Looking at a 1985 4runner, what to look for?

I've been looking for a beater/hunting truck and eventually turn into a trail rig aka money pit. Found this 4runner on CL and i'm going to look at it tomorrow. He says it runs pretty good and shifts fine, 4x4 works. But the engine has a small skip, he thinks its a injector.

Any pointers on what else to look for or watch out for?

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/2978307185.html

 

Pop the hood. Look for fluid leaks... You can see weeps or leaks with dirt build up. Check all levels and quality... Oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering, etc. Ask a lot of questions on maintenance - where maintained and what type of materials/fluids used.

Get under the truck and look for leaks in the diffs, tranny, transfer. Drive the truck hard, test the brakes, get a good feel on how it handles.

Keep us posted! Pics... We want pics! Good luck.

 

Will do, gonna go about lunch time tomorrow. He also has a 85 truck with alot done to it but wants a little more for it. Gonna take a look at both.

 

Also, small skip when in 4x4? Not sure that'd be an injector... You'd feel that in 2wd also.

I forget if the older 4 runners have a removable rear cap. You might want to check how well that's sealed also.

 

No, he said the engine has a small skip.

 

Turns out it skipped pretty bad, everything else was in good shape. Worried me a little too much though. Gonna hold off and keep looking.