1st Gen Toyota 4Runner Build: Upgrades, Specs & Off-Road Performance

Toyota’s 1st Gen 4Runner

Off-road enthusiasts have probably noticed that late-model Toyota trucks and SUVs have skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years. In a world traditionally dominated by Jeeps, Toyota’s line up of off-road capable vehicles are showing up on the trail in ever increasing numbers.

As popular as its trucks are now, it can be easy to forget that Toyota’s long-standing relationship with off-roaders has spanned over half a century.

Most notable of these classic Toyota’s are the Land Cruiser 40 series, or FJ40 for short.

These boxy off-roaders are now considered collector’s items to many and the only way to cruise unpaved roads to others. Its legacy has carried over to many other models since then.

In 1984, Toyota released its 4Runner SUV. It quickly won the hearts of adventurers and off-road thrill seekers with its ultra-capable HiLux derived underpinnings.

The Build Story: Steve Wilson’s 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR5

Let’s fast forward 30 years from the introduction of the 4Runner. Steve Wilson’s shop, Wilson & Steely Kustom Coachworks, took in a couple vehicles on trade for a ‘42 Ford two-door sedan that they had hot-rodded out.

One of those vehicles happened to be a clean ‘85 Toyota 4Runner SR5 that hailed from the high desert in Oregon.

“IN 1984, TOYOTA RELEASED ITS 4RUNNER SUV. IT QUICKLY WON THE HEARTS OF ADVENTURERS AND OFF-ROAD THRILL SEEKERS WITH ITS ULTRA-CAPABLE HILUX DERIVED UNDERPINNINGS.”

Planning & Preparation

The truck was completely stock with the best part being that it was remarkably rust free. Although completely different from the hot rods and custom cars Steve and his crew at Wilson & Steely Kustom Coachworks normally worked on, this Toyota had plenty of potential to be something more.

Visions of a reliable and capable truck to take on wandering adventures is what set the end goal, based on experience with the Vermont Overland Club.

Steve has spent his time designing and building one-off hot rods, custom cars, and more recently, off-road adventure machines for all types of clients.

Having the resource of a shop that can perform all aspects of the build under one roof is extremely helpful when planning any build.

A plan was established, its drivetrain components would stay stock but rebuilt for ease of maintenance, while the suspension would be raised for added clearance.

The use of more aggressive tires plus increased trail protection to protect the nice and clean original body. A roll cage was also added to protect the passengers, in case things get a little out of control.

“STEVE HAD PREVIOUSLY RAN NITTO’S TRAIL GRAPPLER TIRES ON NUMEROUS TRAIL JEEPS WITH GREAT SUCCESS, SO HE KNEW THE TRAIL GRAPPLERS SERVICE THE 4RUNNER WELL.”

Prepped

Engine Rebuild:

With the 4Runner prepped, it was time to move forward on the required changes to meet the plan of action.

First on the agenda was to get a long block, which was sourced from JIS Engines to replace the Toyota’s stock unit.

The engine internals remained in stock form and an upgraded camshaft was installed for better low-end torque, while all drive accessories were refurbished and rebuilt.

Fuel System:

For the fuel induction, the stock EFI was ditched for a much-needed improvement.

In this case, a FITech Go Street EFI 400hp system was installed on top of an Offenhauser four-barrel intake manifold.

The Go EFI self-tuning fuel injection is rated at 400 hp, but is suitable for engines from 140 through 400 horses.

This system is perfect for your everyday driver right up to your weekend adventure machine. The unit features a fast and accurate self-learning system, timing control, wet flow annular discharge and tons of additional features.

“HAVING THE RESOURCE OF CAN PERFORM ALL ASPECTS BUILD UNDER ONE ROOF IS HELPFUL WHEN PLANNING ANY A SHOP THAT OF THE EXTREMELY BUILD.”

Ignition System:

To fire the motor, the ultimate ignition system was sourced from Davis Unified Ignition (DUI) systems.

Featuring a high voltage coil and high dwell module, the all-in-one DUI drops in and only one 12v hot wire is needed for hook up making the unit reliable and very easy to service.

Connecting the distributor to the plugs is a set of DUI live wires that feature high temperature sleeves to protect the wires up to 1400 degrees.

Cooling System:

Now that the ignition and EFI were simplified, a high-performance aluminum radiator from Champion Cooling was installed to cool the new motor.

Exhaust:

An OBX header was installed to help expel the exhaust gasses.

Drivetrain:

The factory transmission and transfer case were only serviced and rebuilt where necessary. Both differentials were cleaned and inspected for reinstallation.

Modified

In order to increase the 4Runner’s off-road capability, a few modifications would be necessary.

Suspension:

All four leaf springs were ditched for ProComp’s four-inch lift springs. To smooth out the ride, ProComp ES3000 shocks were installed on all four corners.

