old school 4runner? 1986?

[Elbert]

thinking about maybe looking at an old school 4runner for a trail truck...nothing real hardcore but want to stay with stock engine and drivetrain where it makes sense.

Should I stick with manual transmission version? What I do want is solid front axle, and fuel injection....anyway I assume the 4runner is a decent platfrom to build from? Do they share the same drive train with the tacoma or ..are they unique?

Appreciate any feedback.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

The Tacoma didn't exist till 95. The 4Runner does share drive trains with the Toyota pickups though. If you are dead set on a solid axle and EFI then you can either look for a an 85 which will have both, or you can find an 84 and do an EFI swap, or you can find an 86-89 and do a solid axle swap.

They are a great platform to build off of, however, if you aren't going to be doing hardcore stuff in the big rocks, then I would find a mechanically sound 86+ truck and lock up the rear end and put a set of Marlin Crawler T-case gears in it. then just go wheeling... (In fact that's exactly what i did do... ) I would try to stay with a 4 cylinder and a 5 speed, it makes everything else easier...

 

[Hilux]

The Holy Grail is an 85 with EFI...


But TBT, all Toyota's back then were just about a foot away from being a street legal 4wheeler.

If you've got a carb, put in an older 22R block with a 20R head on it, and roll.

If you've got IFS, put some BJ spacers on it and go...

SA or IFS... Carb or EFI. Just get one and a locker and you'll be starting off good.


The sky's the limit. There is more after market for J-Toyota's than you can shake a stick at...

Far more than I can say for a crappy Nissan of the same vintage.

 

[Hilux]

Should I stick with manual transmission version?

Having an auto is a catch 22. Added benefits you can not get with a manual, at the expense of more complex and moving parts.

They never stop shifting, whereas a manual can stop dead in sand the moment you mash the clutch in to shift gears b/c the one you were in was too low...

...and now you need that low gear again to get rolling.


All 22R/E Auto's had a traditional TC in that it was separate from the transmission.

All V6 Auto's had a crappy "H" TC that is said to act like a 2nd torque converter... And torque converters rob power.


Also, manuals and ATs get different gearing. So what might go for the popular 22R/E 5speed should NOT go for a 22R/E AT. You should drop down to the next LOWEST gear.

(Think for a minute how KILLER an AT with 5:71 gears and 33's would be?)

And rightfully so. B/c Toyota AT's had a 500 RPM drop from 1:1 to O.D.

Manual 5 speeds had a 250 drop from 1:1 to O.D. Any higher and it'd fall flat on its face.

So, with an AT you can run a even lower gear than you can with a manual, and you get constant shifting...

I've personally had a GREAT experience with a 22RE and an Auto...

My V6 4Runner... not somuch.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Toyota AT's had a 500 RPM drop from 1:1 to O.D.

Manual 5 speeds had a 250 drop from 1:1 to O.D. Any higher and it'd fall flat on its face.

Gear changes are a ratio, not a flat RPM change.

5 speed manual in 4th gear at 0 mph = 0 rpm
5 speed manual in 5th gear at 0 mph = 0 rpm

Net change 0 rpm...

W56:

• First Gear: 3.954:1
• Second Gear: 2.141:1
• Third Gear: 1.384:1
• Fourth Gear: 1.00:1
• Fifth Gear: 0.85:1

G52:

• First Gear: 3.930:1
• Second Gear: 2.330:1
• Third Gear: 1.191:1
• Fourth Gear: 1.00:1
• Fifth Gear: 0.830:1

A340F:

1st 2.80
2nd 1.53
3rd 1.00
4th 0.71

 

[85+92]

Just get one and a locker and you'll be starting off good.

"starting off good" = you'll be amazed at what these things will do with 31's and a locker

 

[Combat Chuck]

IFS gets a bad name, and to some extent can be viewed as a "domesticated" 4X4, but they hold their own really well. I personally feel that a beam axle is easier to maintain, but the on-road ride quality of IFS is unbeatable, offroad it will depend on what's been done. There are some crazy mods out there to put IFS hardware over the top, likewise there are mods for the SA, but stock for both the results are almost identical, with slight edges over each other in opposite directions.

 

[lunyou]

The 4runner, 1st gen anyway, is a nearly perfect offroad vehicle. Ton of clearance, great front to rear balance, and great MPG.

Any of them will be a great truck.

 

[Hilux]

Gear changes are a ratio, not a flat RPM change.

5 speed manual in 4th gear at 0 mph = 0 rpm
5 speed manual in 5th gear at 0 mph = 0 rpm

Net change 0 rpm...

W56:

• First Gear: 3.954:1
• Second Gear: 2.141:1
• Third Gear: 1.384:1
• Fourth Gear: 1.00:1
• Fifth Gear: 0.85:1

G52:

• First Gear: 3.930:1
• Second Gear: 2.330:1
• Third Gear: 1.191:1
• Fourth Gear: 1.00:1
• Fifth Gear: 0.830:1

A340F:

1st 2.80
2nd 1.53
3rd 1.00
4th 0.71

Oh please don't make me do math


Get in a Toyota with a tach, one with a 5 speed and one with a AT.

Now ride down the road and shift between Drive and O.D and 4th and 5th...

The MT will barely drop... The At will drop almost 500rpm, then drop 500rpm when the T-Converter locks.

that's all I know...

That and a deeper OD means you can use LOWER (Than 5 speed) gears


EDIT: Yes and it depends on the 5speed, but IMO 250 or close in a 5speed has been my experience.

There is a R154 Supra's came with you might can swap in a R box, but 1, you'd have to find one, and 2, you'd have to change the gear sets out...


There's also a G or W with a deep OD but I can't find it... I think it's an out-side US and IIRC Chang's got it...

 

[Elbert]

appreciate the feedback... I should have said 85 year model 4runner, and noted about sharing the drivetrain components with the pickups of similar year. I've got a older LC but would like one of the old 4runner's too if the budget works out.. May start the hunt for one soon. Most likely will look for 4cylinder version with 5 speed.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

15% over drive in a manual transmission being a difference of 250 RPM's means you are shifting around 2000 rpms.... I suppose that's fine if you are driving it nice... I usually shift around 4k which usually shows me a 500 rpm drop just as the math says it should.