2 runners and can only keep one...what to do...

[Red Leader]

Guys (and gals),

Here's the situation. I picked up a 1990 4runner (22RE, 5 speed) for a song and have been doing a lot of work to it. Well, I took a trip to see my folks and bring a lot of stuff back and lo and behold, found a nice 1997 5-speed 3rd gen out there (also for a song) and loaded it up and drove it back. We now have 3 4runners, with our 3rd being a '98 that is the wifey's.

Well, one of the two has to go. Can't touch the wifey's.

Here is a run down on them...

the '97....

5VZ, 5 speed...nuff said
lower miles...186k
Will need a front end kit sometime in the next year. Water pump leaks, and it has a sqeaking belt.
There is also this really faint knocking sound from the engine. It really scared me at first because I thought it was a rod, but I don't think it is. It is way too consistent (matches rpms and not clanky) and not really getting any worse...so...still not sure what it is
Also needs rust repair on the 'dog leg' area. It came from Maryland, so it has some rust issues.
Starts great, runs great, has lots of power.
Whine from the rear diff - possible pinion bearing going out
1st is really hard to shift into when cold, possible pilot bearing starting to go
OBDII so I can pick up a scanner...
Parts sharing/testing between it and the '98
Other than small rust areas, frame is great shape and body in great shape

The '90...

New front end...lots of new stuff...PCV, air filter, oil pump, water pump, front seal, total timing chain kit done, new timing cover, dizzy o-rings, cap, rotor, plugs, dual stage t-stat, new belts, new hoses, coolant, adjustments, etc.
Clutch bracket repaired and reinforced
Timing done and valves adjusted
higher miles...243k
Makes a grinding sound if you shift too fast into 1st gear
Had prominent ticking sound...but I'm fairly sure it is the exhaust manifold and not the valves.
Uneven compression - lowest is 138, highest 165 - just did a can of BG 109 - we'll see what happens
Had a really fun time working with the relatives (both brother-in-laws) on it
slow, but fun to drive
actually drives really nice and tight
better mileage?
some real body rust that needs fixing - front fenders, rear doglegs and front windshield pillars.
LOT of hours into it so far...
Cheaper to run and insure
a future SAS is way more approachable


Right now I'm just at a loss. I'm not under any immediate pressure to drop one which is nice. I'm planning on doing a compression test on the '97 to see how it shakes out. A part of me is feeling that the '97 makes more sense. Another part of me is feeling more sentimental with the '90 due to all the hours and work put into it.

Any thoughts?

 

[slowpoke99]

that would be a hard choice for me to make! half of me would love the 5vz power and comfort of the '97. yet the other half would lean towards the vast aftermarket for the '90 not to mention the durability of the 22re. there are alot more pros and cons i can say about both but it's getting late. i'd definitely have to hash this out for at least a year or two before giving the wife an answer.

 

[amalik]

This might be biased since I own a 97 5vz but... the 97 simply makes more sense, although I don't know anything about the 22RE. 186k miles is not much assuming you end up with decent compression numbers and that sound from the engine isn't a bad rod or something else terrible. I'm sure you're aware the type of miles people are taking the 5vz, just check out the 3rd gen section. (Mostly 250-300k+).

 

[gm350reratliff]

How do you plan on using them? How big is your budget?

To be honest the rust on either one of them would scare me.

 

[KidVermicious]

Normally I'd say keep the 3rd gen, because the 3rd gen is everything the 2nd gen was supposed to be but isn't. But you already have one 3rd gen, so having another is silly. And honestly, with both of them needing so much work, I wouldn't be super excited about either of them.

If I were your shoes, I'd probably sell them both and use the proceeds for a down payment on a tasty new Tacoma.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Sell both of them and get a 4th gen? :bounce:

3rd gen with a 5 speed should bring good $$ even with the work it needs. People go crazy for 5 speed 4runners around here.

Ditto for the 2nd gen. 22r + 5 speed = pretty bulletproof platform, even with the high miles. Should bring good money.

 

[TripleT]

It seems like your collection is incomplete. Have you considered getting another job. And a bigger driveway?

