Need help

[crawler dude12]

Ok so your right. I'm going to pass on that runner. I will keep looking

 

[Kevin B.]

He told me that he did a gasket and seal overhaul and when he put it back together he tried to start it up and it wouldn't start so he pulled the valve cover and it was off a few teeth.... But then again it's just what the seller has told me. And at the moment I have 500 to spend on a beater and like 200 to spend to fix it up. The reason I was looking at those 2 rigs was cause I talked them down from about 1-1200 down to 500. That's why.

Run away from that particular 4Runner. The 22RE is an interference engine, and if he cranked the motor with the timing chain wrong by a couple teeth then it's quite likely that the valves and piston heads got to be very good friends. That's bad when that happens .

Check the truck in UT410s post. That's a great price for that 4Runner, and if you're just starting you're going to love the 4.7 case. Any 80's or 90's truck is going to give you plenty of practice wrenching no matter what kind of shape it's in, I wouldn't handicap by starting with one that won't even run.

 

[crawler dude12]

Back at looking for my first rig. What do you guys think about a 89 ford ranger extended cab?

 

[Kevin B.]

Good trucks. Brian hates them, so that's a bonus. What kind of shape is it in?

 

[Thardy]

My first truck was a '90 ranger and I loved it, when i wasn't on black ice! I would love to find another that's in good shape!!

 

[crawler dude12]

Runs drives good condition, stock, not all the same color though. And looking at a suzuki samurai. Was told the clutch needs to be adjusted? ( when clutch is pudge all the way in, clutch does not fully disengage) easy fix? Or new clutch is needed?

 

[Bart]

What BC said. I was waiting for someone to comment on the 70s Willys.

 

[sixstringsteve]

If it won't start because the 'timing's off", I'll bet the timing chain has failed.

x2

 

[sixstringsteve]

I think an xj (Jeep cherokee) is your best bet with the budget you have, assuming you want to go crawling . If you're just looking for a daily driver, an older civic can't be beat.

 

[sixstringsteve]

This 4Runner is surprisingly still available for $1400 and doesn't need much, either.

Agreed. I'm half tempted to purchase it myself.

 

[crawler dude12]

Well as of right now i have a 2 rigs lined up. A 89 ford ranger ex cab, or a suzuki samurai.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I love samurais, but I'd probably steer you away from them. They're cute little rigs with lots of personality and they're quite capable for their price, but upgrades are expensive, power is nonexistant (going to Moab will take an extra hour), and they're not all that comfortable on the road. A ford ranger would be a cool rig.

Or you could save up a bit and get exactly what you want, rather than the only thing you can afford. Either way, I hope you end up in a great rig that makes you happy.

 

[bryson]

Runs drives good condition, stock, not all the same color though. And looking at a suzuki samurai. Was told the clutch needs to be adjusted? ( when clutch is pudge all the way in, clutch does not fully disengage) easy fix? Or new clutch is needed?

I'd guess the Sami problem (other than being a Sami) is that the clutch cable needs to be adjusted or replaced. Fairly easy and relatively cheap either way.

 

[Stephen]

Runs drives good condition, stock, not all the same color though. And looking at a suzuki samurai. Was told the clutch needs to be adjusted? ( when clutch is pudge all the way in, clutch does not fully disengage) easy fix? Or new clutch is needed?

Really easy to adjust the clutch cable on a Samurai. Just an arm on the passenger side of the tranny. If thats not it and it does need a new clutch, real easy to do as well.

 

[crawler dude12]

So would a Sammy be a good DD? My longest commute is honestly less than 4 miles to and from school, I'm never on the freeway either.

 

[sixstringsteve]

They can be really fun DD's, especially if you stay off the freeway. You can still take them on the freeway, it's just not very enjoyable.1

 

[Stephen]

So would a Sammy be a good DD? My longest commute is honestly less than 4 miles to and from school, I'm never on the freeway either.

All depends on you. I drove mine as a DD for 12 years, my Dad drove his that way for 21. I never had a problem with freeway commutes, as long as you don't run huge tires and know that the skinny pedal needs to be on the floor at all times, I could maintain 75mph just fine. I drove mine all over the state, put tens of thousands of miles on it. That said, they do not have much in the way of creature comforts. They are loud, cold in the winter, bumpy, everything rattles and squeaks. I love mine, but I'm sure glad to have a comfy Trooper these days too.

 

[bryson]

So would a Sammy be a good DD?

Some think they are...

My longest commute is honestly less than 4 miles to and from school,

That is good if you're in a Sami.

I'm never on the freeway either.

Really? Never go out with friends? It would be tough for me to limit myself to no freeway driving - No exploring in the West desert, the Swell, no Moab... Sounds miserable to me.

Samis aren't bad daily drivers as long as you don't expect much any power or refinement. But they really are uncomfortable for longer drives.

Sounds to me like you'd be happier in a Ranger/XJ/4Runner etc...

 

[Kevin B.]

I don't know what he had under the hood, but Scott's little zuk dusted my 22re auto 4runner up hwy 6, and he was pulling a little trailer.

 

[sixstringsteve]

well, yours was an auto... those are especially gutless.

I'm pretty sure he had a great running 1.6L EFI sidekick motor in his sami, and 29" tires. That thing ran really well. He as also running it at 4500 rpm to beat you up that hill.