ok I have a truck in mind I might purchase, it is a 1993 3.0 v6 with auto trany, its a extra cab, thinking about daily driver/crawler....now I have heard good and bad about this motor. not sure on the auto and crap on the t-case. what are your thoughts? the truck has a 181k on the ticker....should I stay away?
newbie question on 3.0v6 truck with auto
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The 3.0 is a no power pig with some inherent headgasket problems but otherwise reliable.
The Auto Tranny/T-case is the A340H which is not always a good choice for a rock crawler. They share ATF fluid and when on steep inclines the fluid will transfer to the back of the T-Case and can starve the transmission and torque converter of fluid. There aren't very many options for dual cases either. Check out Marlin Crawler or Inchworm Gear for upgrade parts.
The Auto Tranny/T-case is the A340H which is not always a good choice for a rock crawler. They share ATF fluid and when on steep inclines the fluid will transfer to the back of the T-Case and can starve the transmission and torque converter of fluid. There aren't very many options for dual cases either. Check out Marlin Crawler or Inchworm Gear for upgrade parts.
All AT ans V6 Toyota TCs are chain driven. 2MK, their is no aftermarket support for them. (Does InchWorm make crawler gears for them?)
I've read the "H" TC acts like a 2nd torque converter and further bleeds power. You can buy an adapter and do away with the Hydraulic TC, and replace it with a Toyota Gear driven unit but I forgot where you can find it. Prolly Marlin. They say it's good for an MPG or 3 and a little mo power.. And, with the "H" TC, it is likely to dis-engage at extreme angles. I.e, NO 4WD!! (Ask Eli? what was his name? Albermini? I can't remember. He's got an EXCELLENT video showing this)
Forget supping up the AT. 2MK, there is no support for it. They are not bad, it's just MTs are better. (also depends. Mud/ Sand, I like ATs.) Also, since most ATs have lower gears and more OD. It's best to jump up a ratio when picking gears. I.e 5:29s and 33s. She'll sing a tune, but you'll love it. And it'll take that much more load off of the tranny. ATs to me, are a good excuse to buy lower gears
The V6....
The V6 is a good motor. Notice I didn't say great motor... I love mine, but it comes with a price. Why on earth Toyota put this CAR motor in a 4WD, the world may never know. The torque curve is VERY high and you get most the power above usual RPMs. This is also why you get lower gears. You cannot make a high RPM motor pull at low rpms, Chugger motor visa-versa. It just doesn't work like that. It will be a dog.
It does have a HG problem but I haven't heard of them RE-instituting themselves once the problem has been addressed properly.
The exhaust is mondo stupid. One side practically dumps into the other in a contradictory path. If you want to keep the V6, headers are STRONGLY advised. It is a complex motor to work on. But if you do what needs to be done, the way it needs to be done you will be limiting yourself to work in that area. I.e, All this gets done at the SAME TIME: Timing belt (Toyota only is strongly advised) Spring or Hyd. Tensioner, front main seal, water pump and possibly cam seals. **NO MATTER WHAT THEIR CONDITION!!**Toyota parts are the best, in case no one has told you yet, but do come at a premium. Get the best your budget will allow, your Toyota will thank you for it by not breaking down, and you'll love not having to work on the motor again
I've read the "H" TC acts like a 2nd torque converter and further bleeds power. You can buy an adapter and do away with the Hydraulic TC, and replace it with a Toyota Gear driven unit but I forgot where you can find it. Prolly Marlin. They say it's good for an MPG or 3 and a little mo power.. And, with the "H" TC, it is likely to dis-engage at extreme angles. I.e, NO 4WD!! (Ask Eli? what was his name? Albermini? I can't remember. He's got an EXCELLENT video showing this)
Forget supping up the AT. 2MK, there is no support for it. They are not bad, it's just MTs are better. (also depends. Mud/ Sand, I like ATs.) Also, since most ATs have lower gears and more OD. It's best to jump up a ratio when picking gears. I.e 5:29s and 33s. She'll sing a tune, but you'll love it. And it'll take that much more load off of the tranny. ATs to me, are a good excuse to buy lower gears
The V6....
The V6 is a good motor. Notice I didn't say great motor... I love mine, but it comes with a price. Why on earth Toyota put this CAR motor in a 4WD, the world may never know. The torque curve is VERY high and you get most the power above usual RPMs. This is also why you get lower gears. You cannot make a high RPM motor pull at low rpms, Chugger motor visa-versa. It just doesn't work like that. It will be a dog.
It does have a HG problem but I haven't heard of them RE-instituting themselves once the problem has been addressed properly.
The exhaust is mondo stupid. One side practically dumps into the other in a contradictory path. If you want to keep the V6, headers are STRONGLY advised. It is a complex motor to work on. But if you do what needs to be done, the way it needs to be done you will be limiting yourself to work in that area. I.e, All this gets done at the SAME TIME: Timing belt (Toyota only is strongly advised) Spring or Hyd. Tensioner, front main seal, water pump and possibly cam seals. **NO MATTER WHAT THEIR CONDITION!!**Toyota parts are the best, in case no one has told you yet, but do come at a premium. Get the best your budget will allow, your Toyota will thank you for it by not breaking down, and you'll love not having to work on the motor again
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