Koko4

I have owned my 1991 Toyota Pickup for three and a half years, but I think it’s time to let it go.

Yesterday, I blew two head gaskets and had it towed to the Toyota Dealership. They estimated a new 3.0vze engine, with a 3yr/unlimited mile warranty, to be $1500. Now on top of that, labor would be approximately $1450. Since I would not like to invest $3000 into this truck, I think I might just let it go.

I have done lots of modifications to it in the past, which add up to a lot of money. When I bought it, it had 223,000 miles on it, and the engine had been replaced at approximately 200,000 miles. It now has 258,000 miles on it. I have replaced the following parts over the years:

• Power steering pump
• Water pump
• Alternator
• MAF ($250)
• Shocks ($200)
• Rear differential ($1500)
• Tires ($500)
• Front locking hubs ($200)
• Clutch
• A/C compressor
• Wiper motor


I still love this truck, because other than this, it has NEVER left me down or left me stranded. I am in the market to buy a new truck/car, and was wondering what I should get. I was thinking about getting another Toyota Pickup with the 22r 4cyl engine in it, because I have heard they are infinitely more reliable and they get better gas mileage.

I want to see what your opinions on what the most reliable Toyota trucks out there are. I have about $3000-$5000 to spend on the new vehicle. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks a lot!

imanut43

My opinion if you love your yota as much as I do....then rebuild it my friend. She never let you down! If say the frame rotted out and was beyond repair well thats a bit dif. I just rebuilt my 3.0 myself for about 1500.Best of luck.

a4runnerfreak

Either rebuild, or 3.4 swap. I think you can do the 3.4 swap for around the same price, maybe cheaper. Then you will still have your baby, have a decent powerhouse of a motor (for a V6, anyway) and get better gas milage.

Thats what I'd do if I was in your situation.

Koko4

I have NO experience with that engine.... I have worked on a 1978 Jeep CJ7 engine (the 258 6 cyl) but that was all trial-and-error. I wouldn't know where to begin, and I'd be afraid I'd mess something up.

I do have a friend that's a mechanic, but he lives about 200 miles away from where the truck is right now (I'm at college). AAA can tow it for 100 miles free, but $5/mi after that first 100. So I'd be looking at LEAST $1000 just to tow it home...

The body on this truck is complete crap...I've dented and dinged it so much over those years. Also, it has STAB wounds from where some stupid college kids came and stabbed my truck last year (without any good reason). After this whole episode with the 3.0vze engine, I'm leaning towards trying to get a truck with the 22r engine for reliability.

I just can't believe the dealership wants $3000 for all of this... I asked them how much it would be to just replace the head gaskets, and he said it would be comparable to replacing the entire engine. What all work is involved in replacing the head gaskets in these damn motors??

tc

x2 - if you've done a lot of mods to your truck and like the way it is setup, it's probably most cost effective to do the swap.

WTH kind of differential do you have that was $1500? :eek:

Koko4

I'd really have to read up on the 3.4 swap if I were to do that. Would I be able to keep my original transmission/transfer case? Hopefully I wouldn't have to change wiring harnesses, or re-route anything, or rig anything up... And what about the motor mounts? I know there are write-ups on this site on how to do it, so I'll just look at those instead of hounding you with these questions. Thanks for the suggestion though

a4runnerfreak

When I replaced the 3.0 in my last '91, Hamer Toyota charged me $8000. That was a totally new 3.0. Everything. Your qoute for $3000, is not bad.

Matt16

You paid $1500 for a diff????? I hope that's an air locker. I sold my rr diff (perfect condition) for $60. It will likely out last the truck it was installed in.

bigt

dam i would have bought a rr diff for 60

olharleyman

I do have a friend that's a mechanic, but he lives about 200 miles away from where the truck is right now (I'm at college). AAA can tow it for 100 miles free, but $5/mi after that first 100. So I'd be looking at LEAST $1000 just to tow it home...

Rent a U-HAUL and dolly one way and then help rebuild it so you know how to handle it if it happens again or 3.4 swap.

87LVRunner

To answer your question, the 22RE came in 85-95 I think pickups and is even available in the first year Taco. Someone could correct me if I'm wrong. For light wheeling and good DD duties, I'm a fan of 89-94 Toyota 4X4 trucks with the 22RE and 5spd. There are some out there right in the price range you are looking at. I have an 87 4Runner, they are harder to find, but I still love my 22 year old box. I know some second gen 4Runners came with the 22RE as well. I almost bought one. I say, move up to the 4Runner as long as you don't mind going pokey.

Cheers!

Matt16

Sort of. 22RE and 3VZE were offered on trucks/ 4Runners until '95. Tacoma came out in '95.5 with the 2.7L 3RZ or the 3.4L V6 5VZE. Yes, you could go into a dealership and choose between a brand new 22RE truck a Tacoma, but never a Tacoma with a 22RE.

hmmwv15

Dude, you don't live far from me.


Anywho, hit up the georgia board of ttora.

http://www.ttora.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=90

I know of one guy on there that does the engine swaps for people, 3.0-3.4 being the most popular. I'm sure you could get some good info on it if you search the threads. If you do decide to get another vehicle, get another truck like yours with the 22re, and keep your old one for parts. That way you would have a near complete parts truck.

Koko4

To answer your questions, the differential's spider gears were going out. I didn't know how to fix this myself, so I paid to get it done. Obviously I paid WAAAY too much, but that's in the past and not re-doable. I still am in a sticky situation with the truck, and have no idea what route to choose...

rangerruck

you can get a used yota, for 3000 bucks, in great condition, I did. It has the 22 re engine in it, has 250k miles on it, and the only work the PO did on it, was the master clutch cyl, and lower engine work. the 22re engine is the one that has EFI, the 22r is carbed. I get a solid 20 mpg with it, as a 5 speed, and could get better if I put radials on it, instead of all terrains. Also most of my driving is in the city, so I am sure I could get 23 , if I did say 50% or better, with hwy
driving.
I would look for years 85 to 95, last year of the 22 re. There is also places where you can just buy this engine as well, but I don't know them.
From 85 to 89, they came with removable tops, but very tinny metal, that can rust easy. If I were to get another, I would proly do one from 90 to 95, just for the 4 doors, and better body metal.

4mydogs

$3,000 for a new 3.0 from Toyota? If my local dealership will give me that price, I'm going to get mine re-powered! I would tell you to do the same, but you say that the body has gone to pieces, so I'm thinking you should be able to find a decent Yota pickup for $3K-$5K, if you take your time and look hard.