What year Toyota had the 22R engine?
The 22R engine family, a 2.4-liter inline-four used in Toyota pickups and 4Runners, first appeared in the mid-1980s and remained in use through the mid-1990s. The fuel-injected 22R-E variant became common in the late 1980s and continued into the 1990s.
Overview of the 22R engine family
The 22R family was developed to power Toyota’s light-truck lineup, including the Toyota Pickup (often marketed as the Hilux in other regions) and the 4Runner. It was available in two main forms: a carbureted 22R and the later fuel-injected 22R-E. The carbureted version established the engine’s presence in the market during the early to mid-1980s, while the EFI 22R-E version helped meet evolving emissions and performance standards in the late 1980s and beyond.
Carbureted vs. EFI variations
In the early years, the 22R was widely used in carbureted form. As emissions regulations intensified and technology advanced, Toyota introduced the fuel-injected 22R-E, offering improved efficiency and reliability. The EFI variant became the more common choice in many markets by the late 1980s and remained in production into the mid-1990s, depending on regional model updates.
Key elements that influenced which version you’d find on a given model year include market, model generation, and the pace of regional updates. The carbureted 22R and the 22R-E coexisted for a period, with the EFI version gradually phasing in across the lineup as replacements for the carbureted engines were rolled out.
For clarity on when these engines were in use, see the timeline below with approximate, regionally varying milestones.
Key year milestones (approximate and regionally variable):
- Circa 1984: Introduction of the 22R carbureted engine in Toyota pickups and 4Runners in many markets.
- Circa 1986–1987: EFI development begins in some regions, setting the stage for the 22R-E.
- Late 1980s to early 1990s: 22R-E becomes common in North American and other markets, while carbureted 22R remains in production for some models.
- Mid-1990s: 22R-E largely supplants the carbureted 22R in most Toyota light-truck applications in many regions; some markets still see older carbureted units for a time.
In summary, the 22R engine family spans roughly from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, with the fuel-injected 22R-E variant taking prominence in the latter part of that period and continuing in various forms in different regions for several years after.
Regional and model-year variations
Different markets adopted the 22R and 22R-E at different times. In the United States, the shift from carbureted to fuel-injected powertrains generally occurred through the late 1980s and into the early 1990s, with many 1990s models equipped with the 22R-E. Other regions, such as parts of Asia and Africa, experienced slower or staggered introductions based on emissions standards and local regulations.
Summary
The 22R engine first appeared in the mid-1980s and continued in use into the mid-1990s, with the later 22R-E fuel-injected variant becoming common from the late 1980s onward. Regional differences mean exact years can vary by market, but the overall timeline centers on a mid-1980s start, a late-1980s to mid-1990s EFI transition, and a gradual phasing out in favor of newer Toyota powertrains through the decade.
