I'm looking at a 88 4runner to use as a daily driver/hunting rig. I'll be doing very little off roading, biggest concern is reliability. I don't need a project vehicle, I need something that's gonna be in solid running shape. The 4runner I'm looking at is suppose to have 134k original miles. It's got the 22RE, so all that is excellent. The only downside for me is that it's got an auto tranny. I've got a 87 with a 22RE 5speed and it's awesome, never given me any problems. How reliable are the autos when paired with the 22RE? Will I have any trouble getting over 200k miles on the stock auto transmission? Thanks for any input!

 

i think you should be fine, most people complain about power loss with the autos, ive never seen anyone really bash the reliability for the auto trans.

 

If they never changed the fluid and/or overheated it, expect it to fail soon. If it was well taken care of, expect it to last to 200K or maybe beyond. However,...be forewarned: any A/T can completely fail without or with very little warning.

 

I realize you're talking about a 4Runner with an automatic, but our 91 2wd pickup with automatic keeps getting closer and closer to 200K miles and shifts are still just as smooth and proper as they were when the truck entered the family 30K miles ago with brown transmission fluid (looked similar to dirty brake fluid actually...), and a couple of fluid 'changes' done since I've had it.