2nd gen better engine choice

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My wife said no FJ!

My wife said no FJ!

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So I've been doing a lot of reading on 2nd gen T4Rs, and a big thanks to Jerod, and all of those who take the time to offer up advice :beer:

I am looking at buying a 2ng gen, and most of what I am seeing are automatic V6 rigs, which I have read was probably the worse of all 2nd gen rigs, due to high fuel consumption, and being really underpowered.

I have found a couple 5speed 22REs, but they need work before I can be happy with them.

This will be a local DD, grocery getting, occasional light wheeling rig, so speed is not a factor, but fuel economy, and comfort are.

Would I be correct that the 5speed 22RE would be my wiser choice? Fix it up (interior is actually pretty clean), intake pipe, and exhaust work (header, cat back) should help increase the MPG under regular driving, while offering a little extra HP for the very few times I might need it (I cruise at 60)? Can I install AC with out major problems?

I really like the stock look of the 2nd gen rigs, and once cleaned up they look just as good today, as they did back in '90-'91 when they first came out :)

So with that in mind, is the above assumption correct? Did I miss something?

Thanks :beer:
 
Both engines are considered underpowered. The 4cyl with the 5 spd is even more so than the v-6 with auto. But we don't care, right? I'd estimate that the 4cyl will net you 3-6 MPG more than the v-6. It's also considered more reliable and definitely easier to work on, so this is a wise choice.
Unfortunately, they're not real common in the 2nd gen Runners. So, good luck finding a clean example. Consider the v-6 with a 5 speed, or an auto that's been rebuilt or replaced. I'm with you on the stock appearance of these trucks. It's the nicest looking sheet metal of all the generations, plus the stock stance looks lifted already.
 
Or 5VZ (V6) or the 3Rz (I4)...



Funny how no V6 will get good MPG... But we can still act like it can...


And the difference in the V6 and 22RE is a lot more than just MPG. If reliability is a HUGE factor to you, you won't care about the slower 0-60 times. You might care you have the most reliable 4cyl ever put into a truck, and can drive a few more miles on the same gas...
 
Reliability is something I do think about way more than going 0 to 60...been a very long time since I've cared about racing from light to light :beer:
 
With the new HG, I've heard the 5VZ-E's much more reliable than the earlier release.

I will admit, I'm pretty sold on the 22RE as a whole, great little motor, sips gas compared to my old gutless Oldsmobile 3.8L V6.
 
Well...one that I am considering is a V6 Auto, with a 2" body lift, and a very clean body!!!

I can drop in a 5speed later on if that would help, but wondered how 33x9.5 would work on such a rig?
 
I'd rather have a 22RE 5speed, but this rig looks really clean!

It is an SR5, with leather, top, auto and bigger wheel option...that means 31's and 4.88 I think :confused:

Should I go with this rig, (it has a 2" body lift) would I'd be better off with 33x9.5, or 31x10.5, or 235/75R15 ?
Should I look at swapping out the auto for a 5speed?
 
Yes, if the 31's are factory then you will have 4.88's in the diffs.

You could drive it till you get sick of the lousy gas mileage or it craps out, then swap in a 5-speed. Keep you're eyes open for an R150F tranny.

If you're interested, a buddy did this swap last summer on his '95 4Runner, and he's now parting it out. It would be nice to just get everything you need in one package deal.
 
Thanks for the chart :beer:

I've looked all over here, and else where on the web...but can't seem to find an easy answer I am looking for...what gears would a 1993 Toyota 4Runner SR5 have? It is 3.0 Auto, leather, top, and was told it had the bigger 31" option.

Still would rather have a 22RE, but I got more pics today, and the above rig looks even better than I thought!
 
KLF said:
Yes, if the 31's are factory then you will have 4.88's in the diffs.

You could drive it till you get sick of the lousy gas mileage or it ****s out, then swap in a 5-speed. Keep you're eyes open for an R150F tranny.

If you're interested, a buddy did this swap last summer on his '95 4Runner, and he's now parting it out. It would be nice to just get everything you need in one package deal.
Click to expand...

Ooops, must have posted at the same time.

So the 5 speed will help that much?
 
I'd wait until you find one that has what you want. The 3.0 will only cause you headaches.

EDIT: If you are willing to put work in and want more power for larger tires, then get a 22R, manual 4Runner (ideally a W56 transmission instead of G52, but the G52'd be fine), and SAS it. The IFS is the limiting factor on tire size on mini Toyotas
 
Last edited:
Nikon Samurai said:
I'd wait until you find one that has what you want. The 3.0 will only cause you headaches.

EDIT: If you are willing to put work in and want more power for larger tires, then get a 22R, manual 4Runner (ideally a W56 transmission instead of G52, but the G52'd be fine), and SAS it. The IFS is the limiting factor on tire size on mini Toyotas
Click to expand...

I found a couple 22RE 5speed, but they need a LOT of work. This one is really clean. I'd only consider 33s cause it has a 2" body lift, would rather keep it stock with 31x10.5 if I had my choice :beer:
 
That must be a limited, with leather seats. You'd probably be OK with the 4.88 gears to run 33's. It'd be a nice looking combo, with the body lift. Or, remove the body lift and stay stock. Go for it! Miles? Color? Pics?
 
225 000 KMs, pretty clean. Seems to run well, but obviously too slow for the young lad, and he was a little surprised by the poor MPGs :eek:

Has original rims, and tires that will come with the truck...I don't think I'll get the ones on the truck in this pic.

What do you think?
IMG00043-20100506-1732.webp
IMG00059-20100530-1856.webp
IMG00066-20100530-1906.webp
 
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