1986 Toyota 4Runner

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: Independent front suspension 1986–1989

Two IH8MUD members recommend the later trucks for a softer ride on the road. Hagerty also calls their ride smoother.^1,2
Sought after: Turbo four-cylinder Turbo One source so far

Hagerty calls it rare and says many enthusiasts rate it the best 1st gen. It is the only factory-turbo 4Runner sold in North America.³
Sought after: 2.4L four-cylinder Four-cylinder

Hagerty calls the 22R engines close to indestructible and more reliable than the V6. Trail4Runner's writer calls the 22RE slow but very hard to kill if maintained.^3,4,5
Avoid: 3.0L V6 V6 Less sought after

A specialist quoted by Hagerty says most enthusiasts avoid it, and Hagerty ties head gasket trouble to it.^2,3
Avoid: Automatic All years Less sought after

Three members in two threads have doubts about the automatic. Two call a 22RE with the automatic slow, though one says theirs gave no trouble, and the third says many buyers steer clear of it.^6,1

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.