22RE or V6?!

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chicago

chicago

Joined
Jan 18, 2006
Threads
434
Messages
9,610
Location
Reno, Nevada
Hey all,
Im considering picking up a 4 runner to build, and Im wondering what engine I should be looking for.

Given the choice, what would you choose and why?

Ive heard that the 22RE's are the SHIZZZZ, but logically it would seem to be under powered?
Ive also heard that the V6's have head gasket issues? Is there a solution for this?

Looking to build it for rocks, but it also has to run on the highway for longer trips.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Chicago
 
WristPin said:
22re
22re 22re
22re 22re 22re
22re 22re 22re 22re
22re 22re 22re 22re 22re
22re 22re 22re 22re 22re 22re
22re 22re 22re 22re 22re 22re 22re
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Can you tell me WHY?
Im not being sarcastic here I promise. Im just not quite able to wrap my mind around why a 4 cyl with LESS power/ torque would be better and more desireable than a 6 cyl.
Ive been diggin around in the search and old posts in this section, and all Ive been able to ascertain is the 22RE has a proven reliability track record where the V6 does not. I had even read from one member here that the V6 is actually an emberrassment to Toyota, but that statement was not REALLY backed with a basis for that statement.

Thanks,

Chicago
 
chicago said:
Hey all,
Im considering picking up a 4 runner to build, and Im wondering what engine I should be looking for.

Given the choice, what would you choose and why?

Ive heard that the 22RE's are the SHIZZZZ, but logically it would seem to be under powered?
Ive also heard that the V6's have head gasket issues? Is there a solution for this?

Looking to build it for rocks, but it also has to run on the highway for longer trips.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Chicago
Click to expand...

Logically, if you're going to build it for the rocks, you're probably going to have a dual X-fer case and 5.29 R&Ps. Unless you do this kind of re-gearing it will feel underpowered with the larger tires needed for rockcrawling with pretty much ANY gas motor. Stick with the 22RE........they're proven and highly reliable. In the long run, your pocketbook with thank you and you'll be surprised where that little 4-banger will take you. Spend the money where I mentioned above.........don't forget the Longfields.........you'll need them. :cheers:
 
I've had quite a few mini trucks. a couple 20rs, a 22r, 22re, 3.slow, and a 3.4l. The 3.4 is by far the best of the group as far as both reliability and power goes in my opinion, but that doesn't seem to be an option for the vehicles you're looking at. For wheeling, I'd go with the 22re. The 3.0 v6 is a much better engine for cruising down the highway at 75-80mph. It really does that well. For a daily driver I think you'd want the extra power. They do have head gasket issues. The cure: replace them. It doesn't seem to be a design problem, but rather something in the manufacturing that had issues. I have not heard of many that have had head gaskets replaced having problems. My 89 never had a problem. It always ran great.
For teh wheeling, I think the 22r is a good little motor. It's got decent torque at low rpms, is fairly fuel efficient, especially at trail speeds. I've never gotten better mileage from any 4cyl on the highway than i got from either of my v6s. I have not owned a 2.7 4cyl however. Anyway, under 50mph or so where you're not overworking the little engine they seem to do great. On the highway at speed I think they are just out of their efficiency range. The 4cyl's I've had would keep up with traffic most of the time, but there certainly wasn't power to spare. The 20r engines with 4speeds were better on the highway than the 22r's with 5 speeds. Not sure why, but I've tested them side by side many times with friends and the 20rs were always faster. That may also have been partially due to the first gen trucks being a little lighter I'm not sure.
On the trail the 22r or re does great. I think they are a fantastic motor for that purpose. The only issue I had were clutch problems as the clutch is small and can overheat. The solution for that is gearing. Dual cases and low diff gears are a must. For a budget crawler, I'd go transfercases first before axle gearing, but if you want to drive on the highway much I think you'll need both. Just the axles with 5.29's is not low enough for most crawling work. You will burn through clutches like crazy. Trust me, I did it.
I would not try to get much out of performance upgrades. My last minitruck was an 84 and I had the engine bored and rebuilt with mid-high end parts with a cam and the typical stuff. Anyway it would rev on up to around 8k rpms. Never had a internal failure, but what good does that do you on the trail? none. For the money you would be better off to buy gearing or replace with 3.4.

