Trucks:
1st Generation: small body with minor curves, all are solid axle
1979, 20R carburated engine
1981, 22R carburated engine

2nd Generation: new larger angled body style shared with the 1st Gen 4Runner
1984, solid axle, XtraCab available
1985, solid axle, 22RE fuel injected engine and A340F automatic transmission now available
1986, IFS and new recirculating ball steering introduced, turbocharged 22RE available
1988, 3VZE V6 now available with chain driven transfer case

3rd Generation: new rounded body style for trucks only
1989, enchanced body, longer length, better interior
1990, 3VZE motor has headgasket problems and has special service campaign V06 (1990-95)
1995.5, last of the "trucks", replaced by the Tacoma

4Runners:
1st Generation: all new line sharing the body of 2nd Gen truck, 2-door with removable top
1984, model 1st introduced
1985, last year with a solid axle but with 22RE engine, often called the ideal 1st Gen 4Runner due to this combination
1986 IFS and new recirculating ball steering introduced
1988, 3VZE V6 now available with chain driven transfer case

2nd Generation: new body similar to the 3rd Gen truck, mostly 4-door but some 2-door made, no more removable top
1990, 3VZE motor has headgasket problems and has special service campaign V06 (1990-95)
1993, 2-door model discontinued
1996, last of this body style, replaced by the 3rd Gen