Found it. Everything you ever wanted to know about 4runner history

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist.html

 

Well since its a 2wd why not just throw in some new gears in the rear end? It will be good to go, cheap compared to buying a new truck, you could even just add some leafs to the rear leaf packs and it will carry alot more aswell.

 

1996 and newer are 'safe'

 

Island, since you asked: I need more info. I don't fully understand what "throw some new gears in the back end" means

If I add new gears, how do I access them? Would my existing 5 gears change or would there now be additional gear(s)? I do like the idea, I just don't want to make the truck impractical for anything but towing. Something like a granny gear would be great. Sorry for what may be a dumb question.

 

I would swap gears first and foremost.... The 22R has almost the same tq as the 22RE; 132 vs 140 (which when towing is a little more important than hp). I have towed 5K all around the rockies with a 22RE, so you should be fine.

I dont know how much time you spend on the fwy, but 4.10's or 4.56 would be best, also depends on what size tire you have. You could probably score a set of gears from a junkyard, and if you have the 7.5 R&P you could probably put a whole axle from a 4wd in there, could get 4.10 or 4.56 OEM gears (4.88 too but thats more fab or wrenching)... Not sure what fab would need to be done, but might be as simple as putting the spring perches on the other side of the axle, since 2wd are spring under.....

Of course a different rig is the easiest.

 

What you would be doing is changing the ring and pinion ratio in the rear end, effectivally lowering the overall gearing of the truck (numerically higher). You would have to find out what your truck has OEM to know what you can change it to.

this site linky can help you determine what you have...

Then it may be as simple (depending on your axle size) as swaping 3rd memebers with a differnt one from the junkyard.