Just bought this 89 4runner that I have wanted for about 10 years now. Finally broke down and did it. SR5, 22re, manual, drives like a dream and in great shape for its age. The major thing I hate about it is the color. The previous owner painted over the original paint with a terrible UNC blue. The top is kinda whiteish blue. So I figured this would be the first of many mods. My initial color scheme plan is much like Alabama's. Tan, black top, black trim, I also want to spray bedliner around fenders and lower panels all around. Motor has 274k so Im sure another one will be takin her place before long. I want to start with the top this weekend weather permitting. Im going cheap and spraying rustoleum flat black. Figured the worst that could happen is waste $8 on paint. Let me know if ya'll have any suggestions on things to be aware of, things I should do, etc....
New(to me) ride. Ready to fixerup.
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rustyrazor
New member
The 22re is a great motor.
My previous 4runner had the 22re with a manual tranny and it seemed to be more responsive than the V6 auto that I have now. Which just had the head gasket done by Toyota as part of the old head gasket recall.
The one thing to watch on the 22re is the timing chain. People tend to get cheap replacement kits for them and they only last a couple of years before the plastic guides snap. If you hear a clattering noise when you start the engine or when you lug the engine then it's probably time to do the timing chain. There's a couple of good DIY's out there if you want to do it yourself. It's a pretty big job that involves tearing everything out from the front of the engine block forward. I got a good deal from engnbldr.com through ebay for the whole timing kit, water pump, oil pump and timing cover. You need to make sure that the kit has a metal backed guide.
If the guide breaks the timing chain starts to slap the side of the timing cover and it can break the seal which is only about 1/4" wide at that point. And then you'll get coolant and oil spraying everywhere. At least that's what happened to me. The chain also wore a grove into the timing cover from the inside that just about broke through into the water pump passage.
My previous 4runner had the 22re with a manual tranny and it seemed to be more responsive than the V6 auto that I have now. Which just had the head gasket done by Toyota as part of the old head gasket recall.
The one thing to watch on the 22re is the timing chain. People tend to get cheap replacement kits for them and they only last a couple of years before the plastic guides snap. If you hear a clattering noise when you start the engine or when you lug the engine then it's probably time to do the timing chain. There's a couple of good DIY's out there if you want to do it yourself. It's a pretty big job that involves tearing everything out from the front of the engine block forward. I got a good deal from engnbldr.com through ebay for the whole timing kit, water pump, oil pump and timing cover. You need to make sure that the kit has a metal backed guide.
If the guide breaks the timing chain starts to slap the side of the timing cover and it can break the seal which is only about 1/4" wide at that point. And then you'll get coolant and oil spraying everywhere. At least that's what happened to me. The chain also wore a grove into the timing cover from the inside that just about broke through into the water pump passage.
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Thanks. The timing chain has been redone a couple of times according to previous owner/records. No idea as to what quality replacements were used. Motor runs and sounds smooth right now. I also owned a 95 with V6 that I traded in on my Chevy 2500 diesel. Who knew I could go from a tiny 4runner to a huge diesel and end up with much better fuel mileage. I guess towing my 21' mako got the best of that old runner, she died at about 185k.
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88turborunner
New member
thats friggen sweet! I had a dual axle trailer I rebuilt with them same mag wheels. rustoleum is a sucker to get off.
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