Hi everyone, first post here so please be easy on me. I'm currently in the market for a 1st gen runner for my daily driver and have found that clean examples are few and far in between. What I have found is a 86 auto with the 22re turbo engine. So far it looks promising. The owner says that he has had both turbo seals changed last summer. My question is how can you tell that the turbo will need replacing? The truck has 195K miles on it, how long could I expect the original turbo to last?

Hope to stay and learn from you guys, I know I have a lot of reading to do!

 

I personally would not go with an auto on a used vehicle. Especially on one this old. Sorry to not answer your question but I would hold out for a manual if it were me.

 

I just wondering about the 96 with teh 22RET? I'm I missing someting?

The subject has been cover here before, try a search, it will lead much more information.

There are aftermarket turbos. If I remember it's a T3/4. Nice mod.

Here is a web sites that hold tons of informataion.
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...ds/index.shtml
http://www.bchawkins.com/22rte.html
Hope this was help and welcome noob!!!

I think the Turbo 4Runner only came in auto...

 

WHAT?!?!?
really? I find that really hard to believe!

I 2nd the suggestion to go check out Roger's site. He's got a TON of good information on there and from what I've seen is really good about answering all sorts of 1st gen questions.

 

Found the thread that had the answers I was looking for.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ht=turbo+seals

Thanks for the link trd90, I have a lot of reading up to do. I appreciate the help.

 

Yep, I just went and checked my advertismemt (When I got the truck it didn't have the owner manual, just the dealership advertisment from 1987 in the glove box. All Auto. That's messed up...

 

That's what we all here for!

 

I'd hold out for a stick, It's worth the wait. Manual hubs too if you can. I don't have a turbo but I've heard they're more trouble than they're worth

 

Look on craigslist in SF there's all kinds of 1st gen 4runners, I saw a really nice 85 on there the other day

 

You're in CA and having a hard time finding a 1st generation????!!! Drive to Texas like I did and go get one. (I brought one back from Texas to Michigan).

vmax84

 

I've been scouring craigslist the last two weeks and all the nicer 1st gens that are within budget are sold very quickly. Been doing more reading up on the turbos and am starting to lean away from it. I'll just have to be patient and wait for a good 22re/manual to pop up. In the meantime I have more reading to do. There is such a wealth of information here!

 

Well of course they are! The ones that don't sell quick are POS or overpriced.
Try autotrader too. I just ran a search for CA and there's lots of nice ones!

The Turbo 4Runner only came with an auto -sorry. The turbo pickups came with either mt or auto.

I personally would avoid a turbo motor unless you are mechanically inclined and like to work on them. They were not durable - not just the turbo but the whole motor. The key is they must be kept perfectly tuned. Always.
I would expect the typical turbo to have been replaced twice by 195k and the motor itself rebuilt at least once....

 

I have an 87 Truck with the 22re turbo motor (5spd). It was ragged beyond beyond belief when I got it and very unskilled mechanic had replaced the head on it before I got it. My truck has about 155,000 miles. If it weren't for that mechanic I really don't think I would of rebuilt the motor; it was getting 19-20 miles per gallon. As for the turbo mine is original and I believe they should be replaced around 150k miles; which is why I'm starting to think about replacing mine. But I believe this motor is a good. I don't see any difference in reliability between the 22re and 22ret. But performance wise the 22ret is stronger.

 

I found a couple 1st gens about 300 miles away. One is an '86 with a 3 inch body lift and bilstein shocks. It has the 22re with an auto tranny. What should I check for when looking at this truck with regards to the lift? The other is an '89 22re with manual, no lift. Other than the lift and shocks, they are stock non SR5 models. Both have about the same amount of mileage and asking price. For long term ownership and daily drivers, which one would you buy? I am comfortable with shifting for myself, my biggest concern is reliability and ownership costs.

My sister who lives close to the trucks is doing a pre-check test drive before I fly out Friday morning to check them out for myself. Once again thank you for any suggestions.

 

huh.....well from my experiance with a 22re trubo that was an auto i would say stay away from anything with an auto. they cant get out of their own way. and with a 3 inch lift its got to be even slower. the truck i drove was stock and it had to be floored to barely make it over an overpass. so i would say go with a 5speed for sure. This is just my opion. i have only drove 1 auto and it just seemed not go anywhere. a 5 speed makes a big difference.

Jusy my two cents