1992 Toyota v6 3.0 4 runner.. Tell me about them

[fadedsun]

Hello all.

First post here, and I'm already asking a question! Not off to a good start, I guess :banana:

I'm looking at a 1992 Toyota 4runner SR5, 3.0l 3VZE v6 Engine, 181k miles, automatic, clean looking, runs well (they say).

What are the points I need to look at when examining this vehicle?

My guess:

Timing belt-when/if replaced
Water pump-when/if replaced
Smell exhaust for coolant burn
Frame-rust
check oil prior to test drive/after for signs of oil burn, milky oil
Examine coolant
Transmission-slip

Anything else I'm missing and need to look at?

I'm a big Toyota junkie.. I need this vehicle as my daily driver (I'm a Veterinary Assistant and Weekend warrior) for atleast a year, then after that it will probably be a BOV/Weekend cruiser.

If I DO get the vehicle, first thing it's going to get a full fluid change (All synthetic mobil one), detail cleaned, and find a replacement gas cap cover.

One thing I've learned over the years is if you take care of your vehicles they will take care of you.. my last car made it to about 450k (Diesel benz) before I sold it, so it does work.

 

[SCRunner12]

Your list of things to check is pretty much what you should check out for. The timing belts and water pump should be replaced every 90k so it should have been changed or needs to be real soon. The head gaskets are notorious to blow on the 3.0, so I would check on that. They probably already have blown and been replaced. Other than that just check for leaks like the power steering and rear main seal.
The 3.0 is kind of piece. It doesn't have much power and gets pretty bad mileage. If you don't mind the lack of power then it shouldn't be that bad. I hate saying this but the 3rd gen 96-02 with the 3.4 is much better of an engine. Just drive it and see how you like it. They are fun and are great off road. Good luck.

 

[924runnerSR5]

i have a 92 5speed and absolutley love it. got it from my dad when he got a 5th gen. my rear main seal is just now starting to leak a little at 188092miles so u should check that. also i just had to replace the oem radiator like 10,000 miles ago...had a crack in it and was gunked up so check that as well. like the man above said the head gaskets are notorious for blowing.....mine were replaced by toyota at like 69000miles so check with the owner and see if its ever been done. other than that u should be set. i love mine and i have not met an obstical or trail i couldnt get threw. by far the best offroading vehical ever created
p.s im really hard on mine...teenage driver lol and she takes it like a champ sooo ur good

 

[fadedsun]

i have a 92 5speed and absolutley love it. got it from my dad when he got a 5th gen. my rear main seal is just now starting to leak a little at 188092miles so u should check that. also i just had to replace the oem radiator like 10,000 miles ago...had a crack in it and was gunked up so check that as well. like the man above said the head gaskets are notorious for blowing.....mine were replaced by toyota at like 69000miles so check with the owner and see if its ever been done. other than that u should be set. i love mine and i have not met an obstical or trail i couldnt get threw. by far the best offroading vehical ever created
p.s im really hard on mine...teenage driver lol and she takes it like a champ sooo ur good

Rear main seal is what, the drive shaft/axle?

Your list of things to check is pretty much what you should check out for. The timing belts and water pump should be replaced every 90k so it should have been changed or needs to be real soon. The head gaskets are notorious to blow on the 3.0, so I would check on that. They probably already have blown and been replaced. Other than that just check for leaks like the power steering and rear main seal.
The 3.0 is kind of piece. It doesn't have much power and gets pretty bad mileage. If you don't mind the lack of power then it shouldn't be that bad. I hate saying this but the 3rd gen 96-02 with the 3.4 is much better of an engine. Just drive it and see how you like it. They are fun and are great off road. Good luck.

I drove (as my first car) an 88 Corolla with the 4AF engine, and as my second, an 80 Benz with the turbo diesel. I know all about underpowered vehicles!

thanks for the advice. Anything else on this vehicle I should know?

 

[boscounderfoot]

How much?

