If I'd known how great these dang Toyota's were in the first place then I'd have done this a long time ago. Since my truck is to the point where it's almost done, well it is done as far as money goes, now I'm thinking to my next little build. So with that in mind I'm looking for a 4 runner so I can pack the dog, some gear and a friend or two inside and go camping or fishing and even take the top off in the summer. Well now I'm chasing a 1987 Turbo 4 runner but they all seem to have auto tranny's and I'm unsure if the auto is as durable as the 5 speed. Of course when I get it I'll have to gear it for the tires, drop in a locker or two, some armor, lift with coils etc.

Anyone want to trade?

Ok really. The turbo was only available in 87 correct? Did it come in SR5 only? I understand that the auto's came with 4.88's in the diffs so that implies some slippping or something. Did the turbo runner ever come with a 5 speed?

Thanks in advance.

 

well i dont think the turbo runners came with a manual, just auto and SR5 models.

 

they came in the 85's as well and w/5spds. not sure on the 86's though.

lee

 

turbo's were available from 86-88. the manual trans was an option, but most shipped with auto's. With regards to durability, that will depend much on maintenance, but a manual will tend to fare better overall. in my experience, any properly tuned 4sp auto will perform better in hard use than a close-ratio 5 speed up to all but the highest speeds.

personally, I'd skip a turbo engine, unless you've been the one performing maintenance all along. many people don't get that turbo'd engines require more meticulous attention, so they tend to have problems. one reason most factory turbos have all but fallen out of fashion after the 90's.

 

They were available in a manual, which is the highly sought after R150 with a 23 spline transfer case that all of the off roaders look for. For this reason a lot of them were parted out usually due the turbo engines were problem prone because of heat issues. Nearly all of the Turbo trucks I've seen the turbo is no longer functional and unless the one you are looking at has been rebuilt it probably is not funtioning either. This makes it weaker than the standard 22re because the compression was lower. If your gonna get a trubo truck plan on it costing you extra $$$ to get it done right.

As for the auto. It is plenty strong but like all autos it is prone to heat failure. Get a good quality tranny cooler and you should be fine.