You can not "through" (sic) - he meant throw) a turbo on a 22RE "fairly easily." That is just hearsay just like the hearsay of "you can mod a 22RE to have as much power as a 3.0." I mean unless you're an experienced swapper wrench head, will you say converting a 22RE to a turbo is easy, and even then, unless you're running big boost, will you match the power and torque of the 3.0.

Another thing I want to mention is one reason the 3.0 gets a poor reputation is because of the automatic transmission. The 22RE and 22R generally seem to err more on the side of 5 speed manuals although there are a few auto's out there too. But the 4 speed auto (A340) found behind the 3.0 is a good relible transmission, but it's not the most efficient transmission. For example dyno results I've seen suggest the Manual transmission (R150) gets you about 15-17 more HP to the rear wheels than the 4 speed auto on the 3.0'.s The guys who report poor mileage with the 3.0's 9 times out of 10 will have 4runners with the 4 speed auto's. The other 1 out of 10 will be a guy who has an emissions component that needs to be changed, or require some sort of maintenance to be done usually. The 5 speed manual equipped with the 3.0 is the most powerful torquey engine found in any truck or 4runner up until 1995.

The only other option I would suggest if you are not keeon the 3.0 is to look at a 96-97-98 Tacoma with the 2.7 4 cyl. It has the same amount of HP as the 3.0, almost as much torque, and it's a got a very strong reputation for reliability. Keep in mind though, while it has 3 foot pounds less torque (177 versus 180 foot pounds for the 3.0), it's torque peak is much higher than the 3.0. The 3.0 will be noticeably more torquey than a 2.7. But the 2.7 is still a nice compromise if you could find one in your price range. But then again - if you're doing hauling, a 95 or older truck is a better platform for any sort of regular hauling as it's got a much better frame and suspension in my honest opinion. My truck sees 17 MPG in the city and around 19-21 on the highway depending on how fast I'm driving. And that's a 3.0 with 190,000 miles, that has lots of bolts on it that the last time they were turned was when the engine was built and installed in my truck back in Japan.

 

My two cents. I've never owned the 22R or 22RE. I did have the 3.0 in my 1991 4Runner. I drive the Trans Canada highway through the Rocky Mountains about 8 times per year. This has a ton of 8% grades. The 3.0 could make them, but in third and barely able to keep up with most traffic.

Beginning of August, I took the plunge and did the 3.4 swap. Best thing I've done to the truck, in terms of increasing power. I can now take most of those same hills at speed in 5th, shifting to 4th if I want to actually accelerate up them. This was unheard of with the 3.0.

Where my two cents come in is splurging for a truck that already has a 3.4 or doing a swap yourself. Is it worth it, in the end, to do the swap? That's your call. Financially, you won't be ahead of the game. From a satisfaction side of things, you might.