1st Gen 4Runner as a DD- Anyone?

onewhippedpuppy · 11-06-2007, 07:49 AM

Ummmmm, ok. Never seen that happen before. Somehow I started a thread with no text.

Anyway, I'm looking at a 1st gen 4Runner ('89) as a potential daily driver. Freshly rebuilt 22RE, 5 speed, sounds really solid. No rust. Has anyone used one of these as a DD, and what did you think of it? I don't expect a Porsche, but I want something that can get out of it's own way, and go 70 MPH on the highway.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/car/430819628.html

The 1st gen 4Runner appeals to me because I've always thought they were cool, they have seating for 5, but I can pull the top if I need to use it as a truck.

IROC · IROC's Garage

I used one as a daily driver for about 7 years. Mine was an '87. Bulletproof, ultra-reliable vehicle. I sold it (in 2000) when it had 165k miles on it to buy my DoubleCab.

"Seating for 5" is a bit of a stretch. The back seats are fine, but are difficult for adults to get in and out of. A rebuilt 22RE will most likely survive a nuclear holocaust. I hauled alot of stuff in the back of mine without even taking the top off...

Great vehicle. After the 911, it was the best vehicle I ever owned.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

I drove one for a few months, my brothers in fact. The ride was miserable, bouncy as hell, thing was noisy on the highway to boot. Maybe I'm just spoiled with my Audi's. His also had the 22RE, not enough power IMHO, really not a car that's good going up to the mountains.

NICKG · 11-06-2007, 08:20 AM

i drive a 91 2wd pick up ...basically the same, can't beat it. gets 32 mpg and i constantly turn people away who offer $$ for it(i paid 2000 for it, turned 4000 down, i cannot replace it for that) heck the dealer offers 2500 for the thing in trade on a new one.

onewhippedpuppy · 11-06-2007, 08:23 AM

So maybe not 5. My family of four consists of a 3 yr old and a 4 mo old, so I'm thinking kids. It doesn't much matter, my wife has pledged to never ride in it.

IROC · IROC's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott R

The ride was miserable, bouncy as hell, thing was noisy on the highway to boot. Maybe I'm just spoiled with my Audi's. His also had the 22RE, not enough power IMHO, really not a car that's good going up to the mountains.

Comparing an Audi to a 1st gen 4Runner was where you went wrong...

One thing that this era 4Runner suffered from was sagging rear leaf springs. Toyota used the same springs as trucks of that era, but the added weight of the 4Runner caused the springs to sag over time. I installed a pair of $39 add-a-leafs on mine that levelled the vehicle and restored the ride.

By today's standards, a 115 hp 22RE is no powerhouse, but it motivates the 4Runner around pretty well as long as you stick close to factory tire sizes. I had 32s on mine and it was acceptable - just don't expect to whip out and pass people doing 80 on the interstate.

onewhippedpuppy · 11-06-2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IROC

Comparing an Audi to a 1st gen 4Runner was where you went wrong...

One thing that this era 4Runner suffered from was sagging rear leaf springs. Toyota used the same springs as trucks of that era, but the added weight of the 4Runner caused the springs to sag over time. I installed a pair of $39 add-a-leafs on mine that levelled the vehicle and restored the ride.

By today's standards, a 115 hp 22RE is no powerhouse, but it motivates the 4Runner around pretty well as long as you stick close to factory tire sizes. I had 32s on mine and it was acceptable - just don't expect to whip out and pass people doing 80 on the interstate.

It won't be a family road trip car by any means, just so long as it can keep up on the highway, I'm good. This one has a medium cam, the owner thought it contributed a little bit of pep.

From the pics I've seen, the ride height looks good. I forgot to ask about spring/shock replacement. I think there's about 10 years of Toyota trucks/4Runners that suffered from the spring sag.

Komenda Fan · Komenda Fan's Garage

I had a buddy with one of these, performance is more than adequate, but you really buy one because they will go on forever. It's like the old Toyota ad said "make sure you like the colour" because it will be around for a very long time.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Komenda Fan

I had a buddy with one of these, performance is more than adequate, but you really buy one because they will go on forever. It's like the old Toyota ad said "make sure you like the colour" because it will be around for a very long time.

