Today, the Toyota 4Runner is a key part of the automaker’s American lineup. Toyota sells over 100,000 units a year every year, with the chunky family hauler one of the most recognizable SUV nameplates out there. The question is, where did it come from?
The 4Runner is not a Land Cruiser; that nameplate has a history running all the way back to the 1950s. Instead, the 4Runner split off from an existing model and forged its own path, in much the same way that “Frasier” spun off from “Cheers,” achieving new levels of greatness all its own.
What you might not have known is that the 4Runner actually spawned from a line of oddball campers in the late 1970s. Here’s how it all went down.
Forerunners to the 4Runner
Jump back to the 1970s. America was at war, fuel was expensive, and domestic automakers were struggling. And yet, none of those things really had much to do with the development of the 4Runner. Toyota was just chipping away doing its own thing, finding a steady stream of customers for its longbed pickup truck. One of those customers happened to be Chinook, an RV manufacturer that saw an opportunity to do good things with the platform.
Toyota and Chinook got into bed in 1973, developing a smaller, cheaper alternative to traditional American motorhomes. The campers featured a pop-up fiberglass shell on the rear of the Toyota pickup, in place of the usual bed. Meanwhile, the cabin had its rear wall removed to allow occupants to easily move between the cabin and camper.
These builds proved popular, with plenty of used examples still in existence today. Toyota’s pickups were a reliable base for a vehicle to roam in, after all. The walk-through design that put an open occupiable area behind the front seats was well-received.
A more formalized version came along in 1981, known as the Toyota Trekker. The project came about as Wisconsin Toyota dealer Jack Safro wanted something to replace the Land Cruiser FJ40, which was being discontinued in the US market. His idea was to convert the Hilux pickup into a simple SUV.
Built in partnership with Winnebago, it was based on the short-wheelbase pickup, and previewed the style of the 4Runner to come. Winnebago received pickups built in Japan from Toyota, which were shipped in cab-chassis form to avoid the dreaded Chicken Tax. The rear cab wall was removed, and the back of the truck was fitted a fiberglass rear body with a folding rear seat inside. There was a hatch for rear access, but no tailgate.
The model was positively reviewed by Truckin’ magazine in its November 1981 issue. The Trekker immediately drew comparison to the contemporary Ford Bronco and Chevy Blazer. Truckin’ credited Winnebago’s fine influence, noting the full carpeting throughout, the folding seats, and the sliding rear windows.
It was also celebrated for its fuel economy benefits over the domestics. The Trekker was rated at 22 mpg, with Truckin’ achieving 19.3 mpg in testing. That was at a time when the Blazer might make 15 mpg with its inline six, or single digit MPG with the V8.
Amazingly, Truckin’ even predicted the future crossover trend. It questioned whether Toyota and Winnebago might team up to make a cheaper low-slung street configuration with two-wheel-drive. While this model didn’t quite pursue that path, it was a request a quarter-century ahead of the times.
Only around 1,200 Trekkers were built, according to Toyota Off-Road. Most ended up in the US, but a precious few ended up outside the US, heading to Canada and even Saudi Arabia. The numbers were small, but the positive reception caught Toyota’s attention. It realized a SUV based on a truck platform could be a useful part of its lineup.
Remaining examples of the Trekker are rare, and command a healthy price on the used market.
Top It Off
Entering production in late 1983, the new model would wear the name 4Runner in the US. It was conceived by copywriter Robert Nathan as a catchy twist on “forerunner,” while also highlighting the vehicle’s four-wheel-drive system and all-terrain capability. Meanwhile, in Japan, Toyota named it the Hilux Surf as a nod to the fact it was based on the N60 Toyota Hilux.
Mechanically, it was virtually identical to the Hilux underneath. From debut, all models got the legendary 2.4-liter 22R engine, good for 96 horsepower. The engine was paired with a five-speed manual and the Hilux’s part-time four-wheel-drive system. The solid front axle came with manual locking hubs, as was the style at the time.
Upgrades came thick and fast. 1985 saw the model score electronic fuel injection, boosting output to 116 horsepower. A year later, Toyota gave the 4Runner a turbo engine in the form of the 22R-TE, which came with great decals and 135 horsepower. 1986 models also introduced independent front suspension with a wider track width for better road manners and handling. This also freed up space for the V6 engine which debuted in the 1987 model year, with a healthy 145 horsepower.
The 4Runner really did have it all. It looked great, and it looked unique. Most models from the first few years came with black or white canopies. Combined with the long two-door layout, it let anyone spot a 4Runner at a great distance. Toyota would eventually start color matching the canopies from 1986 onwards. Overall, the 4runner’s distinctive looks really helped the model stand out—even more so with the canopy removed.
