I purchased a 1995 4runner site unseen for a decent price. When the runner was shipped to me it was in very impressive condition. I was informed the engine was replaced with a 3.slow in 2012 (receipt was in the dash). I started to drive the runner more than my DD just back and forth to the office. Sold my D.D. added OME shock springs, new stereo, new interior lighting, bfg at K/O. Drove it for 3 days after DD was gone and blew the H.G.

Since then I have had it parked in the garage trying to figure out what to do. I don't have the ability to do a 3.4 swap and I hate to scrap it.

Any advice?

 

Was the motor rebuilt that was installed or a salvage yard motor? Might just need a new head gasket and necessary machine work to get it back in operation. Really depends on the motor.

I would look into purchasing another motor. You could swap it out in a day or so. How was the truck when you did drive it and how long did you drive it? Probably cheaper getting another motor then taking a chance on another used truck.

 

Thanks for the reply. To answer your questions,The engine was a rebuild but lasted less than 2 years. I personally drove less than 3000 miles on it.
I got a quote 2500 for repair of hg. I don't have the mechanical ability to do a swap but I'm trying to learn. I picked up a 2012 trd off-road taco and done some mods but now I'm weighing options.

1.Salvage the 4Runner take tiny amount of money put toward taco
2. Pay someone to swap to 3.4
3. Grab a buddy replace the 3.0 and sell

I know I don't want the problems with a 3.0 (hg, no guts) long term
This is my first Toyota so really trying to learn quickly.

 

Regardless, if you decide to swap to a 3.4 or a 3.0, either option will be a can of worms as you will need to replace seals, hoses ect..

I had your same situation this past January when my HG blew on my way to work,took to cylinders with it and as a result i had to REBUILD my whole engine.

If your head gasket is just blown and compression is fine, you might be able to just replace it and be on your way. If you choose to do that you might as well replace everything from the heads up as the engine is halfway apart anyway. Worst case if compression is not fine, you might have to rebuild your short block too.

If you have the $$, intend to keep the car for a long time, and if it just needs a engine, fix it and keep it. If you go that route, Myself and some other members have installed headers on our 3vz 3.0s which should prolong or eliminate the head gasket from blowing again. The headers also help the exhaust move more freely verse the stock system and adds about +10 HP to the engine. My rebuild was around 4200 from a local shop my friend referred me to and so far so good.

In all the 3vz engine isn't horrible overall if taken care of, it just has its annoying issues that cars have.

 

When I first got into Toyotas, I was looking at the 89-95 trucks and runners. What shocked me was the high miles on them. 300k miles was not unusual to see and the price they were wanting for them was quite high. They will go the distance if taken care of and repaired right.

It may seem weak but it is more powerful then the 22re but has enough power to run for what it was designed for. Both motors are some what a little underpowered compared to other motors. The 3.4 is a great motor but to do a swap is for the more advanced mechanic in my opinion.

I have worked a little on the 3.0 but not much. I have done head gasket repair on the 4 cylinder and several other motors. As far as working on them I would much rather just swap a whole motor over doing a headgasket repair.

A whole motor will cost more but take less time to swap out. A head gasket may cost less but takes more time to replace. When it comes to shop hours, it is the hours that add to the cost quite a bit. If I was in your situation I would find a motor and a buddy and swap it out.

One thing I like about the 89-95 runners is that the interiors and exteriors hold up really well. For their age they are quite impressive as long as they are not living in the rust belt.

 

Agreed. If you take care of them, they will last a long time.