1988 Toyota 4Runner SR5. Lots of service over the past two years of ownership.

1988 Toyota 4Runner SR5

I purchased this '88 SR5 V6 as a project in May 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. Within a week of my purchase I took the truck in to have the mechanicals and suspension gone through from top to bottom with all work performed exclusively by a Toyotas-only shop (The Truck Shop on Miramar). In addition to the mechanical maintenance and service performed, I have also refreshed the interior during this period and sourced the few difficult to find missing parts that were not included with the truck upon my purchase.
In addition to the photos attached to this listing, I have photos available of almost everything else on the vehicle. Additionally, I have attached below a link to the semi-cold start and walk around of the truck:
https://youtu.be/Uz3Qj4qVrS4
The list of what's been done is extensive and as mentioned above, I have invoices to reflect all of the service performed. Below is a fairly complete summary:
- Engine. All gaskets from head gaskets up replaced along with all parts reconditioned or replaced as needed along the way. Those parts included power steering pump, water pump, alternator, master cylinder, clutch slave, radiator, water hoses and lines, mass air flow meter, battery, distributor, ignition control igniter, oil pan gasket and more. Essentially anything that came up in the engine I had it done, no questions asked. A/C system troubleshot and affected lines replaced along with o-rings.
- Suspension. New bushings at pivot locations from front to back. New Bilsteins at all four corners. Added a leaf spring in the back. Complete refresh of the front suspension including new upper and lower ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, and installation of manual AISIN hubs. New driver side control arm and both inner and outer cv boots at the time as well.
Differential serviced and diff eliminator kit added.
- Fluids. Drained old tranny and diff fluids, fresh fluid in. Oil has been changed twice in the 4,000 miles that I have driven it since purchase and from the time that all of the work has been performed. Block was flushed and replaced with fresh coolant at radiator install.
- Brakes. New front discs and pads. Rears tuned and installed new wheel cylinders. Parking brake adjusted.
- Electrical. Replaced turn signal stalk and installed new fuses. Replaced ignition control igniter. Lubed all mechanisms in the rear window assembly.
- Interior. Complete front, back, and cargo hold carpet kit (purchased from OC Autos) installed. Custom floor mats from OC Autos. Sourced good condition driver side visor complete with factory pouch still intact. Dash cap installed over dash, not secured by adhesive at this time. Dash is extensively cracked underneath. Fresh factory door lenses sourced and installed. Fresh factory like new front seat belt receptacles sourced and installed.
Items of note:
- Odometer reads just under 175K. Prior to my purchase I ran an AutoCheck report. The AutoCheck does not red flag the odometer even though the report reflects the mileage going over 200K by 2004. Previous owner was a short-term owner and did not have an explanation of the mileage discrepancy. As a result I assume that the mileage listed in AutoCheck is more accurate than what the odo reads.
- The truck was deemed an insurance loss in June 2017 as a result of damage. When I purchased the vehicle the bottom corner of the driver-side front fender was bent in along with the opposing front lower corner of the driver door. I assume this damage coupled with the age, condition, and mileage of the vehicle at the time persuaded the insurance company to write it off. I have original pictures from when I purchased the truck that reflect the above-mentioned damage. The AutoCheck does not reflect the vehicle as having a salvage title nor does the title issued by the CA DMV. Furthermore, I have the truck insured through Hagerty's collectibles insurance. The AutoCheck does reflect that an insurance claim was made and it looks to me that it was declared a loss at the time. The AutoCheck report is available in this listing.
- I do have the rear windshield wiper. I took it off to paint and have not yet put it back on. The wiper motor functions properly and as intended.- I also have the factory sunroof interior cover- I have additional parts for the vehicle that are not pictured but can be made available to a buyer for additional cost. These are parts that I sourced over time as back ups or spares (rear bumper, rear bumper end caps, rear bumper mounting brackets, spare bottom seat cushion and cover, spare lumber cover, spare front valance, spare igniter, and more).
Items outstanding and or drawbacks:
- New window harness assembly needs to be installed in tailgate so that key will operate rear window. I removed the harness as a small plastic piece had broken at one end of the harness and it would make raising the window a tricky endeavor via key. I still have the old functioning harness and it could be reinstalled but it would be better to replace. Window is fully operational and goes up and down by interior switch.
- Dash clock refreshes to 1:00 every time truck is turned off and back on.
- Dash cap should be glued down with adhesive (adhesive included with sale). I did not glue it down as it was my intention to install a Ram mount in the tray of the dash pad.
- Rear seat belts should be sent away to be shortened as they are the front belts out of a 1st gen Tacoma and are a bit long.
- Driver door panel could use a cosmetic freshening.
- I have the lid and hardware to the center console. It needs to be reupholstered.
- Half of the dash bulbs are burnt out.
- Interior bulbs should be replaced.- Factory jack is present but lug wrench is missing along with the T handle of the spare tire handle.
- I installed the new carpet kit myself. It was my first time trimming carpet and as a result there are a few places here and there that could have come out nicer if given the chance to do again. The cargo hold came out great and the rear seat carpets came out good (1 flaw). The front seat carpets came out okay (2 flaws). They are respectable and far better than what was in there but I did make a few errors as I progressed from back to front.
- Paint. Original paint. The driver's fender and driver's door are factory Toyota parts and sourced from another vehicle.- Catalytic convertor is due to be replaced. It passed smog in November but the shop told me that it was likely the last time it would pass with this cat on it. If purchasing the vehicle in California, buyer will be responsible for smog.- Radio antenna. Switch and motor works but no antenna.- Engine temp gauge in dash always reflects the same whether the truck is cold or warmed up or hot.- Horn not functioning.
Outside of the items listed above, everything else functions on the truck, down to the radio and windshield wiper squirters. The chassis and body are very rust free, the frame is in beautiful shape as is all of the original factory paint under the carpets. The truck has great road manners and is a lot of fun to drive. The AC blows cold and the heat blows hot. Even needing paint, the truck gets thumbs ups from people all the time. If I had more garage space I wouldn't hesitate to keep it.
I can work with shippers for out of town/state/country buyers.
7.6.22 - Update: I am looking at having the cat replaced. Will update the listing accordingly.

• Condition: Used
• Make: Toyota
• Model: 4Runner
• Type: SUV
• Trim: SR5
• Year: 1988
• Mileage: 175000
• VIN: JT3VN66W3J0020903
• Color: Gray
• Engine size: 3.0L Gas V6
• Number of cylinders: 6
• Power options: Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Windows
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Manual
• Drive type: 4WD
• Interior color: Gray
• Drive side: Left-hand drive
• Options: Sunroof, Cassette Player, 4-Wheel Drive
• Vehicle Title: Clean
Want to buy? Contact seller!