‘89 SR5, 3.4L 5VZ-FE, 5-speed, 4WD
Located in Portland, Oregon.
SUMMARY
This 4Runner has been a fun and reliable daily driver for our family. But as our kids grow bigger, we need something different.
Ten years ago, the stock 3.0 was swapped with a 3.4 from a T100. The extra power, Bilstein shocks, and a fresh clutch make it a blast to drive. Especially on hills, corners, and highways.
Functionally, it’s in great shape. It starts effortlessly regardless of temperature. The engine runs cool, the oil pressure is great, the battery never dies, the parking brake does its job, and the brakes brake. A few weeks ago, it passed Oregon DEQ’s emissions on the first try. Most of the automatic/switched features work: the windows, door locks, side mirrors, all window washers, and all wipers. The canopy, sunroof, windshield, doors and windows are leak-free.
Cosmetically, it’s nowhere near perfect. Each body panel has its own story. There is a very small rusted section in the rear passenger wheel arch. Each motorized window has scratches of some kind. And the interior trim is what it is.
Most of the time it’s driven on pavement in the Portland suburbs. It sits on 32” BF Goodrich tires mounted to aftermarket wheels. The factory wheels have Michelin snow tires mounted. The truck sees gravel roads and dirt about once per year, usually when we camp in central Oregon or are finding areas to shoot in Tillamook state forest. It’s really fun in the snow.
When we're not driving it, I’ve been focusing on maintenance and various cosmetic issues. A list of parts, descriptions, statuses may be seen towards the bottom.
A Carfax was purchased this week and can be shared.
PRICING
I am open.
It's been difficult to find recent comparables for a 1st gen with a 5VZ-FE motor. We just want to sell it for a fair price, to a person who is going to enjoy it as much as we have.
If you're interested in buying it, and have numbers in mind, please feel free to get in touch with me directly.
If you’re not shopping but willing to share a recommendation, what do you think is a fair market range?
Thank you,
Matt
Portland, Oregon
DETAILS
Title: Oregon, clean, in hand, no liens
Registration: Oregon, current, tags expire Sept 2028
Year: 1989
Model: 4Runner
Trim: SR5
Engine:
- Previous motor: 3.0L V6, 3VZE
- Current motor: 3.4L V6, 5VZ-FE
- Annual oil changes with Mobil 1 Synthetic 5w-30 + Mobil 1 Filter
- Performed in 2015, engine swap:
- Motor and conversion parts purchased from toyonlyswaps.com in Creswell, Oregon
- Donor vehicle year, model, mileage are unknown. The ECU part number & 3-wire Throttle Position Sensor point towards a 2000-2001 Tacoma.
- The current engine bolted directly to the factory bell-housing and the wiring harness was merged.
- Performed in 2020, timing belt kit:
- Timing Belt
- Idle roller
- Tensioner roller
- Front crank seal
- Front cam seals
- Water pump & gasket
- Hydraulic tensioner
- Thermostat & gasket
- Alternator belt
- Power steering belt
- Valve cover gaskets, washers
- Spark plug tube seals
- Spark plugs
- PCV valve
Fuel & Ignition:
- Factory injectors, fuel rail, lines, pump, tank, filler assembly
- ECU 898666-35131
- Performed in 2023: New OEM coil pack & ignition wires to reduce potential failure.
- Performed in 2025: New 12v Battery, 700 amps cold cranking, from Les Schwab.
Drivetrain:
- Factory 5-speed manual, R150F
- Factory transfer case, driveshaft, front axle assembly
- Factory rear axle assembly + Truetrac LSD
- Performed in 2015, during the swap:
- New clutch
- Added Detroit Truetrac limited-slip differential to the rear
- All drivetrain fluids changed
- Performed in 2017:
- Replaced leaking rear axle seal
- Rear axle fluid
Suspension, Steering, Brakes:
- Factory Independent front suspension, with parts listed below
- Factory Brakes & Brake lines, to my knowledge
- Performed in 2015, during the swap:
- Replaced control arm bushings
- Performed in 2020:
- Bilstein 4600 shocks
- Warn Manual Locking Hubs
- 1” rear lift blocks
- Performed in 2022:
- New front rotors + front pads
- Performed in 2024:
- New Master Cylinder + brake fluid flush
Tires:
- 4 Aftermarket wheels: BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A, tread: 32x11.50R15LT 113Q
- 4 Factory wheels: Michelin Latitude X-Ice, 265/70R 11T
- 1 Spare Wheel, mounted under bed: Goodyear Wrangler A/T, 31x10.5R15LT M+S
Miscellaneous Parts, Installed:
- Truck-lite 5x7 Hi/Low LED Headlights. I believe they are model 27450C
- Pioneer CD player and Alpine door speakers, both in rough shape but working
Miscellaneous Parts, Not Installed:
- New rear sliding window seal kit for the canopy, from Break Beat
- Bolt-on OEM shoulder belts for rear seats, from a Tacoma
Mileage:
- The speedometer cable melted after the engine swap. We estimate 3–5k miles have been driven since then.
- Factory body & components: 200k—202k estimate.
- 3.4L engine: unknown
Non-functioning parts & Topics to mention:
- Rear defroster & defroster switch.
- Rear interior dome light, driver side.
- Reverse lights.
- Power antenna.
- Air conditioning.
- Missing knobs on Passenger heater blower & Interior dome light
- Cruise Control. It's possible it works, I’ve just never tried it.
- Driver-side taillight lens cracked. Lights still function, water doesn't appear to get in.
- Chrome windshield trim is removed. Recommend a shop reset the glass + use a modern gasket.
- Missing running board trim on passenger side.
- Paint imperfections, dings, and surface rust are present on every panel.
- Rear passenger wheel well arch has significant rusting. Total area appears to be 8”x 6” with a 2”x 1” hole. There is a photo which highlights this area.
- Speedometer cable melted 10 years ago post-swap. Approximately 3-5k miles have been driven since then.
- Mounting points for interior door cards are well worn. A combination of screws and OEM clips keep them secure.
- Front Seats: front-to-back adjustments do not work as intended. The driver seat can slide back and forth with a workaround.