Many consumers drive right by the Toyota 4Runner, without giving the inconspicuous family hauler a second thought. Meanwhile, enthusiasts covet prime classic examples, like this 1986 4Runner recently sold on eBay.
That appeal from enthusiasts is why this ’86 4Runner commands a market price far above Blue Book values.
On paper, they don’t make sense. The 4Runner has less cabin space, gets worse gas mileage, and costs more than a similarly-sized Toyota Highlander. But the mid-size SUV has a key design feature that might escape notice.
The 4Runner is one of the last body-on-frame SUVs you can buy new today. As a result, it can traverse terrain that would tear apart unibody crossovers, even AWD ones marketed with a tough image, like Jeep Grand Cherokees, Ford Explorers, and Nissan Pathfinders.
1986 4Runner Is What an SUV Should Be
Combined with Toyota’s legendary reputation for durability, the rugged 4Runner has been a go-to for four-wheelers and overlanders for decades. Toyota kept the nameplate going since its inception in 1984. Around Y2K, when Toyota was killing off all its sports cars—Celica, MR2, and Supra— the 4Runner stuck around and kept true to its original purpose.
That raison d’etre, as illustrated by the 1985 4Runner SR5 offered on eBay, is to serve as a true outdoorsman’s rig. It came with only two doors and a nominal second row of upholstered seats. Beyond that, the pickup bed is perfect for stowing camping or hunting gear without worrying about mucking up the carpets.
Open Air Ruggedness
The pièce de résistance is the removable roof. The entire piece, from the B-pillars back, can be taken off. The capability transforms the 4Runner into a pickup with no cab-bed divider. Or, it can become a pickup with a row of seats bolted into the bed.
An included roll bar gives rear passengers a semblance of safety when faced with the prospect of a rollover. And it looks cool, too.
That open-air feeling is why Toyota insisted that subsequent 4Runner generations with fixed roofs offer a rear power window that retracts into the tailgate.
The SR5 designates that the vehicle has five speeds to the manual gearbox, while under the hood sits a 22RE 2.4-liter inline-four, an engine with a reputation for indestructibility. It’s not uncommon to see these motors going strong after 200,000 miles.
Value Lies In Imperfection
This 1986 4Runner, which recently sold for $8,000 on eBay, has 218,000 miles on the clock. That price speaks to the vehicle’s longevity. It’s a 36-year-old car in less than mint condition. Note the small rust hole in the roof. While the 4Runners came with some truly dazzling period decals, the red swath of vinyl isn’t original.
Toyota offers an even more capable and even more classic vehicle, but have you seen the prices of well-preserved Land Cruisers these days? The 4Runner offers most of what its big brother delivers—but in a far more affordable package.
