Toyota 22R Inline-Four Engine

The Toyota 22R is arguably the most famous four-cylinder engine in history, cementing Toyota’s reputation for indestructible reliability. Found in the Hilux, 4Runner, and Celica from 1981 to 1997, it is the engine people point to when they talk about a vehicle reaching 500,000 miles.

In 2026, the 22R remains a staple for off-roaders, overlanders, and “retro” Toyota collectors who value mechanical simplicity over electronic complexity.

Listing Details

• 2.4L Toyota 22R Inline-Four Engine
• Ported Cylinder Head
• Holley Carburetor
• Offenhauser Intake Manifold
• K&N Air Filter
• Crane Camshaft
• Ferrea Racing Valves
• Alternator & Distributor
• Power Steering Pump
• Doug Thorley Exhaust Header

1. Technical Profile: The “Indestructible” Design

The 22R is an SOHC, 8-valve engine. Its secret isn’t power; it’s a massive, overbuilt iron block and a simple design that favors low-end torque.

2. 2026 Market Valuation (Estimated USD)

Because these engines are so desirable for 4×4 builds, prices have remained remarkably high for decades.

3. The “Two Real Problems” (2026 Maintenance)

Despite its “immortal” status, the 22R has two specific failure points that every owner in 2026 must watch for:

• The Timing Chain Guides: The factory guides are plastic. Over time, they become brittle and snap. The chain then “eats” into the aluminum water jacket on the timing cover, mixing coolant into the oil.

  • 2026 Fix: Always install steel-backed guides during a rebuild.

• Head Gasket Failure: The 22R head is aluminum while the block is iron. Differing expansion rates can lead to head gasket failure around the 150k–200k mile mark.

  • 2026 Fix: Use ARP Head Studs instead of factory bolts to provide better clamping force and prevent future failure.

4. 22R vs. 22RE: Which to Choose?

• 22R (Carbureted): Preferred by extreme overlanders. If the battery dies or the electronics fail in the middle of a desert, you can usually still make a carbureted engine run.

• 22RE (Fuel Injected): Much better for high-altitude driving and cold starts. By 2026, the electronics for these are aging, so many owners upgrade to a standalone EFI or replace the old sensors with modern equivalents.

5. 2026 Performance: The LC Engineering Way

If you want a 22R that can actually keep up with modern traffic, companies like LC Engineering still offer parts in 2026 to push these engines significantly further.

• Big Valve Heads: Increases breathing.

• Fuel Injection Conversions: Swap the old carb for a modern throttle-body EFI.

• Turbocharging: The “22RTE” was a factory turbo version, but modern aftermarket kits can safely push a stock 22R to 180–200 hp.