Hello all, I'm fairly new here but have been reading a lot from behind the front lines for a while now. From what I’ve seen so far, it seems the 22RE's power output is a little less desirable in the eyes of most people. Throw bigger tires in the mix and it gets even worse, throw an automatic trans in the mix, then people on this forum start praying for you.

I've been looking for a daily driver 1st gen and came across the cleanest/rust free 89 I've seen yet. It's got the 22RE (freshly rebuilt) with the automatic Trans, 4.30's in the rear along with a minor 3 inch lift sitting on 33's. I am really on the fence with this truck because it's in such good condition but everyone on here says the 22RE auto's are horrible, specially on the highway.

I've read that gearing helps out tremendously and is a pretty popular option, but I really don't want to lose my MPG's (not to mention they are a %&@# to put in). I’ve read a lot people run cam, header and exhaust setups with a lot of success and I know a turbo upgrade would solve everything but it's a little to expensive.

Basically what my question for you guys is, knowing my situation, if you were in my shoes what would you do? Gears? Cam? Is there a chance I might be over exaggerating the power issue? would you even buy the truck in the first place? Are there any other options that might squeeze a little more power out of this loved but hated 22RE/auto that I may be missing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated from this newbie

 

I would just swap out the trans, im sure you could pick one up for really cheap.
But if you do choose to do it, cams,headers,supra maf, 4.88 gears.

 

Yeah, alot of people just assume a transmission swap would be way to hard, but in something as common as a 89 toyota, it wouldnt be that bad

 

They're some write ups on here about the manual swap it looks pretty straight forward, that's what I would do and most likely it's cheaper than putting gears in the truck, it's also going to last a lot longer, instead of a rebuild you will just have to throw in a clutch every not so often

 

IMO the auto is not as bad as people claim. my 85 is auto and im running 31s on stock 4.30s. If your going to keep the 33s Id suggest going to 5.29s or maybe 5.71s

 

I was in the same boat as you. I looked for a first gen for a loooong time (maybe on and off like 3 years really). I wanted to find the cleanest one as possible with a whole list of other wants. I ended up finding a super clean 88 with an auto. I really wanted a 5sp but I couldn't pass this deal up so I jumped on it.

I would say if it's truly in the condition you say it is and you intend to keep it for a while then get it. Do a swap later on down the road. That's my plan for my truck.

The auto isn't that bad really. Unfortunately I'm dealing with a shift solenoid issue right now that I hope to have fixed by the weekend.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

Thank you all for your input so far. Trans swap does seem like a great option and I will def look into some write ups people have done. But in all honesty though, where I live has very high traffic volume and as bad as this may sound to some, the idea of having an auto is kind on grown on me.

It's good to hear that the auto isn't as bad as some people say it is although I do love the 33's on this truck. Special Scottie says he's running 31's without any problem so maybe if I meet him half way and down size to 32's it might be alright in the long run?

 

22RE/auto is an alright combo with small tires <31".

Any bigger and you have to gear low to do the same as a 5spd with stock gears.

5spd swap FTW, its super easy and cheap.

 

The 22re is slow but its not as bad as people make it sound. Almost everything you hear on here is exaggerated to some extent. I can hold 65 on the freeway with my totally stock 22r, stock gearing and 35's. It's really not that bad

Regearing will almost make the bigger tire problem go away. This sounds like a good deal. I would just keep the 33's

Gutlessness aside, the 22re is one of the easiest motors you will ever work on and is practically bulletproof. Treat it well and it will treat you well

 

Sorry Al, you forgot that..