1st Gen DD

[oldIron]

Hey guys/gals. Been away from the site for a long time playing with the Classic Broncos. My wife is currently driving a 5th Gen 4Runner after a 2007 FJ Cruiser followed by a 2012 FJ Cruiser. My daily is getting tired, a 2012 Scion with a lot of miles and I have been looking for a new DD.

Always liked the first Gen 4Runners so I am starting to go down that road. I went through the FAQ and didn’t find what I wanted. If you can point me in the right direction for research, I would appreciate it, or put it here.

Looking for pros and cons for the different years of the first gen 4Runners. My goal, a Daily Driver that can have a drop top in the summer and 4 wheel for the winter snow. Want to stay away from all the new fangled electronics and looking for the reliability of a hammer. This won’t be doing any rock crawling, possibly a slight lift and a bit larger tire, think of it as more of an overlander. Have a full size pick up for hauling but with diesel prices I sure don’t want to drive that daily.

 

[Mudder]

1984-1989 4Runners are the ones with a removable top, I personally would go with a 1986-1989 to get the IFS and a softer ride for DD use. You can also fit up to 33's with just messing with the torsion bars.

84-85 are IFS, 85 was the first year of the 22re.

 

[gnob]

id find an 88/89 so you can 3.4 swap it easily.

even though the SA trucks are sought after, the later ifs trucks are more dialed as far as comfort.

 

[pappy]

In the USA ...

1984 - The only year for a carburetor. Solid axle. Only engine is the 22R.
1985 - The only year for EFI, solid axle, removable top. Only engine is the 22REC. Considered to be the Holy Grail of 4R's.
1986 - First year for IFS. Otherwise, similar to 1985. Two engines. The 22REC, and the 22RTE (turbo). Turbo 4R were all automatics.
1987 - Styling change inside and out. More rounded dash. Grille changes to what I call the "Dodge" grille. Engines were the 22REC and 22RTE.
1988 - First year for the 3.slow V6 (3VZE). 22REC still available.
1989 - Pretty much the same as 1988.

The fuel injection systems evolved throughout the generation. Many times the changes were not backwards compatible. Sometimes they were.

There is some good information at: Toyota 4Runner - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_4Runner

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I'd go with an '88 or '89 and don't be overly concerned about a 3.0 if HG has been done. Either the 4 or 6 will be quite slow compared to what you're used to. 4 cylinder is easier to work on and generally considered more durable. Better MPG, less power is a trade off.
For suspension I'd replace rear springs if they're going flat but not lift it. 31" tires will take you just about anywhere. Maybe put a locking differential in the rear.
One of the primary cons is they are very prone to rust. Front fenders tend to rust from the inside out. Do they salt your roads in NH?

 

[pappy]

One comment is the Gen1 4R sucks as a family vehicle. Getting into the back seat is a royal PITA, especially for an adult.

 

[oldIron]

One comment is the Gen1 4R sucks as a family vehicle. Getting into the back seat is a royal PITA, especially for an adult.

I was wondering about that and figured it would be no fun. Good info.

 

[oldIron]

Do they salt your roads in NH?

They sure do. Plan is to NH Oil Undercoat it to help slow everything down a bit.

 

[oldIron]

Ok, need a bit more insight, all other things being equal, an 89 with 130k, v6 or an 88 with 210k, 22RE. Save a few grand on the 88, a bit nicer paint on the 89.

It’s not necessarily about these two trucks but more about engine/mileage.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Personally, I would only consider a 3.0 V6 rig if I was planning on swapping the engine. And this is coming from someone who has had really, really good luck with 3.0s.

The only other caveat would be if you want an auto trans... The 22RE is slow with a manual, adding an auto make them painfully slow.

 

[oldIron]

Personally, I would only consider a 3.0 V6 rig if I was planning on swapping the engine. And this is coming from someone who has had really, really good luck with 3.0s.

The only other caveat would be if you want an auto trans... The 22RE is slow with a manual, adding an auto make them painfully slow.

