Hello, I just want to start off with saying that I have done hours of research but would like some advice so my situation in particular. I just got an 88 22re, 4x4, 5 speed, extra cab Toyota. I am going to be doing a SAS on it and the plan is to take it through the Rubicon for my birthday in June. Also before I get into the bad situation I have with this truck I want to point out that I got it for next to nothing from a Veteran home nearby, so please don't judge on the situation that I am in. So basically I got the truck with an incomplete engine, and no wiring harness or ECU. I had no idea that 88 is the bastard year and of course I am missing the ECU and wiring harness for it. Fortunately I do have the dash harness with the green/yellow plug on the passenger side kickpanel. Looks like I have an early 88 since I do have the low impedance resistor on my passenger side fender which made me think I can potentially run a 87 ecu and wiring harness. There is a guy nearby who has a complete 87 engine, harness, and ECU for $500. If this works I will go that route since it seems like less of a headache, but I am concerned that it may not pass SMOG due to the older ECU? I really don't know on that one from the research that I have done. Ideally, I would buy a used motor with a rod knock or something from an 88 with the wiring harness and ECU. But my odds of that are slim to none. I have a rebuilt head and a good shortblock so getting a good engine is not my concern. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

was there a question posed above? what advice are you looking for?

 

yea ok maybe I wasn’t totally clear lol. What I’m getting at is will an 87 ECU, wiring harness and engine work in my 88 and if anyone knows this, will let be able to pass smog if I was to do that?

 

I would bet some of the folks on here would suggest a call to your local Air-regulation-Kommisar as to what would pass for the smog.
I'd probably do that first because it might guide you as to what will be the easiest and best long term approach.

 

I got some good information that I think others that come to a similar situation could benefit from. I did exactly what you suggested earlier today and the tech said that an 86-7 ecu and wiring harness will be fine on a 88!

 

Probably make a pretty interesting build thread too.

 

Just to update everyone, I ended up finding an 88 harness and ECU so I went that route. However, I did speak with a local SMOG tech and he said 86-88 puts out the same emissions so if the entire harness, ecu, and injectors were all compatible with eachother, they should work on any of those years trucks. I am just looking for a coil and then my 88 will be ready to fire up. I have an 87 harness and ecu on standby if need be so I will report back if need be.

 

Not exactly. A few differences...
1988 has the added air injector or something like that - added ducting around the intake.
Circuit Opening Relay and Fuel Pump test connector wiring are a little different.
On 1986 Cold Start Injector is solely controlled by CSI timer switch. On 1988 the ECU takes part in controlling the CSI.
I also believe fuse blocks are different between the 2.