How offroad capable were 80s and 90s non solid axle toyotas?

Like the title says , wanting to know how offroad capable the non solid axle trucks and 4 runners were. Have a good deal on a 87 reg cab long bed in my area and really want to buy, but just don't know how capable the torsion bar setup is actually was

 

I have always owned at least one 86-95 truck/4runner since 93. Offroad you will have a hard time keeping idlers from bending. With a locker in the rear they can go most places. Ride is good on the street, but they will beat you up offroad on anything fast. You will get used to hanging a front wheel in the air on any obsticle.

22re wont strand you in the woods but they do have quirks. 5 spd manuals are essentially bullet proof as is the tcase. LCA bushings suck to replace just like tacomas. You will hate the 22re if you live in the mountains. Just no real power even regeared. But 5vze swaps fix that issue

Best part is they can be SASed over a weekend. At least 8 different times, I have driven home from work in a IFS rig on a Friday to drive it back to work SASed monday morning.

 

Yea I'm kicking around numerous ideas. If I were to get the truck in question I would likely 3rz swap it

 

In the middle of a 2rz swap on my sased 90. Not sure how much of a pain it would be working the oil pan and motor height around the ifs. I have done a 5vze swap on my 3vze powered t100 and it’s been the best thing I have done to it. I love the 22re as they were my first motor, and I have 3 of them in my shed but I am just over the lack of power.


I have heard that blazeland might be back and building beefy idlers for the 86-95. Total chaos does as well.

 

I had a couple 80s Hiluxs with the 22re and they ran great. As someone said, I had some problems with the idler arm bending, but found an after market gusset thing which prevented that. The trucks ran all around northern Arizona, and Baja, AZ and CA deserts (at high speed). No complaints.