Those are my opinions. As you said, you plan on longer highway trips. I think you would be happier with the v6 and replace the headgasket. Or find a high mileage 3rd gen 4runner with a 3.4. I just don't think you will like the highway with a 4cyl 4runner. Take them for what you will.
 
22re is a simple engine. which is easy to werk on. the v6 is complicated and time consuming to werk on.

there are mods you can to get a little more power. like hedder and cam. the lack of power is a trade off i dont second guess.
 
The 3.0 is the worst thing Toyota ever made, I'll bet they're blushing. I'd go the smiple and time tested 22R, or for big lazy cubic inches (translation: an engine that doesn't have to work hard) I'd want the GM 4.3 V6.
 
I am looking into doing the 2.7 2/3rz conversion.They have around 40-50hp more than the 22re's I think. IMHO about the 3.0 is :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
 
Downey said:
The 3.0 is the worst thing Toyota ever made, I'll bet they're blushing.
Click to expand...

I see you saying this frequently. Why do you market products for 3VZE's if this is how you feel? Not knockin ya, but are your products the silver bullets to fix those V6's woes?
 
yuppers ill agree with Downey on both counts. i also owned an 89 s15 mini jimmy with the 4.3 i liked the engine it felt like it had good power and toque and what not, felt so to me anyway. then i went and buckled my front A-arms trying to be all dukes of hazaard...

J
 
Can anybody counter their argument with a technical... ahh forget it.

If you see a truck with a 22RE don't even pop the hood, it's guaranteed solid freakin gold on a stick. It doesn't matter how it sounds/leaks/starts/runs, it's already worth 3k more by the virtue of it's nature. Impulsive buying won't bite you here, 4cyl is all you need to know when shopping for a Toyota. It's bigger than gold teeth and their HG's fix themselves.

The 3VZE is less powerful than a chevvy V6, and brace yourself for this, is the first post production engine in history with HG issues (also first difficult engine to service, completely shocking).
The 3VZE hates your grandma, kills baby harbor seals, is responsible for the weaker dollar and the general decay of western civilization. It also hates America and puppies. You don't hate America, do you?

If anybody out there is unfortunate enough to own a 3VZE equipped vehicle I can help. For a one time payment to me of $5,000 I will take your 3VZE equipped vehicle off of your hands to clear your conscience. Don't thank me, I just care that much. It's all I can do to give back to the little guy. :flipoff2:
 
Downey said:
The 3.0 is the worst thing Toyota ever made, I'll bet they're blushing. I'd go the smiple and time tested 22R, or for big lazy cubic inches (translation: an engine that doesn't have to work hard) I'd want the GM 4.3 V6.
Click to expand...

Yes, Sir! I'm sick of the 22R, for some strange reason, they just don't hold up in my mini. Got the 4.3L Vortec in there now. Kinda scary how much juice it has. Can't wait to add the dual Xfer and lockers.!!!
 
ms018kmf said:
The 3VZE is less powerful than a chevvy V6, and brace yourself for this, is the first post production engine in history with HG issues (also first difficult engine to service, completely shocking).
The 3VZE hates your grandma, kills baby harbor seals, is responsible for the weaker dollar and the general decay of western civilization. It also hates America and puppies. You don't hate America, do you?
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:lol::lol::lol::lol:

LOL I'm with you no this one, its just too damn tiring to defend that motor. Its the 3fe of 80's tech, :rolleyes:


:lol::lol:
 
Not trying to say you can pimp the motor or anything. Toyota was never synonymous with power to me. I get reliability out of this thing and that's about all I need for now. Looking at a vehicle with either motor the 3VZE absolutely needs a closer inspection when shopping. The 22 is better off mechanically in many ways, that's been extensively documented.

