If you are worried about the head gasket issue, buy something from 88 or 89. The factory changed the material in the gasket and that's why they blow more often in the later years.
I have 230,000 miles on mine, runs good, but with an auto.
Previous poster said it well though, get a 95.5 or 96 to get the 3.4L V6.
Whatever you do, buy a 5 speed.

 

*Sigh* If only...

 

olharleyman.....Really? So you're saying that there is really NO difference between the 22RE and the 3VZE, no noticeable increase in power with the 3.0? Hmm, maybe I will give the 22RE another thought.

There's really no difference between a 4 and 6 cylinder, and in fact the 4cyl is better offroad?

 

stock vs. stock the V-6 has more power hands down.

 

Read S.A.S vs. I.F.S. that's why I said 22re better off road hands down IFS can be very capable don't get the wrong idea.

As for the 22re being "better" there is a lot of mods done to get it to that point via cam, oversized valves header and the like but again dollar vs. power gain the 22re has many many options where as the 3.0 is very limited and not with even close to the bang for the buck comparison.

Both if taken care of can be close to bullet proof and very high mileage motors but with that said the 3.0 is still just a motor with limited performance enhancing options and most are not really worth the money to power gained in the end.

I love my 3.0 for what it is I hate it for the M.P.G. and lack of power and power gains for the money but with 247,000 and counting it's kind of hard to say it is a unreliable or a worthless engine just don't buy one and think you can get 200 H.P. out of it reasonably or realistically.

The saying around is you can polish a turd and end up with a high dollar turd in the end.

 

I just wanted to mentin that people tend tp forget to say that the 22re has headgasket problems of its own. They are known to pop often but the saving grace is the engines simplicity and ease of rebuild. A hg job in a 22re is a weekend deal. A 3vze well it might take a little longer haha.

If you where gonna be towing with it, I would buy a v6 truck and gear those differentials down. 31" tires and 4.88 gears. That thing will lug a boat around no problem.

You take care of her, she will take care of you!

Things to check:

-Oil level, colour and smell, check under the oil cap for sludge or a milkshake lookin substance (BAAAD)
-Make sure the engine is smooth
- check the coolant, make sure its clean ( should be running red toyota coolant)
-check the overall condition of the hoses and wiring
- check the frame/drivetrain for rust
- make sure the transmission goes through the gears smoothly( Dont buy an automatic!!!!!)
-make sure the 4wd and 4low is working (dont try it on the pavement)
- make sure all the interior stuff works properly
- make sure the brakes are good (stops good, good pedal pressure)


Most shops will inspect a truck for you. The local aaa does a very good inspection for like $100

 

good post...

one thing id like to point out, and i know its somewhat of a debate issue, but just swapping out the stock crossover and exhaust manifold for a set of headers will virtually elimenate the head gasket problem, and if you burn a valve after that, then ceramic coat everything and it will be 100% bulletproof...

 

Good point, that stupid crossover design is considered to increase the change of hg failure. The passenger side dumps into the drivers side manifold backwards. This is said to increase the temp around the 'problem' number 6cyl.

A simple crossover elimination, or modification and this problem would be solved.

 

i have the 3vze and my friend has the 22re both have 200,000 and both had the timing belt replaced mines a 94 his is a 91 i tow my dirtbikes on a triaxle enclosed trailor with no problems and its an auto his is a stick and a single cab and it had a hard time and when your looking for one hold it reved at like 3000 to 3700 and se if it knocks mine has like a tic with new rod bearings and timing belt not sure why but it runs plenty of power and oil pressure so i run it lucas solves all lol

 

I would check under the hood and see if the did the .4 displacement upgrade. Other than that I would look for a T100 with the 3.4 and if the 4wd doesn't fit your budget, get a 2wd. You can always put a solid axle under it later.