluva deal!

There is also a recall on the steering relay rod which replaces that part and covers an alignment. Call your local dealer with the VIN. Shop around - some dealers (generally up north) will replace your tie rods and other steering parts under the recall and some won't.

 

Very true!!!

 

Yeah, new car payments have gotten just plain stoopid.
I wasn't looking for a truck when I ran across the Flamed truck but I just had to have it. I had only 2 more payments to make on the F150, so what the heck. I borrowed the money - the payment was less than I spend on beer per month during the sailing season. Then I got this mean case of wants for a Rubicon Unlimited. Trading the Yota and financing the difference, even for 7 YEARS was still more than my F150 payment had been, which was more then the mortgage on the first 3 houses I owned... So I put more money into the 90 Yota - its a great truck and Thirty Five Thousand Dollars cheaper than a new truck! I may NEVER buy another new car. A year or two old is perfect - let others take the initial depreciation.

 

Thanks everybody!!!

 

You'll be glad you listened to them. I still have my '95 and I still have some things to take care of on it. 1st vehicle in years that I really wanted, and still enjoy. And now that the wife has the '99, I get the old '95. Ain't life sweet?

Keep it, drive it, fix it, drive it some more.