Hi all, I'm new here.

I had an '89 pickup for about 10 years, 5-spd 22RE that I loved. Now I have a chance to get an '88 4Runner in EXCELLENT condition, 22RE, but it has the automatic transmission. I'm new to these vehicles, in love with this one - but should I let the automatic stop me? I'm pretty bummed about it, but after driving it, with the overdrive button and the extra power button it doesn't seem too bad. Any experience with these transmissions?

 

In my opinion, condition is the biggest selling point. As long as you have the budget, options like the tranny can be updated to your taste over time. I'd rather be boltin-on or off options vs. spending time and money fixing the body or redoing an interior.

 

My 22re with auto doesn't like hills and cruises at 70, but I'm a tire size or so larger than I should be for my gears. I'd say make sure your tire size matches the diff gears and you'll be fine.

 

1987 22re, auto trans, 31 inch tires and I love it, no problems at all, just make sure the TPS is adjusted to spec and the thing will pull really nice and is bullet proof.

 

It would stop me.

 

If its good to great condition that WOULDN'T stop me. It's a Toyota, enough said....

You could always do a 5-speed swap.

 

i have a 22re/auto in my 85....we beat that thing to death, and still today it will NOT slip at all. I kinda actually like it....it really pulls for an auto, and sometimes i'll even shift it like a manual to grab some extra high end power.

and to be honest, once you get the feel for it, you really can mess with dropping it in neutral, and messing with accelerator pedal, while dropping it back into D to get the exact feel of a 5speed while offroading. I do it all the time whenever i need a little "roll back" combined with a slow and easy take off.

and swapping an auto for a 5speed has been done plenty of times. Its a job i'm sure you can tackle with enough research. Like others said, the purchase should be based on overall condition....all the options, or lack of, can be taken care of later to make the rig exactly what you want.

just my $0.02. long story short, the toyota auto mated to a 22re is un-like any other automatic transmission you have ever experianced

 

I guess it just depends if you want an auto or a manual. There are enough of these trucks around that I would just wait to find one with a manual as opposed to buying one with an auto and swapping in a manual later.

But, it's gonna your truck so if you can deal with an auto, go for it. I would just much rather have a Toyota Truck with 5 speed, much more fun and more durable IMO.

 

If the GI junk hasnt been killed with an auto, you wont be able to kill it!

I say go for it. But when you gear it just gear it low.

 

It is going to be your truck what do you want??

Lets face it if any of us want something brand new it is going to be a auto.

Me I would buy what I want I just don`t care for any automatic transmissions so I would pass on this one.

But you are not me!!:jessica:

 

Thanks everybody. In a perfect world I'd prefer the 5-speed by far, but I gotta say this truck is in GREAT condition and I'll probably go for it. The owner's letting me drive it for a couple weeks to check it out (I know him, so it's not that weird). I'll post some pics when I pick it up. Thanks again! Look forward to reading more here on the forum.
Brian