What size engine is in a 1989 Toyota Pickup?
The engine size for most 1989 Toyota Pickups is 2.4 liters (2,400 cc), in the 22R family (22R carbureted or 22R-E fuel-injected).
The 1989 Toyota Pickup sits in Toyota’s compact pickup lineage (often called the Hilux outside North America). For that model year, the 2.4-liter inline-four was the standard powerplant in the U.S., with a fuel-injected variant known as the 22R-E appearing on later or higher-trim builds. This article explains the typical engine sizes you might encounter and how to identify them.
Engine sizes and variants
Below are the primary engine configurations you might encounter on a 1989 Toyota Pickup, along with brief notes on where they appeared.
- 2.4 L inline-four (2366 cc): the 22R family, commonly found in US-market 1989 pickups. It could be carbureted or fuel-injected depending on trim and production date.
- 2.0 L inline-four (approximately 1980–1988 cc): the older 20R engine, present in some export models or earlier production within the same generation, but far less common in US-spec 1989 pickups.
In practice, the 2.4 L inline-four (22R, with 22R-E EFI variants) was the standard configuration for most 1989 pickups in the United States, while the smaller 2.0 L option was largely phased out or limited to regional imports.
Understanding 22R vs 22R-E
The 22R refers to the 2.4-liter inline-four that was offered in carbureted form in earlier years, while the 22R-E denotes the fuel-injected version introduced as emission controls tightened and fuel efficiency demands grew. The EFI variant (22R-E) became more common as the model progressed into the late 1980s and beyond, providing improved throttle response and economy compared with the carbureted setup.
What to look for when you're buying or maintaining
To confirm the exact engine in a specific 1989 Toyota Pickup, inspect the engine code on the valve cover or on a labeling plate near the radiator. Common codes include 22R and 22R-E for the main US-market 2.4-liter engines, with 20R appearing in rarer export configurations. A service manual or VIN/engine stamping reference for that year will help you verify the precise specification for a given vehicle.
Maintenance notes
Carbureted 22R engines typically require carburetor tuning and fuel-delivery checks, while 22R-E engines rely on the fuel-injection system and related sensors. When replacing parts, be mindful that interchangeability between 22R and 20R components is limited, so verify compatibility for gaskets, intake components, and ignition parts.
Summary
For 1989, the typical Toyota Pickup engine size is 2.4 liters (2366 cc) in the 22R family, with the fuel-injected 22R-E variant common on many US-spec models. A smaller 2.0-liter 20R engine exists in some markets or earlier production, but the 2.4 L 22R configuration is the standard for most pickups from that year.
