Looking for a 4-Runner, what to look for?

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I had a '90 2nd gen, 3.slow, auto, other than doing the head gaskets (twice:mad:) it served me well for 100k miles, good truck. The 3.slow runs well and is smooth, but doesn't make much power and sucks fuel for it's size. Also the 3.slow is a tight fit in the motor compartment so is a pain to work on. If I were to get another Runner, it would be a 1st gen 22RE with a straight axle or swap one in for a mostly trail rig, or a 3rd gen for the much improved 3.4 V6.

I sold the Runner after getting the FZJ80 and have never looked back. It's all around a better rig, more comfortable, smokes the runner on the trail due to better flex and the factory lockers, gets better fuel mileage, easier to lift and is a stout, stronger rig.

If you want a 1st gen, brother Rob has a pretty straight '87, 22RE, 5 spd, rust free AZ truck that has been a garage queen since he got the 80. He would probably make you a good deal on it.

If your plans are for a teenager's first rig, a 22R Runner is probably a good choice,,, parts are cheaper!:D
 
Tools R Us said:
Fred, what do all of the heep pix have to do with a "buying a Runner" thread?
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Absolutely nothing at all ;)

However heeps (Jeeps) are *extemely* capable vehicles, however owned one for 6 years or so, though I'm a Toyota person now.
That one in the photo's was my DD and was fine as such ..



:)
Fred
 
Teenager already has an El Camino to suck his wallet dry (thank to grandpa). I've pondered the 80 as an option, but figured they would be worse on gas with the weight and bigger displacement. What mileage were you getting in the Lexus berfore the big tires?If Rob's interested in selling. I'd have a look at it.
Tools R Us said:
I had a '90 2nd gen, 3.slow, auto, other than doing the head gaskets (twice:mad:) it served me well for 100k miles, good truck. The 3.slow runs well and is smooth, but doesn't make much power and sucks fuel for it's size. Also the 3.slow is a tight fit in the motor compartment so is a pain to work on. If I were to get another Runner, it would be a 1st gen 22RE with a straight axle or swap one in for a mostly trail rig, or a 3rd gen for the much improved 3.4 V6.

I sold the Runner after getting the FZJ80 and have never looked back. It's all around a better rig, more comfortable, smokes the runner on the trail due to better flex and the factory lockers, gets better fuel mileage, easier to lift and is a stout, stronger rig.

If you want a 1st gen, brother Rob has a pretty straight '87, 22RE, 5 spd, rust free AZ truck that has been a garage queen since he got the 80. He would probably make you a good deal on it.

If your plans are for a teenager's first rig, a 22R Runner is probably a good choice,,, parts are cheaper!:D
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I had an '85 4Runner, with the 4.super slow in it (22) and even re-geared, going down south through some of the hills, it was really, really doggy.....
Didn't wheel anything heavy with it back then, even though it had the solid front axle.
I probably have some photos of it around..



:)
Fred
 
Cdaniel said:
Teenager already has an El Camino to suck his wallet dry (thank to grandpa). I've pondered the 80 as an option, but figured they would be worse on gas with the weight and bigger displacement. What mileage were you getting in the Lexus berfore the big tires?If Rob's interested in selling. I'd have a look at it.
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I'm not easy on the skinny peddle, so not the best at getting great mileage numbers. The runner had a lift and 31" BFG A/T's, also converted to Asian hubs, it got in the 12-13 range around town and maybe 15 a couple of times on the highway.

I don't remember what the LX got stock, but it's not that much worse lifted. I don't regularly check it, it's not good, so what the point?:D The best was on the trip to Moab last year, 16.8, averaged ~16 for the highway run. Around town it gets 13-14 range.

The 3.slows are 2 valve motors and IMHO underpowered for the truck, so they struggle pulling the relatively heavy Runner. The later 3.4 and LC 4.5 are 4 valve, so make more power per CC, have a much wider torque band and pull the load with much less effort, get better mileage.

The biggest drawback on the 80 is that they aren't exactly common, so shopping for a nice clean one can take time.

12-27_crayon_down.jpg
 
Tools R Us said:
I'm not easy on the skinny peddle, so not the best at getting great mileage numbers. The runner had a lift and 31" BFG A/T's, also converted to Asian hubs, it got in the 12-13 range around town and maybe 15 a couple of times on the highway.

I don't remember what the LX got stock, but it's not that much worse lifted. I don't regularly check it, it's not good, so what the point?:D The best was on the trip to Moab last year, 16.8, averaged ~16 for the highway run. Around town it gets 13-14 range.

The 3.slows are 2 valve motors and IMHO underpowered for the truck, so they struggle pulling the relatively heavy Runner. The later 3.4 and LC 4.5 are 4 valve, so make more power per CC, have a much wider torque band and pull the load with much less effort, get better mileage.

The biggest drawback on the 80 is that they aren't exactly common, so shopping for a nice clean one can take time.
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I've been getting right at high 16's ~ 17.5 mpg (mixed, though mostly in town) with the winter gas, high 17's ~ 18.5 mpg other months of the year.
Tuneup has a fair amount to do with it (along with the weight of your right foot ;) ). I haven't been over here in this forum much at all, spent most of my time over in the 80 forum, so maybe the info is here also, but over on the YotaTech forums it's been posted a lot about advancing the timing to 15* BTC or so and I've played with that a lot. Makes a very noticeable difference, power wise and mileage wise. I also run a can of BG44K through about every 6 months.
Interesting about the 3.0 being "underpowered for the weight of the truck, etc.). Have pretty much the same thing going on with the 80's, right (4.0's in the 91's and 92's vs the 4.5 in the 93's ~ 97's) ?? ;)



:)
Fred
 
So you can actually adjust timing on the 95? It's not a computer controlled we know what's best for you system?

