1988 4runner, v6 vs 22re
 

Im looking into purchasing a 1988 4runner sr-5 tomorow. It's got 185,000 miles and has a new clutch, starter and alternator. I'm going to be bringing it up snowboarding everyweekend and will most likely be pushing the car to its limits 4x4ing every once in a while.My only delema with getting it is that its the v6. Ive heard these are harder to work on and are less reliable then the 22re's. I'm going to have a very limmited amount of money to work on it if i get it and i was wondering how these engines held up compared to the 22re's. Ive heard that they have head gasket problems on the v6 but is this anymore then the 22re's. thanks for your help

I was also wondering if theres any chronic problems with the v6's that i should look for.

191000 Miles on mine and it runs awesome! I have never owned a 22re so I could not compare. But I like my v6.

You are correct in that the 22re will be much easyer to work on.

My 2 cents

22's are awesome. I would say they are bulletproof, but there is always the odd one out there. The V6's get a bad wrap from what I understand. But to me the small power gain isn't worth the trouble of working on it, the extra weight or the loss of fuel efficiency.

Just my thoughts

i have 167k on my 22re and its never been rebuilt

With fuel prices so high maybe you should consider getting this power plant. http://imagemdodia.no.sapo.pt/toyota.jpg

Both the V6 and 22RE are both excellent choices. I wouldn't ho or hum about either. You're moving a relatively heavy vehicle. That is what will effect your gas mileage the most. I'd guess from just general being around on this discussion board and reading responses that the differences between each engine as far as MPG is marginal at best. A well serviced up 3.0 V6 isn't that bad and it will move your vehicle much better than the 22RE. However the 22RE isn't a bad choice either. I guess what I'm saying is you should pay more attention to the accessories & mods you will put on the vehicle and the condition the body, interior, etc, is in than worry about these engines. They'll both do you proud.

me and a the optehr roadies for the band all have toyotas.... between the 3 of us, there is my 85 22r 4x2 truck, an 85 sr5 4x4 longbed 22re built by lce, and an 88 4x4 runner.... the lce engine moves the best, but the the v6 and my truck are pretty much even in speed

From experience, the 3.slow is a PITA to work on IMO. I prefer the 22re for multiple reasons:

1. Longevity - typically better than the 3.0
2. Ease to work on. A good engine to fix if you are a shadetree mechanic.
3. Aftermarket support. You can easily build a 22re that will have the same amount of power as the V6 for a small price.
4. Gas mileage. I'd say on average probably 4-5mpg better.
5. Cost of replacement. If it ever comes to that, the 22re is much cheaper and easier to replace than the 3.slow.

IMO the 3.slow is a turd that has good low end torque but gets bad gas mileage. The difference in the power curve between the HP and torque is one thing about this engine that I hate. It makes it a PITA when travelling because you can pull hills (when you can pull hills) in OD at 50mph but not 70mph. But the low end torque is good for 4 wheeling.

Don't forget the HG issue on the 3.0. If that blows and you can't fix it yourself, you are better off just having a reman engine put it.

What ever you do, do NOT get an auto. That was probably my biggest mistake. The other was getting the 3.slow.

Others will probably disagree with me but this is my opinion after having one for almost 3 years. Take if for what it's worth.

Ag

:readit:

I think the HG recall was for '90-'95 3VZE's

Yeah it was something like that. That doesn't mean the pre-'90 won't blow the HG. Of course 22res will blow every once in a while too. But you can fix that one yourself for cheap.

a pretty conservative estimate on my mileage with my stock 4x4 and 22R-E is about 22-23mpg all around. the V6 is rated(actual mileage is pretty different usually) at slightly less, but in a 1st gen 4runner i think it would scoot along pretty well.

i've test driven both in similar configurations(a '90 shortbed 5 speed with the V6, 4.56 gears and 31s, and my '91 shortbed 5 speed with a 22R-E, 4.10 gears and 235s) and i'd say the V6 isn't a whole lot better, but pulls to speed a little quicker and holds it better(duh, it's got over 40lbs more torque output). wouldn't trade my R for it though...