So im pretty sure that the last thread was kicked out. so here it is again.

So i know this has been asked a million times, and ive serched and i just can never make up my mind. i just want opinions from people who have drivin both or one or the other.

my question is what should i be getting? im looking for a 1st gen 4runner. we have a 86 that has been in the family since dec. 85 and my dad, (owner) keeps telling me to go with a 3.0 (or 3.slow as i have seen it being called) but i hear alot of bad things about those engines. im not a big fan of the 12 mpg or so they get. but if it has a big enough boost in power ill live with it. when drving the 22re we have to down shift alot on hills and what not. so im just wondering with the 3.0 do you still have to downshift as much. im not looking for a speed demon. i just want something that can get out of its own way. im looking to run a 4 inch lift at the most with 33's so which engine is better suited for this. any info/opinions would be great. and since im new, i guess i will be getting flamed too.

Thanks!

 

I have the 3.0 and I love it myself, but in reality I wish I'd have found one with a 22re.

My feelings about mine may be due to the fact I have the putrid auto transmission.

Again I love mine at it has performed admirably for 206000+ miles, but man I get bad gas mileage and it is a pain in the backside to do even the simplest of things (change plugs, change pcv valve, adjust valves)

 

i had an 86 w/22re 5 spd and currently have a 93 v6 auto. knowing what i know now, i should have kept the 22re and used it for my trail rig! none the less, the 93 performs pretty well on and off road. i will second the opinion of maintenance being a bit of a pita on the v6!

lee

 

so on the other thread a guy asked for pics of my dads rig. here are some. and keep the info coming

thanks!




and i did some great paint work with the plates

 

i have a 95 4runner with the 3.0 and i have to downshift on hills

 

Looks good... All I'll say is that I have had two 22R's and they are very tough engines. My 82 had a 22R, with 6" of lift, running 33/12.50 M/T's and I could bark it in at least 2nd gear. I did have a Weber carb, but the point it, the engine was a great engine. From what I've read from the guys who have the 3.0, it doesn't seem like all that much of an improvement, and with issues. The 22R is a tried and true engine - we all know that. IMHO, go with the 22R. But that's just me...

 

I've had both. The V6 is definitely more powerful. My pickup had no problem going from 70mph to 90. The 22re I've got now has to work HARD to go faster than 75. That, however, is a hp issue. As far as off-the-line acceleration, they're not much different. I had to downshift alot with both of them.

The 22re gets at least 5mpg better and seems easier to work on. I at least know that the oil filter is much easier to get at!

 

WORD. No kidding!

 

Yeah, see that's the problem. IMHO, the power is not there to justify the MPG. Definitely get the manual tranny - the auto sucks the life out of either motor.

 

curly_c, I don't mean to jack the thread... where do you get those flares? I've got rust in my fender walls and that looks like a good way of covering up rust.

Troy

 

Well receintly I've seen some very promising developments in performance for the 3.0. 200 - 220 below the stock redline is very attainable and you'll likely increase the dependability and milage. As well with the new HGs that are available and those that might soon be available are likely a good solution to that issue. So there is more power potential in the 3.0 and with some work you can get good milage out of it too.

For me if I was gonna keep it stock then I'd likely get the 22re. If you wanna tow a trailer, run bigger tires, have fun on the highway then the v6 is the way to go.

If you wanna work on the engine then the 22re can hit approx 150 hp with head, cam and exhaust and still keep the milage and depenability.

Do you want power or easy to work on?

 

I have had both. They both have pros and cons, but in the long run I like the 3.0. The only benefits I found in the 22re are better gas mileage and a little easier to work on. After the head gasket recall, I have not had any problems with my 3.0 at all. Although it only has around 150 hp stock, it has better torque than the 22re. This helps a lot when you are trying to turn bigger tires, especially if you do not change your gearing out. For 10 years I ran as my only vehicle a '90 3.0 with stock gears and 33's. Went wheelin regularly. Dump the clutch and the tires would spin. Average 17 mpg. Sure I had to downshift on steep hills, but what can one expect? Now I run 35's with 5.29 gears, and it does great. I say for your 33's choose the 3.0, and maybe swap out for 4.88 gears if you have some extra dough.

 

Hey, nice pictures.. I would reposted what I did last time but too lazy. In my opinion you are much better off with at 22re. One you the difference in power is not that much. Two the 4cyl. gets better gas mileage. Three head gasket issues both blow head gaskets but the 3.0 is more common. Four the 22re is easier to work on and maintain. And Finally you would still be doing the same amount of down shifting as you would with the 22re. Have any idea why your first thread got deleted?

 

the 22R/22R-E is not a head gasket blower. the only way you can really do that is run them out of coolant, or put it together with a crappy gasket and/or warped head.

 

Kyle is correct. The main reason to head gasket failures in the 22r(e)'s is overheating. My 84 is original all the way down to the power steering fluid and I'm still on the original head gasket. My shop teachers in high school and college couldn't believe it hasn't blown (they're were all current or former owners of a 22r(e) motor). Well.....because my motor has never once even came close overheating in 22 years. It's all about maint. IE coolant flushes, thermostat replacements every 2years/30,000mi, and replacing items due to age or high mileage.

That reminds me. I need to replace my 22 year old heater and radiator hoses

 

to the guy who asked about the flares. we got those from central 4wheel drive here in rocklin cali. i dont know if they have one where you are. but they are bushwacker flares so you should be able to call that company up and order them. yea i like the way they look. and all this info is great. its just such a hard desision. this will be my DD. and i dont really go on long trips but once i get a runner i know i will be going to the sierra wheeling around and stuff. ill just keep looking for either and which ever clean nice looking one shows first ill take a closer look at. god only knows how hard a clean one is to find. i wish there was one like my dads out there. that thing is clean.

Thanks for the info. if you got more keep it coming.

 

and btw i think the other thread got deleted cuz there was no apparent title to it. it said i was a noob and what not. had no real topic. so they deleted it. o well.

 

ok so say i had a choice to get either a 1989 4runner 150,000miles 4cl 5 speed in good shape or a 1989 v6 5sp 150,000 miles in good shape. the same truck just one with a 4 and one with a 6. which one would you take?

 

Tough call, but my experience with the reliability of the 22R has me leaning in that direction.... Think about it... the money you save on repairs on the 3.0 you can spend on other mods...

 

I would buy the 6