MudHippy

Mine has 216,000 with reg. maint. and NO major engine work or headgasket trouble, still running with the original factory gasket from 1988. Not sure about how often the valves have needed adjustment, but I just checked them and they were all within specs. Constant valve cover oil leaks though, is my only "complaint".

I run the piss out of it, HARD. Never shows any signs of being "tired" or "run-down". I've had it since 180,000 so we know each other pretty well now. And I'm pretty sure it would go 1,000,000 EASY at this rate. Seeing as I haven't been able to put even the slightest "chink in it's armor" in 36,000 extremely abusive miles. A large portion of which in the 3000+ rpm range, and quite a bit of "lugging" it in the below 800 rpm range too. I know, I'm "bad".

thook

Well, I guess you guys's aren't the average then...lol.

One thing I just want to mention, Zach. Being a 5spd will help the vehicle's performance....as opposed to an automatic. Definitely a plus. Wish mine were a manual.

BTW, what kind of shape is the body and interior in?

chimmike

166k on my 94....and I've driven it hard whenever I wheel it.

Tim_Snapple76

mine is an auto, YAYE!... and it is slow. motor has 242k miles and still runs strong. hg was done very recently and also had to have the transmission rebuilt.. So yes i have had problems, but most if not all are weaned out at this point. I got her around 200kmiles and i use my rig. Definitely do regular maintenance. If you mess around and forget it'll bite you in arse. All in all, if i had to go back, i would have waited and got a 3.4 5speed. 3.0 is a reliable high mileage motor IF MAINTAINED!

fastkevman

With the vin# any Yota Dealer will be able to tell you what warranty and recall work was done, where, and when.
I had a '98 extra-cab 4x4 TRD 3.4/5spd Tacoma and now have a '93 extra-cab 4x4 3.0/5spd Pickup, the 3.4 was smoother and more powerful but, the 3.0 isn't as bad as some people claim.
I would highly suggest that if you purchase a 5spd that no matter what the mileage or how well its taken care of that you get Marlin Crawlers shifter bushing, its amazing how much of a difference it makes.

elripster

Had one almost go 300k miles (truck got stolen at 297k). The current one is at 145k. Both ran/run great, never need oil added, etc... The bottom ends are rather bullet proof. It seems around the 300k mark some oil pumps either get clogged or otherwise stop working so well and bottom end issues develop.

Head gaskets are the only issue I have seen but that can be solved and when it is, the engines can seriously go the distance.

Frank

thook

Apparently I've read too many headgasket horror stories. The kind where,"Hey, I just bought this thing and now the headgasket blew". Oh well, scratch my average assessment.

Actually, this is kind of a relief. I've wondered about the reliability of my own. I knew the bottom end was solid, but I've had my worries about the top end. I know I did a good job when I rebuilt it and didn't skimp on parts and what not. No mod's, either.....nice and stock. I didn't rebuild it because of the gaskets, though. Only because the PO/seller fubar'd the cam installment and burned a valve. I suppose now I can stop treating like it was made of glass! (I'll be sticking to that low power/poor mileage assessment, thank you. But, then I do have the auto. )

thook

Here's a good thread. Should have read this one myself.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...s-3vze-115438/