4RUNNER HISTORY
The first generation is nearly mechanically identical to the Toyota Hilux. All first generation 4Runners had two doors and were indistinguishable from the pickups from the dashboard forward. Nearly all changes were to the latter half of the body; in fact, because the rear springs were not upgraded to bear the additional weight from the rear seats and fiberglass top, these early models tended to suffer from a sagging rear suspension.
In North America, they were sold from the 1984½model yearfrom May 1984. For this first year (March to July 1984 production), all models were equipped with black or white fiberglass tops. An SR5 trim package was offered that upgraded the interior: additional gauges, better fabrics, and a rear seat were standard with the package. All 1984 models were equipped with thecarbureted2.4L22Rengine and were all available with afour-wheel-drivesystem that drove the front wheels through a solid front axle.
1985 (August 1984 production) saw the arrival of the electronically fuel-injected 2.4L22R-Ealso called 22R-ECI4 engine. This upped the horsepower numbers from 100hp for the 22R, to 116hp for the 22R-E Engine, though the carbureted engine remained available until 1988.
In 1988, the 22R-E engine was joined by an optional 3.0L V6 engine, the 3VZ-E. This engine was significantly larger and more powerful although not as reliable as the original 4-cylinder offering. Trucks sold with the V6 engine were equipped with the same heavy duty rear differential that was used in the turbocharged trucks, as well as a completely new transmission and transfer case; the transfer case was chain driven, although considered less rugged, created less cab noise than the old gear-driven unit used behind the four-cylinder engine.
SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA