Image courtesy toyotareference.com
For the next two candidates of the Class of 1985, we’re going to consider a couple of vehicles suggested by readers. Ben argues that the 1985 Toyota 4Runner should definitely be considered collectible. He writes:
it’s way cooler than a station wagon and a more capable 4wd than a Cherokee. 1985 was the 2nd year of production, last year for the solid front axle and first year for fuel injection. 85′s are the most desirable and therefore the most collectible of the 4runner’s. Btw the top comes off!
With the 4Runner being introduced partway through 1984, the 1985 models weren’t that much changed from the year before. In fact, many of the brochure photos for the two model years remained exactly the same. The big change for 1985 was, of course, the addition of electronic fuel injection, turning the 22R into the 22R-E, a 2.4L four-cylinder good for 116hp (20 more than the carbureted version from the previous year). If we’re to compare the 4Runner to the Cherokee, the Toyota appears to be a more primitive four-wheeler, with body-on-frame construction and leaf springs at all four corners (which, as we’ve read, came straight from the pickups and tended to sag under the weight of the cap and back seat). The Cherokee didn’t offer a removable top as the 4Runner did, but then again, the Cherokee did offer a four-door body style, which the 4Runner didn’t. So on paper, it appears the 4Runner would have been the choice of more serious off-roaders while the Cherokee was more tailored to on-roaders.
Then again, as susceptible as the Cherokees were to rust, we don’t think there’s a 1985 4Runner that looks as good as the one in the picture above anywhere north of the Mason-Dixon line. And if they were indeed the choice of off-roaders, then expect to see those that haven’t yet succumbed to rust modified extensively.
So let’s see a show of hands: Who thinks this trailworthy Toyota SUV warrants tribute? And who believes it should be booed off the stage?
As for last week’s LTD Crown Victoria, we were surprised that a majority of commenters spoke highly of Ford’s geezermobile. Not only did people have fond memories of the cars, but they still use them as daily drivers. Thus, the people have spoken and the Crown Vic is duly elected into the Class of 1985. Start thinking now of suggestions for candidates for the Class of 1986. The New Year is closing in on us, and those ’86s will soon be a quarter-century old!