The new model sold solidly from the drop, though it wasn’t a breakout hit in the way you might think. 1984 saw 6,498 4Runners sold, which Toyota considered sustainable for a model largely based on the existing pickup. As a guide, though, it sold over 245,000 pickups the same year. Sales remained steady until 1988, when things really picked up steam with 20,880 units sold. That grew to 36,927 in 1989, with the first generation closing out with 78,999 examples built.
Progression
In 1989, the 4Runner grew up. Second-generation models did away with the fiberglass topper at the rear. Instead, the model switched to a fully steel body that enclosed the rear seating area. However, the 4Runner was still largely based on the Hilux, with the body near-identical ahead of the B-pillar. Mechanically, it was a still a Hilux underneath, too.
The two-door compromise was also something Toyota was eager to solve. Two-door models still existed, but the second-gen scored a four-door body style for convenience’s sake. By this point, the 4Runner had found its people. Toyota sold 330,295 units in six years.
From the third generation on, the 4Runner began to plot its own path independent of Toyota’s most famous pickup. It also began to routinely break the six-figure mark in annual sales. Over time, it grew larger and more refined, eventually becoming the popular do-everything SUV we know today. Indeed, Toyota knows when it’s on to a good thing. The fifth generation model had a stunning 14-year run in production, based on the underpinnings of the J150 Land Cruiser Prado.
Interestingly, the sixth-generation model will return to the model’s roots in a way, as it will be based on the body-on-frame platform of the Tacoma pickup truck. Still, it will move with the times, introducing a new hybrid drivetrain to go with its chunky modern aesthetic.
Ultimately, though, the 4Runner of today has come a long way from where it started. It was once a basic truck conversion, with a fiberglass canopy to keep the rain off the rear passengers. Now it’s a fully-laden SUV loaded with tech, and it sells in the six figure region year in, year out. And yet, to think it all harkens back to some simple campers from the 1970s! What a journey it’s had.
(Image credits: Toyota, ToyotaRVForSale.com)
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Oh wow, I just learned the RC 4Runner I got on AliExpress is actually a Toyota Trekker.
I like the pre 89s with two doors. In 1989 somehow anything with two doors was a truck and subject to the tax so they first added these weird doors that you couldn’t see and then they went completely bonkers with great big rear doors. Then they just got enormous and sort of pointless.
The removable roof was nice too.
My favorite here is that 3rd gen. It still looks great today, where its follow-on gens all try to do “aggressive” too hard and fail.
A neighbor around 1987 had a Chinook. Did not associate it with the 4Runner at all, who knew?
My cousin had a 1st gen 4Runner, and he would get random people offering to buy it when he was stopped at a light. Reminder to myself to ask him what happened to it, as he doesn’t own it anymore.
One of the more fun options that aren’t shown is the incline meter that sat atop the dash. Even more awesome was that the dashboard already had the cutouts underneath so I popped one onto my ’85 Toyota Truck, which also had the revised dashboard as part of an interior color swap. Every bolt matched up perfectly from the old to the new dashboard design too, which was lucky on my part as a dumb teenager who didn’t do any research ahead of time haha.
Interesting how 4Runner came around…
Shame that Toyota USA didn’t want to sell the 4Runner with diesel engine as sold in Japan and South America under name Hilux Surf 3.0D.
My brother bought his first new vehicle, a 4Runner in 1989, to replace his Volkswagen Scirocco S. He picked the worst colour combination for scorching hot Texas summer: black paint with black upholstery. It also had four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual gearbox along with hand-cranked windows. Nevertheless, we had lot of fun with 4Runner.
However, the fun didn’t last a few months later. My brother felt and heard the odd thumping and groans somewhere underneath his 4Runner. The sales centre found a significiant crack in the frame and offered to replace the entire 4Runner with another of his choice from the stock. He picked a red one with tan upholstery, V6 engine, automatic gearbox, and all creature comfort options ticked. The sales center didn’t groan at $3,000 premium and made the exchange.
Only once did my brother remove the top for a day.
Two young children were added to his family so two doors were impractical like my father’s 1968 two-door BMW 2002 in 1972. In 1998, he traded in for new 4Runner in same colour combination, powertrain, and options. To this day, he still drives it, racking up over 500,000 miles. The red paint looks like new. That is due to his extremely diligent maintenance.
When his oldest son obtained the driver’s licence, my brother bought a secondhand 2000 4Runner for him and eventually his second son to drive. The difference in quality between 1998 and 2000 was apparent: he spent a lot of times working on 2000 as to keep it running than he did for his 1998. He is prepping his 2000 for sale soon.
Like father, like son: his second son bought a brand new 2021 4Runner and modified the suspension system for serious off-road drive.
One of my Mom’s neighbors still has one of those Chinook versions. I keep telling her she should sell it, yet she refuses. She doesn’t know where her 50+ collection of alley cats would call home. I’m scared to peek inside of it!
