Hello all,
I recently bought a 87 4Runner with 135,000 miles from a woman that bought it new in September ’87. It’s lived its entire life in Colorado and has never even been out of the state! Its in excellent condition inside & out but needed a little general maintenance (belts, hoses, tune-up, etc.).
I have owned a few other Toyotas in the past, but never a 4Runner, so I have a few questions about it
1. Where the heck is the fuel filter! I’ve climbed all over the engine compartment and rolled around underneath but I cant see it anywhere
2. What’s the common fix for the sagging rear springs
3. The rear seat doesn’t have seatbelts. Are seatbelts available for these?
Thanks,
Dave
I recently bought a 87 4Runner with 135,000 miles from a woman that bought it new in September ’87. It’s lived its entire life in Colorado and has never even been out of the state! Its in excellent condition inside & out but needed a little general maintenance (belts, hoses, tune-up, etc.).
I have owned a few other Toyotas in the past, but never a 4Runner, so I have a few questions about it
1. Where the heck is the fuel filter! I’ve climbed all over the engine compartment and rolled around underneath but I cant see it anywhere
2. What’s the common fix for the sagging rear springs
3. The rear seat doesn’t have seatbelts. Are seatbelts available for these?
Thanks,
Dave
Registered User
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
I have owned a few other Toyotas in the past, but never a 4Runner, so I have a few questions about it
1. Where the heck is the fuel filter! I’ve climbed all over the engine compartment and rolled around underneath but I cant see it anywhere
2. What’s the common fix for the sagging rear springs
3. The rear seat doesn’t have seatbelts. Are seatbelts available for these?
Welcome to the forum DaveOriginally posted by Dave
I have owned a few other Toyotas in the past, but never a 4Runner, so I have a few questions about it
1. Where the heck is the fuel filter! I’ve climbed all over the engine compartment and rolled around underneath but I cant see it anywhere
2. What’s the common fix for the sagging rear springs
3. The rear seat doesn’t have seatbelts. Are seatbelts available for these?
I'll take the opportunity to answer each question in turn.
1. Sorry I'm not sure for the 87
2. For mine I took it in to a spring shop and had them replace the spring pack with a new one that was re-arced and to prevent further sagging I had them add-a-leaf.
3. With the way the seats fold down it is fairly common for the lap belts to get caught under the seat
Banned
Welcome to the board Dave! Its go to have another Coloradan with an '87 on board.
Regarding 1.
My crappy Haynes says the filter is under the intake manifold on the fuel injected 4 cyl. 22RE motor. Its a vertical metal cylander with a flange around the bottom. It dosen't bother to mention where it is on a V6 3VZE. I think the first year for the was '88 so nevermind. You probably have to take a few parts off to get to it.
On my carbed '87 truck the Filter is in the right wheel well behind a plastic curtain, no tools required to replace it.
Regarding 1.
My crappy Haynes says the filter is under the intake manifold on the fuel injected 4 cyl. 22RE motor. Its a vertical metal cylander with a flange around the bottom. It dosen't bother to mention where it is on a V6 3VZE. I think the first year for the was '88 so nevermind. You probably have to take a few parts off to get to it.
On my carbed '87 truck the Filter is in the right wheel well behind a plastic curtain, no tools required to replace it.

Contributing Member
Hi Dave,
Yes, the fuel filter is under the intake manifold, right above the starter. It bolts to a bracket on the side of the engine.
It is good to disconnect the battery before changing the filter. Metal filter, metal wrenches, and battery cable could cause fire.
The hose from the tank goes to the forward side of the filter, the hose to the fuel rail comes from the rear. (I tried to do it the other way my first time, it doesnt work)
David
Yes, the fuel filter is under the intake manifold, right above the starter. It bolts to a bracket on the side of the engine.
It is good to disconnect the battery before changing the filter. Metal filter, metal wrenches, and battery cable could cause fire.
The hose from the tank goes to the forward side of the filter, the hose to the fuel rail comes from the rear. (I tried to do it the other way my first time, it doesnt work)
David
Quote:
Originally posted by jx94148
Welcome to the board Dave! Its go to have another Coloradan with an '87 on board.
My crappy Haynes says the filter is under the intake manifold on the fuel injected 4 cyl. 22RE motor. Its a vertical metal cylander with a flange around the bottom.
Your crappy Haynes manual is better than my crappy Chiltons' manual! It didnt give me any clue where the filter was!Originally posted by jx94148
Welcome to the board Dave! Its go to have another Coloradan with an '87 on board.
My crappy Haynes says the filter is under the intake manifold on the fuel injected 4 cyl. 22RE motor. Its a vertical metal cylander with a flange around the bottom.
Thanks for the info!
Dave
Quote:
Originally posted by Mack
With the way the seats fold down it is fairly common for the lap belts to get caught under the seat
Mack,Originally posted by Mack
With the way the seats fold down it is fairly common for the lap belts to get caught under the seat
Yea, I thought that maybe they were stuffed under the seat too. Looked all over the place a few weeks ago and nada, no belts. It looks like there are mounts for them on the roll bar and in the floor pan. Hopefully I can pick some up somewhere.
Thanks
Dave
Registered User
Sorry, I have a 2nd gen, so I can't really help you, but I did want to say congrats on the purchase of a great vehicle. You will absolutely love it! :beaver:
Registered User
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
1. Where the heck is the fuel filter! I’ve climbed all over the engine compartment and rolled around underneath but I cant see it anywhere
22RE: Round filter about the size of a pop can bolted to the side of the block right under the intake manifold. Peek up through the wheel well above and to the left of the oil filter.Originally posted by Dave
1. Where the heck is the fuel filter! I’ve climbed all over the engine compartment and rolled around underneath but I cant see it anywhere

V6: on frame rail right in front of the tank.
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
2. What’s the common fix for the sagging rear springs
Add-a-leaf, lift shackles, or replacement springs.Originally posted by Dave
2. What’s the common fix for the sagging rear springs
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
3. The rear seat doesn’t have seatbelts. Are seatbelts available for these?
Try here or your local scrap yard. Dealer should still sell them for sale if you're willing to part with an appendage or two Originally posted by Dave
3. The rear seat doesn’t have seatbelts. Are seatbelts available for these?

Oh, and ditch both of those manuals and get the factory service manual set.