Junk it or fix it?
 

Have the factory Toyota quarters to weld on, but I learned it also needs a gas tank and lines/filter running up to the motor, after pulling it. sparky-sparky-bad and didn't want to risk an explosion.

Choices:
Fix it: tons of time I don't have, $150 for a gas tank. NET: Will be a decent truck for awhile more, I cargo and tow capacity are perfect, BMW sport seats and steering wheel make it a joy to drive. Fuel economy sucks. to make it a nice truck, I would need new front fenders ($40 each) and bumpers.


Junk it: Could make about $500 on the truck as it sits, maybe more. then I need to find another, similar vehicle in the sub-$1500 price range that will take time, and $ to get on the road: registration, taxes, commercial lettering on door...but I may end up with an overall nicer truck.


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thats a tough call. If you buy something else in he 1500 range you already know you will have to invest time and money working on it too. At least if you spend the time fixing this one you will know what you have when its done. If its ok otherwise it might be worth doing to avoid starting over.

Fix it. Your next sub $1,500 car will have issues too. That's why they are sub $1,500.

At least here you know what you issues are.

Fix it. Doesn't have to be pretty.

George

Fix it - better the devil you know than the devil you don't ;)

i guess i am just too lazy to bother with that much project. what is it?

I would fix it, but then again in today's throw away society, many people think I am crazy for spending my time doing such things.

from the state of that 'vehicle', i think the term is 'building', not 'fixing'. i'll do a lot with a vehicle, you should see the before pictures of my triumph, but that truck looks flogged.

How much for the seats shipped?

c. Run it as is.

I would fix it, at least you know the history. See if a highschool body shop is looking for some practice.

You seem to be in pretty deep at this point, It IS a tough call. But, if you know the truck well and you think it will serve you well, I'd fix it before jumping to an unknown and incurring all those expenses you mentioned. You can't start off that well with a $1500 budget.

RSR rear flares???

Fix it. You've gotten this far.

A little duct tape and plastic sheeting, she'll be good to go.

Part it out. Keep the parts you like. Buy a rustfree model. Rustfree mid 90's 4-runners are a dime a dozen.

Gotta agree with fintstone.

Fix it. I've got a 95 4-runner best vehicle I ever bought.
It's all rusted out, can't get it inspected any more, runs like a top. I'm not much of a body man
but can't bring myself to sell it.

While I agree that they are great vehicles (I have a '94 that hasn't a speck of rust that I bought new)...but the simple fact is that they get very bad gas mileage and are old enough (and other cars are cheap enough) that a restfree version with perfect interior and every available option like mine (and needs nothing) is only worth a couple of grand.

Very few rusty cars are worth what it takes to make the whole.

I have thought about it, thank you all for the input, and will be finishing the "restoration." The welding is honestly the easiest part. Putting a new (good used) tank in and running new lines is not so exciting.

In my haste and disgust with posting after learning of the necessity of needing a new tank, I neglected to add that the truck

* has a new windshield
* entire front suspension/brakes (everything, I mean everything!) is new
* just installed a new water pump and timing belt and radiator
* gauge cluster window is new, all dash lights are red a la BMW (huge difference than the sickly green bulbs) and heater control face is new (goal was to get in the truck and see that it's "as new"
* I've painted the dash facia stainless steel, dyed the dash black
* have a new carpet kit and tons of fat mat to install when the welding is done.

Worth it in the end? If I can shoot it black by the end of the summer, yes.

Want to run "Panamericana" in Carrera style lettering down the side of the truck.

ultimate goal is to run adaptors that would allow me to run 8x18 996 Turbo SportTechno's on the truck. think they would look great.

i vote fix it

jaPanamericana ?

Junk it... (save time and money and buy the same 4runner if you want but newer)

Well, God is smiling on me. this took a little under an hour. Came apart easier than I could have imagined. new parts (fenders, bumper) so I'm looking forward to it being back on the road next weekend.

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I would have said dump it and get a Land Cruiser, but I'd wheel that sob in its current condition.

i see you have backup transportation.

Matt, 40s are too small (had one, loved it) and 80s are too big. For my needs, the 4Runner is perfect, though could use some more power. I would consider swapping in an old Mustang 5.0 if it were easier (already cheap), but it's really not a smart move.

Ny: yes, the bike makes me smile every time I put a helmet on. Hope to take it to the track at least one day this summer.

