Guys, newbie here with a question for you. Been looking for 1st gen runner and after driving a boatload of these have pretty much given up that this is the best truck for me and the family in going offroad or overlanding. Now looking at 2nd gen 4Runners and want to know which motor is preferred on the 2nd gen, the 22RE or V6. Seems to me the 22RE would be underpowered for the bigger 4Runner but have seen a lot of people say the V6 was really bad because of head gasket issues. How common are the 22RE's in the 2nd gens? If there is a prior thread for this that would be great to reference as I am terrible infinding things.

 

I have a 22RE but I'm doing a HG on it! I like it, they have a great reputation. The head gasket job is actually super cheap and easy to do, that and the timing chain are the only known and accepted issues I know of.

 

4 banger is supposed to be slow, the 3.slow V6 shouldn't be but...

22RE over a 3.0 V6 any day unless you get it cheap and do a 3.4 swap.

:wabbit2:

 

the wabbit has spoken.

 

I love my 3VZ and I have my reasons. Search for threads with people arguing 22R vs 3VZ, you could read for days.

I would not hesitate to pick up another 3VZ if I knew it hadn't been touched by anyone who wasn't experienced with this specific engine. The majority of the head gasket problems were due to improper installs...I believe Toyota even changed their literature on the 3VZ head gasket replacement procedure (including torque specs) after the first few years.

The 3VZ may not be Toyota's best engine, but it's still a Toyota engine.

 

this is what i did, non running 3.0 4runners are cheap. 3.4 has good power. 3.0 does not.

 

For example in this area
2nd gen 4Runner 3.0 V6 in decent shape $3500
2nd gen 4Runner 3.0 V6 blown motor in decent shape $500
Wrecked 3.4 donor vehicle $1000
3.4 swap into 2nd gen 4Runner parts $1000
Then you got a 2nd gen 4Runner with refreshed 3.4 motor for the same price or less than one with a 3.0
It's a no brainer if you can do the work yourself.

Last one we did we flipped it for $5500 and bought another 90 4Runner with a blown motor for $500 to build this winter

I don't think I've ever personally seen a 2nd gen 4Runner that didn't have a blown 3.0
I've heard about them but I just don't think they exist. Kinda like Toyota's version of Big Foot

:wabbit2:

 

You must not have seen very many 2nd gen 4runners. That's surprising considering you're a Toyota enthusiast.

 

At the car club at school, two different people have told me that somewhere along the line, their family owned a 3VZE that went over 300K. They loved the truck and loved the motor. However, these guys aren't "yota heads"; they don't know the reputation the V6 has. Apparently, what they don't know won't hurt them, because they thought the engine was great.

 

Best of all worlds would be a 1st gen with a 3.4 swap, my plan for my truck when my 3.0 dies.

There are running 2nd gens all over out here. Prices usually run $3-5000.00.

 

Im pro v6. It just feels smoother to me and has great low end torque.

If you get the 3vze make sure its a 5 speed. The auto robs alot of power from the wheels.

Keep the cooling system in check and regular oil changes, the motor will last along time.

 

Thanks for the reply's guys, appreciate the input. Still looking but tough finding a second gen that isn't completely trashed for reasonable money. I am also keeping my eyes peeled for a 3.4 donor just to see what is out there, what years and models should I keep my eyes peeled for if I wanted to do a swap into a second gen?

 

id go with the 22r over the 3.0 but thats just me.

 

although a second gen with the 3.4 is also good

 

I have a 3rd gen pickup with the 3.0, I kind of like it, cant really complain much except the fact that it has almost zero powerband in 4th and 5th gears. The engine is super dooper smooth though which is kind of nice as well. Ive had a 22re and 3rz and those 4 bangers arnt too much slower than the 3.0 (except when entering the on-ramp on a freeway)

 

I have a 91 4runner 3.0 v6 with 489645 miles on it! It's been threw he'll and back! 3 owners and still running strong even after overheating many times do to no radiator fan and cough fire to power wire from starter to battery.... I love my runner and im looking for a new one! Because of lots of rust!😣

 

Welcome to Yotatech. I would check the date of the last post. This thread is 5 years old and may not get much response on it. Rust has killed many of these trucks.