I have owned and enjoyed one of each, a 1st gen, 2nd gen and now 3rd gen. They were all great trucks. I did not like the 22R-E, it was so gutless on the highway that it was not enjoyable. My '94 3.0 V6 (not a very loved engine around here) served me really well and I liked it a LOT more than the 4 cyl. Gas mileage was the same that EPA reports at 15-18, but at least it was smooth and quiet. The 3.4 is awesome, it has plenty of power and gets better mileage than the 3.0. Heck, I think it's mileage is about the same as the 22R-E yet it can pull a grade at altitude with the cruise control set, the 22R-E can't.

 

i love it when these old threads come back from the dead.

SO it's been 4 years, WHAT DID THE OP PURCHASE?

and sssshhh with the 99-00 Limiteds being so great. i don't want them all bought up before i can get one someday! haha

 

I got one of the 22re 2nd gens which I understand are pretty rare. For me this is the truck. I love how simple the 22 is and how I can pretty much fix it myself. and I get 23-24 mpg on the highway. That saves a lot of money on road trips!

My last truck was a FJ60 - great low end torque and they're effin' HUGE but it actually feels like a 22 on the highway but with 15-16 mpg. Sort of the big version of a 4runner...

Before that a 1st gen, 3" lift, 4.88s, 33's and that got 21-22 on the highway. I think when you get to that size tire the 3.0 and 3.4 is going to suffer in the mpg realm.

Long story short I love the 22, and the second gen rides much better than the first. I know it has a hundred or so more pounds curb weight but it feels much lighter to drive, for whatever that's worth. And they are soooo cheap to fix and soooo easy to work on I won't get anything else.

Besides if I want to go fast that's what my stage 2 wrx is for heh heh heh

 

3rd gen is a good choice. I got a 1996 4runner. Gas mileage isnt great but but it could be worse. as far as power, i aint complainin too much. It has more power than i expected. the 3rd gen is the best mix between a good everyday vehicle and your off road vehicle. its decent on gas, it has enough power to go on a good bit of trails, and they look pretty good lifted. as far as a lift and tires are concerned. 2-3" lift. 30's are way too small so 31's wouldnt bee much better. your best bet for a good size tire would be 33's. theyre big enough to get you through a little mud and at the same time they aint gunna kill your gas.