| Engine oil & filter | 22R-E: 10W-30, 10W-40 or 10W-50 above −23 °C (15W-40 to 20W-50 above −12 °C) · ≈4.5 US qt with filter (AMSOIL, 1987 22R-E) · 3VZ-E V6 confirm in manual | At purchase, then per the manual | Watch for a 22R-E burning oil at high mileage; leaks often come from the valve cover gasket.Oil filters — 1987 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗22R/22R-E valve cover gasket set (1985–95) · LC Engineering ↗ |
| Air filter | Panel filter | At purchase; more often on dusty trails | Check the airbox seals and intake boot for cracks while it's open.K&N air filter, 1985–89 4Runner (22R-E) · LC Engineering ↗ |
| Fuel filter (EFI trucks) | EFI in-line filter | At purchase if no record | On the 22R-E it sits below the intake manifold. 4Runners.com owners pull the driver's front wheel for access, mind the flow arrow, and fit new crush washers.Fuel filter, 22R-E/22R-TE EFI (1983–95) · LC Engineering ↗ |
| Spark plugs, wires, cap & rotor | 22R-E: Denso W16EXR-U, gap 0.8 mm (0.031 in) (Denso catalogue, 22R-E 4Runner from 08/87) · earlier trucks and 3VZ-E V6 confirm in manual | At purchase | Old ignition parts cause most rough-running complaints on distributor-ignition 22R-Es and 3VZ-Es.Denso 7 mm plug wire set, 22R/22R-E (1978–92) · LC Engineering ↗Ignition parts — 1987 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Timing chain & guides (22R-E) | Single-row chain; metal-backed guides recommended | Inspect at purchase; replace if noisy or undocumented | Plastic guides are a known breakage item; broken pieces end up in the oil pan.22R/22R-E metal-backed timing chain guides (1985–95) · LC Engineering ↗22R/22R-E timing chain tensioner (1983–95) · LC Engineering ↗ |
| Timing belt & water pump (3VZ-E V6, 1988–89) | Belt, tensioner, idlers, water pump | A 4Runners.com member recalls 4 years / 96,000 km (≈60,000 mi) as typical | Do it immediately if there are no records; owners recommend an Aisin-quality kit.Timing belt kit — 3VZ 1988–1992 · LC Engineering ↗Water pump — 3VZ (LCE lists 1989–92; confirm fit on 1988 trucks) · LC Engineering ↗ |
| Coolant | Toyota-type long-life coolant · 22R-E ≈9 US qt (AMSOIL, 1987 22R-E) · V6 capacity confirm in manual | Drain and refill at purchase | 4Runners.com owners: use a coolant that meets the manual's spec ('Asian formula for Toyota'); Toyota pink is pre-diluted red. Never let either engine overheat — especially the V6.Water pump — 22R/22R-E (1985–95) · LC Engineering ↗Coolant & thermostat — 1987 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Manual / automatic transmission fluid | Manual: GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil, 75W-90 or 80W-90 (AMSOIL, 1987 22R-E) · capacity and automatic fluid confirm in manual | At purchase (drain and refill) | Automatic trucks: check for burnt-smelling fluid before you buy.Transmission fluid & filters — 1987 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Transfer case & differentials | Transfer case (manual-gearbox trucks): GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil, ≈3.4 pt (AMSOIL, 1987 22R-E) · differential grades and capacities confirm in manual | At purchase | Break the fill plug loose before the drain plug. 1984–85 solid-axle trucks also have closed knuckles that need fresh grease or oil.Drivetrain fluids & gaskets — 1987 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Front wheel bearings & hubs | Clean, inspect, repack, set preload | At purchase | 1984–89 trucks came with manual or automatic hubs; 4Runners.com owners say the auto hubs are less reliable and often get swapped for manual ones.Front wheel bearing & seal kit, 4WD IFS 1986–1995 · LC Engineering ↗Front wheel bearing kit, solid axle (one per side) · LC Engineering ↗ |
| Brake fluid | Type confirm in manual | Flush at purchase | No ABS on these trucks — fresh fluid and healthy rubber lines matter all the more.Brake hydraulics — 1987 4Runner catalog · RockAuto ↗ |
| Steering & front-end wear (IFS trucks) | Idler arm, tie-rods, pitman arm | Inspect at purchase | Idler-arm slop is the classic cause of wander on 1986–95 IFS Toyotas.OE idler arm, IFS 1986–1995 4WD pickup & 4Runner · LC Engineering ↗ |
| Rear spring bushings & U-bolts | Leaf-spring bushings | Inspect at purchase | Sagging rear leafs are near-universal; replace bushings when you replace springs.Rear leaf spring bushings, 1984–88 pickup & 4Runner · LC Engineering ↗ |