This is my 1991 4Runner 4x4 3.0 3VZ-E

I purchased it for $1400 knowing that it had a weird starting and acceleration problem.
When I got her home the first thing I did was search online for the culprits of my problems. That is how I stumbled across YT!
While using the infamous "SEARCH" button and a little wrenching around my truck I found out what was wrong with my truck.
First off the bad acceleration was a loss of compression in cyl #6. When I opened up the motor I found significant damage to that cyl. So ended up replacing the motor for $500, with no core charge!!!
New motor in and still had starting problems also it would run very slow had a 52code and would stutter. Kinda weird I had no CEL on before with the bad motor.
So I was puzzled for about 3 days till I decided to change the fuel filter.
When I pulled it was extremely clogged and the new filter did help a bit.
But did not solve my problem. After filter,plugs,wires,cap and rotor I had no idea what to do. For some reason I pulled of the fuel return line and cranked the motor. No fuel! Then I turned the truck on (with caution of course) and still no fuel. Got It! Fuel Pump!
At this time I had rad out of money and a buddy of mine gave me 3 chevy fuel pumps. One of them had to work. Dropped the tank and tried all of them out. Only one worked! LOL
Put the tank back up and ran the truck. The stuttering was gone!
The truck was slow and I know from reading on YT you all say that the 3.0 is a mule but I never thought it could be this horrible!
Anyway now it was time to tackle the code. I had forgotten to plug in the Knock Sensor while installing the motor. Oops.... hooked it up and CEL was gone! The truck had more power and ran good.
But not for long..... The CEL turned on again and lost the power I had gained.
Code 52 again!
What the heck.. So reading up on YT I found the little Knock Sensor Trick you know the one with the hole on the engine hook and an extra knock sensor. I think the knock was sensing my header leak, I guess.(yes i know its a temporary fix till I get to freshen up my valve cover and intake gaskets)


This thread will be updated often due to I have already done quite a few mods since I purchased my 4Runner.

This is how I got her, minus the rims,tires and bumper removal.




Here is the temporary Knock Sensor

 

thanks for making good use of the "Search" sounds like it has been working great for you.

2nd gen 4Runners are growing on me looks like yours is suffering from the traditional 4Runner saggy butt...my '86 did it too.

 

Here is a "mod" if you want to call it a mod. I took off that extra box thingy under the air box. I think it has to do with smog or something. Living down here in south texas you can get a inspection sticker for only 20 bucks with out them even taking a peek at the vehicle. So to plug up the hole under the intake hose, just go in your house, grab the top off your wife's secret aerosol under arm deodorant and stick it in the hole.

 

So the truck would crank sometimes, not all the time. So thinking that my ignition switch is bad and the inability to locate the starter relay. I installed a $3.99 relay. Now my truck starts every time!

 

This truck is gone! I will post pics of the new project tomorrow.