3.0 v6 vs. 22re

[fj40rob]

i know the reputation of the 22re is bulletproof. i am looking at an 88 forerunner with the 3.0 v6 , i am getting mixed reactions. i had an 89 forerunner with the 22re i know how well it ran, just wanted to consult with the experts and get your opinion. is this a motor with a bad wrap? what should i look for when i go check it out?

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

The early V6's 88 and 89 are not as bad as the 90-95 ones. The don't have as bad of a headgasket issue, but are just as hard to work on, get just as bad of gas mileage, and put out the same dismal amount of power.... If it's a nice truck, and there are not major issues, I would not shy away. Getting a 22RE is no guarantee of not having problems...

 

[fj40rob]

1988 Toyota 4Runner 4X4

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Hmmmm looks pretty decent, but that's a lot for a more or less stock truck.... I know you guys back east don't get to be picky... But out west that would be 3500-4000...

 

[wayne012]

i have a 91 30 v6 nothing but trouble ( head gaskets gone, burst heater hose factory part only, elec fuel pump died twice, leaks oil like there is no tomorro , chews heaps of fuel , and a real p!@# of s%^& to work on) long live my hj45

 

[Combat Chuck]

My perception of the 3VZ is of it basically being a 22RE without the bottom-end.
In the end, it may have a few extra ponies, but being a V-configuration, it lacks the bottom-end of an inline configuration for you to fall back on, and that makes some difference, especially uphill.

 

[fj40rob]

Thanks guys! talked to the guy he said $4000 was his absolute bottom dollar. think i can do better.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

I had a 1991 3.0 V6. The truck had a rod knock when I bought it, but I pulled the 3.0 out and had it rebuilt by a well known machine shop (the same shop, incidentally, that did all of the 3.0 rebuilds for the local dealerships during the headgasket recall campaign). Rebuilt it using forged crank and piston rods from a 3VZ-FE. Rock Products .030 over pistons, new toyota oil pump, rod and crank bearings, water pump, headgaskets, ARP head studs. Basically I spared no expense trying to make a long lasting motor.
Anything that was even questionable I replaced with new OEM where possible.

Drove the truck for 4 years, and about 50,000 miles with regular oil changes, and it threw a rod........
I won't do another 3.slo ever again. I wish I would have just swapped in a 5VZ-FE instead.

 

[NorCalBorn]

^That. Get a used 3.0 rig drive the crap out of it and if it pops, swap in a 3.4 or if you wanna go cheap fix it. I did the cheap fix this last round, if something goes I'll decide at the time whether to do a swap or get a new rig to build up.

 

[80hilux]

3.0 is super sluggish on the freeway..nothing but bad news from my exp. With my friends pick up.. Drove it for a week before i bought my 80 with a 20r....i was going to buy the same truck from another friend with more mods but after a week of driving 3.slow i couldnt wait to give it back. I gave it back with a new decal i hated it so much.. Just some input..