Any of the 1st gen (84-89) 4Runners will do what you want, but the 85+ 4 cylinders are EFI and have a little more power. The 3.0 V6 (aka the 3.slow) has only a little more power, and is trouble prone.

As for the V8 swap, you actually have more clearance for the oil pan with the SAS (84-85) and it's easier to beef up that suspension to handle the V8's weight.

- seen in FOUR WHEELER mag July 2006 & OFF-ROAD mag Feb 2007 -
'84 4Runner ARBed 5.29s F&R,4.7 & 2.28 t-cases,hy-steer,BudBuilt skid,30spl Longs,36" TSLs,Chevys

'83 P/U, Buick 231 V6,Holley 4 bbl,Weiand intake,Downey headers,TH350 w/700R4 gearset