1st gen Toyota 4Runner 1984–1989

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: Solid front axle 1984–1985

Hagerty says purists seek out the early trucks and off-roaders like the solid axle, at the cost of a rougher ride. Trail4Runner's writer calls the 1985 one of the most wanted.^1,2,3,4
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.^5,2
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.⁴
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.^4,6,3
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.^2,4
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.^7,5

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