Cohort poster JC’s shots are all from Carmel, CA, a very exclusive and expensive little enclave. So it’s not surprising that the cars he shoots are almost invariably very expensive exotics and classics. Add this 4Runner to the list; this is the Holy Grail of gen1 4Runners, which have had a strong following almost forever and have recently become seriously collectible and expensive. But the very rare Turbo version is in a league of its own, and the perfectly restore one here is something we might expect T87 to find in the streets of Tokyo.
A turbo? Yes, because Toyota’s V6 wasn’t quite ready yet, and the regular 22R-E had all of 116hp to push this tall and none too-light truck. So Toyota did what Chrysler did: turbocharge the four until the V6 was ready, to satisfy American’s rapidly growing thirst for more powerful cars and trucks. It boosted hp to 135, but more importantly, fattened up the torque curve to an even greater extent. It came only with the four speed automatic on the 4Runner, but that was probably just as well, as these early turbo engines had lag, which was mostly overcome by an automatic, as there was no need to let up on the gas while shifting.
The V6 arrived in 1987, with 150hp, but also with a chronic appetite for head gaskets. The 22R-E four (and 22R-TE turbo) meanwhile were as bulletproof as it got, hence their desirability, even for the NA version.
We can only speculate what this 4Runner would fetch today. Non-turbos regularly sell for more than $20k; the rarity and condition of this one makes it hard to pin down, but 2-3 times that might be a good starting point.
I had totally forgotten that these ever came as a turbo. Japanese cars of 1985-87 were barely on my radar at the time, as I was in a transition from my brief time as a Eurocar fanboi to my regression into classic American iron. Plus, early SUVs were out of my viewfinder altogether. Now, I would drool all over this (just as I am doing right now).
The first one of these I ever remember seeing was actually swapped to a manual. I love these first gens.I think there is a strong argument the most valuable version is the 85 with a manual and EFI as that was the last year for the solid front axle and the first for EFI.
I had several friends who owned first gen 4runners and I had an 87 pickup. They are simply spectacular offroad while being more pleasant than a jeep of similar vintage on road.
Funny thing about the AC one friend had a fully loaded 86 or 87 4 runner his father had bought new. When you turned on the AC at 65 MPH it would actually slow down a couple mph unless you hit the gas.
Turbo diesel versions were common but the turbo label is on the back door from memory and of course there was a flood of ex JDM Surfs in NZ the majority being diesels, you can still buy new 2.4 cylinder heads on trademe which points to a weakness in them.
Yes, on the gasoline/petrol the 22RE has a fairly deserved reputation for goodness but (I base this on second-hand info, never owned one) cam chain tensioner wear can cause the chain to damage to the heads. Nowadays the 3.4 liter 5VZ-FE V6 used in the T100, first gen Tacoma and 3rd gen 4Runner is considered to be the “best” engine and kits are sold to swap these into older pickups and 4Runners. My T100 had this motor.
This 4Runner was listed on Bring A Trailer earlier this year:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1986-toyota-4runner-4×4-39/
…listed as being sold for $21,000. Lower than I’d expect, even with the 151,000 mi. as advertised.
I particularly like the brown/tan striped “turbo” embroidered upholstery:
Same. Where they all like this ?
I’m thinking that it’s the same one.
Yes, BAT auction in April and now wearing a brand new CA Plate starting at 9A_____ now seen recently around here.
Also one in ny!