What do they want for this little gem? That's what it comes down to.....I'd check the CV's, boots, etc, u-joints and it's ADD so make sure the 4x electrical is fully operational. Other than that, those trucks are pretty bomber if treated well. Check the driver's door jamb for the axle code, if you luck out and have a G144, that's 4.88 factory gears.
......And if you do get it, don't waste the cash on synthetics. Just keep it clean and it'll be fine. Good luck!

 

[924runnerSR5]

Rear main seal is what, the drive shaft/axle?



I drove (as my first car) an 88 Corolla with the 4AF engine, and as my second, an 80 Benz with the turbo diesel. I know all about underpowered vehicles!

thanks for the advice. Anything else on this vehicle I should know?

rear main bearing seal. as in crankshaft bearing. sorry i should of been more clear lol

 

[gimme789]

What do they want for this little gem? That's what it comes down to.....I'd check the CV's, boots, etc, u-joints and it's ADD so make sure the 4x electrical is fully operational. Other than that, those trucks are pretty bomber if treated well. Check the driver's door jamb for the axle code, if you luck out and have a G144, that's 4.88 factory gears.
......And if you do get it, don't waste the cash on synthetics. Just keep it clean and it'll be fine. Good luck!

can you please elaborate on the G144 .vs. ?

thanks

 

[SCRunner12]

Rear main seal is what, the drive shaft/axle?


The rear main seal is seal between the engine and the transmission. Some leak at higher mileage due to the seal cracking or shrinking. It doesn't effect your 4runner if you have an auto, besides a little oil dripping. If you have a 5 speed it could interfere with your clutch.

The G144 is the code for the gears. If you look at the door jamb there will be a code for your gears. It will be G then three numbers. You can look the number up here http://www.toysport.com/technical information/toyota differentials identifications.htm
You will most likely have G254 which is 4.56.

 

[fadedsun]

The 4runner sold, but I have two more choices. A 94 with a leak PS and needing new front tires for 1400$ with 189k, or a 95 with an unknown amount of miles for 1500.

Oh, another 94 with 189k for 1500 too.

Explain to me what the CV boot are and the joints, please. I'm not an auto care guy-I do my own oil changes and simple stuff, but I could use a refresher.

 

[fadedsun]

What do they want for this little gem? That's what it comes down to.....I'd check the CV's, boots, etc, u-joints and it's ADD so make sure the 4x electrical is fully operational. Other than that, those trucks are pretty bomber if treated well. Check the driver's door jamb for the axle code, if you luck out and have a G144, that's 4.88 factory gears.
......And if you do get it, don't waste the cash on synthetics. Just keep it clean and it'll be fine. Good luck!

It's not a 4x4, it's a 2wd. 1500$ for a 95 with 189k.

 

[fadedsun]

Okay, something is getting bought Saturday.

1992 Toyota Corolla-Clean! 83k original miles. They want 2300, I'll offer 1500$. 4spd Auto, 4AFE engine (I owned an 88 carbureted 4AF engine)

1995 Toyota 4runner, sr5 v6, white, unknown mileage, they want 2200. SE HABLA ESPANOL in the advertisement and on the vehicle. Suspicious.

1994 4runner 189k SR5 V6, green. 1500$.

1995 4 runner, 175k, sr5 v6, leather, very clean-they want 2495$. I'll offer 1500$.

