I'm looking at my first 4Runner (3rd Gen), but my only gripe is the somewhat underpowered 3.4L. I know there was a TRD supercharger for that engine, and I have come across a couple of rigs with one installed. My question is how durable is this setup? I'd like to find a low-mileage vehicle, but I need to buy something in the next 4-6 weeks, so I can't be too picky, so realistically I'm probably looking at 100k miles and this will be a DD for my wife. Between her commute and our trips, we will probably put 20k/year on it, so I need this rig to go 200k+. Is it worth the extra power for the supercharger or am I better off sacrificing a bit of power for the better longevity? I don't tow/haul anything, so it's more a nice to have, rather than out of any necessity. Thanks for the help!
Any high-mileage Supercharged 3.4L owners out there??
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PhdNPrerunners
New member
I had a 99 tacoma that had 150k miles on it when I sold it. The previous owner was a good friend of mine and the original owner who supercharged it at 20k miles. The truck was defiantly an off road truck that I daily drove but I beat on it really hard on the weekends and the motor ran great especially for being boosted for 130k miles. If you take care of the motor like you are suppose to you should be fine. I was very religious when it came to taking care of the motor
xStePheNyz
New member
one thing when buying a used supercharger over 100K miles to keep in mind. the manual calls for a service at every 100K miles. there is a small amount of special oil inside the supercharger. the unit must be removed and the front part or nose of it must come off. what's left of the old oil must come out and new goes in. toyota-trd sells a supercharger oil change kit. included in the kit were all the instructions and the oil and there was also a circular plastic part that gets replaced too. the entire process is 3-4 hours of work. as i am not a mechanic i had to pay my mechanic to do this. but, i think it's very important. my mechanic told me there was only a drop of oil left in there although it does not hold very much oil to start with. He said it was quite likely had i continued to drive without doing this service that at some point down the road, another 15K or so miles? it would have been metal on metal and goodbye supercharger or at least a lot of work to fix her. so, if buying one over 100K ask them if they had the service done to it. if not and it's still functional, plan on having it done asap and if it's not something you can do yourself - the kit itself wasn't very expensive - then factor in 3-4 hours of labor to have that service done.
trailmix
New member
i had one with 230k on it, ran perfect and i never had any issues with it in the time i owned, i also didnt have any fuel upgrades with it either, another friend of mine has 200k on his supercharged 4runner, and another buddy of mine probably has somewhere close to 220k in his truck, and the supercharger has been on for over 100k miles. i wouldnt be worried about it at all, these 3.4's are pretty stout little motors
ManyMods
New member
High Mileage Maybe?
I have almost 87K on my '02 and the SC went on almost immediately after I bought my 4R new. It has been excellent giving me no trouble -- once I got it sorted out and installed the 7th injector. I also have an Underdog pulley that produces 9# of boost. I have spent most of my time on YotaTech and have not been here in a few years, I guess because the truck runs fine and I have run out of things I want to do to it. Remember, with the SC you have to use Premium fuel and you will get 17mpg. If it is worth it to you, go for it.
I have almost 87K on my '02 and the SC went on almost immediately after I bought my 4R new. It has been excellent giving me no trouble -- once I got it sorted out and installed the 7th injector. I also have an Underdog pulley that produces 9# of boost. I have spent most of my time on YotaTech and have not been here in a few years, I guess because the truck runs fine and I have run out of things I want to do to it. Remember, with the SC you have to use Premium fuel and you will get 17mpg. If it is worth it to you, go for it.
drinknmolson
New member
Keep in mind that a 3.4L isn't even broke in until it hits 120K, I don't know if this would apply when you add a supercharger. I have 248K and if someone gave me a supercharger I wouldn't be afraid to bolt it on!!!!!! YEEE HAW!!!!
jdmaccord6
New member
I've got close to 114k on mine now. Only had the supercharger on for about 14k miles. I drove it this past 4th of July weekend from Dallas to Chicago in the heat and it handled it like the day it was driven off the lot. I would not hesitate one second to do that again. I actually did not install the 1st supercharger I found in fear of jeopardizing reliability and regrated that by selling it. I found the second one that I have on there now and lover every second of it.
Aznwolf118
Member
I have mine SC since 4.5k and its at 90k now. still runs like a clock. mines is a Daily driver and spends 2 weekends a month off road.
Hmm... I’m only getting 13mpg, premium fuel, in-town driving... light foot.
2002 3.4
Smog-guy707
New member
I have 325k on my 02 supercharged. It has been rebuilt once before , but this thing still runs as if it were brand new.
I have no 7th injector. Premium fuel only and I drive mostly highway with moderate traffic. I get 15 mpg on a good day
I have no 7th injector. Premium fuel only and I drive mostly highway with moderate traffic. I get 15 mpg on a good day
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Jaysen4runner
New member
Jaysen4runner
New member
Not sure why it uploaded it upside down!
Just rolled over 180k with SC (and 7th fuel mods), running great! However, for the mileage you want to do, I would consider the post above.
With the S/C, you have to run premium gas. Here in MD it's about $3.6-3.8 p/gallon (almost $1 higher than the cheap stuff), and I get around 16-17mpg average (you end up having a heavy right foot when there's a s/c installed!). Considering the mileage you want to do, the extra cost may be significant so keep that in mind. As many have attested, the reliability isn't an issue (providing correct maintenance is followed), as don't forget the S/C was a toyota dealer option.
4runnerfiend
New member
wow 325k with a SC. How long has the SC been on? have you had any engine issues? I'm debating on putting one on my rig.. I've got 280k
eddielasvegas
Member
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Smog-guy707
New member
The sc has only been on for 25 k actually
I did a lot of maintenance prior to the supercharger to make sure I was going to be safe. Filters, fluids, plugs, timing belt, cooler thermostat, fixed all oil leaks. I have yet to run into any drivability issues. I only run premium fuel and synthetic oil and honestly it has never ran better. The daily drivability is still relatively the same. It’s awesome. I always told myself if the engine went out I am going to replace it so I threw the supercharger on. Feels way better
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Smog-guy707
New member
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I'd imagine with the SC the 4R drives like it should have from the factory. It is pretty obvious that its fairly undertuned from the factory.
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