Hi, my name is Adam and I'm new to this forum. I'm quite mechanical and i'm familiar with toyota pickups, but not 4runners. Now I've heard the 3.0 V6 had headgasket problems which is fixable by new improved headgaskets and different headbolt torques? I am looking at a 1990 4runner 3.0L with ADD and blown h/g. The owner swapped the auto tranny(which the transfercase is part of it on that model i was told) with a manual. So unless he also swapped in a transfercase from an ADD truck, then my 4WD wont work?(owner told me all i have to do to get 4WD to work is to swap hubs to manual, (but if he got the right T/C it should work regardless...)) I would like to reinstall an auto (vehicle is wired for it anywayz) and put a shift kit in it(if available). Please tell me what I have right/wrong. WHAT POINTS ARE IMPORTANT TO NOTE in purchasing a used 4runner? Thank you.

 

IMO the 3.0 is an unreliable engine and should be avoided when possible and not rebuilt but do a 3.4 swap.

 

I think Wabbit's opinion is a bit harsh - the 3.0 is in fact no less reliable than the venerated 22RE which has it's own share of headgasket issues, as any iron block/aluminum head engine seems to have. All that said, the 3VZE is not Toyota's greatest engineering triumph, and I do agree with the "don't rebuild, just swap" sentiment. You'll generally get more power AND better gas mileage with just about any V6 swap.

IMHO, the tranny issues are of MUCH greater importance than the engine, especially if you are going to lift it for larger tires and need to drive it on the highway. The auto is DRAMATICALLY undergeared in overdrive, practically limiting you to 33's or 34's with 5.71 gears for acceptable highway performance. If you go larger than stock, an aux tranny cooler is REQUIRED. Fuel mileage with the auto is significantly worse than the manual because of the amount of throttle required to hold the overdrive.

Personally, I would never own another second gen 4Runner. If you're gonna wheel it, get a 1st gen - lighter, more room to cut fenders for larger tires, simpler design. If you're gonna use it mostly on the street, get a 3rd gen - better powertrain, better suspension.

Oh - and, yes, your 4WD will work. The trigger for the ADD is the sensor at the shifter that would normally turn on the "4WD" light. (With ADD, there is a sensor on the sliding yoke that actually turns on the light)

 

the 3vze is a great engine. 312k on mine and running great. not lifter ticks clunks smoke grinding anything.