In the United States, the 1987 Toyota Pickup was normally equipped with a 2.4-liter inline-four known as the 22R family, typically carbureted on base models and featuring fuel injection on higher trims. Global variations existed, but the 22R engine was the standard for the era in North America.
Engine overview by market
The 1987 model year sits in Toyota’s second generation of compact pickups. While the core engine most buyers encountered in North America was the 2.4-liter four-cylinder 22R, other regions used different configurations to suit local regulations and fuel availability. The following sections summarize the primary options you’d encounter by market.
North American market (United States/Canada)
For the U.S. and Canada, the defining engine was the 2.4-liter inline-four from the 22R family. Depending on the trim level and year within the generation, it appeared in carbureted or fuel-injected form.
- 2.4-liter inline-four 22R gasoline engine (carbureted on base models; EFI-equipped 22R-E variants appeared on higher-trim or later-spec units).
Note: A V6 option would appear later in the pickup line, but it did not coexist with the 1987 U.S. model year as a factory option for that year.
International market options
Beyond North America, Toyota offered a wider variety of powertrains to fit regional needs. Diesel options and different gasoline variants were common in many export markets, with availability dependent on country and model year.
- 2.0-liter diesel engine variants (commonly from the 2L family, including 2L and the turbocharged 2L-TE in some markets).
- 2.4-liter gasoline engine variants from the 22R family (carbureted or fuel-injected, depending on local specs).
These international engines reflect the broader Hilux/Pickup lineage and its adaptation to different fuels and emissions standards around the world.
How to identify your engine in a 1987 Toyota Pickup
To confirm the exact engine in a specific truck, locate the engine code stamped on the engine block or on a label near the firewall, and cross-check it with the vehicle’s VIN. The 22R family is typically identified by the corresponding engine code in the stamping or on the emission control tag. Diesel variants and regional engines use different codes.
- Check the engine block or firewall for the code (e.g., "22R" or other regional designations).
- Match the code with the VIN and the vehicle’s trim/market documentation.
- Look for distinctive fuel-system components: carburetor versus fuel injection can help distinguish 22R carb vs. 22R-E EFI.
Summary
The standard engine for a 1987 Toyota Pickup in the United States was the 2.4-liter inline-four from the 22R family, with carbureted versions common on base models and EFI variants available on others. International markets offered diesel options (not as common in the U.S. that year) and other gasoline variants, reflecting regional needs. Verifying the exact engine in a specific truck is best done by checking the engine code and VIN.