Well sorted 2nd gen or 3rd gen?

[MFoltz]

Should I purchase a well sorted 2nd gen, (1995) or a higher mile 1998? The 1995 has 198,000 miles and has new BF Goodrich A/T's, timing belt, head gasket, plugs, oil change, vacuum hose, intake valve, and exhaust valve all just completed and documented.

The 1998 has no records from carfax or the toyota owners website. Both trucks are in great shape.

Going to purchase one or the other this week. What should I do?

 

[jhawk]

2nd gen have the 3.0?

What is the mileage for the 98?

I say go for 3rd gen, after having both - but it depends on both vehicles

 

[MFoltz]

yeah it has the 3.0 engine. The 98 has 179,000 miles on it. I had a 1999 while in college a few years back and loved the truck, should have never sold it.

Just not sure of the 98 with not one record to go off of.

 

[MFoltz]

What is the issue with the 2nd gens? I understand the head gasket, fuel economy, and lack of power. Are they just that much worse than a 3rd gen?

 

[Hepar]

What is the issue with the 2nd gens? I understand the head gasket, fuel economy, and lack of power. Are they just that much worse than a 3rd gen?

In a nutshell, yes. :thumb3:

 

[Dezert4Runner]

What is the issue with the 2nd gens? I understand the head gasket, fuel economy, and lack of power. Are they just that much worse than a 3rd gen?

Absolutely nothing wrong with 2nd gens, just the 3.0 motor. It's the worst piece of crap Toyota ever produced. If you could find a 22RE (2.4 4cyl), then by all means go with the 2nd gen.

The 3rd gen in this case is the winner based off of the info provided. HP, reliability, gas mileage are all better (not to mention styling of the 3rd gen). Compression test all cylinders, check tranny fluid for burnt/ sweet smell, etc then if you buy it Seafoam will help, just know that you're in for some basic maintenance in the immediate future since it's a big unknown...

 

[DC runner]

AGREED! The 3.0 is easily the worst engine Toyota ever produced. It was so bad they did 2 things they don't do.
1. They killed the engine after only 5 years. Considering every other engine toyota made in the past 30 years had an average 12-15 year life span, that tells you something.

2. The issued a blanket head gasket recall, and they honored it up until a few years ago. That is unprecedented. They simply understood the engine was a PIECE of crap.

I have owned 2 3.0 2nd gen trucks. I loved the look, but those engines were horrid.