3.0 V6 + Auto Build Advice

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J

JCook5003

Joined
Mar 5, 2009
Threads
17
Messages
40
Location
Virginia
Hey guys-

So I'm at a critical decision point in my build. I just went up to Pittsburgh and bought a good 3.0 to slap in my 88 4Runner with a blown engine.

It's an automatic truck but overall is pretty nice, it has some bondo on the left rear of the truck but is actually pretty amazingly rust free.

Question is, put the motor in and go ahead and build this thing like I want (SAS, 37's, gears etc.)

Or swap the motor in, sell it or trade it for a pickup or runner with a 22re 5 Speed setup? (Easier and cheaper transfer case doubling etc.)

I'm not stuck on having a 4Runner a truck would be ok to......I'm just not sure what direction to go since very few truck ever get built up with 3.slo's in them.

Thanks
Josh :confused:
 
Josh, a fairly good reason not many build or rebuild 3.0's is because that motor is probably the worst motor Toyota ever made (they should be embarrassed).:bang: Even if you could keep a head gasket in them and get the crank to stay in place, you've still got the problem of Toyota hiding 50 of their 150 h.p. up at 5,000 rpm.
 
I'd keep the rig you got... thankfully autos help hide gearing issues. I ran 37"s on a 22RE with just 4.88s and no doubler, it wasnt fun, but it was doable. The 3.0L really would have helped.

The good news is, at least you can get a doubler for the autos... and you dont have to do it straight from the get go. Personally, I've had manual wheelin rigs, and auto wheelin rigs, and wont go back with a manual. Autos are just way too nice when it comes to wheelin. and you dont have to worry about blowing through a clutch.

I'd build your rig the way you planned, and just regear the axles. IF you find after you've built it that you still wont lower gears, save up for the doubler. The other nice thing about building a rig you've had for a while, you've worked out most the problems, and the ones you do have, you're aware of. Getting into a new rig will mean a whole new set of problems. (on a 22RE there arent that many, except a head gasket around 250K and timing chains... but i can bet that it'll need new bearings in the tranny around 200K, plus whatever issues the rest of the truck may have..)
 
DO NOT...I'll say that again, do not put any money into trying to make it more powerful. Headers, big bore throttle body, etc. It's a dog...find that thread with the dude who turbocharged his 3.0 that's what I'd do if more power were needed.

But I concur, not a great engine at all...although my '88 has been trucking along and is now at 225k...I did however pull the motor at around 140k and rebuilt it not b/c it needed it...but b/c I tried to make it fast and it was leaking oil from all over. I won't EVER do that again, what a waste.
 
per one of my buddies:

As far as building trucks there really isn't anything different (other than the tranny stuff, but that's not too bad). The oil pan on the 3.0 will be self clearanced by the hi-steer setup, but the frame will limit the compaction. Not sure if 22RE's have a similar interference or not.

He'll need to reroute the PCV setup so it doesn't dump oil into the cylinders on a roll over.

I can see why people that want to drive a street truck for 100k+ miles hate on the 3.0 over a 22RE, but for an offroad rig... the rest of the truck will wear out long before the engine. I'm not aware of any reliability issues with the 3.0, just durability issues. And durability really isn't an issue in offroad applications. A lot more low end grunt than a 22RE. If was was swapping the 3.0 for another engine, it would not be a 22RE. 4.3 Vortec minimum.
 
Hey Josh good luck with the motor,and I say keep the truck wheel it as is and consider a 5 speed swap down the line,i am doing it on my 85 over the winter(sure you seen my 2 donors)and i think it will wake the truck up and let you tap into that 5000rpm power......I dont have a V6 trans/tcase or the related pedals/brackets.clutch master/slave and lines but if/when i do ill let you know......I will have an extra full setup for a 22re/automatic to manual swap Ill post it up on classifieds soon. GOOD LUCK AGAIN!
 
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