I'm surprised at the mileage. My 46 old V8/OD steel brick with wheels truck gets nearly the mileage you guys are talking about. What about the 4 bangers, anything close to 20+ mpg?

FredTJ said:
I've been getting right at high 16's ~ 17.5 mpg (mixed, though mostly in town) with the winter gas, high 17's ~ 18.5 mpg other months of the year.
Tuneup has a fair amount to do with it (along with the weight of your right foot ;) ). I haven't been over here in this forum much at all, spent most of my time over in the 80 forum, so maybe the info is here also, but over on the YotaTech forums it's been posted a lot about advancing the timing to 15* BTC or so and I've played with that a lot. Makes a very noticeable difference, power wise and mileage wise. I also run a can of BG44K through about every 6 months.
Interesting about the 3.0 being "underpowered for the weight of the truck, etc.). Have pretty much the same thing going on with the 80's, right (4.0's in the 91's and 92's vs the 4.5 in the 93's ~ 97's) ?? ;)



:)
Fred
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Cdaniel said:
So you can actually adjust timing on the 95? It's not a computer controlled we know what's best for you system?

I'm surprised at the mileage. My 46 old V8/OD steel brick with wheels truck gets nearly the mileage you guys are talking about. What about the 4 bangers, anything close to 20+ mpg?
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Yup, timing and idle, both adjustable up to the OBDII stuff, which maybe started with the '96's.

The 4 bangers don't seem to get much better mileage, though others here can confirm (or not) that.
It's been too long ago since I had my '85 for me to remember, plus it was way back when gas was a lot less expensive.
I haven't been paying much attention to the 4banger stuff over on the other 4Runner forum..



:)
Fred
 
FredTJ said:
...
Interesting about the 3.0 being "underpowered for the weight of the truck, etc.). Have pretty much the same thing going on with the 80's, right (4.0's in the 91's and 92's vs the 4.5 in the 93's ~ 97's) ?? ;)

:)
Fred
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The FZJ80 are not what I would call overpowered, but I kept the Runner for a few months after getting the Cruiser and it's a rocket ship in comparison. Lots of posters on the 80's forum complain about the 80's power, I'm not one of them, it's more than adequate for my needs. My Runner also got the job done, but it was slower, less capable on the trail and got worse mileage, so didn't see the need to keep it.
 
Tools R Us said:
The FZJ80 are not what I would call overpowered, but I kept the Runner for a few months after getting the Cruiser and it's a rocket ship in comparison. Lots of posters on the 80's forum complain about the 80's power, I'm not one of them, it's more than adequate for my needs. My Runner also got the job done, but it was slower, less capable on the trail and got worse mileage, so didn't see the need to keep it.
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Less gas mileage ??
Wow, I haven't seen anyone on either of the two 80 forums that I've stumbled into get anywhere near the 17/18 that I get with the 4Runner.
No doubt at all about the 80 being much more capable on the trail, especially "right out of the box" so to speak.
The 80's also seem a lot easier to build up (straight front axle, coil springs all 4 corners, etc), which I why I decided to go on and try to get an 80 to use, rather than start building the 4Runner any more than I've already done.
Regarding power, the 4Runner has been absolutely fine for me, no complaints at all.
The auto tranny in the 4Runners (A340's) are really great, the way the valve body and TCU is set up. They'll hold 1st gear. The Jeep XJ's also have that same tranny but they use a different valve body and TCU and they won't hold 1st gear. The bottom choice on the shifter is 1-2.
Which brings up the question that I haven't thought to ask anyone yet, do the 80's hold first ? The the bottom choice '1' so to speak.
The 4Runner has a pretty amazing amount of engine braking, with the auto, when running down steep declines, in 1st gear, compared to the Jeep XJ's and my TJ (which had a swapped in 904 and would hold 1st gear).


Best,
Fred
 
FredTJ said:
Less gas mileage ??
Wow, I haven't seen anyone on either of the two 80 forums that I've stumbled into get anywhere near the 17/18 that I get with the 4Runner.
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Chill, I didn't say any thing about your truck. The mileage comparison was between my Runner and 80.

FredTJ said:
Which brings up the question that I haven't thought to ask anyone yet, do the 80's hold first ? The the bottom choice '1' so to speak.
...
Best,
Fred
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Yes the 80's hold first if shifted into first. They also have a 2nd start button, comes in handy for slick surfaces.
 
fred: where are your aisin hubs? if you did not like them and swictched to warn, you need to get rid of them immedeatly. i will give you my shipping address.



Cdainel: this is what you should look for. 1985 to early1989 with a 22RE. Manual Transmission, check the operation of the rear window. ( its all fixable, just depends how much you like wiring and such) get a SR5. preferably one with out power windows. ( preference, really. ) an SR5 has a tach, and a rear heater.
in this first generation of runners, the top comes off, making this the best of all the truck lines.
 
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