1987 Toyota 4Runner 22RTE 4x4, New Engine w/Warranty

Well, here goes. Up for sale/auction is my 1987 Toyota 4Runner. This particular model is the 22RTE Turbocharged version. I’ve owned the car for about a year and when I bought it, it was my sincere intention to put some time and money into it, in order to make it a fun family vehicle that I could use to haul the kids around. I also wanted to be able to drive it around town, in order to alleviate some mileage from other vehicle that I use specifically for work. But now, my work vehicle is having some problems. So I’ve made the hard decision to go back to one vehicle that I can do everything with and that means that it’s time to let both the work vehicle and the 4runner go.

The 4runner itself has only 141K miles on it. I bought it with 139K. It is clean. Very, very clean. Inside and out. There’s no rust from what I can tell, and my Toyota friends have said the same. Someone who owned it previously repainted it and didn’t do a very good job, as the paint is peeling in places. But it’s nothing that can’t be fixed and it certainly isn’t exposing the metal to rust. The interior is in great shape. The dash has a couple cracks, but the whole dash is covered with a carpet cover so they don’t show. I put seat covers on the front and back seats, as well as rubber mats on the front and rear floorboards when I bought it, so wear and tear on the actual fabric has been minimal. The other cool thing about this particular model is the digital speedometer and gauges. I’ve quite honestly never seen anything like them. I wish they were still a thing.

As far as the mechanicals go, I’m no expert but this is what I know:

The first thing I did when I bought it was to have a new engine put in due to the old one having low compression. I purchased an engine from S&J Engines out of Spokane Washington and had a local mechanic do an engine swap. The new engine (per their website) included the following:

•7-Year/100,000 mile warranty

•Guarantee to meet or exceed the OEM quality and specifications

• Installed precision milled cylinder head(s)

•Installed Valve train:

•new valves, new valve seals, new valve seating

• Leak tested Heads & Block

• Milled Cylinder Head/s

•New Main Bearings

•New Oil Pump

• New Pistons

•New Rod Bearings

•New Seals & Gaskets

•New Timing Belt

•New Spark Plugs

•New Water Pump

• Radiator Flush + Fresh Coolant

And in case you’re wondering, the engine warranty works. I had to have a banjo bolt resized by a local machine shop because S&J had drilled a hole a little too big. I sent them the invoice for the banjo bolt work and they sent me a reimbursement check. Wham Bam.

Some other upgrades include front-end work done by the previous owner and the shocks have

been upgraded to Bilstein.

General stuff….here’s what works:

• Drivers side seat folds down/moves forward

• Back seats fold down as they should

• Seat belts work

• Gauges work

• Heat works (both front and rear heat)

• Power windows and locks work

• Clinometer works, although I’m not sure of its accuracy. Not sure anyone ever was :)

• All headlights and taillights work as they should

•I’m pretty sure the cruise control works.

•The windshield wipers work (both front and rear)

•The 4x4 definitely works. I haven’t gone off roading in it, but I did use it to climb a large hill that

my other car couldn’t get up.

• The horn works. And it is awesome.

My next project was to have the turbo rebuilt/replaced. I hadn’t quite decided what to do, but I had bought another turbo off of eBay before I decided to sell the car. As a result, I have an extra CT20 turbo that I will include with the car. From what I can tell, the turbo isn’t gone yet, but I think it’s going. The car is very sluggish, especially on uphills. In the time that I’ve owned it, I’ve only driven it around town, never on the interstate and on 2 lane highways at no faster than 50mph. I’ve kept the RPMs down to 1500 to 2000 at the most and just let the thing chug along. I tried to baby it because I wasn’t sure about the turbo and I didn’t want to push it.

General Stuff…here’s what needs fixing

• Interior lights don’t work, except for the deck light in the back.

• Opening the driver door turns the digital clock off, closing it turns it back on and resets it.

• AC needs to be recharged/converted

• Back Window works both ways with the interior button, but using the key in the back lock only

closes the window.

•Lights behind the AC/Heat Panel need to be replaced, they don’t illuminate at night.

• Headlight Brights do not work

• There’s a bit of an exhaust leak somewhere.

I’ve set a reserve price that would allow me to just recoup my money from the vehicle purchase plus the engine swap. I also have a clean car fax that I can provide. I really do hate to let this thing go. I have pictures of my 2 year old son sitting in the driver seat trying to turn the steering wheel. He loves “the yota”. But now, it’s time to let someone else take the reigns. Thanks for reading. Email with questions and I’ll try to answer as best I can.The 4runner is also for sale locally and on some Toyota forums, so I reserve the right to end the auction early if it sells.