Mikronized

since that was pretty much the first year with the 3.4 are there any problem with the early model of that engine?

also anybody know who's truck this is?
http://www.photoadslo.com/details.aspx?adid=16627480

rocket

iTrader: (1)

I bought mine with 111,000 miles...it now has about 122,000 with NO problems and i drive it regularly at it's full (natural) potential.

Proper & dedicated maintenance goes a long way.

Some say the earlier '96 3.4's had head gasket recalls but far as i've read, they have all been fixed long ago.

BajaRunner

You should be fine with a 96. I like mine.

And, if you go ahead and do a SAS down the line, less electrical little things to worry about!

MTL_4runner

Ditto, no problems here.

spaugh

140k no problems, just likes to drink lots of gas...

kmchby76

Bought mine with 159K and now have 180K. All I had to do on mine was swap out 2 bad fuel injectors, and i did the usual water pump and timing belt abought 5k miles ago. I have no complaints.

rimpainter.com

Anyone that drives a 96 is a moron.

ilikesoup

Amen to that.

On a less sarcastic note, I bought my 1996 with 120k on the clock and now it has 131k without any problems, espeically with the rock solid 3.4L

midiwall

Heading to 160k and if I could keep my hands out of it, I'd be a lot happier!

(i.e, no problems outside of those I've caused myself)

CLin9383

0 miles to 126k....oil changes, timing belt, water pump and tires.....

Mikronized

well it sounds like most people like theirs....
nobody's had problems?

midiwall

What are you looking for??? _ANY_ problems? It looks like you have 9 people (so far) here saying "nope, not a one".

Sure, I could list a bunch of stuff that I've replaced on my truck, but the list would be VERY short (like ZERO items) before I started jumping it in the sand, using my right foot to get up rutted hills, etc. That was 3 years (and 40k miles) ago at around 120k.

This isn't your first Toyota truck, so you know you're in the land of "one of the best built, longest lasting vehicles ever". It's not uncommon to hear about this engine kicking strong way above 200k - even those that have generally been abused (e.g., inconsistent maintenance schedules).


As for the truck that (I assume?) you're looking at, beware of those 35" tires. In order to do that on a 96 4Runner, the truck will need to have a suspension lift _and_ a body lift. Or, there would have to be a good amount of cutting involved to get clearance. Ad text like "Custom Lift" can be dangerous.

You also need to be aware of the gearing. If that's an auto with the stock 4.10's, it's gonna be boggy with the 35's on it.


You need to get more information from the seller, including more pics of things like the suspension, engine compartment and the interior (just for kicks). Bring that information back here and we'll be happy to help you.

Mikronized

yes actually.

ha ha ha.... my runner just lost a 3rd HG.... so I'm really paranoid right now.

as far as lift and 35's... it's DeMello's old rig... I assume he knows how to build it right.

but thanks for you help dude.

midiwall

My comments were kinda' pointed at the 3.4L, I know yur engine has a history of fun.


Ooop! Well then - BUY ON!

Mikronized

yeah, I'm just not sure if I want to part with mine....
it's either swap a lex v8 in to mine, or sell mine for parts and get that one.

drewkawa

this reply is probably useless by now but..........


122k miles and no problems whatsoever. Unless you want to count replacing rubber wiper blades and some cracking on the drivers side leather seat.


Drew

MTL_4runner

Those 3.0L are alot of fun because you get to see the internals quite often.

I had heard about Lexus V8 swaps but I know there were some issues with it as well (esp if you cross water alot).
This is the only Lex V8 swap I've seen documented (and it's into a 2nd gen):
http://www.geocities.com/deonsv8hilux/

roundhouse

We bought out 96 Runner , totalled at an insurance co auction, cheap.
Had 105K on the clock.

Replaced the airbags, hood, rad, core support, one fender, windshield, fan & the ever elusive water pump cover.
All from junkyard parts.

FInding a 3.4 that didnt run, to get the water pump cover was the hardest part, but I finally found a guy that had loaned his truck to some dumb blond who run it in 4 low on the interstate and blew the rods out the side of the block.

COuldnt ever find the air filter housing, so we duct taped the filter on.

The truck now has 225K on it, and some times I forget and let it go 10K between oil changes, and its still right on the full mark, doesnt use a drop.

Only thing Ive changed was the starter, 3 sets of front pads & one set of tires.

habanero

No engine problems so far, just maintenance. The waterpump was leaking, which I replaced when I did the timing belt. Was going to replace it as maintenance anyway. I've bought it at 116,666 and now it's got 149,000 on it.

The obd II connector was ungrounded at pin 5.
The stupid auto antenna was broken when I bought it, easy to repair.
The front rotors warped and have been replaced with brembo blanks.

stevea

I have a 94 with a blown head gasket. How much would a new engine cost to install? Very new in this 4runner game but love the truck. Just wondering, is it worth several thousand to fix? Is there a big difference between 94 and 96 engines? I do understand that those are two different generations of 4runners. Is that a big difference? Would appreciate some advise. Also would consider selling the 94 if anyone interested. I am located among the masses in Northern VA.
thx
stevea