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Toyota 22R
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Toyota · R-Series Truck Four
Toyota 22R
The carbureted 2.4-liter truck four that became a durability icon in Hilux, Pickup and early 4Runner applications.
144.4
Cubic inches
The 22R became one of Toyota's best-known truck engines because of its simple timing-chain SOHC layout, cast-iron block and long service life.
Displacement
144.4 ci
Bore
3.622"
Stroke
3.504"
Years
1981–1990 core carbureted era
Key Takeaway
The 22R uses a simple SOHC layout with a cast-iron block, aluminum head, and nearly square 3.622 x 3.504-inch bore and stroke. Toyota emphasized durability, low-speed drivability, and ease of service rather than high specific output, which helped the engine earn its long-lived truck reputation.
Technical Specifications
- Horsepower
- Application dependent; Toyota historical data lists 115 hp in a representative 22R specification
- Torque
- 133 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm in representative 1989 carbureted 22R service specification
- Architecture
- SOHC inline four
- Block
- Cast iron
- Cylinder heads
- Aluminum
- Valvetrain
- SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Fuel delivery
- Carbureted
The 22R uses a simple SOHC layout with a cast-iron block, aluminum head, and nearly square 3.622 x 3.504-inch bore and stroke. Toyota emphasized durability, low-speed drivability, and ease of service rather than high specific output, which helped the engine earn its long-lived truck reputation.
Internal Specifications
Variant-specific values are labeled. Engine families that span multiple years or RPOs can have different heads, cams, induction and rotating parts, so the exact code/year always takes priority.
Notable Applications
Strengths
- Excellent durability reputation
- Simple serviceability
- Strong low-speed truck manners
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- Timing-chain guide wear can damage the timing cover
- Modest power output
- Carburetor tuning varies by year
Common Upgrades
- Dual-row timing-chain upgrades
- Header and exhaust
- Carburetor or EFI conversion
Racing History & Legacy
The 22R remains one of Toyota’s most recognizable four-cylinder engines. Its reputation for long service life, simple mechanical design, and strong parts support made it a benchmark for old-school Toyota truck reliability.
References & Image Credit
Engineering Notes Worth Knowing
3.622 x 3.504-inch bore and stroke; 144.4 cu in / 2.4 L.
SOHC two-valve architecture with cast-iron block and aluminum cylinder head.
Representative Toyota historical data lists about 115 hp in 22R specification.
Used in Pickup/Hilux, 4Runner, Celica, and Corona applications.
History · context · related reading
The Story Behind Toyota 22R
The 22R became a symbol of Toyota truck durability because it kept the engineering straightforward. It was never built to win a horsepower contest; it was built to start, pull, and keep working in pickups and 4Runners that often saw much harder use than passenger cars.
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