Upgrading 3rd Gens

[digital022]

Hi all.

I've been looking to replace my '99 3.4 2WD Sport with a 4x4 model. I've found a 99' 3.4 4x4 manual trans with relatively low miles that I'm interested in. It turns out that the person selling the 4runner owns a shop and purchased it from someone who had it towed in due to a cracked head/bad valve. The shop made the repairs (using factory parts) and now have it up for sale.

I was told that the truck was acquired from the original owner and is clean inside and out but should I be concerned that the engine just had work done?

 

[Hepar]

My concern would be why an engine with low miles would crack a head.

 

[digital022]

Are engine issues (cracked heads/bad valves) more likely to happen to 4x4 and/or manual trans 4runners?

I had a 89 4x4 manual trans that ended up getting a cracked head/valve and it was problematic after that which is why I ended up selling it.

 

[theizzardking]

Are engine issues (cracked heads/bad valves) more likely to happen to 4x4 and/or manual trans 4runners?

I had a 89 4x4 manual trans that ended up getting a cracked head/valve and it was problematic after that which is why I ended up selling it.

different motors different conditions, the transmission should have no bearing on the life of the engine, if anything in high performance machines it's the other way around...and 4x4 isn't on par with manual or auto trans, the 4x4 components are a completely separate assembly....

and to answer your question, 2wd,4x4,manual,or auto, makes very very little different to the over all life of the engine, it's all about how you drive and how you keep up on maintenance.

meaning if you don't drive like an idiot you should see no difference in any of the drive train options as far as life of the engine goes or at least not enough to even really be considered.

 

[brian2sun]

My concern would be why an engine with low miles would crack a head.

Yeah, It was probably overheated at some point. That might affect other engine components that weren't addressed by the shop that slapped new the new head on since they are obviously just trying to flip it and make $. That depends on the shop though. I would be more comfortable personally buying a truck that had that kind of work done if it was done several thousand miles ago. That way you'd know it's been running fine for a good long while after the repairs.

For instance I just bought a used motor that had a head replaced by Toyota, but it was ~30K miles ago and it's still purring like new. If it was replaced right before I bought it, I would have my doubts that something else might be wrong. Just something to think about.

different motors different conditions, the transmission should have no bearing on the life of the engine, if anything in high performance machines it's the other way around...and 4x4 isn't on par with manual or auto trans, the 4x4 components are a completely separate assembly....

and to answer your question, 2wd,4x4,manual,or auto, makes very very little different to the over all life of the engine, it's all about how you drive and how you keep up on maintenance.

meaning if you don't drive like an idiot you should see no difference in any of the drive train options as far as life of the engine goes or at least not enough to even really be considered.

:iagree: