Hi, I currently have a 85 4runner and love it (got it for the straight axle and removable top but.... do i really need a straight axl? Am I ever going to take the top off? Might be nice to have something smoother with 4 doors.

I'm thinking of selling both my 85 4runner and my bmw and getting a newer 4runner around $10k. Or, just taking both my cars to the dealer and trading them for one.

Anyways, I see a lot of debate/complaining about certain motors on here...
Also some seem to sit higher from factory, etc...

Can someone give me the run down by years as to what motors they come with? Why they are good or not? Any other pros or cons to particular years?
What should I look for? What maintenace should have been done at what milage, etc?

Basically I want to figure out which years and models are the best or more desireable to get as far as motors, suspension, trannys, etc before I buy one.

Trying to narrow my search w/o wasting time and learning the hard way.

Thanks (not looking for a first gen.)

ps
Actually I might just fix up my 85 too, haven't decided yet....doing research.

 

I'll take your 85 off your hands.

 

Seriously though......

The 84-95 trucks and runners had 22r or 22re or 3.0 V6 motors The 3.0 had a head gasket recall, that will have had to be done or you probably wouldn't want to buy it...I guess they would still do it, but idk....

Having a 22RE I can tell you from experience that it is easy to work on, and as I'm sure you know there's plenty of room under the hood to work. It also has better aftermarket support than the 3.0. The parts seem to be cheaper as well....

95-02 had the 2.7 which is basically a DOHC 22re...well, not technically, but it's similar in that it's a 4cyl. they also had the 3.4l V6 motor. which is the better V6, and a good motor. maybe not as good as a 22RE, but it depends on what you want.

I would not get a 95 or earlier with an auto tranny. From what I have hear they were undergeared from the factory, and require too much gearing in the diffs to be effective with larger tires, plus I think they all came with chain driven Transfer cases, which means no lower gears in the t-case.

A 3rd gen 4runner is a pretty good platform, with easy to mod suspension, a powerful, moddable, and reliable motor and drivetrain. They also can come with a rear locker stock.

But, as you are now, you have an excellent platform for a solid rig. Any Toyota enthusiast would love to have a 85 runner in good shape. You could always upgrade motors, but I can tell you that after 20 years of having a 1st gen 4runner. They grow on you.

In my opinion. if you have a second vehicle, you should keep the 4runner you have now. It'll be a fun rig and once you start modding, it will be hard to stop.

 

youre in Seattle, im in Utah... i will be more than happy to take that thing off your hands!!

to answer your questions:

you dont need that straight axle
you will never take the top off
you definately want 4 doors

with that being said.. make me an offer for your 4runner... i will come buy and pick it up!

 

haha....ya, i know....i probably NEVER will take that top off in seattle!
i really like the 22re, once of the reasons i got the truck....

ok, so if i was looking, i'd be focusing on a post 95 (96-02, b/c after 02 4th gen started?), which means 3rd gen?

and is the 2.7 or 3.4 better? do they come with 5spds? guess i'm hopefully looking for one with a locker too? ok. what about the suspension? read somewhere that some models were like an inch lower then others, i think after 99.

getting closer....thanks for the help.

what about interior packages, etc....sr5? leather?

 

if your gonna spend 10k on it i would get a little cheaper one and sas it, but it depends on how much and what type of wheelin your doing. or you could do like an ifs lift with new a arms and stuff from tc fab or somethin.

 

I won't knock the 2.7, I have no experience with it. If you're going to tow or your regular driving consists of hills rather than flatland I'd recommend the 3.4. Mine has performed flawlessly from 49k when I bought it to 146k today. In my opinion it is the engine to have. The rest of your questions are subjective: only you can truly answer what your requirements are.

Slightly off topic: my 87 22re required two head gaskets before 140k. 3.4 has only had timing belt and spark plug changed at 146k.

 

well, i do want one with a good motor and best (read: highest) suspension i can get out of the box.

i know there are the limited, sport, etc... options but i don't know the diff b/t them.

i love black and will be looking for a black one. i see some all black ones in teh pics, grills and bumpers. i'm pretty sure thats stock. whats that model called? they're the 3rd gens i think.

thanks

so do any of them come with 5spds?

 

ok, been doing research...i think i'm looking for a 99 limited. did they all come with 3.4 motors? think thats the one i want. did they come with 5spds? i'd like a 99 limited, 3.4, 5spd, black.... how hard is this going to be to find??