I am curious if someone could provide me with some insight into the differences or changes Toyota made to their Pickup's for this generation of trucks as they progressed from the 89' (introduction of this gen) to the 95' model (when they moved on to the Tacoma). I know they changed the grill from the "TOYOTA" to the Toyota symbol in 92', but with the exception of that, what changes did or upgrades did Toyota put on these trucks as they progressed? Were there any mechanical changes or upgrades as this gen progressed? I know the engines stayed pretty much the same (IE 22RE, and 3.slow). I recall reading an article on one of these sites (was it this one?) that talks about the progression of the 4runner, and I *think* there was one on the pickup's, but ladies and gentlemen, was this pickup line, as I suspect it was with the minor cosmetic change, essentially the same truck? Would you essentially have the same truck in an 89' as you would in an 95'? (Yes I know they put the right head gasket in most of the 95' 3.slow's).

 

not sure if this is relevant to your question, but the tbar anchor arms from the 4x2 trucks was changed... they went from an open design in the 85 era, to a boxed end design in the 89+

i found this out because mine split as the weaker design and i upgraded to the 89 ones almost by mistake, but i needed the replacements and both were available, so i got the ones that appeared to be boxed in whereas my previous ones were not

 

They're pretty close to the same dern thing every year. Check this out for the minor differences, though: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/faq/

 

These are some of the changes I noticed on the 4WD version:

-revised chrome fender trim ~90-92
-revised odometer (loses one digit) ~91-92
-revised front end (grille, bumper, valance, corner lights) ~92
-revised gauges ~92
-revised hub covers (prem wheels) ~92
-3vz coil wire changed to pin type ~92
-cable driven speedo changed to electronic
-3vz spring timing tensioner changed to hydraulic ~93
-third brake light added ~93-94

The year of the changes are just my guesses.