This 1986 Toyota 4Runner would be an impressive specimen all by itself, but the additional graphics, chrome plating, and interior enhancements tell you it’s more than just your everyday RN60 truck. The seller contends that the cosmetic upgrades were part of a special edition package offered by a Long Beach, California Toyota dealer and executed by a company called Red-E-Camp, which was located in San Bernardino County. Regardless of your feelings on the so-called upgrades, the 4Runner is ag gorgeous California survivor. Find it here on eBay with bids to $13,100 and the reserve unmet.
I can’t find much info about this 4Runner package, so it seems likely it was simply a case of a dealer deciding to go out on its own and freshen up its inventory with some decals and custom interior pieces. This is a common practice among GM dealerships, but you don’t see it as often with the import brands. Regardless, you have to love all the small details that tell you this 4Runner never left sunny southern California, with the old-school “sunset” license plate, Cabe Brothers dealer plate frame, and UCLA bumper sticker. This is a time-warp West Coast specimen.
According to the listing, the Special Edition package got you the decals outside; the chrome plating on the bottom of the doors; woodgrain trim on the dash; and special carpeting/upholstery. Given the wood trim is clearly an aftermarket product that was stuck onto the dash with adhesive (much like the exterior chrome plate), it’s all too obvious that a local aftermarket company was responsible for the modifications. More impressive is the fact that those trim pieces haven’t fallen off or otherwise gone missing! The interior remains tidy, with a crack-free dash and the preferred manual gearbox in place.
This generation 4Runner is a darling of the emerging collector car class right now, loved for its removable roof, bulletproof drivetrains, and go-anywhere off-road abilities. The seller reports that everything works like it should and that the truck runs like a top; while we like to see details about recent maintenance history, the 22-RE four-cylinder engine is generally near impossible to kill. Given rust is not a concern and the 4Runner has clearly been loved, this truck is a desirable specimen that has miles to go in terms of the current bid number.
I would have said it runs like an insane bolt (or is that Usain Bolt?), but that’s just me.
Although this is a unique Dealer add-on, it doesn’t make it more desirable IMHO. For the money that it may potentially bring, I would rather hold out for an SR5, or even a rare turbo model if possible. If any of the add-on body pieces for example are damaged, it would be near impossible to replace unless having them done from scratch. It is a great looking first generation 4Runner nevertheless. I would still have my 87 had it not had a automatic transmission. It simply had no power. My advice to anyone looking for these desirable first generation 4Runners is to make sure that it is equipped with the standard transmission.
It looks as though the dealer had sold though their allocation of SR5s and had found Deluxes a harder sell.
Great product……Toyota bullet proof ..as usual.
Not as distasteful as those renditions from Choo-Choo Customs from Chattanooga
I don’t think anybody really cares about the collection of JC Whitney stickers and appliques slapped on this thing as part of an overpriced dealer “special edition” package. I suspect most people would put a higher value on an unmodified specimen.
$13,600 now, reserve not met, 176k miles. Not too far from me.