95 4runer in sad shape input greatly appreciated!

[valorandarms]

I'm new to this forum so I will apologize in advance if i'm duplicating prior posts or past long winded whine sessions like this one is going to be.
What I have:
1995 4runner v6 3.0 auto. 139,000 miles. All factory, 80% dealer maintained. Oil chages every 3,000, etc. My baby has been across the country 2 times loaded to the max. She's been been to vegas driving from LA on the way to Denver in 120 degree desert heat, she's been over the rockies twice, and thru the mountains of west virginia with 4 wheel drive locked in for hours. Though its been a lot of hard miles I've never abused her, the 4runner has never been off road, and never been driven like anything other a slow plodding SUV. This SUV has never broken down, never overheated, never anything other than unending devotion.
Whats going on now:
Miss at idle, sometimes so bad I put it into Nuetral. Rough shutter between 40-50mph seems to coincide with 3rd gear but nothing irregular with RMPs and tranny shifts like the day I bought it (purchased with 75,000 on it). Exhaust stinks like hot burning, sometimes when cold shoots some smoke out. Exhaust from tailpile pulsates but when i cover the pipe all together there is enough force to push my hand away. Compression is low in 2 cylinders, I believe 3&4 were around 60 and 70. Intermittant power issues, 90% of the time it drives like a burnt engine but then sometimes i'll put it to the floor and it takes off like everything is fine. Gas economy is around 10 around town.
Whats been done:
rear o2, coil, pro fuel injector cleaning, recent radiator, I've had it diagnosed by 2 toyota dealers, and 2 private shops, all say the same thing, we thing it needs engine work, but we're not sure how much, think about sellng it.
Any thoughts on this? I can dump 2500 into it to make it right. Anyone suggest a good mechanic in southeastern PA?
THANKS

 

[valorandarms]

addition to above:
Also recently replaced, plugs, wired, cleaned carbon from rotor cap

 

[Quakefire]

The 3vze was not one of toyotas shining moments, its a terrible engine. If the body and frame are in decent shape, and you like your truck, i'd find a good engine rebuilder, and have her remanufactured. You get your engine back better than new, with a half decent head gasket (make sure they dont use fel-pro) and you can even have them install it. Engines wear out, this one more than most due to the head gasket, but you'll love your new 3.slow. Thats atleast the route I would go. Up to you how much your truck is worth

 

[valorandarms]

Thanks! The shuttering that I'm describing in the 40-50 mphr range does that sound like a tranny issue of something associated with the engine? As soon as I let off the gas it stops and as soon as it is out of the gear it stops as well..

 

[captwalker87]

i agree.. i would like to say your vibration is due to either loose driveshaft bolts or a misbalanced driveshaft. my 93 does the same thing between 55-65 due to a misbalanced driveshaft.

 

[Quakefire]

Ok that sounds like a tranny problem/driveshaft problem. If it appears in a specific RPM range, its your motor, speed/gear its your tranny most likely. I would still start looking for a rebuilder for the motor, and prolly your tranny as well, may as well get it all out of the way while you can. Find a good trusted rebuilder, and decide if you can swap the motor yourself/with friends or if your going to need the shop to pull/install.

My case i'm going to pull it myself, and hope I find a half decent used motor.

 

[valorandarms]

thanks for all the replies, looks like she's going in next monday and to start on the engine work. I'm just really nervous about the driveshaft / potential tranny problem. But this 4runner is worth it.