The first vehicle I ever lusted after was a 4Runner. I was around 12 years old and on the way to the Colorado River in the back of a red 4Runner, riding in the back seat through the heat of the desert. The sharpest memory was of the gauge cluster on the dash, complete with altimeter and clinometer—I was awestruck as a child, and there is no better time than the present to honor 40 years of the Toyota 4Runner.
First Generation 4Runner:
My first 4Runner, purchased while I was active duty in the USAF. It felt like a dream come true. . . and unstoppable.
It was 1984 when the first 4Runner / Hilux Surf launched onto the scene, built on the Hilux platform and inspired in small part by the success of the Hilux-based Trekker (built by Winnebago) and Trailblazer conversions. The first two years of the 4Runner are considered the most desirable, complete with solid axles and indestructible 22R and 22RE 4-cylinder motors. In 1986, the front suspension was swapped for the Hi-Trac IFS, and by 1988, the 3.0 liter V6 was offered in limited markets (including the USA). In 1994, I was finally able to buy my first 4Runner, an SR5 V6 with a 5-speed manual. It became my adventure vehicle of choice, allowing me to explore the West during my limited leave in the Air Force.
Second Generation 4Runner:
For the second generation 4Runner / Surf, 1990 brought a new body style and a shift from rear leaf springs to a multilink coil configuration. This also marked the end of the removable top and an available five-door model. Fortunately, the 22RE remained, along with the manual transmission. These 4Runners sold in significant volume, and many are still on the road throughout the world.
Third Generation 4Runner:
With the third generation 4Runner / Surf, the model became even more interesting for overland travel as it grew slightly in capacity. Some variants allowed for up to 1,800 pounds of payload and also benefited from the power and durability of the new 3.4 Liter V6 shared with the Tacoma. The chassis was also sourced from the J90 Prado and Land Cruiser II. The IFS shifted to a coil-over and you could even find specs with a 5-speed manual and rear locking differential. Expedition Portal has had a Gen 3 4Runner as a project vehicle for over a decade and used it to explore extensively throughout the Southwest. The photo above was just a few days after Brian McVickers purchased the vehicle.
Fourth Generation 4Runner:
As with most SUVs in the mid-2000s, the Fourth Generation 4Runner started to grow in size and power, including the first available V8. Unfortunately the 5-speed was lost for the North American market, along with the rear locker being absent, but the vehicle proved to be no less durable and reliable than the predecessors. The V8 was the darling of the 4th Gen and remains highly desirable to this day. The 4.7 Liter V8 is a Land Cruiser and Lexus powerplant and is legendary for reliability, with a 500,000-mile service life being commonplace. The 4th Gen was the first test vehicle ever loaned to Expedition Portal, with ARB providing an incredible SEMA show model for me to drive from Seattle to Arizona and use for several months. The images from that loan were featured in numerous magazines and in the ARB product catalog. That 4Runner served as another turning point, being part of the inspiration for us starting the Overland Journal magazine.
Fifth Generation 4Runner:
Starting with the Fifth Generation 4Runner, Toyota really hit its stride and found the perfect blend of reliability, durability, capability, and comfort. The TRD Pro variant arrived with a rear locking differential, premium suspension, front A-Trac, crawl control, skid plates, and KDSS. It was a beast on the trail and won the hearts and minds of everyone, from recreational 4WD enthusiasts to soccer moms. For overlanding, it was a shoo-in, boasting a payload as high as 1,600 pounds and the serviceability of the global Prado / Land Cruiser II 150 chassis. The 5th Gen ran for nearly 15 years with minimal changes, outlasting all of the competition and still selling 120,000 units in 2023. It won our number one spot on the top 10 new overland vehicles chart. We used Gen Six 4Runners extensively on adventures, including our 2015 run to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, in the winter. Our project fleet also included a 2016 model driven by our (then) editor Chris Cordes, and now a 2018 SR5 on 34s.
Sixth Generation 4Runner:
Now, everything gets even better with the Sixth Generation, reflecting 40 years of development and Toyota’s commitment to be “all in on overlanding”. This newest model has an available iFORCE MAX with 465 lb. ft. of torque and eight-speed transmission. The new Trailhunter package is perfect for vehicle-based travel, complete with an Old Man Emu reservoir shocks, ARB Snorkel, ARB roof rack, and 33-inch diameter Toyo A/T tires. This variant sits tall and ready for both technical terrain and prolonged corrugations on remote dirt tracks. There is also a rear locker and new to the model, a driver-selected swaybar disconnect.
Way back to Expeditions West and the 4WD Trips forum, we traveled with 4Runners… a lot.
“We’ve sold over 3 million in the 40 years it has been on sale, and this sixth-generation model offers a cool new look and incredible features, yet retains the rugged style and capability our customers love about this icon of adventure.” Dave Christ, Toyota group vice president and general manager
While the newest 4Runner lacks the Altimeter and Clinometer of my childhood daydreams, it now has all the capability any overlander could ask for. We look forward to our chance behind the wheel and will share our thoughts in the months to come.
toyotausa.com
Read more: Finally, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner is Revealed!
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