Topic: Whats this worth? 95 4 runner w/ cracked head

[propsfullfwd]

1995 4 Runner, 4WD, 137,000 miles, cracked heads.  (this was in an email from my wife the lady works with her) I have not seen it yet but heard it is pretty beat. It has been driven by a woman and is stock from what I know. I do not know if it is a 2.4 or 3.0. and im guessing it is auto. If the head is cracked what kind of money am i looking at to have it repaired or replaced? If have the time to do it myself what would the cost be? Thanks for the info. I'm headed to go look at it in a bit.

Props

[Cheesemaker]

I would lay $ that it's a 3.0 v6 in it!  A co-worker just traded in his 95 4runner w/3.0 auto for $5000.  And he just sunk a bunch of $ into the head gaskets. 

Look on Craigslist, and you can find a toyota with the 3.0 v6 a dime a dozen.  But any to with the 3.4 v6, 22re, or even the taco's with a 3.4 or 3rz go for a premium. 

[propsfullfwd [OP]]

they want 3000 for it and they had some kind of sealer put on the cracked head. There is a pretty good rip in the drivers seat. They have all the mx records on it too. The paint is flat b/c it has never been waxed. Newer tires but not ones that i would want. Im thinking about it.

[kneedownnate]

That's way too much.  Hold out for something better.

[907yota]

3000 for cracked heads !!!! Offer em 300,and put the rest towards a new engine!!!LOL

[Yota Up]

A friend of mine picked up a 4runner today for $450.  Distributor problems, that's it.  Sure it was 80's.

But in your case - $750-$1,000 for the truck if all is great except the heads.

[Plekto]

Yeah it needs a new engine and hey probably know it.  Pass.

[Plowking]

Locally here in PA a buddy bought a 95 four runner for 2000 with a head problem. He didnt know about the head till he got it home. Head problem on 3.0 if its clean I wouldnt offer any more than 1500 and thats high.
RUN MAN RUN from that 3.0

[Snowtoy]

From the way you have described it, I wouldn't pay anything more than $1k for it.  You can't fix a cracked head w/sealant, and 3.0 heads aren't that easy to come by.

A used/rebuilt long block will run you about $1900, while a new one is about $2500.  You can usually find used 3.0's on the 4x4 boards or craigslist for under $1k, but you may still have a problem w/the engine.

If you do locate a replacement head, figure about $500 for a shop to go through/rebuild both heads, about $200 for a complete gasket kit, and another $300 for new headbolts(must use new, you cannot re-use them), knock sensor and knock sensor wire, and any misc. items.  I would also consider pulling the block and having it bored 0.20-0.40 over, possibly enlarge the valves(though not a lot of room), and definately run a set of Downey headers to get away from the crappy stock x-over pipe, so figure another $700-800 for headers/exhaust, a 2" body lift(make installing the headers a lot easier and allow for more heat clearance, and heat shielding for the starter. 

If it is an auto, you will probably want to swap in a 5-spd, the 2nd gen Runner w/3.0 is a gutless turd.  So for about $3500(including the $1k purchase price) you would have a fresh 3.0 w/5-spd that should run for quite a while and still in stock form.  Chances are you could find a built 2nd gen Runner w/SAS and an engine swap already for only a few thousand more.