Time to resurrect the 86 4runner (1 Viewer)

[Thundra]

This is arguably the worst year for this rig. California made Toyota put way too many hoses and check valves on this thing. But, I've had it since 98. It looks as cool as the other first gen runners, especially with the top off. I'm gutting the interior which wont be hard as it has more or less rotted away over time. All those cheap plastic panels will be replaced with diamond plate. Basically, I'm keeping the back seats and the roll bar. I put a 4" lift on it many years back and I'm going to leave it that way. I like the way it looks. I like the IFS believe it or not. I'm not going to climb rocks with it. Mud, yes. Sand, yes. Trails, for sure. It will be a daily driver designed to handle 80-90% of what I throw at it. The other 10% will be admired from a distance as I watch others tackle it. No SAS planned. Here comes the reason for the thread. The power plant. The stock 22re is way too under powered for this truck. I know what a Tacoma 3.4L would do for it. It would fit the engine bay just fine with a little welding and modification. But I'm wondering if salvaging that 4 banger with the right mods would be worth it. I've read about high performance cams and headers and cool air intakes and cat back exhausts. But after spending all that scratch will I get the same benefit as a v6 swap? New gears are in the works as well. I like the tires I have on my Tundra. I got them used off an FJ Cruiser. 265/70/17 BFG TKO's. They sit as high as the good ol 33's I have on it right now. But the 265's are a bit skinnier and a little easier to negotiate. They will look great on the 86. So throw me your thoughts people. I appreciate your advice and hearing your experiences.

 

[maco35]

No pics?

 

[TRoss]

You didn't say what tranny was behind the 22re...

If you have 33's and auto it's going to be a dog. Re-gear and lock it to start with...

The 22re is a tried a true power plant and not a hot rod by any stretch. For mild wheeling and DD'ing I'd leave it.

Search around here and other forums. There are tons of threads and info on many of the mods you are thinking about, then come to your own conclusion based on budget, wrenching skills, and vehicle needs (and wants ;p)

Good luck!!

 

[coryc85]

TRoss really pretty much nailed it, leave the 22re for now and see how it does.

I don't DD my 88, but it does spend 90% of it's time on paved roads. It has the 22re with 185k miles, 33" KM2s, 4.88 gears, 5sp, and honestly it has enough pep for me. I use 5th gear on the Turnpike all the time (it's flat here) and I can pass people in 5th. I do have the TG header, but really no other "performance" mods. I've never towed anything with it, and most likely never will. Good luck!

 

[Thundra]

Pics are coming, my bad. I have the 5 speed, but it is still a dog. If I keep the 22re then I will definitely re-gear it. I would re-gear either way engine swap or not. 5th gear is basically useless. Is there an aftermarket head swap for the 22re that has 2 cams? Move valves means more air. More air means more power. I believe there was a reason to ditch the sohc. The taco v6 would get me to 190hp stock.

 

[Devilmans Hand]

I say do whatever is in your budget and capability. I like my 22re, but i've gotten used to 4cyl underpowered vehicles. On the highway it is all about maintaining vehicle speed as reserve power for acceleration is limited. I don't tow or haul with the 22re, so it suits me just fine. If i haul anything of significant mass, then I just swap in some smaller diameter tires for a little more mechanical advantage.

 

[isherbisher]

What about the taco 2.7 motor. You can find the trucks dirt cheap at times. That is what I have been thinking about for my runner.

 

[Thundra]

I had thought about the 2.7l too. But I think if I'm going to swap I gotta go v6. I don't think the Taco 4 banger will bolt right in.

 

[toy4xfun]

Pics are coming, my bad. I have the 5 speed, but it is still a dog. If I keep the 22re then I will definitely re-gear it. I would re-gear either way engine swap or not. 5th gear is basically useless. Is there an aftermarket head swap for the 22re that has 2 cams? Move valves means more air. More air means more power. I believe there was a reason to ditch the sohc. The taco v6 would get me to 190hp stock.

i do not think so but if you find they do please share, i would get one.

 

[isherbisher]

Offload solutions makes kits for the 3.4 and the 2.7 but prices are a little high. Peterson had a write up on installing a 3rz. You use the taco trans I think it bolts to the t/case

 

[jynx]

4cyl to 4cyl is easier than 4cyl to v6. Either one is doable. The 2.7 is a quick little motor and would be a good swap. I would do some reading. Either will require motor mounts, wiring, exhaust, bellhousing swaps, etc. It really does depend on you budget and ability. If power is the goal then only a v8 swap will get you there. If it is being able to kick out and pass a guy on the interstate going up hill then I would say the 2.7 would be a good route.

