I came across an 85 4 Runner for sale, and was worndering if anyone could give me some info on the year, make and model. (pros and cons) Here's the VIN# JT3RN65W5F5079934 The truck itself appears to be in pretty good shape, but no one was home to really check it out.... Thanks for any help!

 

85s are cool as long as its in good condition.... it should be 4x4, efi, and have a solid front axle..... and they have removeable rear roofs too.....

 

Thanks Jim, I should have mentioned the 4x4 w/solid front axle. Also it's a 4cyl (I think) and auto tranny as well. Anyone know much about this auto tranny?

 

they are ok, i would prefer the stick with a 4 cyl, but thats jsut me.....

also they are the 22re as the v6 didnt come out in the runners till88-89 ish

 

might be 22r I dont think many had the 22re, well i guess with an automatic trans uhhhh i dunno? Anyone know ?

 

i have a 85 and its a 22re.

 

yes the 22re was very common in the 85, all 3 85's that ive owned have been fuel injected, the auto trans is good, but its still a slush box, the transfercase is different, it has a chain driven t-case, if you have the time and resources you can get a manual trans and case to do a swap, from what ive heard, and see its not that difficult, btw how much do they want for it, and is it sr5 and whats the mileage on it?

 

I'm not sure what they are asking for it or the milage. Like I've said I haven't had a chance to really look at it yet. No one was home. I will get out to look at it soon. I'll keep you up to date....

 

almost all 4runners are efi, 6 cyls (3.0) are lame anway and so are autos.

id pass on unless it was like less than 2000 and ran good.

with the autos you get a realy slow (motor not strong enough to have an auto)4runner that wil constantly be down shifting. with a crappy chain driven transfercase, id skip it if i were you.

 

WTF,

while the auto mades it a bit of a dog, it is hard to pass on a 85 toyota because of the sold axle. I Wouldnt let a little automatic keep you outa this 4runner.

and to others, I also have an 85 with EFI but it was fairly common to see 85 models with a carb too. I know at least with xcab pickup trucks in 85 it was hard to find one that is EFI

 

'85 4runners had EFI standard, trucks had a carb with optional EFI until '88 for 4x4s and '91 for 2wds

 

thanks for clearing that up for me

 

treymann23 just bought an identical 4runner with EFI and an auto. I'd e-mail him and ask him what he thinks... I wouldn't pass this up either. Take it for a test spin and see what you think. The solid front axle and the EFI are key. I'd take it if it ran smooth enough. Oh... one other thing... peep the underside and check the body mounts... make sure there isn't excessive rust. Those older Toyota's love to rust like crazy. A little body rust is no big deal but if you're getting nasty rusting around the body mounts your in for some trouble down the road.

 

WTF youself, auto is lame id avoid it. solid axle big deal, not like its hard to find one.

id do a solid axle swap any day over a manual swap and tcase swap.

i say avoid v6(except the rear axle), avoid auto, plus if you inted to go big, like lots of flex, and hard core, you will eventually do a drop hanger(which makes <85 spring mounts worthless, getting an ifs rig gets you the wider rear axle and bigger brakes. you dont even have to use a toy front axle, just cut down a full size d44. plus you have the needed steering box.

so i say get the best 4cyl 5spd 4runner you can buy, solid axle or not.

unless this one now is dirt cheap, im talking <1900

 

i agree with above post. unless its cheap a newer one will be in better shape and still cost about the same amount to lift right ,btw I have an 85

 

i also have an 85, and i can tell you right now my next project is going to be the newest best condition 4cyl 5spd ifs pickup i can find, for the right cost.

$2500

 

what are you thinking, putting a manual transmission and transfer case is a lot easier than an SAS. what's so hard about removing the auto, cutting new shifter holes in the floor and bolting the new tranny in?

 

well you have to find a doner tranny and tcase, preferably direct shift transfercase. take the tranny and tcase out of doner, take pedal assembly,
clutch linkage master cyl, slave cyl. take cossmember out, i dont know if wiring for back up lights and 4wd indicator and speedometer are the same.

and then you have to put it all in your truck.

sas: do you know how easy it is to steal an axle out of a doner?
buy complete marlin kit cut all the ifs stuff off. weld the hanger, cut the shackle holes (template included), weld inserts, mount springs and shakles, install axle, install brake lines and rotors install steering arms. install tie rod and drag link. install shock hoops and shocks.

and in the end you have a better truck and already done work that you would have to do in a good solid axle lift minus the ifs steering box installation.

i dunno maybe you like to swap trannys, i dont.

 

85 5spd...no way an auto will turn those big meats...find the rig you want...as opposed to settling for one you don't

 

all im saying is dont pass up a good truck cause its ifs, and steer away from an auto unless you wanna swap the tranny and tcase. stay away from a v6 cause the motor sucks and isnt that much more powerful, and the tcase sucks.

shoot get an auto i dont care, leaves more trucks for my next project.