There is nothing quite like getting away from the rat race and pitching a tent in the untamed wilderness. There is also nothing wrong with finding your way to those locations in a degree of luxury and comfort. That is potentially what awaits the next owner of this 1987 Toyota 4Runner SR5. The vehicle isn’t perfect, but it is in above average condition for its age. The fact that it was originally ordered with the optional turbocharged engine means that it also offers some respectable levels of performance on the open road. The 4Runner is located in Lakewood, California, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding is sitting at $10,000 in what is a No Reserve auction.

It isn’t hard to see that the 4Runner can trace its roots to the Hilux, which means that it is a vehicle that is blessed with legendary toughness. This White 1987 model presents quite well and has spent its entire life in sunny California. Therefore, it is no surprise to discover that it is also rust-free. Rust could be an issue in the lower body extremities and around the wheel wells, but everything appears to be clean on this 4Runner. The owner claims that the Toyota wears all of its original paint, and this still maintains a consistent shine across the whole vehicle. The panels are generally straight, with only the occasional small blemish or scar. There is some minor deterioration of the distinctive graphics, but this is not unusual for an original survivor. Replacements are readily available if the buyer is looking to achieve a pristine presentation. The fiberglass canopy doesn’t appear to have any issues with cracking or fatigue. The alloy wheels do have some slight oxidization in places, but I think that they would respond well to some work with a quality polish. The 4Runner is also fitted with a factory sunroof. It appears that there are no signs of any problems or leaks around the seals.

There were several engine options available to potential 4Runner buyers in 1987. In 1986, Toyota introduced an engine that was referred to as the 22R-TE. That is what we find lurking under the hood of this vehicle. The “T” in the engine designation referred to the fact that this was a turbocharged version of the venerable 22R 4-cylinder engine that had served so well in numerous Toyota vehicles over preceding years. Turbocharging didn’t turn this into a bitumen-burner, but it did provide some useful improvements in performance. Where the standard 2,366cc 22R-E was producing 116hp and 140 ft/lbs of torque, the turbo version increased these figures to 135hp and 173 ft/lbs. All 4Runner Turbos found themselves fitted with 4-speed automatic transmissions (although a manual was offered on the Hilux Turbo) along with dual-range 4-wheel-drive. The owner states that the 4Runner has a genuine 135,000 miles showing on its odometer. It is also said to run and drive perfectly, with no mechanical issues to report. This is an off-roader that is ready to be driven and enjoyed.

The interior of the 4Runner is in surprisingly good condition for its age. The trim can be prone to becoming quite tatty and tired looking as the years pass. Some of this can be attributed to the normal deterioration of the 1980s plastic and trim. Some can also be due to the normal levels of wear-and-tear that vehicles of this type experience through regular use. There are not a lot of problems inside this vehicle. The most obvious is a substantial crack in the dash pad. It might be possible to repair or replace this, but there are now some excellent aftermarket covers that can be glued over the existing pad. These match the original color and texture and are hard to distinguish from the original pad. They are easy to find and sell for less than $150. There is also some wear on the leather-wrapped wheel rim, but I think that this could be restored relatively easily. The rest of the upholstery and trim appears to be in excellent condition and looks very inviting. I previously said that there was nothing wrong with getting out into the wilderness in comfort, and this is a vehicle that provides plenty of that. It comes equipped with air conditioning, digital gauges, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise, a tilt wheel, and an aftermarket CD player.

As is the case with almost any classic car, condition is king when it comes to determining value. The 1987 4Runner SR5 Turbo is no exception to that rule. It is possible to find some pretty scrappy examples for under $10,000, but pristine vehicles can sell for upwards of $20,000. The condition of this SR5 is above average, but it isn’t perfect. I would probably expect bidding to head up around the $14,000 mark, although it does have the potential to go slightly higher. However, the action has been quite subdued up to this point, so there is the possibility that it could sell for something less than that figure. It will be interesting to see what it does finally sell for. Is anyone interested in bidding?