Or just rebuild the 22re with a few new parts and go.

You mentioned Cali emissions, if you are in Cali (can't get sigs to show in my mobile app, in case it says there) then I would do some serious research on emissions and what you can and can't do.

End of the day it will be your call. I will say I have never heard anyone who wished they hadn't done a swap, but lots of folks swear by the 22re, I am one of the latter folks myself.

 

[TCinVA]

The marlin board has a lot of info to swap the 3rz in. It's what I will probably do when the 22re gets tired in my '85. It has more power than a souped up 22re stock and has OBDII as well. It's getting more and more common.

 

[Thundra]

I'm thinking about looting a wrecked taco for the running gear, engine, puter, trans, diffs (rear factory e-locker), etc.. Definitely have to relocate the motor mounts, but welding is half the fun. I used sell Toyotas which is where I developed my affinity for the 3.4l. Way more reliable than the 3.0l and lot more power. You can get it over 200hp with few mods. It seems about the biggest thing to fit in the engine bay without a bunch of hacking. I would love to throw an IForce 4.7l just so I could put the emblem on the back of the rig. But I love that 3.4l. Budget wise, I'm starting inside the truck and working my way out as it is a project truck and not my DD. This way I can grab deals on the running gear as they come along. Y'know, good ol' Craigslist.

 

[KY854RUN]

The 3RZ is becoming a very popular swap because it has more potential than the 22RE.

But, the easiest would be to build the 22RE. It does respond well to the cylinder heads with oversized valves, a header with a 2 1/4 exhaust (all the way back) and oversized throttle body with a ported intake.

One of the biggest improvements that I saw, was the header and exhaust. I would like to do a stroker rebuild on my 22RE with the new cylinder head with oversized valves. But I have not had the time yet to get it done.

 

[Thundra]

A lot of people here have mentioned the 3rz swap. I did a little reading and found that the original tranny will bolt right in. I like that idea. The hp is rated at about 150. Not bad. A cold air intake, headers and exhaust should bump it closer to 170. Not bad either. I am assuming the fuel economy would still be better than a V6. So I might be converting my plan. Thanks for all the advice people. I'll post some pics soon of the interior gutting process.

 

[all4runners]

i swapped in a 3.4 in my 1994 4runner and it rocks, but i am also rebuilding a 1987 and i'm leaving in the 22re for the cool factor. it's part of the toughness and authenticity of the truck.

You will never get even close to v6 power with either 4cyl. i been down the road of re-camming, headers, exhaust, etc. for the 22RE and the gains are minimal.

My .02

 

[Thundra]

Got a map of how you did the swap? I know some welding has to be done. Probably have to cut the floorboards for the new tranny too, right? Did you have a donor or did you go piece by piece?

 

[all4runners]

Here's what you' have to do:
2" body lift to clear 3.4
move motor mounts
Use a v6 5sp
change cross member to v6
change rear and front drive shafts to v6
custom crossover pipe for exhaust
figure out wiring
change ps hoses from v6
Use v6 radiator

Thats the major stuff that I can remember

 

[TRoss]

I say do whatever is in your budget and capability. I like my 22re, but i've gotten used to 4cyl underpowered vehicles. On the highway it is all about maintaining vehicle speed as reserve power for acceleration is limited. I don't tow or haul with the 22re, so it suits me just fine. If i haul anything of significant mass, then I just swap in some smaller diameter tires for a little more mechanical advantage.

This... the 3rz isn't much more power then the 22re. I just get used to getting in the slow lane and not pulling out in front of a bus or something.

A lot of people here have mentioned the 3rz swap. I did a little reading and found that the original tranny will bolt right in. I like that idea. The hp is rated at about 150. Not bad. A cold air intake, headers and exhaust should bump it closer to 170. Not bad either. I am assuming the fuel economy would still be better than a V6. So I might be converting my plan. Thanks for all the advice people. I'll post some pics soon of the interior gutting process.

I think you'll have to change the bell housing. Check out http://www.chilkatdesigns.com/Heavy-Duty-2rz-3rz-Conversion-Motor-Mounts.html for motor mounts etc... Marlin (forum) has good info on the conversion as well..