Thinking about getting into 4runners...

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Persuader

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Ok, so I have this 88 f150 lifted on 36's. The thing is a gas hog and gets around 7mpg. That's the sole reason I'm here. I'm thinking about buying a 4runner but I have a few questions. I just sold my supra which was a great car so I thought I'd go back to toyota.

I'm considering 1st gen because I like the conv top.

What year did they start making 4 runners?

What years are solid front axle?

Are the turbos more trouble than they're worth?

What year did fuel injection start?

V6's are bad news right?

Thanks for any help you can give me, and if you have any recommendations of things I should look for, let me know.
 
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generally speaking the 3.0v6 is a bad time, due to the headgasket thing, but I think a lot of it depends on maintenance and whatnot.

My truck had a hg replaced at 73k and then at 185k the other started to go and toyota replaced both of them at that point (8/04). It has it's own quirks, but mine has been well maintained and is still running quite well at 209k.

Even saying that, the 22RE is a lot more reliable, and isn't really down on power that much. There are also various v8 swaps and the 3.4L swap from the 96-02's (friend has one in his 92 pickup and it's sweet).
 
1984 was the first 4ruunner and 1985 was the first year that they put the fuel injection in a 4runner also the last year that they put a straight axle in one too. I love my 85 runner. I say buy an 84 or 85 with a 22r (84) or 22re (85)
 
Persuader said:
Ok, so I have this 88 f150 lifted on 36's. The thing is a gas hog and gets around 7mpg. That's the sole reason I'm here. I'm thinking about buying a 4runner but I have a few questions. I just sold my supra which was a great car so I thought I'd go back to toyota.

I'm considering 1st gen because I like the conv top.

What year did they start making 4 runners?

What years are solid front axle?

Are the turbos more trouble than they're worth?

What year did fuel injection start?

V6's are bad news right?

Thanks for any help you can give me, and if you have any recommendations of things I should look for, let me know.
Click to expand...
Before the 4runner was a Trekker I belive. Very RARE. If you find a decent one snatch it up. The first gen 4runners have the removable top 1984-1989. 84 was the first year and are few and far between. The OEM engine in the 84 was the 22r carb engine. It also came with a solid fron axel. The 85 is just like the 84 but it came with a 22re fuel injected engine. Don't hold me to this but the xfer cases on the 84 and 85 runners are gear driven vise chain driven like the 86-89. In 86 they dumped the solid fron axel and went to IFS, I belive went to the chain xfer case, went to 2" larger drum brakes in the rear and vented rotors instead of solid ones and larger calipers in the front. The 3.0s or (slow point o's) just kidding guys and gals were plagued with head gasket problems. Some were luckier then others with these engines but I wanted the 22RE because of the reliablity. Don't know anything about the 22RETs. I know it would be cool as hell to have one though. I think they only made those in 87 and early 88. Kinda long sorry
 
Re: Re: Thinking about getting into 4runners...

sixonthefloor said:
... 84 was the first year and are few and far between ... Don't hold me to this but the xfer cases on the 84 and 85 runners are gear driven vise chain driven like the 86-89. ...
Click to expand...

Gear driven t-cases came behind the 22R/RE until 95, unless equipped with the VDD front diff.
The V6 had chain drive cases also.

Chain cases are fine all but the more hard core wheeling. Gear cases are stronger, and can be geared lower and used for dual cases setups for rock crawling.

84's really aren't that rare, but they and 85's are getting scarce.
 
Lilrichey85 said:
1984 was the first 4ruunner and 1985 was the first year that they put the fuel injection in a 4runner also the last year that they put a straight axle in one too. I love my 85 runner. I say buy an 84 or 85 with a 22r (84) or 22re (85)
Click to expand...

84 Was also available with FI... Just alot harder to find.

I proved this already in another thread.

DSC00943.jpg~original

DSC00942.jpg~original

DSC00941.jpg~original

DSC00940.jpg~original
 
I don't know much about 1984 trucks but you won't convince me that 1984 model year 4Runners came with EFI from the factory with a photo out of a Haynes or Chilton's manual.

Have you seen an actual example in person?
 
YES ..

84 2WD was the only truck EFI avliable from the factory .. was a analoge EFI

85 4WD and 4runner was the first year for EFI . was a digital EFI
 
As far as I've read, the 22ret came with an auto trans only. This could be a pro, or a con depending what your looking for. Personally, this is a con.

I've got a 2nd gen with the 2VZ-E (V6) and was lucky enough to buy it from the guy AFTER the hg was replaced. But it's had no issues, only thing I've had to spend money on for it has been new tires and a regular oil change. But I do wish the 2nd gens still had the removable top...
 
Maybe I'm not the smartest guy on the block, but when I was looking for my first 4runner, I was convinced that the 22RE was what I wanted. If I had found one that ran well, and that was in good condition, I would have bought one.

But, when I went to check out the two vehicles I was interested in, I tried the one with the V6 first, just to make sure. After driving both, I knew the V6 was for me. I will say though, that if I had to do over again, I'd take the same approach.

I suppose if you were convinced the 22RE is what you wanted, then I would hold to that until you find the right one.

One reason I went ahead with the V6, knowing about the head issues, is that the front is built to hold a V6, so if I upgrade at some point, with a newer 3.4 engine, or even a small block V8, I shouldn't have to do anything, or as much to the front to handle the weight. That's part of what I hope to be able to do at some point with my truck, assuming I have the money and ability to make that investment down the road.
 
90whiteRunner said:
As far as I've read, the 22ret came with an auto trans only. This could be a pro, or a con depending what your looking for. Personally, this is a con.

I've got a 2nd gen with the 2VZ-E (V6) and was lucky enough to buy it from the guy AFTER the hg was replaced. But it's had no issues, only thing I've had to spend money on for it has been new tires and a regular oil change. But I do wish the 2nd gens still had the removable top...
Click to expand...

Not true. Turbos came with either the A340 auto or the R151 5spd. The R151 is the most sought after 5spd case that Toyota used. It bolts to the 22R block, but is a 23 spline case and has a Top shift case(gear driven case) behind it. Its the strongest 5spd that Toyota offered in those years.
 
Yes factory turbo trucks did come 5 speed, I have owned 3 of them. They were made in 86 and 87 only. First gear is a lower ratio in these transmissions as well as a larger output flange.
The biggest problem with these trucks is the turbo housings burning up in the waste gate area.
 
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