my first car was a 93 4runner and i loved it, but i got in a car accident and i was rear ended. the insurance company totaled the car due to a fender bender. i now have a maxima and im thinking about getting another 4runner 1st generation. what is the best year of the first gen runners, and what should i be looking for as a college kid that wants to get out and have some fun again off road, but nothing too major.

 

Overall- 4Runner, 1985, 22RE (fuel injected). 1985 is still straight front axle and the fuel injection is a few more ponies over the carb.

Beyond that, any 4Runner is good up through 89. Rumors are to avoid the V6 though.
86 got the IFS so that's something to consider. In general though, IFS and straight axles both have their advantages and disadvantages. If you're not pushing through technical 'rock' obstacles then IFS is probably fine, but... can't say.

You had a 93 so you know how the IFS is, but the 1st gens had a solid axle on leafs out back, not the floater on coils you had. A little difference in ride, some limitations with regards to mods. But if you were okay with the 93, an IFS 1st gen isn't going to be much different, maybe just a tad smaller.

 

get a 85 4runner, with efi (ive seen some 85s with carb, was told they were built before march of that year). get efi so u dont worry about mixture as much. straightaxle is easier to work on and gives you more traction on rocks becuase u are more able to flex and make contact with something instead of ifs leaving one of your tires high in the air.

lots of aftermarket parts too. just got mine a few months back and i wouldnt trade it for anyhting, dependable and capable...

 

If you find a nice '84, converting it to efi is another option. The solid front axle is a pretty coveted thing nowadays, it would be nice to have it from the get go. But if you find a nice '86-89, you'll still love it. My 1st car was an '86 ifs extra cab yota P/U and it was a 4x beast. I wish the 4LO in my '97 3rd gen had half the balls my '86's had.

 

Hell ya get an 85 or older for the straight axle but as my name implys im crazy for the 22r
so i say screw the efi unless you come acrossed one,
GOOD LUCK