The second gen Toyota Pickup/4Runner is one of the most beautiful pickup designs of all time. No I’m not biased, even though a 91 P/U was my first car. Not biased at all!
Look at the generational progression of the styling. The first and second generations are what I would call handsome. They are understated straight forward honest looking trucks. No frills. Then watch each successive generation get a little more “flare”. Building up to the new one coming which has so much surface rendering it looks cartoonish.
The trekker and 1st gen 4 runner (preferably 86-89, I want the ifs) were my first dream cars. I tried so hard to buy one in high school but couldn’t ever save enough to buy one in drivable condition. Now I can’t wrap my mind around how unsafe they are, but I would still love one.
I am about to sell an ’86. Rough but reliable…I am just never going to get into off-roading and I am tired of insuring it.
We need to talk ????
Hey Mods! Is there a way to set two readers up to communicate aside from one of us posting our email address in the comments? Or is there any thought of a marketplace of sorts?
The members discord has a marketplace and direct messenger. Absolutely worth the $10 a month
oh, I am a member. I am just not good at dischord. I will look into it more. Thank you!
Yea I don’t use it a whole lot, but it’s handy
No question marks, I forgot that this defaults anything other than standard characters (like emojis) to ????
Toyota Dealer Jim Moran out of Florida was a big reason the Chinook and Trekker posted the sales numbers that they did. Jim figured out that both being built by RV companies meant he could sell them at his dealership but qualify them for RV style financing- significantly longer terms. As a result customers could get these with a dirt cheap payment.
And being a Toyota, in a state that doesn’t use road salt, I’d figure they had a good chance of still being on the road well after the payment period was finished, even if used as dailies
Had an ’86 Turbo from new. It was nice. The Turbo failed when just out of warranty..as was the style at the time.
Further: By ’86 removal of the rear topper was considered a bad idea in that the gasket was – I forget – either prone to failure or difficult to seat once it had been taken up. So we never did.
Bring back the removable top! I feel like that would kill competing against Wranglers and Broncos. I’ve always said I want a wrangler just built by Toyota.
HOLY CRAP! Y’all finally did an article about the Trekker!
I’ve been in love with these trucks since I’ve learned about them and will have one someday (1/5 of my dream cars). You may ask “dude, why do you love the Trekker so much?” Glad you asked!
Nostalgia mixed with rarity and some practicality sprinkled in. My dad bought a 1982 Toyota Pickup, SR5 short bed 4×4 brand new. I rode in that thing in my mother’s womb, so you can almost say it’s part of my dna. I have always loved that body style, but single cab.
The Trekker mixes that look, with rear seats, and a fiberglass rear end that doesn’t rust!
To top it off, the rarity and the relative odd-ball, not super collectable (yet) nature of this rig makes it one of my dream cars. Something you can take the family camping in or take to Radwood.
All hail the Trekker.
You might be asking at this point, “where do I find one of these beauts?” Welp, they rarely pop up on the open market, but I know of two currently available. One is a PROJECT in Durango, CO for 4.5K and a super complete also project in Utah for 14K. I almost bought the CO one years ago for 1200 bucks as the dude wanted to part it out (You NEVER part out a Trekker!). Then the PO traded it out from under me for some paint work? I guess it was for the best, as I currently do not have a garage big enough for a Trekker Restoration.
There was one floating around Craigslist in San Antonio off and on for a couple years 06-08. It needed some love, but was drivable
When I was a kid in 1970’s California, we’d see Chinooks all the time.
Never saw a Trekker tho – I’m guessing it was primarily a midwestern thing since it was done in Wisconsin. But it looks a lot like an SJ Jeep Cherokee.
When 4Runners became a thing, that’s when the other Japanese manufacturers spawned Pathfinders, Rodeos & Amigos…
…but by the time I was selling cars in San Francisco in 1992, the 4Runner was the first choice of every finance guy/former frat-bro in the Marina. Given it’s appearance and quality, it was no wonder.
Those Chinooks, and other pickup-based campers, were everywhere back in the day.
Now we have way more pickups but almost none of these. Is it because the modern beds are too short?
Why would you put a cap on your $65000 F150 when you could just get an Excursion?
No, not a cap, the camper module that sits in the bed, with an overhang at the rear and a sleeping bunk over the pickup’s cab. They used to be everywhere.
AKA “slide-in camper”.
Ahhhhh – Campers!
They’re still made for “overlanders” — just not as common.
Probably because a cheap C Class RV is more spacious
Why does everything need to keep getting bigger?
Can we go back to a world with that little Toyota pickup?
And more and more aggro. First couple gens seem to say, “Hey, this would be fun!”. Sixth-gen’s vibe is just Fuck You.
I think part of it is that people keep getting bigger