I am thining about a 90-95 4 runner as my DD. I have been looking at the 3.0's with a 5 speed. Just how bad where the headgasket problems? Is it anything to stay away from?
Thinking about a runner
- Thread starter preacherman
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When its only a remove and replace to do head gaskets, could be a good bargaining tool to save some $ on purchase if you can do yourself.
Well, I had a whole write up on this but here's the gist-
3.0- headgaskets,heads , drinks gas, under powered
22re-reliable, cheap parts, easy to work on, also underpowered but headers and a mild cam helps a lot. 25 mpg
what I would do: Get a 4cyl fiv spd and do the above mods and love it OR
Find a v6 with a bad motor for cheap and swap in the 3.4- love it more
Not the greatest Off road but they hold their own.
3.0- headgaskets,heads , drinks gas, under powered
22re-reliable, cheap parts, easy to work on, also underpowered but headers and a mild cam helps a lot. 25 mpg
what I would do: Get a 4cyl fiv spd and do the above mods and love it OR
Find a v6 with a bad motor for cheap and swap in the 3.4- love it more
Not the greatest Off road but they hold their own.
KliersLC said:
I agree that the 3.0 is not a good choice. The 22R-E is way more reliable. And the 3.4 is way more effecient. I think that the 3.0 V6 must have been designed by a Nissan spy (or a drunk team of Toyota Engineers) working for Toyota.
Personally, I like the 3.0. yes, it's underpowered, but it's dang smooth. Make sure teh recall has been done, and have a mechanic check the entire truck over.
I have a 3.0 in my 88 and like it; w/ Downey headers, good exhaust and intake and it'll do me just fine. In my ex's 94, we installed DOA's heads and it was a great little engine. It will never meet the power of a 3.4, but it is a smoother engine (I've owned many of both). The 22re will always be cheaper and more reliable, just based on it's design.
But again, I like the 3.0.
I have a 3.0 in my 88 and like it; w/ Downey headers, good exhaust and intake and it'll do me just fine. In my ex's 94, we installed DOA's heads and it was a great little engine. It will never meet the power of a 3.4, but it is a smoother engine (I've owned many of both). The 22re will always be cheaper and more reliable, just based on it's design.
But again, I like the 3.0.
Cube Dweller
Moderator
22re in my pickup is bulletproof but totally gutless. It's been tuned, passes CA smog, etc. Little motor for heavy ride in a 4runner. I never got close to 25mpg in the pickup, maybe 20 when it's mostly freeway miles.
I bought a 91 runner with a 3.0 a couple months ago for a daily driver. Pickup is too impractical now that we have the kid. I plan to use it for moderate wheeling also. You can find IFS lift kits, regeared front difs, etc CHEAP b/c of all the rock crawlers doing SAS. This runner had a short block replaced by Berkeley Toyota after 3 headgasket failures. I doubt the person I bought it from ever had it tuned, etc and it barely registered any emissions when I had it smogged. The power difference is noticible, and the 4runner is heavier. From what I can tell from research people are overly critical of the 3.0- the 22re is tough standard to beat. A friend with a '92 runner with the 3.0 did mention his got awful mileage.
I am really looking forward to finishing the buildup and selling the pickup.
I bought a 91 runner with a 3.0 a couple months ago for a daily driver. Pickup is too impractical now that we have the kid. I plan to use it for moderate wheeling also. You can find IFS lift kits, regeared front difs, etc CHEAP b/c of all the rock crawlers doing SAS. This runner had a short block replaced by Berkeley Toyota after 3 headgasket failures. I doubt the person I bought it from ever had it tuned, etc and it barely registered any emissions when I had it smogged. The power difference is noticible, and the 4runner is heavier. From what I can tell from research people are overly critical of the 3.0- the 22re is tough standard to beat. A friend with a '92 runner with the 3.0 did mention his got awful mileage.
I am really looking forward to finishing the buildup and selling the pickup.
My 3.0
Bought a 90 V6 4Runner in '92 w/ 32k miles. Head gasket failed in '95 and was replaced by dealer ($1200 when all said and done). 1 year later I found out about the recall, sent receipts to Toyota, and they sent me $928 check. No other issues w/ head gasket at this writing. Truck now has 207k and is still my daily driver.
-Mark
Bought a 90 V6 4Runner in '92 w/ 32k miles. Head gasket failed in '95 and was replaced by dealer ($1200 when all said and done). 1 year later I found out about the recall, sent receipts to Toyota, and they sent me $928 check. No other issues w/ head gasket at this writing. Truck now has 207k and is still my daily driver.
-Mark