Tiny bit of progress. I decided to bond the quarter on versus weld. the sheetmetal is like heavy tin foil and much easier to get on with some structural polyurethane and lots of clamps. Quick test fit here. The issue really is time. hoping to have the whole thing done next weekend. Front end should be here on Wednesday.

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I'll take three dozen please!

There are ZERO around here. None. They all have rust.

I have yet to see even one with rust in New Mexico. I imagine the same is true for Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California. My '94 has close to 200k..and the original paint...it looks almost as good as the day I bought it.

oh, they have rust in utah. my good friend has one, rust and all.

Two big boxes arrived today. 30 seconds and 2 bolts later...perfect fit. Not bad for a $60 fender.

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I hope to spend a good hour tomorrow and get the front end all put together with the new bumper, should have ordered a new valence. This has the potential to be a nice truck.

Front end is sort of done. Waiting for special connectors for the bumper corners from Toyota so I can place the bumper better. Then going to order a new valence and it's done. Hoping to pick up a parts truck on Saturday for the gas tank, rear light, rocker sheetmetal and some odds and ends I need.

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For a nice power boost, look at swaping in a 7MGTE engine. That'll give you some nice get-up and go on the road. If you want non-turbo, the 7MGE is another option. Still better than what you have, even if it's the v6 (POS)

turning out much better than I would have guessed. So you're paying yourself what? about 10 cents an hour?

Yeah, swapping an engine that's worth more than double the vehicle would be a brilliant move :rolleyes:

Oh, I forgot to finish with 'yo', or is it 'werd'?

kaisen - you're apprently an idiot when it comes to engine swaps on Toyotas. You can pick up a low mile import engine and harness for around $500. There are a million and one "how to" posts for doing the swaps on the off-road boards. If you have a clue as to what you're doing it can be done in a weekend.

I only mentioned it because there was talk of swapping in a Mustang engine. That'll cost you more than double the 7MGTE swap.

Oh and by the way, I'm 37, so stick the "werd" up your a$$

It won't happen for a long time, but do you have any links to installs on the 7MGTE.

I love this truck and someday it will be nice. Might shoot it with an industrial gloss black enamel in August--quick and easy. It would be great if it could also go up hills and get out of its own way, though it has towed many 911 parts cars with ease, but having a real motor in it would make it complete.

I have a gallon of Guards Red just waiting for a home. That and some fuchs :D

Hmmm! I could definitely see that. Keep that paint safe.

I'm hopping mad right now. I drove 2.5 hours yesterday to see a parts truck, it was perfect for me: gas tank, rear light, rear doors, and lots of other good parts. I made and offer for $300, they accepted it earlier today, I said I'll be out on Saturday with a trailer. When I was there, she mentions some other guy who was interested and she had just found his phone number. I got an email minutes ago that the guy came by today and bought it for $400. WTF?

god damn fat white trash.

Idiot?

I'm not sure you can find a good complete Supra 7MGTE for $500, but I'd believe $1000
Are you forgetting all the small swap parts?
You'll easily have $4000 when everything is done (which is about twice the 4Runner's value, like I said)
Then you'll have a nose-heavy 4Runner

Don't believe the $4000 figure?
Here's a guy who's done a few and this is with ZERO labor:
http://www.supracharged.com/4runner/swap/7m_partslist.html

Parts needed auto
JDM engine 890
used ecu 75
harness 80
igniter 50
injector resistor 30
hvac sensor 30
afm 75
used motor mounts 30
used bellhousing 50
steel fuel line 10
timing belt 20
aluminum radiator 220
heater hoses 30
upper/lower radiator hoses 60
12" dual electric fans 230
3" exhaust w/muffler,cat 400
used a/c compressor 100
ac lines 100
power steering lines 35
used motor mounts 30
IC piping w/mandrel bends 100
silicon hose 80
Air filter 35
misc parts and supplies* 500
walboro fuel pump 110
Intercooler 300
labor 0 0

total $3670

* misc parts and supplies
This includes stuff like electical wire, battery reloction, steel, welding supplies,
extra hoses and clamps, oil, filters, shop supplies, and many other small things
that just keep adding up. Be prepared to spend $300-$500 depending on what you buy. "





Oh, and Eminem is 37..... did I bring up age?

Werd

you boys wanna take it outside.