Like all of the first generation of the SUV, the 1988 Toyota 4Runner was a great truck for its time, but continues to be popular due to its ability to be modified and improved. The fiberglass top comes off, and the performance of the engine is relatively easy to enhance as well.

Modifications aside, the 1988 debuted the most powerful engine the 4Runner had known: a 3.0-liter V6 3VZ-E. This was the first six cylinder engine offered by Toyota for it SUV. A new transmission and transfer case came with the bigger engine.