I had ALLOT of 4runners over the years (I have a mint 89 3.0runner right now).
Of all the 3.0 toyota trucks and runners I have owned, the 88,89s are smokinasss faster than the newer ones. The first two years dont interchange the same at the wrecking yard either and my buddy that owns the local wrecking yard says they cant sell the 88-89 engine but the 90+ ones fly out the door as fast as v6 autos do. He is like me he swears they are a better engine that the later ones.
I think the main interchange item has to do with motor mount castings. I think if you keep the mount risers with the same block they will swap onto all years of rigs tho but the yard has to sell ya an exact match unless you dont care.
All the 88-89s I have had didnt mind angry driving and sounded at home on the rev limiter all the time.
That is a good thing to hear.
I'm not into fast....those days are gone. These days I am looking for something that will last. (my broke a$$ can't afford it anymore) Trust me I have raped many a 4X4 and cars too for that matter (67 camaro with a HOT 327 and a 77 olds with the 350 rocket that wasn't anything off the line but would run with anything stock top end...came out of 2nd at over 85mph..hurt the popos feelings with it a cpl times) . Just don't have the change for repairs now days.
Back in the day I had a 78 Blazer with a 4 bolt main 350 (full time 4WDwith 4:11 gears and posi lockers) and a 79 with a built 400 small block. Granted neither had 250K on the clock(neither had 100K) The 78 would go anywhere you pointed it and the 79 was not as good off road but the power of the 400 pretty much made them about even. Both had turbo 400 autos. Gas mileage wasn't a big deal then. Other than the the fact that a yota will last 300K they were 10X tougher than the yotas. You take one of these 3.0s and hold it at or over redline for an hr or so and you will need a wheel barrow to pickup the parts. Then you are SOL 'cause you will NEVER find parts to fix it. If you do find parts they are OUTRAGEOUS and you have to do 2 days work to fix something that should take 30 mins...example>valve cover gaskets on the 3.0, Why did they make it to where you have to take the intake off to replace valve cover gaskets? That has to be the most ignorant thing I have ever seen.
I would trade my toyota for either of them.... you could work on them without a engineering degree and parts were reasonable and EASY to find. You tore something up you 1.Went to the parts house and got what you needed and fixed it without refinancing your home. 2. Went to the junk yard and took what you needed off the 10 or 15 they had and fixed it.
I have so much in this truck that I don't It CERTAINLY isn't worth the money I have sunk into it. That is my fault, I know. I just keep fixing stuff and hoping that will be all I need for awhile. Then something else will go. Fix that and something else goes.. I drive it like a 90 year old man. It has not be driven hard one time since I bought it 3-4 yrs ago. I have had it in 4WD a few times in the snow and have had it off road hunting a few times but have never ever got on it. I think if I got in it and put in in the mud OR hil climbed like I did those Blazers it would last about 5 mins. ..Maybe..
I had always been told they were the best trucks out there. That within reason you couldn't tear them up. Maybe I just got a lemon. I am beginning to wonder. If the motor or trans goes I am going to set it on fire then take my backhoe, dig a hole, and bury it.
After I take the new parts off. Here is a list right off the top of my head:
pitman arm
master cylinder
rotors
calipers
shoes
pads
exhaust system from motor out the back
o2 sensor block
timing set
alternator
water pump
front main seal
u-joints
cap
rotor
plugs
plug wires
shifter bushings
265/75/15s with 100 mi on them
spare tire and wheel
fuse block and wireing for reae brake lights
reese hitch insert and ball
hose from v cover to breather tube
main breather tubes from air filter to intake
new fluids (differentials, transfer case, transmission, brake fluid, anti freeze,)
I might leave the new grease in the wheel bearings and u-joints
This has been an experience. That is an understatement.
Well I have ranted enough for this morning. It is going to be over 90 degrees here today with high humidity so I am not going to even get in the truck today. If I have to go anywhere I will ride my bike. Wish my truck was like the bike. It is an 86 Honda VT700c, bone stock. I have had it 6-7 years and I have replaced the tires and changed the oil (and rear drive grease) every 3K mi. Other than that I have put one bettery in it and that's it. It does have low miles so I guess would be comparing apples to oranges but...I wish my truck was of the same quality! Might get the usual "jap bike" comments but it is one quality built machine. My son has an '06 Harley and it is about like my Toyota.....PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM....The Hondawould be a biatch to work on but I never have to. Was hoping, when I bought it the truck, that the truck would be of like quality. WRONG!
Have a nice day!
