What to look for in a 4 Runner

[greasyjeep]

Ok - I like to wheel but since i got my second dog it is real tight in the back of the Jeep.
I wheel mostly at Paragon, wooded rocky areas and stick maily to high blues, blacks and some low reds.
I need more space and want to keep a convertible top, so the 4runner is a great choice.
I just am not sure what to look for.
Trans? I like autos in the rocks, but not suree toyota even made a auto for the 4 runner until later years?
TC - not even sure what options are out there, if there are any.worse comes to worse i will stick an atlas in it
Engines (not a DD, have my tacoma for that) so I don't care about enough power to drive on the HW, just enough to get me over the rocks.
Rears - I did some research and it looks like Toyotas likes to split them by V6 rears and 4 cyl rears.
What is the difference?
What size is the ring gear?
Are there years to avoid in terms of case strength?
I am not so worried about an electric locker, rather get a stronger rear and I'll put a ARB in it anyway. I like having OBA so it will be one of the first things I convert.
I would like locking hubs.

I would like to start with a stock or slightly modified 4runner just because i like doing the work

Oh - and what year did the 4 runner come with the removable tops.

Any other things to keep an eye out for, certain years with bad brakes? weeke steering linkages in any given year/model? That type of stuff.

Thanks for your help with the noob questions

[Sonicreindeer]

Years to avoid on a 4-Runner: Vintage mid-to-late '80's. One word: Gutless, Gutless, Gutless. The bodies manufactured during this span tend to develop body cancer below the metal which, if not caught quickly, deteriorates your investment almost immediately( true in the Rust Belt States ). The powerplants used were the de-facto 22R's. V6's were only an option duriing the '80s. Body strength during these years did not exist, though proved to be the lab rats for the 4-Runners we now know as real kick-ass trail-riders.

Years w/removeable tops: Again, vintage mid-to-late '80s model years( '86-89 ). The '90 model year was the first year Toyota integrated the top into the body for the legendary look which makes the 4-Runner what it is today; A killer classy family trail-rider immortalized for all time.

[DCM]

The removeable-top 4R's were built from '84-'88, and by that I mean the production year, NOT the model year. The V6 was available in 1988, buit was the worst version due to the fact that the oil supply tube that ran through the water jacket would corrode and rupture, pumping all the oil into the water jacket. When the engine was shut off, the oil AND a/f would then run into the crankcase, and...anyway, there we are. Just my advice, but avoid the early V6.

The most desirable years are the '84-'85, as they had a solid front axle. '86+ are IFS.
-84's had the carbed 22R
-85's up to '87 were 22RE, with manual or auto trans.
-Rearend ratios read me ->http://www.brian894x4.com/Gearratiosanddiffs.html
-auto tranny equipped 4R's came with 4.10's, 4.30, and 4.88 ratios, maybe more.
-rear is 8", front is 7.5", this is for the ifs version.
-the sfa 4r's had 8" front and rear.
-t-cases are all really solid.
-I would personally pick one with a W56 tranny in it.
-There are some 22RTE's, that is the EFI turbo model, which will most likely have the auto tranny. The BEST 4X4 toyota transmission is the R154F, which is the 5spd used behind the 22RTE's in the pickups.
-truck parts will fit, from the doors forward.
-the 4runner is built on a shortbox truck chassis.
-check the rear gate. Make sure there is no rust in it or you will have nothing but trouble.
-rocker panels and the rear wheel arches are also rust-prone.

I have owned and wheeled 2 4Runners, both 1988's.