 

[Exodus]

That corolla sounds nice especially with the 4 AFE in it those things last forever, I wouldn't trust the one with the unknown mileage just remember when looking that the V6 model of the 4runners are notorious for being slow clunky and go through head gaskets of course the 22re is no faster lol

 

[jjlemus1]

scrunner12. I have a leaky seal in the passenger side. Its a pretty easy fix the only thing is you have to have it machine pressed. I am gonna re do the axle fluid make sure there's some in there. How does it effect the clutch? I am going to check my gears tomorrow driver side door or passenger? And can either of those push 35s? Or should i stick with 33s? thanks

 

[SCRunner12]

scrunner12. I have a leaky seal in the passenger side. Its a pretty easy fix the only thing is you have to have it machine pressed. I am gonna re do the axle fluid make sure there's some in there. How does it effect the clutch? I am going to check my gears tomorrow driver side door or passenger? And can either of those push 35s? Or should i stick with 33s? thanks

I'm not an expert, but the rear main seal is the one you have to worry about with your clutch. If your rear main seal is leaking it can get into the clutch and cause some damage.
Drivers side door. Check out this site to find out where your code is and what it corresponds to. Gearratiosanddiffs If you have 4.56, which is the most likely scenario, you wouldn't want the 35's. 33's, 4.56 and a 5 speed are pretty ideal and 4.88 or 5.29 would be better for 35's. Especially with the 3.0 under the hood.


fadedsun: Don't go for the unknown mileage. That could be a trainwreck waiting to happen. The corolla is a corolla and thats about it. I drove one for 3 years prior to my 4runner and it was great, but nothing special. The other too, just try to get the best price for the leather interior. They are just about the same mileage, but make sure they both had their timing belts done recently. May be a negotiation point for the 175k runner. Good luck!

 

[jjlemus1]

i thought u were talking about something else. but i am leaking oil from somewhere and drips from my trany but its not the tranny leaking.

 

[fadedsun]

I'm not an expert, but the rear main seal is the one you have to worry about with your clutch. If your rear main seal is leaking it can get into the clutch and cause some damage.
Drivers side door. Check out this site to find out where your code is and what it corresponds to. Gearratiosanddiffs If you have 4.56, which is the most likely scenario, you wouldn't want the 35's. 33's, 4.56 and a 5 speed are pretty ideal and 4.88 or 5.29 would be better for 35's. Especially with the 3.0 under the hood.


fadedsun: Don't go for the unknown mileage. That could be a trainwreck waiting to happen. The corolla is a corolla and thats about it. I drove one for 3 years prior to my 4runner and it was great, but nothing special. The other too, just try to get the best price for the leather interior. They are just about the same mileage, but make sure they both had their timing belts done recently. May be a negotiation point for the 175k runner. Good luck!

I ended up being unable to find a decent 4runner for the money I had.

I decided to avoid the 3.0 engined vehicles since all of them had high mileage and unknown mechanical gremlins. I looked at a Corolla w/ 108k and an 89 Japanese made Camry for 1750 w/ 113k and all power.

I picked the Camry. Dent in the front over the grill and the rear drivers window doesn't roll down, but other than that, 100% mechanically. Immaculate inside. Owned by an SMU professor. 3SFE engine. I changed the oil the day I got it, running Pennsoil platinum full synthetic now. Ac freezes you out. It's not a 4runner, but it will do me just fine until I get hired on here locally and get the money for a nice 3.4l/4cyl 4 runner or Tacoma.

 

[fadedsun]

 

[SCRunner12]

Nice buy. So what mod are you going to do first?:biggrin2: Now that you have the reliable car you can get a 4runner for cheap and begin a build.

 

[fadedsun]

Nice buy. So what mod are you going to do first?:biggrin2: Now that you have the reliable car you can get a 4runner for cheap and begin a build.

Yup!

This car is just too nice to rag on so I'll probably keep it around and clean it up and keep it as a toy.

The dieselized 4runner comes after the tank project which has hit a huge snag...importing armor from yurrop is a PITA.

Do to it first?

I steam cleaned the inside, washed it, changed the oil.. probably get new tires, timing belt, water pump, air filter, spark plugs and wires, distributor... fuel filter...

Have a 1000 mile road trip at the end of the month.

 

[Four_hundred_86]

I have A 93 I just bought with a 3.0 auto and 4.88 gears went 4 wheeling today, and HOLY Crap is this thing capable. I have to say it was the best 1600 buck Ive ever spent