looking to buy a v6 4runner

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skotus

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hey guys, im looking at buying a toyota 4runner v6 as a daily driver mabey do a little light 4wding down the track.

probably something between 92 to 94 got around 6k to spend.

Ive heard that v6 camry engines from that time frame were a peice of junk you wouldnt touch with a 10 foot pole so Im just wondering if the 4runners of that period had the same engine? apparently is a 3UZ or something like that?

if its not the same engine is there anything else problematic i should be looking out for in the 6 cyl models?

my old mans got a 2.4L 4 cyl 89 model which i really like but its sooo gutless thus the v6.

any help would be great.
Scott
 
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The V6 from those years was the 3VZE, and it was not much more powerful than the 22RE, and was nowhere near a reliable.
 
V6 may not be the answer

I have a 92 4runner v6 automatic and it's slow.

Before this I drove a 90 4runner 4cyl w/ 5spd manual and it was more responsive than the v6 auto.

I can tell you that the v6 tows a trailer better but for everyday driving it's pretty slow.

I think that part of the problem is automatic transmission so maybe someone who has a v6 w/ 5sp manual will tell you that the v6 has lots of power.

You should also know that the v6 engine is known to have head gasket problems. Toyota did a recall in 1998 I think and they still honor it.

My head gasket blew in February and Toyota replaced it. They will only do the recall once. You can go to a dealer with the VIN number and they should be able to tell you if the head gasket was done.
 
ok so you guys rekon avoid the v6 runners and go for a 4cyl 98 or later?

what about turbo deisels? or did they come a fair bit later?
 
If you are in Canada, then you can get 15 years or older Hilux Surf's from Japan, which are available with turbo diesel. You can get up to a 1994 model right now and if you do get the turbo diesel Hilux Surf, I suggest 93 and up as the 2.4L (pre-93) head is prone to cracking.
 
For your $6K budgeted amount, I would recommend looking for an early 3rd gen ('96) which had a much improved V6 (3.4). The 3.0 in the 2nd gen is nicknamed the 3.slow for a reason :D I had a '00 V6 with the 5spd stick and it was a lot of fun to drive.

Don't get me wrong, I like the 2nd gen too, but the 3rd gen was a big engineering improvement. Take a 2nd gen for a test drive and then drive a 3rd gen and I think you'll agree. I think if you look hard enough you can find one for that price. Good luck in your search and welcome to the ORG.

Edit: I was curious what 3rd gens I could find on autotrader for under 6 grand and I found a nice 2001 Limited for $5,700 - it only has 395,000 miles :D http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...rs=&max_price=6900&cardist=461&standard=false
 
unfortunatley in un aus, theres a few td's around but not really within my price, there starting at 9k over here :(

i think ill test drive a 3.0L n see just how gutless they are compared to the 2.4, ok so 93 at the earliest then?

cheers fellas!
 
the head gasket on the 2nd gen (V6) is a problem if you do go w/ a 3vze check the compression BEFORE you buy and if you can have it looked over by a mechanic again before you buy if the owner wont let you chances are its a lemon and walk away for 6000 you should get a very well maintained 2nd gen the value of a 89-95 in exelent cond. is 4000 so make sure you do your homework
 
My 3.0 has gone over 233k miles with no head gasket issues. It's gutless as can be, but reliable as hell. I've driven the 3.4 and wasn't too impressed with the "power" they have been hyped to have. I'd much rather have a 3gen than a 2gen though. The 3.4 is a smoother engine, has a slight bit more power and you have the option of a factory electric locker. I like the body style better on the 3gen also.
 
I personally feel that the lower power of the 22RE is more than made up for in it's reliability, fuel economy and ease of repair. I put my first 4Runner through hell, including 3 months as a daily driver with no coolant (completely dry), and a separate time for 3 months with no alternator (charged the battery every night). It was nice to know that in the 4 years I owned that truck, I was not nice to it, but it never once died, and never once failed to start.

While you may be happy with the 3.0, and there's a good number of people out there who've had great luck with that engine, no one who knows anything about engines will deny that the 22RE, while underpowered, is one of the most reliable engines out there. Keep that in mind while you're shopping around.
 
Sorry for the confusion, im in Australia.

Ok so i would be better off going for a 4cyl than a v6 because there much more relaible and such.
Ok i think ill go out and test drive a few 6's and 4's, see whats out there and how they handle. thanks again for the tips guys!
 
skotus said:
hey guys, im looking at buying a toyota 4runner v6 as a daily driver mabey do a little light 4wding down the track.

probably something between 92 to 94 got around 6k to spend.