With as little work as possible (I am a lazy ass) my truck starts every day, hot or cold, even minus the cold start injector. :D I don't leak or burn oil. Mileage is consistently 16ct/20fwy, and more than power I'd just like lower gears for now. Eventually something else will go in but it's not doomed until a swap happens.

Excellent analogy, it is the 3fe of 80's tech. I did hate my 3fe.:mad:
 
Jetboy said:
I've never gotten better mileage from any 4cyl on the highway than i got from either of my v6s.
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I have. My current 22RE is posting 19+ driving around in this small town, while the best I can get out of the 3VZE on the open roads of the Big Island is 17. The 6 with auto is nice to have in a 4runner, but I'd always opt for the 4cyl in a pickup.
 
I consistently get 20+ mpg in my std cab 22re on the hwy. I also try to keep the valves adjusted, clean air filter etc..

My 2.4 does very well on the hwy. Granted, I cannot pull a boat up Jellico mountain doing 80 but I cruise very easily at 70-75. Actually , I feel that is the engine's sweet spot so you do not have to down shift.

I have a 4.11 rear so I am taching over 3k at those speeds. Still get 20+ mpg. That is pretty impressive to me for an engine with 175k miles.

I owned a 96 Taco with the 2.7. Now that was/is a great engine. Lots of power for a 4 and I could pull a bass boat quite easily with it.

Juke
 
To clarify...Im looking at SAS if it has IFS, 35's, low range box, re geared diffs and enough grunt to be able to pull 6% grade armored and loaded with gear for the weekend wheelin trips with about a 6-8 hour drving range on the highway. This is NOT my DD, its my TOY.
I like the 4 runners, cuz I can keep the gear dry and also sleep in the back if the weather is crappy (Im a wuss when it comes to cold:princess:). I understand anything used for wheelin is not going to be a race horse on the street, but my rig is KILLING ME to drive to and from the trails on long trips. On the trails...its awesome, but Im getting the sneaking feeling that Im trying to make my rig into something that it will NEVER be without dumping a TON MORE cash into it (I.E. Chevy V8 swap). Hence, the reason for my investigation in to the smaller rig.
So, the biggest complaint with the V6 is the HG issue, but does have ample power for highway driving?
The 22 R/E's are stupid reliable and easy to work on, but are, admittedly, a bit under powered and the BEST option would be to swap in a vortec V6 in lieu of both for these rigs?
Am I getting it right?

Thanks for all the input.
Either way...my wife's gonna KILL me!:eek::deadhorse:

Chicago
 
chicago said:
Either way...my wife's gonna KILL me!:eek::deadhorse:

Chicago
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She might if she reads this. You can always play the safety card. I love doing that. :clap:
 
The headgasket issue on the 3.0 is compounded by the cross over pipe dupming right at the corner on #6 cylinder.... I've had both engines, and they are both fine, but the 3.0 is only fine till you have to get gas (18-20ish mpg hwy in good shape 22RE will get mid 20's if you don't push it too hard) or work on it (just changed the valve cover gaskets on a 3.0 and it took 4 hours, it's only about a 10 minute job on the 22RE)

Neither engine will give you 6-8 hours on the hwy without an aux tank. I'd go turbo diesel if I had the money.... instead right now I'm going Honda Civic.... :p
 
It kinda depends on your tolerance for slowness while climbing grades and what percentage of time will be spent on long grades. My 87 sas 4r (almost exactly like you describe what you are thinking of) with a 22re and headers 5:29's on 35's will go up Spooner summit about 35-40 mph when fully loaded with gear. Luther Pass about 30 mph. Yep it's slow on grades, but I don't mind cuz like you said "it's stupid reliable". On the trail the fuel economy is pretty good. Just got back from Moab, and all the jeeps are fueling up every morning, and I fueled up every 3rd day. They were a little jealous of that.

Plus, it's probably not all that hard to find an already built 22re 4runner and probably save about 50% over building it yourself! Just check the vehicles for sale on this forum and Pirates every day and you're bound to find a good deal.
 
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