I am looking at purchasing an out of state 1987 4runner and registering it in California. Does anyone have suggestions on what to look for to make sure this thing at least has the correct smog equipment installed. It is cheap so I don't mind replacing some parts of necessary but I want to make sure everything is there so to speak. I will definitely be looking for the CAT. What else?

Thanks for your help.

- Jesse

 

the main things will be PCV, PAIR (Pulsed Air-Injection/Reaction) and EGR as well as the catalytic converter.
but we've already had many cases of military folk bringing in vehicles from out of state and it's been determined that California cannot penalize you for bringing in a vehicle from out of state if you've never lived in the state, so you will likely get by on that as well.
You may have to talk with the referee program but they should recommend passing based on Federal requirements.

 

Thanks , do you know if an 87 4runner is a 50 state vehicle?

 

no way of knowing without seeing the decal under the hood and tracing the VIN.

 

but 'allegedly' if the engine designation is a "22REC" or similar with the "C" suffix, it was intended for the California market which would make it 50 state (not 48 state) legal.