3L 4Runners got their flaws and they got their fans. you should dig it up , insights easy to find , instead of ask for a new write up.
head gaskets particularly #6 have been an issue overcome by many. the rest is a pretty solid toyota and imho one tough small truck.
there are new / "improved casting" heads (no idea whats behind that claim) available fairly cheap if this engine has that problem.
ledfloyd; like the name. I myself have a pinkzepplin but thats kind of personal for this venue.
RE Valve ticking - disagree with that conclusion. These motors do NOT have hydraulic lifters , basically a 'solid lifter', more accurately a bucket or cup lifter, gap controlled using a shim under cam lobe, placed in the "cup" that rides on the valve stem, which sets valve gap ...
typical valve wear will be more like a valve RECEDING into head from closing forces, which would DECREASE the valve-to-cam gap, which would not really increase valve noise, more like reduce it. I got to guess actual valve wear ( tip getting worn, valve becoming shorter) is almost unheard of in this design. The worry here is insufficient gap allowing zero or less clearance , prevent valve from closing 100%.
I like this cup & bore arrangement, by limiting opening action to a well aligned (with stem) force, it really limits the sideways forces on a valve from cam lobe passes , which tend to rock the valve in the valve guide and hamper sealing; these 3vz motors are resistant to valve wear like that .