Would want a standard (both of these are). What is top speed for a stock 22RE, any idea? Not looking for a speed demon but I would like to keep up on the highway.

 

[gnob]

Would want a standard (both of these are). What is top speed for a stock 22RE, any idea? Not looking for a speed demon but I would like to keep up on the highway.

they are both fine at hwy speed. don't expect much passing power out of either.

 

[dohcdelsol93]

I daily drive my 86 4 runner. Ifs on 2 inch ball joint spacers, 2 inch body lift and old man emu rear springs with a leaf removed out of each. Extended rear shackles to help with shackle angle.

I run 285 70 17 mud terrains (almost 33s) with no issue and very little torsion bar cranking.

I am running a VW TDI diesel on an r150f transmission because I wanted ac and power. Also wanted economy.

My best tank has been about 25.5, worst about 22. I've put maybe 30,000 miles on it in nearly two years. Only one road trip so far. Ditched the hard top for a soft top. AC is fine for the south eastern summers but not as good as it was in the 2005 Passat that donated the engine.

With 4.30 gears my max cruising speed is about 75mph. With that much lift I probably wouldn't feel comfortable much faster anyway, at 75 I'm at 3000 rpms. The TDI probably doesn't care if it runs faster but it's loud.

I have 175 hp and 300 ft lbs of torque around 2000 rpms. I could snap CVS and 8" diffs at will if I tried hard enough.

I daily drove a 2f 60 for several years, it was excruciatingly slow. I couldn't go back to that slow of a vehicle. That leaves a 3.0 out for my purposes and for what it costs to build and turbo a 22re I was able to do my diesel swap.

All new body mount bushings, steering box, suspension bushings, shocks, tres, idler arm, wheel bearings/seals, brake upgrades with disc brake conversion. New carpet, seat covers, stereo system, raptor liner, sliders, bumpers and swing out tire carrier. Took a lot to make it what I wanted and comfortable to be a DD in 2024. I upgraded almost everything and what I didn't I ended up replacing once it was on the road and began leaking.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Ok, need a bit more insight, all other things being equal, an 89 with 130k, v6 or an 88 with 210k, 22RE. Save a few grand on the 88, a bit nicer paint on the 89.

It’s not necessarily about these two trucks but more about engine/mileage.

A few grand? I'd probably get the cheaper one. What are the respective colors?

 

[oldIron]

A few grand? I'd probably get the cheaper one. What are the respective colors?

The 22RE is light blue, mostly original paint and graphics, recent new fenders. The V6 is gray, currently only a soft top and likely a repaint.

 

[pappy]

Ok, need a bit more insight, all other things being equal, an 89 with 130k, v6 or an 88 with 210k, 22RE. Save a few grand on the 88, a bit nicer paint on the 89.

It’s not necessarily about these two trucks but more about engine/mileage.

My choice would be to go with the best body and interior. You can fix engine/tranny and other drivetrain stuff. Body and frame issues are another story.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

The 22RE is light blue, mostly original paint and graphics, recent new fenders. The V6 is gray, currently only a soft top and likely a repaint.

That settles it. Definitely the 22RE.

 

[oldIron]

My choice would be to go with the best body and interior. You can fix engine/tranny and other drivetrain stuff. Body and frame issues are another story.

@pappy that is certainly my thought. The cheaper one is about 2 hours away and the other is, well about 1500 miles away. I’m thinking closer the better if body and frame is good.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Let’s see some pics of the closer one. All things being equal: Well, not likely to find one rust free. The frames are usually not problematic but certainly worth inspecting in person if possible.

 

[aztoyman]

My wife drove our 86 over 450K miles. My kids grew up in it for the most part. She HAD to have an automatic. Trans was completely trouble free but the truck was a slug. Even with the manual trans I think a gear change is a must with larger tires.

My pickup is an 88 (22RE) and I have learned the 88 is a 1 year only as far as the fuel/EFI system. The ECM, injectors and other parts are not interchangeable with the other years. Not a deal breaker, just something to be aware of.

Even completely stock they were not that great on fuel economy. Great little trucks though. We miss ours. Good luck with your search.