horunna

hey i know most everyone here hates the 3.0
i have just recently joined the crowd i have a 1995 2wd v6 4runner and i replaced the head gaskets and had it reqorked about 2 years ago (20000 miles) and not ive got a tine bit of oil in my radiator so im going to go ahead and assume the worst and get it ready for sale
my question is that im looking into buying a taco or 4runner with the 3.4 and i know everyone here praises this motor left and right i would like to know is it really that great
i love toyota and would never buy anything else
that said i can only afford about 10,000 and as far as tacomas go here in southern cali that doesnt get me much most have around 100,000 miles on it i know thats nothing for a toyota but i bought my 3.0 with 89,000 and have already had to dump an a$$ load of cash into the motor just to keep it going
im looking for RELIABILITY will something with a 3.4 and 100+k miles be reliable enought that i wont have to throw 1500 bucks at it every 2 years for a rebuild and if i do get one with that many miles what shoudl i be looking out for to make sure i dont get screwed with another unreliable toyota
Thanks alot for any advice you guys may have

gptoy

Money-wise I can't speak as I'm from Canada and $10k here is different than there. I do know here would buy you a decent runner or taco so I could just imagine your choices would be that much better.

But, motor-wise, 100k miles is just broke in. Find one that's been maintained and she'll keep you happy for alot longer than that.

My first runner I bought almost 6 years ago, it was 7 years old at the time and had 100k miles on it, I'm up to 150k and 13 years now and haven't dropped a bit of unscheduled money into it motor wise. All been maintenance for oil changes/timing belt/water pump. It's still running like new too.

Any of these sites will show you constant reports of people pulling 200 or 300k and still running like tops.

horunna

i really appreciate the response
my only worrie is that i hear alot of people saying the same thing about the 3.0 and ive have it for 4 years and have put more into that i payed for it
im only 23 and would like to buy a car that wont need 1500 worth of headgasket work in the next 3 years at least
what is the biggest prob you run into with the 3.4s?
and are there problems preventable? (unlike the 3.0 headgasket)

mt_goat

Good question, you are clearly a smart dude. One problem is the crank bolt loosing up and can be very hard to diagnose even for the pros. See here: http://www.motor.com/MAGAZINE/Articles/012007_04.html

Here's a big thread about it:https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/c...ighway-128206/

ScottyC

iTrader: (1)

Make sure you disclose the possible head gasket issue to the prospective buyers. Karma is a real bitch when you don't let them know everything.

cackalak han

Whatever the mileage, I'd make sure that you trust the seller and get the maintenance history. If the rig has been properly maintained, you will see many miles of reliable performance. I've owned three 3.4L's and they've all been very stout engines.

The Tacoma's tend to be a lot more expensive, but at the same time, they do retain their value better. If you need a truck bed, go for it. You can definitely find one at less than $10k. If not, look for a 97-00 4Runner. Look for that locker button.

horunna

again thank you for your time in responding to my questions
so im assuming my best bet when i do get one is to have the timeing belt thermastat water pump and belt tencioner (excuse spelling) all replaced and run that articcal (link from mt_goat) by my yota mechanic and make sure its done well
and ill be picking it up from someone i trust or i wont be getting it haha
and so aside from the crank bolt issure (which is preventable)
there arent any "design defects" with the 3.4 as there is with the 3.0 ?
i dont have a prob doing maintainence to a vehicle i know all cars need it but im just trying to avaiod rebuilding a motor more than once in a 5 year period

horunna

*bump*

horunna

http://www.coronamotors.net/cms.cfm?...=1&pageID=1232

heres a taco im interested in any one see anything im not as far as downsides to it ?(i know i know the price but ill talk him down some)

mt_goat

Before I thought you were just asking about the 5VZFE engine, but if you are now asking about the Tacos in general there is a big problem with the frames on all 96-04 Tacos. Check out this monster 75 page thread over on TTORA: http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95993

horunna

well i wasnt taking about tacos in general i was asking about the 3.4 engine but im not opposed to a taco or 4runner just wont go near the 3.0 ever again
and as for the links
i actually have seen that recall
im actually not too concerned about that living here in sunny southern california we dont get much salt
i deff will make sure i throughlly inspect the frame on the truck tho
but the truck i linked too was a 2003 did the fix the prob in 2000 or is it like the headgaskets on the 1995 4runners (werent qualified for the recall but still had head probs)??
thanks again mt_goat