Ive heard that v6 camry engines from that time frame were a peice of junk you wouldnt touch with a 10 foot pole so Im just wondering if the 4runners of that period had the same engine? apparently is a 3UZ or something like that?

if its not the same engine is there anything else problematic i should be looking out for in the 6 cyl models?

my old mans got a 2.4L 4 cyl 89 model which i really like but its sooo gutless thus the v6.

any help would be great.
Scott
Click to expand...


I got a 93 T4R, Auto. 4x4. Body has a few dings and a rear gate has dent. Cold AC and runs great. Wanna sell and get 3rd gen, need more space in the back. It has 194k on it, . Let me know if anyone is interested. It's green and all electronics works, except the right passenger power door lock does not( got to close manually). This is a Tx, car so not rust.
 
No 4

I used to own a 1990 4runner v6 5spd and power was perfectly fine for doing what ever. I wouldn't ever get a 4 banger all under powered or a 2nd gen auto v6. I would say try to find a 2nd gen with a 5sp and v6 or an early 3rd gen in eaither auto or manuel. I would suggest manuel thats what i have more fun :)
 
I would go with the 4cyl if it's a everyday driver especially in Australia.You guys pay more than we do for gas.I was in Perth for a while in the early 90's.I just sold my 95 v6 auto and purchased a 87 4cyl manual.First gens are lighter and more economical.2nd and 3rd are more comfy but the v6 is hard on gas.and the 2nd inevitable headgasket issues. That said I loved mine except for the mileage.I'd save a little more and buy a 1kz powered rig we don't have that option here in the states
 
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the_dingman said:
I personally feel that the lower power of the 22RE is more than made up for in it's reliability, fuel economy and ease of repair. I put my first 4Runner through hell, including 3 months as a daily driver with no coolant (completely dry), and a separate time for 3 months with no alternator (charged the battery every night). It was nice to know that in the 4 years I owned that truck, I was not nice to it, but it never once died, and never once failed to start.

While you may be happy with the 3.0, and there's a good number of people out there who've had great luck with that engine, no one who knows anything about engines will deny that the 22RE, while underpowered, is one of the most reliable engines out there. Keep that in mind while you're shopping around.
Click to expand...

I fully Agree with Dingman. My 1988 22Re is a monster. Meaning there has been many a time when it should not have cranked up and It let me drive the hell out of if. It has 278,000 Miles on it and I put about 600 a week on it now for about $50. Not to mention I can Drive top less in the summer Yeah! I know an older truck is not for everyone and I guess i would depend on what kind of driving you do. I may not be the fastest at take off but as soon as I hit 5th I'll be the last one running for sure
 
I own an 88 runner v6 with 402,000kms so they can be reliable. its a 5spd, it doesnt accelerate quickly but it has healthy amounts of torque in 1-3 gear if u drive this way though the gas bill will be high (no theres not a hole in the gas tank) but if you drive like my grandmother it can be adequately affordable also. the 22re will be easier to work on than the 3vze as the 3.0 is shoe horned in... all in all I prefer the 3vze for its torque 180ft lbs at 3500 i believe but it os definitely more expensive to own... hope this helps
 
I owned all three, the 22RE, 3VZ and the 5VZ. The 22RE had head gasket issues and timing chain issues but were very reliable once they got fixed if and when it did have any of these problems which is a hit or miss. The 3VZ is slow and can be very reliable if the head gaskets are done if you catch it in time. I had an 89 ext cab V6 auto 4wd with 4.10's and 33" tires. The only issue I had was highway driving, it wanted to up and down shift many times simply just needed more gear but other than that I drove it everywhere without any issues after I fixed the head gaskets. I now drive a 94 4runner with a V6 stick with 35" tires and 4.56 gears. Not too bad and highway it holds 5th gear pretty good. If you get a second gen get a stick, the auto transmission robs too much power from the engine. My 95 Taco was a stick V6 and it was a lot smoother than the 3VZ and it had more power, it was night and day. Also early 5VZ engines had head gasket recalls as well but they are not as common as the 3VZ. My advise is spend the money on a nice 3rd gen Runner. They have better everything in these trucks and they ride smoother since it has a MacPherson strut instead of the old torsion bars and cheaper to lift.

James
 
I have got a 1988 Hilux 4Runner with the 3.0ltr. V6 and the 5 spd. and it is great, I have 297,000 miles on it and it just purrs great, it is a slug, but compared to a 4cyl and especially a 2L or 2LT-E it's a power house, when I am in traffic it's nice to be able to smack it down into 4th and be able to pass a car. I have heard about the weak cylinder heads but I have only seen them blow out when they get really hot or ran hard everyday. I had a buddy with a 93 Hilux and he blew his heads up when he was hot shott'n around at 6,000 rpm for a couple of hours, but overall it's a good engine, relatively fuel efficient and pretty easy to service, and you can change a timing belt in 5 hours or so with the right tools. So if you can find one for cheap and with lower miles I would definetly look into it. -Good Luck-
 
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