20th Anniversary 4Runner?

GatorGreg

Self-Appointed SUV Expert
Staff member
Hey all, I believe the upcoming '05 model year is the 20th anniversary for the 4Runner since I think it was first released (at least here in the U.S.) in 1984 as an '85 model (someone please correct me if I'm wrong :p ). If you're like me and would like Toyota to come up with something special to mark the occassion please call 1 (800) GO TOYOTA and tell them that the members of T4R.ORG expect them to offer us something special (e.g. special red paint scheme, uniquely designed alloy wheels, off-roading and/or luxury enhancements, badging, etc.) Thanks!
 
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20th year

I owned a 1984 4Runner SR5 purchased August 1984 and titled as a 1984. That would make this year the 20th anniversary.
 
Well then as Rosan Rosannadanna used to say, NEVERMIND! :D

Strange, if you look at the Truck Trend and RockCrawler reviews at the top of the LIBRARY they both refer to "since 1985 Toyota has been making..." or words to that effect. The Rockcrawler than goes on to say "...released in 1984"

Kind of reminds me of the whole 1964 1/2 v. 1965 mustang debate :p
 
So does that mean since I have a 2004 it's the 20th anniversary edition? Well, I love the truck and all, but if it's a Special Edition, then it's kind of weak :arrow:

I wonder why Toyota didn't do anything special? Toyota did a 25th anniversary edition Celica, maybe they are waiting for another 5 years?
 
20 years, a special edition would be cool maybe they can call it a Limited and only make so many, oh wait:D
 
Now I'm really confused :D In another thread about the history of the 4Runner (click HERE to see it), peter78 provided the following:


More History
From Toyota:

4RUNNER

Series Chronology

1985 - (CY 1984 1/2) - 4Runner introduced with 2.4L 4-cylinder engine.

1986 - Hi-Trac front suspension added.

1986 - Turbo available on SR5 grade........

**NOTE: All chronology dates are model year, unless noted otherwise. CY refers to "Calendar Year."**



Another one:

More History (part two)
From Toyota:

In mid-1984, for the 1985 model year, Toyota brought to market a revolutionary new vehicle - the 4Runner. Based on the mechanicals of its rugged (and strong-selling) 4-wheel drive pickup, truck, the 4Runner combined the versatility and go-anywhere ability of 4WD with the comfort and utility found in passenger cars. It had a fiberglass top covering the cargo area which could be removed for open-air driving.......


Not sure exactly where from Toyota peter78 got the info, but I'm becoming convinced that 1985 was in fact the first model year for the 4Runner, therefore I will revive my wish that Toyota offer a special 20th Anniversary Edition for '05 :p
 
19th Anniversery Edition

Wuul, I wuz feeling special for a minute there, but got over it!

GGreg - paypaled you for a sticker this week.

Jim
 
dont most manf. release new models in the fall and consider those the next calendar year models? typically i think october release is considered the new model year month.

so if 84 1/2 year release is around june/july its fairly close to october to be considered and 85 model year release.

just stabbing blindly here.
 
1084 model year

Gentlemen:

I have watched this thread grow and have responded before. I purchased a new 1984 Toyota 4Runner on July 30, 1984. This was titled as a 1984. The VIN is JT4RN61D1E502041. Anyone with CARFAX can check this. The selling price in Illinois was $12295.55USD out the door. I have the bill of sale and would gladly provide a copy for verification. Unfortunatlely it is pink and I would probably have to send a JPG to make it readable. I hope this answers the confusion.

Maybe Toyota considers the first model year 1985 but they sold some as 84s.
 
technically you have an 84 version. but officially toyota will probably say the first year is 85.

knowing toyota they probably wont even do a 20th version anyway. they usually let the vehicles sell themselves w/o having to makeup funky special editions to sell more.
 
Re: 19th Anniversery Edition

EXTEX said:
Wuul, I wuz feeling special for a minute there, but got over it!

GGreg - paypaled you for a sticker this week.

Jim
Thanks Jim, I put one in the mail yesterday headed to VA - I guess it was yours :)
 
Re: 1084 model year

moneypit said:
Gentlemen:

I have watched this thread grow and have responded before. I purchased a new 1984 Toyota 4Runner on July 30, 1984. This was titled as a 1984. The VIN is JT4RN61D1E502041. Anyone with CARFAX can check this. The selling price in Illinois was $12295.55USD out the door. I have the bill of sale and would gladly provide a copy for verification. Unfortunatlely it is pink and I would probably have to send a JPG to make it readable. I hope this answers the confusion.

Maybe Toyota considers the first model year 1985 but they sold some as 84s.

Moneypit I read your earlier response and I'm not disputing the fact that you bought a 4Runner in summer of '84 or that it was titled as an '84. What I'm trying to clear up is what model year did/does Toyota consider it to be for purposes of celebrating the 20th Anniversary. The quotes I posted above suggest that Toyota considers the 1st 4Runner to have been released in "Calendar Year" '84 1/2 as a "Model Year" 85.
 
1984 4Runner

As stated, if purchased and titled as an 1984 model, it would have been illegal for the dealership to title it an 84 if Toyota considered it an 85. If this is the case, then I was taken advantage of.

Just my opinion.
 
ok here is some info i dug up at 2 places.

kbb shows a 84 model year at this link:

http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc.mn?kbb.GA;;GA215&31906;t&108&u&

4Runner Toyota 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03


toyota website show 85 model year that started in 84 1/2

http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_library/display_release.html?id=2004lighttruck_h#4runner

Series Chronology

1985 - (CY 1984 1/2) - 4Runner introduced with 2.4L 4-cylinder engine.

1990 - (CY 1989 1/2) - 2nd generation introduced.

1990 - (CY 1989 1/2) - 2WD 4Runner available.

In mid-1984, for the 1985 model year, Toyota brought to market a revolutionary new vehicle - the 4Runner. Based on the mechanicals of its rugged (and strong-selling) 4-wheel drive pickup, truck, the 4Runner combined the versatility and go-anywhere ability of 4WD with the comfort and utility found in passenger cars. It had a fiberglass top covering the cargo area which could be removed for open-air driving.


apparently they has some other years that they did the same thing.
 
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