Toyota’s 4Runner is an off-road legend. For decades, it has remained true to its body-on-frame roots, long after many of its contemporaries transitioned to a car-like unibody. The 4Runner remains a tough, go-anywhere truck with Toyota’s renowned reliability.
Yet, the 4Runner isn’t quick. But you can remedy that if you’re lucky enough to find one with an official TRD supercharger like the one recently listed on eBay in Lutz, Fla.
TRD Blower
A stock third-generation 4Runner has two engine options. The base 2.7-liter inline-four - opens in new window or tab. makes 150 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Most enthusiasts prefer the more powerful 3.4-liter V-6 - opens in new window or tab. with 183 horsepower and a peak 217 pound-feet of torque.
If that’s not enough grunt, Toyota offered a supercharger kit for the V-6 through its Toyota Racing Development performance division. These could be ordered from the dealership or as an aftermarket kit that a handy home mechanic could install. A supercharger uses a drive belt to power a compressor that forces a denser air charge into the engine. The denser air contains more oxygen, which produces more power when ignited.
The Toyota supercharger - opens in new window or tab. kit fits other trucks that utilize the 5VZ-FE 3.4-liter V-6, including the first-gen Tacoma - opens in new window or tab., T100 - opens in new window or tab., and Tundra - opens in new window or tab..
It took a hardcore enthusiast to order one of these when new, because it cost around $3,000. That makes the TRD supercharger a rare item.
Your Power Will Vary
The power gained from the supercharger varies and is hard to measure. It depends on the engine’s base condition. Also, it’s more practical to measure output at the wheels using a chassis dyno rather than at the crankshaft, which requires removing the finished engine for bench testing.
Chassis dyno testing requires estimating power loss via the drivetrain. Best estimates say the 4Runner's TRD supercharger boosts both horsepower and torque figures to about 260. Other aftermarket companies offer superchargers for this engine, but a factory-designed kit is preferable.
Pristine Model Finds New Home
This eBay example showed only 124,000 miles and appeared to be pristine. The two-tone paint gleams, the interior is spotless, and even the undercarriage looks immaculate. The 4Runner TRD's exceptional condition backed up the seller's claim that it was always garage-kept.
The only clue to the 4Runner TRD's mileage is some light cracking of the leather seats. The listing mentions a few additional issues—a sunroof stuck in the closed position, missing rear headrests, and an airbag warning light. Those are easily fixed.
The 4Runner appears to have never been driven off-road. It was listed at $13,800—no wonder it sold quickly.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.