1986 Toyota 4Runner Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Was 1986 the year that SUV's started to go from being off-roading monsters to grocery getters? Perhaps not, but the 1986 Toyota 4Runner was perhaps a little too easy to drive.
A complete redesign of the 4Runner changed the suspension from a solid front axle to an independent front suspension (IFS). Complaints about highway driving were in part responsible for this change. With the new suspension, driving was smoother, but off-roading capabilities were reduced. Rear seats were not the standard in 1986, and many were put in aftermarket, so this was not quite a supermaket SUV yet =D.
A new engine was also available in 1986: the 22R-TE I4, a turbo-charged version of the prior 2.4-liter I4.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1986 Toyota 4Runner
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Christopher E
Dec 05, 2013
The handling sucked it had no power no off road abilities it was really bad for snow and ice and rain for that matter it was OK for goi to work n back but not much else it had a five speed in it Dec 05, 2013
by Anonymous
Mar 31, 2011
project truck
22re auto on 31's. Warm weater only! (body like swiss cheese)
was daily driver but started to fall apart. needs:
full front end upgrade (its all shot)
brake work (one day they quit working)
trans swap (auto sucks)
EMC relocation (doesnt like to be under water)Mar 31, 2011
by Anonymous
Nov 04, 2010
I loved this car for what it was. A very
underpowered but beautiful topless chick
magnet! I owned this truck in my early 20's in
a beach town and it was spectacular to have.
But in the end it wound up coming apart and I
was barely able to sell it for anything.Nov 04, 2010
User rating:
by Christopher E
Dec 05, 2013
The handling sucked it had no power no off road abilities it was really bad for snow and ice and rain for that matter it was OK for goi to work n back but not much else it had a five speed in it Dec 05, 2013
by Anonymous
Mar 31, 2011
project truck
22re auto on 31's. Warm weater only! (body like swiss cheese)
was daily driver but started to fall apart. needs:
full front end upgrade (its all shot)
brake work (one day they quit working)
trans swap (auto sucks)
EMC relocation (doesnt like to be under water)Mar 31, 2011
by Anonymous
Nov 04, 2010
I loved this car for what it was. A very
underpowered but beautiful topless chick
magnet! I owned this truck in my early 20's in
a beach town and it was spectacular to have.
But in the end it wound up coming apart and I
was barely able to sell it for anything.Nov 04, 2010
by Anonymous
Jun 28, 2010
Awsome lil truck all around, great mpg, body still is in great shape (no rust) never gets stuck mud snow ect, removable to great, never has let me stranded. gets a lot of looks, 5spd 22re very dependable will probably have it when my kids start driving.Jun 28, 2010
by Anonymous
Oct 29, 2009
the body and frame have 375,000 mi. on it, i put a remanufactured 22re in it ,its boared out .40 over, and it has an rv cam, center force clutch, new tranny, new starter, new bulit Aluminum radiator,2'' body lift, 2'' Pacesetter headders to a flowtech raptor muffler exaust system. the body is 90% dent free. sittin on some 32'' bfg m.t.sOct 29, 2009
by David O
Aug 10, 2009
This is one of the best off road 4x4 vehicles. With the proper gears, even a 4 cylinder will climb hills. Not so great on the Jumps. Rough inside and AC was not factory standard. Just a bit warm in the summer.Aug 10, 2009
by James L
Aug 06, 2009
She has 500,000 miles on the original engine, runs stong, super reliable, I can still do 130mph, I get 29mpg city. Has 5 seats, Extremely fun to drive, has the W56 5Speed. Does wonderful offroad, on snow. Extremely easy to work on, modify, whatever it calls for! Aug 06, 2009
by Clayton S
Jul 06, 2009
My favorite thing about this truck is that it has a hell of a lot of personality. Congratulations, you might have a 2009 Lexus, I'm not impressed. As the review title says, I wouldn't trade this thing for a brand new 4Runner - somewhere along the line, Toyota messed up. The 4Runner started out as a go-anywhere beast and ended up just another box to carry your airbags around in. I love how many looks it gets - there just aren't that many first-gen 4Runners around. Jul 06, 2009