Tire and Wheel Fitment:

Its increased altitude allowed for four 285/75R16 Nitto Trail Grappler tires to be fitted to 16-inch KMC Enduro wheels with clearance to spare.

Steve had previously ran Nitto’s Trail Grappler tires on numerous trail Jeeps with great success, so he knew the Trail Grapplers would service the 4Runner well.

Improved tire coverage was achieved by installing a set of Bushwacker pocket flares.

Body Protection:

For body protection, Trail Gear was contacted for a set of Rock Defense front and rear bumpers plus one of their rugged rock slider kits.

The front Rock Defense bumper houses a Smittybilt XRC 9,500lb winch just in case the wheeling adventure exceeds expected limitations.

Exterior & Interior Improvements

Interior:

The interior was freshened up with a set of Smittybilt XRC suspension seats.

The seats were mounted to a set of modified Jeep CJ7 brackets to get them to sit lower to the floor for better fitment.

New black loop carpet was made and the rear seat was reupholstered to match the front seats.

To keep everybody safe during extreme maneuvers, a cage kit from 4x Innovations was installed. The cage is constructed of 1.75 x .120 DOM and is a do-it-yourself kit that saved a lot of fabrication time.

All instrumentation was kept in stock form and the factory original Toyota 4WD clinometer altimeter gauge instrument cluster keeps the driver well informed of the terrain at hand.

Exterior:

To wrap the project up, Wilson & Steely Kustom Coachworks laid down a new shiny coat of red paint to match the factory color.

The top was sprayed with black Monstaliner to freshen up the look. Front and rear bumpers along with the rock rails and fender flares were sprayed gloss black.

The red and black paint scheme gives the 4Runner a classic yet aggressive look.

“TOYOTA CREATED A WELL-EQUIPPED ADVENTURE MACHINE WHEN THEY DEBUTED THE 4RUNNER. EQUIPPED WITH ENOUGH CREATURE COMFORTS TO BE DRIVEN DAILY WITH EASE, IT IS STILL RUGGED ENOUGH TO GO WHERE FEW VENTURE.”

Simple Build

Toyota created a well-equipped adventure machine when they debuted the 4Runner. Equipped with enough creature comforts to be driven daily with ease, it is still rugged enough to go where few venture. With just a few tweaks this 4Runner was outfitted to accomplish almost any task on hand.

The removable hardtop and extra cargo space make this vehicle a perfect choice for an overland scenic adventure. Usually building a truck for overlanding turns out to be an adventure in and of itself; however when going a simpler route, like with this build, the payoff is quicker and can be just as satisfying.

N60 SERIES THE FIRST GENERATION 4RUNNER

In 1984, Toyota introduced the first generation 4Runner to the United States.

The N60 Series 4Runner was an evolution of the HiLux short bed pickup with the most notable changes being the rear body panels and removable fiberglass top. Aside from those features, mechanically the 4Runner and HiLux were mostly identical.

The 4Runner was equipped with Toyota’s now tried and true carbureted 22R and fuel-injected 22RE power plants.

Horsepower numbers where decent with the 22R being rated at 100 hp and the 22RE at 116.

Both motors could have been equipped with either the W56 five-speed fully-synchronized manual transmission or the A340F 4-speed automatic transmission.

The 5-speed was the better of the two choices because the lower gearing allowed for more finesse off- road. The 4Runner also carried over the Aisin Seiki RF1A two-speed transfer case.

The transfer case was gear driven with a 1:1 high and 2.28 low gear ratio.

In 1984 and 1985, the 4Runner was still equipped with Toyota’s 8-inch axle assemblies. Common gear ratios for these trucks were 4.10 or 4.56 depending on factory tire size.

All these factory specs add up to a vehicle that is prime for adventure, making it popular to many at the time and still today for diehard enthusiasts.

Upgrade Summary

1985 Toyota 4Runner SR5

Platform: 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR5

Engine:

• 8-Valve SOHC 2.4L
• Jis Long Block
• Upgraded Camshaft
• OBX Header
• The 4Runner
• Equipped With Enough Creature Comforts To Be Driven Daily Champion Cooling Radiator

Suspension:

• Procomp 4-Inch Lift Springs
• Procomp ES3000 Shocks

Wheels & Tires:

• 285/75R16 Nitto Trail Grappler Tires
• 16-Inch KMC Enduro Wheels

Accessories:

• Smittybilt XRC Suspension Seats
• Modified Jeep CJ7 Seat Brackets
• Smittybilt XRC 9500lb Winch
• Fitech Go Street EFI 400HP System
• Offenhauser Four-Barrel Intake Manifold
• Davis Unified Ignition System
• Trail Gear Rock Defense Front And Rear Bumpers
• 4x Innovations Cage
• Baja Designs Lights