3VZE Performance on recent road trip.

[Red]

I just came back from a vacation into British Columbia. I went to a town called Nakusp and the drive takes you through Roger's Pass. There are alot of inclines through there and the 3.slow struggled up all of them, I was loaded with a moderate amount of camping gear, which wasnt alot of weight and the 4Runner couldnt maintain a decent highway speed up the hills. Even vehicles pulling trailers were flying by me. Other than that though it was great.

The 3.0 is great for tripping around town or short trips with no gear but it definitely doesnt like to pull any weight.

Im thinking about upgrading to a 3rd gen for sure but also maybe a 4th gen if I make a possible career move that came my way recently.

im not putting the 3.0 down because it did do what I asked it to do, just letting people who might be thinking about getting a 3.0 that it's called a 3.slow for a reason and even if the motor is in good condition and running nicely, it's still going to be gutless.

 

[BlackLabeL]

i just got back from BC a few days ago also! I took highway 93 down to invermere and was in panorama for a couple days. then on the way back I took the highway up to golden, and then through that pass out to lake louise.

I had 1 other person in the car, camping gear, tools, and about 200lbs of mtn bikes on the back.

I gotta disagree though, my 3.slow (5-speed) held its own through the mountain passes. there were some killer hills just outside of Golden BC and it held up great in 3rd gear, didnt even have to go W.O.T. to maintain. but then again, im content going 80km/h up a long hill, I dont really feel the need to push it real hard just to go a little faster.

..and I dont blame you wanting to go newer.. as soon as I have the cash for it, im going to pick up a 2k+ 4runner

 

[toy4]

I pull a popupcamper 4 people loaded with gear, its no racecar but I take it slow and it pulls just fine even with 170,000 miles
I dont need to get there in a hurry ,Thats what vacation is all about -relaxing :bigok: altho with all the rust its probably 100lbs lighter :biggrin2:

 

[Red]

Yeah, it definitely makes it up the hill no problem but very very slowly. downshifting to third was pretty much neccessary to make it up those hills near Golden to keep out of the way of other people.

I like the 4runner but I'm definitely upgrading to a more reliable and more powerfull one as soon as possible. Im always worried my 3.0 is going to blow a head gasket or something.

 

[toy4]

Had mine for 6 years most reliable vehicle I have ever owned,
and im 36 I have owned allot of vehicles :bigok:

 

[BlackLabeL]

Yeah, it definitely makes it up the hill no problem but very very slowly. downshifting to third was pretty much neccessary to make it up those hills near Golden to keep out of the way of other people.

I like the 4runner but I'm definitely upgrading to a more reliable and more powerfull one as soon as possible. Im always worried my 3.0 is going to blow a head gasket or something.

i wonder what the curb weight difference is between a 1992 2-door and a 1992 4-door? could account for some of the difference in performance.

also mine had a full rebuild (headgaskets) and only has 50,000kms on the engine

the chick i bought it off had the headgaskets blow in 2005 and the dealer still honored the SSC.. so if yours blow and they havent been done yet you may be in for some free repair