They're not without problems though, I've done a lot of rear wheel bearings, they are expensive at $80/side plus machine shop labor. The timing chain fails on occasion and cuts through the cooling jacket, replacement involves removing the head. The rear window relay pack is problematic, try finding one in the salvage yards.

fingpilot · 11-06-2007, 10:46 AM

I also have a '91 Pickup with the 22RE. Paid $400 for it with the aforementioned chain / water jacket prob. Did a rebuilt long block / new head exchange in Santa Ana. Metal chain ramp on the rebuild solves the loose chain / water jacket prob. $1400 out the door. Earl is painting it as we speak. Set of Dick Cepeks and tires, and it will be mine forever again.

$2200 and I'm just where I'd want to be in a real clean truck.

I'd go for it and let the wife walk.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingpilot

I also have a '91 Pickup with the 22RE. Paid $400 for it with the aforementioned chain / water jacket prob. Did a rebuilt long block / new head exchange in Santa Ana. Metal chain ramp on the rebuild solves the loose chain / water jacket prob. $1400 out the door. Earl is painting it as we speak. Set of Dick Cepeks and tires, and it will be mine forever again.

$2200 and I'm just where I'd want to be in a real clean truck.

I'd go for it and let the wife walk.

They make an upgraded chain ramp? Do you have a link?

fingpilot · 11-06-2007, 11:53 AM

http://www.doaracingengines.com/

onewhippedpuppy · 12:18 PM

It was part of this 22RE rebuild as well.

From the ad: New Timing Chain and STEEL guides

It's something I've seen mentioned on Toyota forums as a must do when rebuilding a 22RE.

Those of you that have owned these, what kind of MPG do you see? The owner of this '89 says he normally is between 16 and 19 MPG, but I've seen many claims of 25 MPG for 22RE/5 speed 1st gen 4Runners.

Seahawk · 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingpilot

http://www.doaracingengines.com/

Great link...my Dad is giving me back a '91 Toyota with a R22 I gave him in 2000 and it might need attention.

Matt, a 4Runner with an R22 couldn't out run a cruise ship. Get the truck with an extended cab. Now that bad boy will smoke any Cannard ship afloat.

IROC · IROC's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

It was part of this 22RE rebuild as well.

From the ad: New Timing Chain and STEEL guides

It's something I've seen mentioned on Toyota forums as a must do when rebuilding a 22RE.

Those of you that have owned these, what kind of MPG do you see? The owner of this '89 says he normally is between 16 and 19 MPG, but I've seen many claims of 25 MPG for 22RE/5 speed 1st gen 4Runners.

FWIW, it seems to me that timing chain issue was largely due to the chain flailing around at startup and braking the plastic guide. This often due to a worn or nonfunctioning tensioner (or not using factory oil filters). I've owned four Toyotas with 22R (or RE) engines that had a combined total of over 500k miles and never had an issue with the timing chain. YMMV.

As for mpg, I got low 20s city and mid 20s highway (corrected for the tire size). I had an '83 4WD truck that routinely got 26 mpg highway.

arcsine · 11-06-2007, 01:20 PM

I rolled an '89 4-Runner at 60 mph once and while the truck was completely demolished, both my wife and I were fine. A bit of data about the sturdiness of the truck if nothing else.

onewhippedpuppy · 11-06-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Great link...my Dad is giving me back a '91 Toyota with a R22 I gave him in 2000 and it might need attention.

Matt, a 4Runner with an R22 couldn't out run a cruise ship. Get the truck with an extended cab. Now that bad boy will smoke any Cannard ship afloat.

I can get a rust free '89 4Runner with a rebuilt 22RE and a 5 speed for $3800 (probably less). I can get a rusty, bad paint, trashed interior, 250k, borderline rebuild extended cab PU for $4500-$5000. I'd prefer a truck, but there just aren't good pickups going for what I'd like to spend.

Seahawk · 11-06-2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I can get a rust free '89 4Runner with a rebuilt 22RE and a 5 speed for $3800 (probably less). I can get a rusty, bad paint, trashed interior, 250k, borderline rebuild extended cab PU for $4500-$5000. I'd prefer a truck, but there just aren't good pickups going for what I'd like to spend.

No issues, then...but plan ahead on your merges!

onewhippedpuppy · 11-06-2007, 04:20 PM

In my forum browsing, it appears that there are several 1st gen 4Runners with supercharged 3.4L V6s. That would certainly solve the lack of power issue.........

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

In my forum browsing, it appears that there are several 1st gen 4Runners with supercharged 3.4L V6s. That would certainly solve the lack of power issue.........

You don't want the V6, or the V6 turbo, keep browsing to find out why.