by Anonymous
May 17, 2009
i have a 1986 toyota 4runner, automatic 2.4 liter 4 cylinder. its a little slow on acceleration but makes up in torque. disk breaks in front and drum breaks in back, i couldnt ask for a better breaking system. the handling is one of the best ive driven. being a 23 yr old 4x4, weve had our work cut out for us with body work. im sure i can bondo in my sleep now. the appearance is a little bleak, white and gray gets old after time but the good thing about these trucks is you can beat em up or paint em and theres no adverse effects. i wouldnt trade it for anything...maybe a house...hmmm...naa, i can put the back seats down and sleep in it! its perfect!!! =)May 17, 2009
by Shawn G
Mar 16, 2009
Fun truck, awesome to drive, rugged, easy to work on, 22RE engine will last forever if you do the maintenance. Highway mpg is definitely in the 20s 24-25 maybe, i don't know about city. Removable hard top is awesome but nowhere sells a soft top :-(Mar 16, 2009
by Jeremiah D
Apr 08, 2008
If You like versatility and dependability. This one will take you anywhere. Features a removable fiber glass shell on the rear for the open top off road ride. Roll bar and cab roof keep safty in tow. Great OFF Road and On roadApr 08, 2008
by Roberto B
Mar 28, 2008
roof comes off, pretty kool car. Mar 28, 2008
by Sharlyn S
Jan 29, 2008
This little truck is awesome ,it's great on gas and since i spend most of my time in the mountains ..the 4x4 is perfect for all my "MANY" back country needs and on those days i just feel like beach'n it or road trip'n through our beautiful sunny valley.. it has a totally removeable hard top or the option of using the custom "Larsen" bikini soft top .... IIIIII LOVEEEEEEEE ITTTTT!!!! "TOYOTAAAAAA " Jan 29, 2008
by Rob D
Jan 15, 2008
2.4L 4cyl 5 speed, hardtop convertible 4x4Jan 15, 2008
What users have asked
1986 Toyota 4runner trouble
I have a 1986 Toyota 4runner it is having trouble starting and staying running poor idle it has good spark fresh tune up it's not the mass airflow sensor it's not the fuel pump or the fuel filter none of the relays or wires, battery, fuses, the truck pretty much won't start it will just crank and not fire pretty much any ideas or a good old Toyota mechanic near Youngstown OH it's the 22're motor
45 views
86 toyota 4runner TRE intermittent starting
Every so often my Toyota 4Runner won't crank over. If I rock it in a back and forth motion I can get it to crank over. Not sure why it takes this to get it started. I'm concerned it could be the alternator but I don't wanna spend money to replace it and that's not the root problem. I do in fact get a 14.5 reading for charge on the voltage when it's running.
23 views
196 views
seems seized?
1986 Toyota 4 runner 22re engine, Hears the deal loaned the truck out,(first mistake) , they said they herd some knocking,like it was coming from the outside and below their feet, lights seemed to have dimmed on them , was losing power in the motor. they said they thought that it had something to do with the battery, and called me for a jump. got there bought a new battery put in it, then this is what I find,... the starter seems to be trying to engage, but has a sudden stop to it, took the starter off, check the fly wheel teeth good, (good shape) took the starter down to have it checked, (good shape) its a Manuel truck and has had problems with the clutch in the past, and am always having to add fluid to the master cylinder, now where the clutch has been a problem in the past I was hoping that it could be that some how the pressure plate,throw out bearing and shift fork could be the issue, I don't know how to tell if the engine is seized, and was wondering if any one has ever had a problem like this and what steps you took to figure out what was hanging it up? I need some insight for my next move. Please Help.Thank you
408 views
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1986 Toyota 4Runner Pricing
Original MSRP
$11,428 to $16,148Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: power vertical
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: power vertical
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: power vertical
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: power vertical
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent