1984-1989 4Runner ULTIMATE Buyers Guide

[@murdock8068]

Picked mine up for 1500$ rebuilt it. Now its my daily driver. Literally put it in the garage last night to pull the diffs to replace with 4.88s and 33x10.50s. Along with freshing up some suspension parts and such. This will be my 3rd season of trail riding the Daniel Boone back country Byway. Unbelievable to have both daily driver comfort then throw it in 4low for trail riding excitement. Did I mention I have almost 2yr old twins who ride in the back? They approve of daddy's suv for sure!

[@thndr_5468]

Gosh, that red 4runner is the stuff dreams are made of. It's my dream car when I can finally afford one.

[@pickettbuilt2686]

I clicked on this video being a 1st gen 4Runner fan and all of a sudden I see my own rig in the clips! Great video run down on all the options and it was awesome to see my rig make the cut!

[@hakosan86]

Thanks so much for watching! Only put the best 4runners in the vid!

[@beanandbuggarage569]

I managed to get my hands on an ‘85 a few years ago that didn’t have its 22re in it anymore. It’s a 5-speed, “bright gold metallic” Sr5 with the fancy adjustable “sr5” printed tan seats and inclinometer. Since it didn’t have its original engine, I decided to swap in a Mercedes Benz om617 turbo diesel. Its been a long process getting it to where I want it. One of these days I’d love to get another but keep everything stock!

[@hakosan86]

Wow that sounds like an awesome rig! How do you like the diesel swap? I want to swap mine to something else with more torque.

[@yodagang_]

Yes! I think this is a very solid video for people who have no idea on how to even buy a first GEN 4runner and don’t forget 1984 some blocks have the earlier TEQ stamp on the left-hand side of the engine block that block and head combination is completely different from a 85 Engine set up, rebuilding those motors could be a little challenging because there is no aftermarket support for it. The 3.0 is a really good engine but if you were to buy one I advise anyone to get it on a 2 Wheel Dr. truck or a 4 x 4 pick up if it’s on anything else(uhale, moterhome ect) consider it a ticking time bomb. And for the people who desire a turbo I will let you know right now in my experience they are complete junk stay away from them, they also made a 21RU engine it is on some pick ups but it was designed for forklifts also another engine that is lacking a lot of power in the R family. Almost forgot we had diesel engines in America which is the 2L another engine that is good but lacks any aftermarket support in America if you are to buy a diesel please be advised that you are going to have to import a lot of the parts overseas however if it’s a 2LT that is a really solid engine if anyone here has questions feel free to contact me directly 9094795679 if you need help with a vehicle that you are trying to buy and you have further questions on mechanicals and parts, I can get my hands on any of these parts because we do importing and exporting in America for 1984 through 95 pick up & 4runner, cheers 👍

[@MFDK100]

Got an 89 3vz 4Runner sr5 with a blown engine in 2008 for 900$. Rebuilt 3vz lasted until 2022 and 150k miles. Just swapped in a freshly built 5vz. Toyota only sold 100k first gen rigs in America so they're hard to find now and worth holding onto. A side note, the 2/3rz from the first gen Tacoma bolts right into the 22r/22re models and a 5vz bolts right into the 3vz equipped rigs. Love my 5vz first gen and next is a solid front axle.

[@4runnerchap]

Got my 85 DLX 5 speed 22R swapped 4 years ago with 254,700 miles on the body (160k motor). Just crossed 281,500 miles and am shooting to hit 300k 🤘

[@allentetreault3532]

Owned a 79, 85 and 87 with sas, cases, gears, lockers. Drove the 87 from Colorado to Vancouver, B.C. then to San Fran and back to CO and then cross country to R.I. I might have mentioned these trucks are old AF now, a few things to look out for. The 22re needs to have special attention paid to the timing chain and tensioner. You can hear when the tensioner has gone south, in extreme cases it can rub a hole in the front cover. Valve adjustment is important on 22re's as it helps keep the exhaust valve from burning up. Over heated motors will warp heads and crack between the valves. Manual transmissions are pretty bomb proof, use a good quality clutch- Sachs or Marlin. Use only NGK plugs. Don't know much about the 3.0 but they seem prone to head gasket failure ( I believe there was a service bulletin) and the exhaust valves tend to be problematic. If you get a solid front axle be ready to do seals/ bearings/ birf grease and don't skip trunion bearings. Get crossover steering if you have any lift on solid axle trucks. Above all else- use a factory service manual. You can find them PDF for free.

[@jeepXstreme]

I am fixing up a 1985 SR5 i bought around 6months ago. It has factory front and rear A/c and the solid front Birchfield axle 22re 5spd... Rebuilt the axle and 22re etc etc. Frame was solid no rust. I put rust encapsulator like Por15 but better on frame from Eastwood supply. Has some rust on body but minor. Bushwacker flares and 31 Kevlars BFG came on it like new..creme with dark brown decals but repainted pearl white.. Good video and nice info.

[@liveoak7838]

nice job, could add that the turbo had electronic gauges and was auto trans only. my 85 sr5 came with a 12v trouble light that has a cord that plugs into an outlet on the lower driver dash. some had wing windows and some didn't. some had rear heaters as well

[@nickcrill7718]

I really enjoyed the video. I have an 86 dlx 22re in red. It’s rusty but trusty. I plan to restore it. 298,986 miles. I plan to solid axle swap it with an 84 axle, then factory turbo it, and then just bumpers/sliders.

[@hakosan86]

Thats gonna be a super cool build! I want to sas mine sometime in the future too

[@nickcrill7718]

@@hakosan86 thank you, it will probably take me 10 years because I’m 22 with a 2 year old. So budget is tight.

[@Clevelandsteamer324]

2:20 the legendary 5vzfe. 1996-2002 only in Gen 3 models. The manual transmission option was omitted from all models in 2001 with 2000 being the last year for it.

[@jamesduke4957]

Great video . Lots of good info . Some two years ago I met a woman at he post office who said she had an old 4runner that she wanted to get rid of because it was sitting for a year with a smashed windshield....she said it was an 89 ..... I was so excited... But when I went to look at it , it was a 98 4runner... ..I was still very pleased to get it for free and it runs great after I fixed it up ....I still dream of finding the 89 model one day....

[@leehess6335]

My uncle has the white with the white top and it has like the gray decals on the side SR5 and it does have the bigger center column I remember I learn how to drive stick back in 1991 and I still remember when he bought the truck I was young and 46 now so I was in the high school in the 90s he still got that thing is immaculate garage kept yup white with those gray stripes just like that👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@hakosan86]

Sounds like a keeper!

[@DARKDUDE187]

Actually I think the faxtory winch (last offered 1985) might be one of the more interesting options and you must live where it is warm because no mention of the rear heater. Oh and don't spend big money on an original radio. I am using the double din bluetooth media deck from a 2012 Scion. Best part is it plugs in to your factory harness. Oh mine? 1987 SR5 22REC 414,807 miles.

[@baelm]

there's a clapped 87 near me, under hood fasteners look super rusty crusty and the whole exterior is matte black, i want it still

[@natalied989]

1984 is most definitely not the only year it came carbed. It is just the only year it DIDNT have available EFI.

[@etonviper6]

Great video! 3.0 is a very unappreciated engine though. It may not react to power mods as well as a 22re but it has more hp and torque stock! With regular maintenance and installing headers(crossover pipe from stock headers is a cause for the popped head gaskets) they can live just as long as a 22re

[@Sith_dude]

3.0s are junk, dude. Put an automatic tranny behind it and you've got the most gutless combo ever invented. 22re is more reliable.

[@bryanmora6796]

I was wondering what was wrong with the 3.0 but the video never mentioned it haha The option I’m looking into buying is a 1989 3.0

[@mackmag00]

Great video. Looking foward to more. 🔥👍

[@johnnyquid-xj4kk]

As a kid I wish we had one.

[@trigger796]

2:19 talking about the 22R with footage of a 5VZ

[@SuurPaksJunn]

Bought a 1988 a week ago, the seller said it was Ex military but i didnt think anything of it, turns out when i took the roof off for the first time there was a small incision cut from the roof, turns out it was to mount the machine gun😂

[@Sith_dude]

You forgot the silver with black top paint scheme. My 87 4runner has that scheme on it. It looks great.

[@Miokomata]

I still have the rear plate for the seat delete.

[@Bruceillest101]

I would say the turbo is pretty rare.

[@blainerohlfs]

Waiting for the seat delete seat video!

[@Clevelandsteamer324]

The Gen 2 is the least desirable of all. Majority had the 3.0 V6 which made less power and worse gas mileage than the 2.7 liter 4cylinder that came out in the 1995.5 Tacoma and 1996 4Runner

[@redeye1978]

Thsnks hanko, im in the market and this helps

[@mbrawn6505]

88 Sox also had red top on red

[@thesheff79]

Mine is a 86 sr5, 22re, 5spd.

[@stevengomez8304]

What about the broham version

[@AaronMartinCOOLVIDEO]

i seen one gold a white.

[@anthonypenalber2237]

Iove them so much i have two😂

[@alexclark1588]

3.0 just swap out fuel pressure regulator

[@stevengomez8304]

I tow in my 22re lol not easy tho

[@preacher031163]

Do u know if 31/10.50 will fit on the 84 with stock everything?

[@PewLand]

For sure

[@dundeeecroc]

You can stuff 33's in there, but you will need to have the front and rear differentials changed out to 4:88's

[@tw9211]

It’s not a f’ing car!!!!

[@mikei2322]

😢 ≋p≋r≋o≋m≋o≋s≋m

[@dundeeecroc]

Great video!! I had to subscribe! because I am a Toyota Nut, I have a rust free 1985 Toyota 4runner SR5 5 speed with the 22re, and sits on 35's with 5:29 gearing, rear has been converted from drum to discs. currently look for a brake kit so I can use my handbrake again. it is white with the SR5 emblazoned seats. power windows, altimeter. I cannot find the factory radio I had with it, I put it somewhere.

[@murraytractors345]

I will have to disagree with them being bad at towing I pull a 12 foot trailer with three round bales and a 20 foot norris craft bass boat with mine and yes it’s not fast by any means but it gets the job done and it’s got over 400,000 miles and still going it’s been the most reliable vehicle I’ve ever had

[@bobjones8203]

I have the turbo diesel 1st gen, why no mention of that motor

[@wheelerwalkarounds]

My favorite generation of all the old toyotas we sell. Very good video- lots of great info.

[@hakosan86]

Thanks for watching!

[@grandmasteraj855]

Now I know what color I’m going to paint my Kyosho Mini-z version of this. That creamsicle

[@hakosan86]

Best color!

[@carter5103]

best car

[@hakosan86]

Fr

[@guillermovalderamos2180]

Q precio la del año 84

[@darrelllang4076]

Mine is a 1986 built in Sept 1985 . I keep it stock except the rims but have have the white steel .