What's the Best one?

[skatehouse]

Hello All-
So I've been looking to get back into a 4runner. I'm definitely into the classic removeable top years. 86-89 (right?)
I plan on doing a 3-4 inch body lift, tires 31-33's, definitely intake and exhaust.
So my questions are:
Is there a "best" year for these?
4cyl or 6cyl?
What kind of power can I get without a full rebuild.
Auto or stick?
Do any years offer auto locking hubs?

thanks in advance

 

[854runner557]

Actually, 84 was a straight axle and Carb, 85 was a straight and EFI, 86-89 was independent front suspension EFI or a V6 from 87-89, and a turbo engine was offer some time in there.
My favorite is the 85 because u have EFI and the straight axle, Alot easier to lift and cheaper. U always want a 5speed for 4 Bying. All u really have to do is an Air Intake, Header, Exhaust, and Gears. And they will go anywhere. And I think auto locking hubs were a opition in 1986 when they went to independent front suspension. Hope this helps.
:biggrin2: :biggrin2: :biggrin2: :biggrin2: :biggrin2:

 

[skatehouse]

Thanks for the reply.
What about motors? I heard the V6 has some issues not resolved. Headgasket or ? If I go 4cyl with those simple mods and say 31-33" wheels, what kind of mileage might I expect? (vs. V6) I'm not trying to set any speed records but will it be a dog? This is going to be a daily driver.

 

[854runner557]

I would stay away from the V6, and w/ those mods. It won't be a dog, U won't get the best mileage probally 14-19 all depending how U drive. Not bad though for a go anywhere 4X4.
:biggrin2: :biggrin2: :biggrin2: :biggrin2: :biggrin2:

 

[foskco87]

I would say try for an 85 5 speed but good luck finding one. If u get an IFS I would say go for the V6. They arent AS reliable as the 22re but its still a toyota engine and is better than any other make. U will get basically the same gas mileage only u wil have more power. Also, if you are planning on getting 33's on a 22re it will take you about 5 minutes to get up to speed. Although the V6 is not a whole lot better. I have a V6 with over 150 000 miles and I havent had one problem with it. Just take care of it and change the oil and watch the heat and u wont blow a gasket. Either way both engines are not fast. Dont get me wrong, I love the 22r but some people are way too afraid of the 3.0

 

[rustyrazor]

My current 4runner has the 3L V6 and I think it has less torque than my last 4runner which had the 2.4L 4cyl. It could also be that my V6 is an automatic and the 4cyl had a manual tranny.

If I keep the RPMs high on the V6 it does perform better but then it sucks back the gas.

If I was to go looking for a 4runner tomorrow it would be a 4cyl with a standard tranny.

My 4cyl got better gas mileage. I averaged about 20 MPG city driving in it and so far I've been getting about 15 MPG with the V6. But I hope to use some of the gas mileage tips to get my mileage up.

 

[skatehouse]

Thanks for the input. Now you got me all hot to find an 85 with a straight axle!
I currently have a 1993 Toyota extra cab, 4X4, V-6,std trans and yes...it is a total pig. It's up for sale to fund the 4runner projectDefinitely will go 22RE with 5spd. Thanks again for the eye openers. I'll be back to ask about gearing and other mods.
Thanks!

 

[ManDownUnder]

33's on a 22re it will take you about 5 minutes to get up to speed.

This is not true i have a 22r on 33's and it is not slow at all. 22r is a great engine i just rebuilt mine and it is quick and torquey as far as 4 cylinders go.

 

[zombie]

This is not true i have a 22r on 33's and it is not slow at all. 22r is a great engine i just rebuilt mine and it is quick and torquey as far as 4 cylinders go.

What gearing are you using? I have the same setup in my '87 and it is a bit more of a pig to get going than it was with the 31" tires. I find that now I am in 4th gear more often than 5th on the highway as 5th tends to slow down on grades. I have the 4:11's now but am thinking I might like to try the 4:56 gears.

 

[rustyrazor]

If you look at the physics behind the difference between a 3L 6cyl and a 2.4L 4cyl it makes sense that the 4cyl performs better at lower RPM because the displacement per cylinder is bigger at 0.6L per cylinder compared to 0.5L per cylinder for the V6.

I found the same results with old Ford pickup trucks. I've put in alot of miles towing trailers when I was landscaping and at different times I had both the 5L inline 6cylinder Ford engine and a 5L V8. The inline 6 pulled better because there was more low torque at lower RPMs. I even heard a rumor that Ford was restricting the power on the inline sixes because they wanted to phase them out which they did in 1996 I think.