If you own or know of a clean first-generation Toyota 4Runner, you should probably increase the price in your agreed-upon value insurance coverage. These trucks are incredibly hot at the moment when found in unspoiled condition like this garage-kept 1988 model listed here on eBay where bidding has reached just under $20,000 with the reserve unmet. The seller has made some sensible upgrades but by and large hasn’t messed with a good thing like he’s got with this rust-free, bone-stock example.

In reality, we should have all seen it coming that first-generation 4Runners would become sought-after collectibles. It’s from the golden era of Japanese SUVs for one thing, and it has a removable top for another. It seems like a squarebody 4×4 with a removable hardtop and full roll bar is a receipt for greatness in the vintage truck world, and the seller contends he’s the first one to remove the hardtop since new on this truck. In doing so, he’s refreshed the seals and made sure the nooks and crannies look as good as the rest of the truck. And look at that factory paint!

This is a top of the line model, wearing the SR5 trim and coming with the optional V6. Combine the six-cylinder option with the manual gearbox and you have the ultimate enthusiast spec. The engine bay is spotless, but even with its low mileage and bone-stock condition, we’d still like to see a little more detail about recent maintenance history. Have the belts been replaced? The transmission fluid changed? The cooling system updated? These are all common sense questions to ask when dropping this kind of coin on a collectible SUV.

To some extent, when you see interior carpets like this, there should be little doubt this 4Runner has been looked after. It’s almost a shame to think of this becoming someone’s beach rig, as those trucks look pretty used up after just a short while following months of sun and salt air exposure. The seller is located in Kentucky but the truck wears Texas plates; perhaps the seller found this hiding in a Texas garage, which would potentially explain how thus truck emerged with no rust concerns after all these years. What do you think the final number will be?