I would like to get some opinions on which engine combo folks prefer in the 2nd gen 4WD 4Runners. All opinions welcome.
Thanks,
Mike

 

cant speak for a 4banger in a 4runner, but i had one in my 94 p/u (22-re) and now have a 91 runner with the six. Hands down the six. The 4bangers (ive heard) run longer, require less maintenence, but i myself require some huevos to back up my lead foot, and the six does it a lot better than the 4. Oh yeah, both of the ones ive had are 5-speed, so that may make a difference to you.

 

If you get a Runner with the 3.0 and the 4.88 gears thats the way to go...my buddy has the 4 banger and the 4.56's and hes suffering REALLY bad with his new 33" TSL's

Fink

 

Wow, normally people are bashing the 3VZ-E. I have a V6 in my '91 and I have never had problems with it until it spun a rod bearing. I could have just replaced the bearings and ran with it, but 210,000 miles on it I opted to rebuild.

I'm working on getting a few more ponies from it right now. If things work out I estimate about 200hp from it. I know some are going to say, "no way", but I'll post how I did it when and if I finish.

Alright, I have a 22RE in my '83 Celica(165,000). Never had a problem from it and it has alot of power. I would say that on a stock 4Runner this would be a fine engine, but when you get into lifting and larger tires it might suffer. If you could find one with the 22RTE(turbo), I'd go for it.

 

If I had the choice, I would rather have a 4cyl. 5 speed in my 91 runner.

 

im four cylinders all the way, i have 33' thornbirds with stock gears and its not bad at all, going up steep highway hills is joke. but i like my 22re

 

I had a 93 4x4x x-cab truck with the 22re and 5-spd. It was a major dog. Wouldn't ever consider buying anything with the 22re auto or 5-speed. I also had a Tacoma with the 2.7 and a 5 spd. 100% better than the 22re, but I still prefer my 3.0. Just wish it was a 5 spd.
The timing chain broke on the 93 truck after my sister in law bought it with only 140,000 miles and bent a valve(what a job to fix). So the 22re does not necessarily last longer. Yes it was well maintained.
The best combo is probably 3.0/5spd. The worst 22re/auto.

 

ditto 100%

 

I would not buy a 4 cylinder 2nd Gen in a million years. The six is a turd, but it has slightly more displacement and torque. A pick-up is different.

 

Check out these threads:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ghlight=3.slow

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ghlight=3.slow

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ghlight=3.slow

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ghlight=3.slow

Behold the power of search.

I'd rather have the 22re with a 5-speed and here's why:
1. Cheap to fix/replace
2. Easy to work on
3. Better gas mileage
4. Plentiful amount of cheap power mods
5. More reliable
6. Doesn't have the head gasket problem that the 3.slow has. Though I'm not saying it won't blow. If it does, it's easy to replace on your own.

Here's why I don't like the 3.slow: (keep in mind mine's an auto)
1. Hard to work on
2. Head gasket problem
3. Minimal power mods that don't cost an arm and a leg but it's still slow afterwards.
4. Gas mileage
5. Power
6. Ticking

I've got more power now that I've done a little work to it but it's still not much. I can actually use my cruise control now.

If you get the 3.slow make sure you get the 5-speed. Also make sure that it came stock with 31's (mine didn't). That will give you the 4.88 gears as opposed to the 4.10s.

Just my $.02

 

just curios what does 31s , 4.88 or 4.10s mean. Just still new to the forum. I just bought a one owner old lady 95 5 spd 4x4 v6 120k clean carfax 4 runner

 

31s are the size of the tires. on the sidewall, it will say 31x10.5r15 if they are 31s. 4.88s/4.10s is the gear ratio in the differential. more than likely, you have a 4.56 gear ratio since your runner is a 5spd.

 

My 95 V6 5 speed had 4:30's, and came with the 225/75r15's.