2nd gen better engine choice

[My wife said no FJ!]

As a rule, I hate driving autos. Personal preference, but I think in general manuals have fewer issues as well.




Tasty!

Have not had an auto (not me nor my wife) in over 20 years...will most likely drop a 5speed in soon after she comes home...if she comes home that is

 

[Nikon Samurai]

I'd still wait and find a 22R truck that's in good condition, my $.02

 

[KLF]

I think you'd be even more disappointed in how slow that truck is with the 22RE. Very underpowered.

That frame looks remarkably rust-free for your part of the country. How about the bottom edge of the tailgate? That's where it usually starts first. And inside the rear bumper.

 

[Combat Chuck]

go for the V6 auto, it's your kid's daily driver, right? there's no greater assurance to the father of a young driver than knowing the slushbox in the car won't encourage high-speed lunacy.

Later on, you can swap in the manual, and get some real guts out of that motor (1VZE's really a nice, revy motor, if given a chance.) Right now, get that very nice rig you posted pictures about.

 

[Bomar]

You live in Canada get a surf with a 1kz it will be the best move.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

A surf with the 1kz available in CAN? That's news to me. Turns out you're absolutely correct.
It'd be cool, but BIG bucks! From Outback Imports website:
NEW MODELS!

Outback Imports is excited to announce the addition of 3 new models to our lineup. With the arrival of the 1KZ engine (3.0 litre turbo-diesel) to the Toyota family in late 1993, there is now an alternative to the infamous 2LT for prospective owners of the Hilux Surf and LandCruiser Prado...
Long-time Outback followers will remember that the Hilux Surf was offered by Outback back in 2005, but was quickly discontinued when the weaknesses of the 2.4 litre engine became apparent. The 4Runner body style was hugely popular in North America, for good reason. The model offers an excellent balance of size, space, capability and versatility. Prospective buyers will be happy to note that many parts are interchangable between the Japanese and North American versions...

 

[mikej]

I was in the same boat. I ended up buying a 2nd gen 1990 4x4 6cyl auto. no rust. 140,000miles. I put about $1800 in maintenance parts. water pump all belts, seals, rebuilt front end, axles, air conditioning compressor. Runs great, I like it. Just got back from a 4000 mile trip thru Mexico and Belize. Great truck to have. Two extras I installed. A auxiliary 11gal. fuel tank 400+miles between fill ups and manual hubs.
Mike

 

[Foreigner]

Just got back from a 4000 mile trip thru Mexico and Belize

Must have photos!

 

[elripster]

Thanks for the chart

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!

If it really came with the 31" tire option it has 4.88's in it. My 94 came with 4.88's as well.

One odd factoid, you can't regear the rear third member on a yota with factory 4.88's.

I personally hate the 22RE in these trucks but that's just me. The 3.0 makes more torque at idle than the 22RE does peak. I put up with less room in the engine bay to work on it when I have to do so evey few years.

If you can find a V6 5 speed, which is what I had in my 89, that's much better. But you are seeing what I found when I was shopping for my 4runner and that is almost all are V6 autos.

Interesting observation, when you hear about all the reliability issues with V6 autos, is it because they are un reliable? Or because they made up like 80% of those vehicles sold in the US? A truck can't break down if it doesn't exist.

Frank