Little confused
 

O.k..this may sound a bit stupid...but I'm not sure what year my Runner is....lol....I think it's an 88....because on the drivers side there is a little plate that says "manufacturers date sept/87"...I'm going to assume that means that since it was produced in the later part of 87 it would have been considered an 88. Also according to the VIN number it's registered as an 88....but I've seen alot of pics online of 89's and they look just like my truck....So am I just freaking out over nothing because the 88's and the 89's look identical? How can I find out what year my truck is exactly?

Look at the sticker under the hood. Near the bottom of the sticker it should say something like..."This vehicle conforms to all EPA standards for automotive vehicle in the year 19xx." That should tell you exactly.

84-89 4runners, -88 trucks have the same body style. The trucks are different starting in 89, and the 4runners matched in 90.

My Runner's in the shop right now...but when she comes home I'll have to check under the hood for that sticker...thanks guys...

Do a web search with the VIN#. Someone had a site up that had the info but I lost the link - essentially one number in your vin is for the year - could be a number or a letter.