 

[SR5Runner97]

3rd gen without a doubt. Lift it, 33s and love it. Although my opinion might be biased as I own a 97 5 speed... I love it though. and you won't get any power with a 22re, and the 5vzfe is a great reliable engine too. and that 5 speed has a lot of pep when you get it going up to 4k rpm or so. I'll match most others off the line and i'm lifted.

 

[Red Leader]

Thanks guys for the thoughts.

I got the engine noise in the '90 figured out - just valves. Right now I'm having a lot of fun driving it. Although I think eventually the windshield will need to be pulled...its got rust in the channel and there are a few small holes. PO or someone else in its past did an ugly bandaid fix that didn't keep water out. The rest of the rust spots are pretty concentrated, and from what I can tell the rear quarter panels are in great shape. Frame is in perfect shape.

Even with all that said, I'm leaning slightly towards the 97. There is a good source for parts here in the area and I can slowly work on getting the few things it needs (some small panels welded in, new rear 3rd, timing kit) and not have to hunt too far. Plus, the power does make a difference. The 22re is a simple, easy to work on engine, but yes in this platform it is slow.

Maybe I'll enjoy the '90 for the rest of the year and then sell it and focus on the '97.

 

[fourwd1]

I say donate one to me.
I only have 2 and there's room for another in my driveway.

 

[Red Leader]

I say donate one to me.
I only have 2 and there's room for another in my driveway.

Lol. Well so now my dilemma is compounded. I was getting pretty deadset on the '97, but I pulled the rear hitch and bumper just to check things out and noticed some rust back there. The hitch was a bear to get out, but it did come out. There is some scale and I'm noticing the metal is separating a bit like pages in a book where the box frame overlaps on the inside in some places. I just can't really tell how bad it is. I think I need to hose it out and check it out. Maybe I've caught it before it got really bad and can still be fine.

What is weird is the '90 4runner has plenty of body rot in places, but the frame looks pristine.

So now I'm back to square one haha.

 

[91'4bee]

Sell the '97 (or part it out) and put that money into the '90. I am just partial to the early 2nd gens cause I got one and people can give it so much flak but I am more of an underdog person I guess.

 

[KidVermicious]

Lol. Well so now my dilemma is compounded. I was getting pretty deadset on the '97, but I pulled the rear hitch and bumper just to check things out and noticed some rust back there. The hitch was a bear to get out, but it did come out. There is some scale and I'm noticing the metal is separating a bit like pages in a book where the box frame overlaps on the inside in some places. I just can't really tell how bad it is. I think I need to hose it out and check it out. Maybe I've caught it before it got really bad and can still be fine.

What is weird is the '90 4runner has plenty of body rot in places, but the frame looks pristine.

So now I'm back to square one haha.

But this is perfect! Here's what you do -

1) Sell the second gen.
2) Buy a rust free 3.0 first gen.
3) Put the 3.4 from the third gen into the first gen.
4) Part out the rest of the 3rd gen and break even.

 

[NOVA46]

sell both and buy a 06+ 4th gen.

 

[4Running Daily]

But this is perfect! Here's what you do -

1) Sell the second gen.
2) Buy a rust free 3.0 first gen.
3) Put the 3.4 from the third gen into the first gen.
4) Part out the rest of the 3rd gen and break even.

That's a lot of effort. But I good plan.

 

[Red Leader]

But this is perfect! Here's what you do -

1) Sell the second gen.
2) Buy a rust free 3.0 first gen.
3) Put the 3.4 from the third gen into the first gen.
4) Part out the rest of the 3rd gen and break even.

Ha! That sounds awesome, but I probably don't have the time to do all the swapping (2 little kids) and the wifey wanted a 4 door just in case as a backup. That would be an awesome runner, though. Would love that...an '84/'85 w/5VZ? That would be sick.


I'm going to look at the '97 a little more this weekend. The power is very enticing, especially over the snail pace of the '90, but I don't want headaches down the road with frame rot.

I'll try and get some pictures up.

More and more it seems like the answer is KEEP BOTH