Glad to be of some help.
I would spend some time driving both gens SA and IFS, before deciding for sure, they ride handle differently, and depending on your driving style or commute might not fit so well. The IFS on long commutes is nicer on the body, and the 3rd gens are roomier and Toyota used better quality of materials in them, they almost border on the luxury side when compared to the 1st and 2nd gen truck. Also your physical size will also have an impact on your comfort in the different generations, At 6'2" I prefer the fit of the 3rd gens over the earlier ones while they aren't that much bigger over all, they have extra room in all the right places. The 2nd gen extra cabs aren't bad, but not all that much more room behind the seat if you are tall.
Looking on Fresno's Craigslist these are what I would be looking at in the $25-4000 range.
1987 Toyota 4x4 - $3500 (Madera) It is priced about right for a clean 2nd gen IFS, but would offer about $2500 to start with due to the raggedy carpet kit in the back, maybe more/less depending on how it looked/felt/drove in person.
1988 Toyota 4runner - $3000 (fresno) Not a bad price, remove the fender flares, since they don't match the body lines. I would start out with an offer in the low 2k's, due to mashed rear bumper, somewhere around $2500 would be fair.
If you know for sure you are going to be wheeling and this isn't going to be a daily driver, at least not one where you have to be clean when you get out of it, this
84 Toyota pickup 22r sale or trade - $3200 (fresno) Fair price for what you are getting if the interior is clean and the work done wasn't a hack job.
No pic, so not sure if it is worth $3500 even with the SAS due to it not being tagged,
Toyota truck ex-cab 4x4 1988 - $3500 (Fresno) 1989 toyota 4x4 r22 - $3500 (san Joaquín) I would bring my own wheels and offer him $2k if it needs paint and not just a good buffing, to me those wheels are hideous.
If still available this looks like it might be worth looking at
TOYOTA 4X4 TRUCK 1985 - $3800 (FRESNO) price could be about right depending on how it looks in person, pics are a bit small.
If you end up with an IFS truck either do to not finding a decent SA you wanted to spend the money on, comfort amenities, you can still build the IFS to meet your needs, and always swap in a straight axle if/when you found the need to. The '96-04 Tacomas are also another choice if they are within your budget, like the IFS rigs they can has a straight axle swapped in, and with them you get a more powerful 4 cylinder or V6 that is more on par with what most Americans expect from engines nowadays.
