Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.This 1992 Toyota 4Runner SR5 is a rugged, honest example of the second-generation model that cemented the nameplate's reputation for going anywhere and running forever. Finished in Forest Green Metallic over gray cloth, it pairs the indestructible 22R-E four-cylinder with the desirable five-speed manual and full four-wheel drive, and it comes with the rust-averse pedigree of a one-owner-until-2025, Western-registered truck. It is offered at no reserve on Cars and Bids, which means it will sell to the market, making it a compelling entry into a rising collector segment.1992 Toyota 4Runner SR5Cars & BidsWhat it's worth right nowThe second-generation 4Runner has become a genuine collector favorite, and the market reflects it. Classic.com shows the 2nd-gen 4Runner averaging around $13,526, with a low of $3,300 for a rough example and the cleanest, lowest-mileage manual trucks reaching well beyond the average. The dated Kelley Blue Book figure of roughly $2,258 reflects an old depreciation model rather than the enthusiast reality, where preserved, rust-free examples have appreciated substantially as buyers seek out simple, durable analog SUVs.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis truck's key strengths are its desirable configuration and its honest, rust-averse history. The five-speed manual and 4×4 combination is exactly what enthusiasts want, the 22R-E is one of the most durable engines Toyota ever built, and the one-owner-until-2025, Western-states registration is a major plus given how badly these rust in salt climates. Working against it are the 205,400 miles, the honest cosmetic flaws, and the mild aftermarket modifications, which move it below the pristine, low-mileage comps.1992 Toyota 4Runner SR5Cars & BidsGiven the desirable manual 4×4 configuration and rust-averse history but accounting for the high mileage and cosmetic needs, I would call fair value roughly $9,000 to $15,000. The current $6,000 bid with four bids and six days remaining is below that, and as a no-reserve sale it should climb toward its true market level as the auction closes.Condition and detailsThe truck presents as an honest, well-kept driver. This 4Runner SR5 4×4 is finished in Forest Green Metallic over a gray cloth interior, with air conditioning, rear-seat climate control, and an AM/FM cassette player, and it rides on 15-inch aftermarket wheels with an aftermarket lift kit. The 22R-E 2.4-liter four-cylinder makes 116 horsepower and 140 lb-ft through the five-speed manual and a two-speed transfer case, the simple, robust drivetrain that made these trucks legends for reliability. Modifications are limited to the wheels, the lift, an aftermarket antenna, and a security system, and the sale includes three keys, a spare tire, a dashboard cover, and a spare wiper.1992 Toyota 4Runner SR5Cars & BidsFor condition, this is a 205,400-mile truck with a clean Carfax showing no accidents or mileage discrepancies, one owner until 2025, and Western-states registration since new, with recent service including a December 2023 oil change and a February 2024 coolant flush. The seller honestly discloses the flaws: chips, dings, and scratches around the exterior, front bumper dents, weathered trim, curb rash on the wheels, a stain on the rear bench, some underbody corrosion, and bubbling paint on the driver-side fender. The exterior appears to have been repainted at some point, and the windows are tinted.1992 Toyota 4Runner SR5Cars & BidsThe diligence on a high-mileage vintage 4×4 is about rust and mechanical honesty. Rust is the great enemy of these trucks, so despite the encouraging Western history, inspect the frame, body mounts, and the disclosed underbody corrosion and fender paint bubbling carefully, and note that a commenter asked specifically about door-frame rust, to which the seller responded that only minor spots were present. On the tires, the listing notes old date codes, but commenters credibly argued that figure is a misread since the tire model postdates 2017, so simply verify the actual date codes in person. Confirm the 22R-E runs and shifts cleanly and get a pre-purchase inspection. This is a no-reserve private-party sale with a clean Colorado title.1992 Toyota 4Runner SR5Cars & BidsAdvertisementAdvertisementThe offerSpecificationDetailMakeToyotaModel4Runner SR5 4×4 (2nd generation)Year1992Mileage205,400Engine22R-E 2.4-liter inline-fourPower116 horsepower, 140 lb-ftTransmissionFive-speed manual with two-speed transfer caseDrive typePart-time four-wheel driveExterior colorForest Green MetallicInterior colorGrayCurrent bidUSD $6,000 (no reserve)Interested in this vehicle? View the listing here.What makes the second-generation 4Runner uniqueThe second-generation Toyota 4Runner, produced from 1990 to 1995, is where the model found the winning formula that still defines it today. Where the original was essentially a pickup with a removable fiberglass top and rear seats grafted in, the second generation introduced a proper full steel body with an available four-door layout, while retaining the rugged, body-on-frame construction and Hilux-pickup underpinnings that gave it genuine off-road capability and legendary durability. With a dual-range transfer case, real four-wheel drive, and Toyota's famously overbuilt mechanicals, it was equally at home commuting, hauling gear to a trailhead, or crawling up a washed-out forest road.1992 Toyota 4Runner SR5Car & BidsAt the heart of this example's appeal is the 22R-E four-cylinder, an engine with a near-mythical reputation for reliability, routinely running well past 300,000 miles with basic maintenance, as the many high-mileage survivors on the road attest. Paired with the increasingly rare five-speed manual, it delivers the pure, simple, analog driving experience that has made clean second-generation 4Runners so desirable in an era of complex, screen-laden SUVs. These trucks were used hard and most were used up, so honest, rust-averse survivors like this one, especially in the sought-after manual 4×4 configuration, have become genuinely collectible, which is exactly what makes a no-reserve example worth watching.My takeThis is an honest, desirable second-generation 4Runner in the configuration enthusiasts want most: the five-speed manual, real 4×4, the bulletproof 22R-E, and a rust-averse Western history, offered at no reserve so it will find its true market number. My fair-value call is $9,000 to $15,000, reflecting the appealing specification and honest presentation against the 205,400 miles, the cosmetic flaws, and the mild modifications. I would be comfortable in that range for a truck that inspects as clean underneath as its history suggests.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe buying advice is rust-first, as it always is with these. Despite the encouraging Western registration, inspect the frame, body mounts, and the disclosed underbody corrosion and fender bubbling closely, since rust is what kills these trucks and what most separates a good one from a project. Verify the actual tire date codes given the listing's likely-mistaken note, confirm the 22R-E and the manual are healthy, and get a pre-purchase inspection. Handle those, and the current $6,000 no-reserve bid is an early figure on a genuinely collectible, go-anywhere Toyota that should run for many years yet.Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
