The earliest
4Runners built from 1984 to 1989 had squarish fenderwells.
Over the past 30 years, Toyota has offered three styles of
front suspensions. Early U.S. models up through 1985 came equipped with a front
straight axle and leaf springs. Beginning in 1986, Toyota converted to their
Hi-Trac independent front suspension (IFS) using A-arms and upper torsion bars
on the 4Runners. Straight axle and torsion IFS 4Runners used recirculating ball
steering boxes. The straight-axle trucks had a push/pull–style draglink, while
the IFS trucks had a cross-link and idler arm assembly. Early 4Runners, like
all Toyota trucks were equipped with a traditional leaf-spring rear suspension.
Toyota’s super-stout 22R and 22RE four-bangers are solid
performers and were used for over a decade. There was a factory turbo version
as well. These engines have proven they can take extreme abuse and their crank
assemblies seem nearly indestructible. Owners with older carbureted models
sometimes swapped engines to get the reliable multi-point injection of the
22RE, or looked to aftermarket propane conversions to get a good trail
induction system that wouldn’t cough and sputter on steep hills.
Toyota’s
super-stout 22R and 22RE four-bangers are solid performers and were used for
over a decade.
Over the years, Toyota has offered a number of engines in
4Runners. 2.4L I-4 engines were used in the early models through 1995. Both
carbureted (22R) and multi-port fuel injection (22RE) versions were offered.
1988 and newer, have been fuel injected. To increase engine power until they
could introduce a V-6 engine, Toyota sold a turbo version 22R-TE in some SR5
models in 1986 and 1987. In 1988, the 30L V-6 3VZ-E engine was introduced.
The second-generation 4Runner continued to use torsion bar
independent front suspension but dropped the use of rear leaf springs in favor
of a fourlink coil spring linked suspension. The coils offered a more
comfortable ride, but reasonable lifts were relatively easy to do. This one’s
been converted with a straight front axle.
Toyota offered new engines in the ’96 4Runner models. There
was the new 2.7L I-4 and the more powerful 3.4L V-6. Enthusiasts finally had a
robust and reliable V-6 to choose. The earlier 3.0L V-6 offered a decent
improvement in horsepower over the 22RE, but not a lot more torque, and it was
certainly less reliable and more complicated. Along with the new V-6, Toyota
offered a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) supercharger kit with the option of dealer
installation and warranty, to really wake up the V-6 engine.
The fourthgeneration models from 2003 to 2009 grew even
larger to a nearly 110-inch wheelbase, and Toyota made the 4Runner more
car-like while eyeing off-road capabilities.
4Runners started life with the basic five-speed manual
transmission. But automatic transmissions have been available in most all
4Runners as an added option. Toyota has varied the axle gearing over the years
to accommodate the various engines, transmissions, and tire sizes. Gearing in
first-generation 4Runners was often either 4.10:1 or 4.30:1. All early 4Runners
were equipped with disc-drum brake systems and would remain that way through
2002.
Through the years, Toyota has used several transfer case
designs in their 4Runners. The high range ratio is 1:1 in all these Toyota
transfer cases. Low range ratios have mostly been either 2.28:1 or 2.57:1.
Typically pre-’96 fourcylinder 4Runners with manual transmissions used the gear
driven 2.28:1 ratio. The four-cylinder turbo, 3.0L V-6, and some automatics
used the 2.57:1 or 2.66:1 chain drive case. Pre-’96 4Runners have a
passenger-side front drive output, while the later models have a driver-side
output.
In the early years, Toyota only offered traditional manual
locking front hubs to engage 4WD. Some mid to late 1980s 4Runners had automatic
locking hubs that worked well when new, but tended to fail after some years or
a large number of use cycles.
4Runners started
life with the basic five-speed manual transmission. But automatic transmissions
have been available in most all 4Runners as an added option.
