Supra-4Runner Frankenstein Takes on the Drag Strip
The 1JZ-GTE was one of the most powerful engines to ever come out of Japan in the ’90s, and it still runs strong today.
“You owe me a 10-second car.” Many of us have dreamed of the seemingly mythical milestone of breaking 10-seconds out in the 1/4 mile. All that horsepower, torque, weight-reduction, and boost put to one use: speed. Tearing down the track at an ungodly rate of travel just does something that pushes your endorphins into another realm. And when you execute the perfect run it’s a sensation of blissful chaotic relief.
Maybe you’ve never experienced the sensation of ripping down the drag strip. You’ve probably told yourself, “I don’t have the car for that.” Well, one Utah native decided that wouldn’t be his excuse. In a new video from Youtuber BigKleib34, we meet a driver who’s doctored up one of the most beloved off-roading vehicles of our time into a mean tire shredder.
Our racer decided to take his ’92 4Runner and swap in a 1JZ engine. That’s right. A third-gen Supra powerhouse was dropped into a ’90s 4Runner. You might think with all that weight and poor aerodynamics that this vehicle wouldn’t be fast. You’d be dead wrong. That inline-six and massive 66-millimeter turbo do just fine.
Imagine pulling up to this guy at the line in your modded Mustang knowing full-well you’re about to roast his keister. Imagine then the shock you feel when he absolutely tears down the asphalt on his way to a sub-11 finish. Yeah…in a 4Runner.
The owner says that his vehicle is currently putting out torque and horsepower numbers in the mid to high 600s. That’s insane for a ’90s Japanese SUV designed for Overlanding and camping trips. He shares that his best time to date is a 10.88s run in the 1/4 mile. That’s nothing short of phenomenal.
On top of his performance runs, the owner spends much of his time driving the 4Runner across the country to race sites. A quick swapping out of the tires and he’s ready to go.
Next time you feel your ride is inadequate, just remember: There’s a ’92 4Runner laying down some wicked 10-second passes.