1st gen drivetrain question

[joeylead]

So after to long of a Toyota hiatus, I came across an 86 4runner, stock, 130 ish k miles, 22re, auto, body decent just some rust over fenders, interior, in OK shape for 3700. haven't test driven it yet. will need some work as any 86 would. My question is the 22re/auto combination. will it be a total slug with 33-35" tires? Obviously would need a regear. I had an 89 SASed pickup with 37's and 5.29 gears and that was fine. Does the 22re/auto combo limit my options in terms of an eventual SAS or crawler? Can the auto hold up to larger tires?

My last yota was a 99 taco, with an IFS lift and 35's. v6. auto, 4.88s yada yada yada, I loved that truck and have had several jeeps since then, but nothing beats a yota. I just don't want to get this and regret it. my eventual wheeling goals will be east coast wheeling. rocks and stuff. I live on long island, so no mud pits.

Around here, these 1st gen 4runners are hard to come by.

 

[dogojoe96]

Sounds a little steep of a price for the condition you described, but if they are far and few between I could understand.

The little 4 squirrels of furry probably will still be a turd with a wind sail even regeared. The trans can be built up to be a decent trail rig but it will probably still rob power on the highway.

I'm speaking from experience with a second gen v6 auto and recently did a 5speed swap because parts were practically thrown at me. However there is a night and day difference. Unless you are specifically looking for one with an automatic, I'd recommended looking for one with a manual.

 

[SWCrunner]

a turd with a wind sail...

Sounds about right. I'd keep my eyes peeled for a manual and look to start a project with that swap being first. Do you plan to daily it as well or will it be a dedicated ohv?

 

[Quatre Coureur]

The autos are pretty strong but they rob a lot of power which these motors don't have and can't spare. I'd run 5:29s with 33s since its an automatic. Any bigger you'd need to jump to 5:71s but I hear the pinion gear strength then becomes an issue. fwiw

 

[joeylead]

Sounds about right. I'd keep my eyes peeled for a manual and look to start a project with that swap being first. Do you plan to daily it as well or will it be a dedicated ohv?

it doesn't need to be my daily driver. It is more of a weekend warrior, offroad when I can, nice weather doors and top off, and not to forget something to drive when my ram needs to be fixed (which is a lot...lol)

 

[joeylead]

The autos are pretty strong but they rob a lot of power which these motors don't have and can't spare. I'd run 5:29s with 33s since its an automatic. Any bigger you'd need to jump to 5:71s but I hear the pinion gear strength then becomes an issue. fwiw

Im thinking that id prefer a 5 speed with the 22re.

 

[flagbasher]

I've got a 22RE auto on 32s and it's not a total pig.

That said, I'm planning a 5 speed swap and I also plan to drop back to stock size 30" tires.

I'll probably get a nice spike in response from the 5 speed. I wonder what the stock auto gearing (4.3?) will be like on the 30" tires with a 5 speed that's usually geared 4.1 on the rear.

It will probably be a whole different animal.

 

[GuyHUey]

I have an 89 withe the 22re automatic combo on 35's with 5.29 gears with a solid axle conversion. It's not horrible on road and I actually like the automatic offroad. The previous owner had it on 35's for years, never wheeled it though, it was IFS then. So far no transmission issues. That being said I'm going to swap a 5 speed in for the transfer case options.

 

[KidVermicious]

My 22RE/auto was a slug with 5.29s and skinny 33s. My current truck had 22RE/standard and was a rocket with 5.29s and skinny 33s.

Ok, maybe not a rocket, it's still a 22RE . But the difference between the auto and five speed is night and day. I'm at 5000 feet plus or minus, if you're closer to sea level the auto won't be as bad, but it'll still bring the suck.