3vze vs 2lte vs 1kzte

[Ifirefight]

Looking for advice. I usually frequent the 3rd Gen boards as my son has a 01. I have fell in love with it and am now considering purchasing a Hilux Surf just because I can. Will be for weekend use and not a DD. I have done some research on these but I am way more familiar with the Gen 3s than the older models. I know they all have certain issues but what would be the best choice of these 3 engines. Again this will be a weekend driver and mostly a pavement queen. Not concerned with speed or mileage, just which of these is considered to be the most reliable engine with proper maintenance.
What I have read..
3VZE = 3.slow, not great mileage, head gaskets go, valve problems.
2LTE= seems lots of people hate these..heads crack and overheating problems... might be an issue here in South Florida.
1KZTE= heads again,
Thanks for any input.


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[128keaton]

I'll put my 2c in with the 3VZE. It isn't a horrible engine if you know what to expect. It won't win any races, that is for sure. If you keep on top of maintenance, it will last. The head gasket issue sucks, but mine has had a total of three sets on in its lifetime of 250k. That might sound like alot, but the first time it happened, it was due to the faulty gaskets from the factory. The second set were replaced by a dealer since PO just wanted it done right, just in case. The third time, the radiator was clogged and the truck overheated.

Beyond that, this truck has been extremely reliable for me. Plenty of low end torque too.

I cannot speak for the other two engines, but it might be worth it to swap in a 5VZE if you get a truck with the 3VZE and decide you hate it. 5VZEs come in the 3rd gens, which you are already familiar with. On top of that, parts would be easier to find for a 3/5VZE in the USA.

I hope someone steps in here with more opinions on the other two engines!

 

[RonJR]

My 3vze has done well by me. At 217K miles, it hasn't been touched except for plugs, timing belt, and oil changes. Head gaskets are still holding.

The pre-94 3vze's had definite materials problems with the head gaskets, but those should pretty well be flushed out of the system by now. With the updated, properly installed gaskets, it's not clear the 3vze fares any worse in the HG department than other Toyota engines. If you read the boards, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence of HG failure in 22re's, in 5VZE's, and in the early 1GR 4.0 liter V6 used in the pre-2005 4th gens. Part of it is just a consequence of Toyota engines and trucks lasting so long. Something is going to eventually fail, and often it's the head gasket.

As said, the 3vze is not a powerhouse, although in front of a manual transmission it will do pretty well if you keep the rpms up (3-4.5K is the power band).

I don't have any familiarity with the other engines you listed.

 

[Ifirefight]

A little more information.. I am limiting my engine choice to these 3 engines because the Hilux is going to be imported. There is some rule that 25 year old an older cars are exempt from certain rules and regulations. I would love to have a 5vze but I believe those were first available in 96, so I would have to wait until 2021 to import one of those. Don’t get me wrong, you can import newer vehicles it just costs a shit ton more $$$. The other 2 motors are turbo diesels by the way.


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[128keaton]

A little more information.. I am limiting my engine choice to these 3 engines because the Hilux is going to be imported. There is some rule that 25 year old an older cars are exempt from certain rules and regulations. I would love to have a 5vze but I believe those were first available in 96, so I would have to wait until 2021 to import one of those. Don’t get me wrong, you can import newer vehicles it just costs a shit ton more $$$. The other 2 motors are turbo diesels by the way.


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You are correct. I was suggesting a 5VZE swap since those engines are very common and shouldn't be terribly hard with the right tools and knowledge. With the R150F that came with the 3VZE, the 5VZE bolts right up to it.

With the other engines that came with the surf, I believe the Airbox is already on the left hand side of the engine bay, but I am unsure if they used the R150F. It might be a matter of swapping the bell housing, but once again, without research I am unsure.

RE: 3vze head gaskets. Japanese engines, while reliable, tend to suffer issues from the heat cycling. Look at 24HRs of Lemons. The Hondas and Toyotas suffer from HG related issues.

 

[Ifirefight]

You are correct. I was suggesting a 5VZE swap since those engines are very common and shouldn't be terribly hard with the right tools and knowledge. With the R150F that came with the 3VZE, the 5VZE bolts right up to it.



With the other engines that came with the surf, I believe the Airbox is already on the left hand side of the engine bay, but I am unsure if they used the R150F. It might be a matter of swapping the bell housing, but once again, without research I am unsure.



RE: 3vze head gaskets. Japanese engines, while reliable, tend to suffer issues from the heat cycling. Look at 24HRs of Lemons. The Hondas and Toyotas suffer from HG related issues.

Very good information to know..I will research a bit more. 3VZE might be the way to go if you say a 5VZE will bolt right up to the trans. I’m sure there are topics on that, I will check it out..believe it or not, apparently it’s harder to get a Surf with the gas motor and even harder to get a manual...most are diesel slush boxes according to my import guy.


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[128keaton]

Very good information to know..I will research a bit more. 3VZE might be the way to go if you say a 5VZE will bolt right up to the trans. I’m sure there are topics on that, I will check it out..believe it or not, apparently it’s harder to get a Surf with the gas motor and even harder to get a manual...most are diesel slush boxes according to my import guy.


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Yeah..I've never heard of the diesel in those being a decent engine...

I'd almost look for an actual 4Runner though. Is there any reason why you are fixated on a Surf?

 

[Ifirefight]

Yeah..I've never heard of the diesel in those being a decent engine...



I'd almost look for an actual 4Runner though. Is there any reason why you are fixated on a Surf?

Absolutely no reason at all other than the cool factor and the RH drive. I totally get what you are saying, it’s just the kid in me coming out. I’m 52 years old with more money than sense apparently. Lol.


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[Blind Cleric]

I would pass on the diesel engines as they wouldn't be supported well by parts and repair shops, unless you're sourcing your own parts from overseas and doing your own work of course. Also, they're noisier, stinkier and more polluting than the gas engines found in the states.

RHD-really? Guess it's your inner mailman coming out.

 

[OzSurf]

I have a 1KZ 3rd Gen, and while I have copped the dreaded cracked head, it has been a reliable motor. When I bought it, I loaded it up for it's first trip (about 3000k's round trip) in 30-40 degC heat, drove it halfway across the country and found out the cooling system wasn't up to scratch. Turns out the radiator was blocked, viscous fan not working and it had the wrong thermostat in it. It didn't take long for it to start overheating and this resulted in the cracked head.

I had to redo basically the whole cooling system due to P/O's neglect, but apart from that it's been fine. It gets around 13.5L/100km which isn't great for a 4cyl diesel, but it's a great little motor. Surprisingly fast and sounds great. No rattle like the newer common rail diesels, just a nice bit of turbo whistle. Mine is an Auto as manual's are rare, however the auto box is a good one. The only problem with auto's is that the torque converter slips and as the bottom of the radiator has a built in trans cooler, this transfers heat to the bottom of the radiator, adding to the heat issue.

I wouldn't touch a 2L-TE with a 10ft pole, though if you stick a 3L head on it that's meant to be an upgrade. Can't comment on them apart from that.

Whichever one you go with, I'd factor in costs for replacing the head as it's not a cheap exercise and most people who imported them here (while we were still able to) found the head would crack after a short time.