jiggseob

I have only BJ60 (3.4 diesel) landcruisers. Great trucks, but only capable of 55mph. The young kid NEEDS to go faster than that. The 3.4 diesel will last decades at 2500 rpm or below. Above that, it just doesn't last.

So... An '89 3.0 V6 5spd ext cab 4x4 is available to us. 136,000kms, about 94k miles. 8274 winch, and welder-bilt bush bumper. Bad rust on lower panels of box - I guess thats normal. A bit of rust on drivers door, a bit of rust on drivers front fender. Cab corners, floor pans, door sills not rusty. No air cond.

Anything I should look out for? We were hoping to find this exact truck, but with a 4cyl instead of V6. Is a V6 going to suck a lot more gas? We were going to pull a small trailer with a quad on it from time to time. I know the extra power of the V6 will come in handy, but are they less reliable? Is there a timing belt or chain?

Any tips appreciated. Thanks. Jiggs

jiggseob

Seen it referred to as the 3-turd and others...

I guess its not too well loved.

I'm only able to drive around the guys small acreage. No road driving to test out. Only asking $2k, so thats only how bad I can lose...

Any chance I will find the odometer crapped out and stuck? Is that a common problem?

It has an off-idle stumble as you try and gas-it and start out. Someone told me thats an 02 sensor gone south. Any ideas?

Thanks... Jiggs.

xzyragon

55 is fast... nvm

umm, the v6 is more powerful obviously, but i have heard of numerous head gasket complaints. Make sure that it is a manual, as in my experience, they last longer. I drive a '94 2wd with a 22re. Its peppier than the V6, if peppy is really the word... These trucks are not all that fast, a good thing in many aspects, but are extremely reliable. As your kids first truck, im assuming, a little bit of rust doesn't hurt. Remember, its his first car, he should really be paying for it, and its the car you learn to drive in. you don't want to be driving the shmancy cars while getting in the occasional bump or running into trash cans and such.

The cars are very crash worthy as well, as they hold up against crashes at the expense of the driver. Anotherwords, damage in crashes is extremely concentrated into the area of the collision, instead of being dissapated as it is in modern cars.

Again back to the 3.0, its a relatively good eninge. Take care of it, treat it well, and it will last. Do routine maintenance, a head gasket replacement at 200k or so miles, and it should last.

SoCalR6

I picked up a very clean 3.0 2wd for 3K. It threw a rod in 5k miles mainly due to a rear seal leak and valve cover leak. 5g's later and a new reman engine and restored engine bay. I love driving it now. Engine bay is all shiny and new. Air now works thanks to new compressor and pulleys. No more ps leak thanks to new hoses. Has plenty of power for an almost 20 yr old engine designed SUV. If I want to go fast I''ll drive my VW GTI. But was it worth spending 8g!!!! No, but I really had no other choice. So what may seem like a good deal @ 2g's may turn into a moneypit.

What's rust? I love CA!