i just finished replacing the head gaskets in my 89 toyota 4x4 7 inch lift 33 inch pro comps. and to tell you the truth it was actually pretty easy only problem was i had to replace 1 head as it leaked coolant the harmonic balancer, #2 timing belt pulley and a few sensors i broke. they broke because of age and temperatue under the hood other than that if you think your compotent do it yourself it took me about 12 hours i put a new timing belt also and water pump. it runs fantastic.

 

I'd much prefer a 22RE for simplicity, mileage and reliability. The timing chain fix is a pretty easy one to deal with.

That said - I'm pretty sure 96+ 4runners and 95.5+ Tacos don't have either of these engine options.

edit - Just realized this thread has been brought back from the dead twice now.

 

I have the V6 engine and before that had the 4 cyl 22re. I replaced the HG myselfd on the 22Re and was not bad. I have the original HG on my 3VZE with 180k miles on it. No problems so far and just recently replaced the tinming belt and water pump. That was a job but I always enjoy doing the job myself since I get satisfaction getting it done myself and saving some $$. I LOVE my v6 and will never go back to a 4cyl ever!!!! I will trade the lower MPG for the power. I pulled a car on a car dolly right after I bought my 98 4runner and was doing 75 all the way.

 

dbole,

If your V6 is in a 98, it's not a 3VZE and it's not comparable.

I "downgraded" from a 3VZE to a 22RE and I don't regret it...yet.

 

3vze ... 5vze hey whats a few numbers amoung friends! Seriously there is a BIG difference between those two V6 motors. From my personal experience I can vouch for all three motors, I had the 22RE in my 87 1st gen automatic, was tough as nails and hard to kill, the 3vze in my 95 with a 5 speed tranny was pretty solid but was lacking in power compared to what you would expect in a V6 and now the 5vze in my 98 coupled to the OD automatic. Of the 3 motors, I really do like the 3.4 as I get some power as well as reasonable fuel milage when I drive it conservatively.

Considering the weight to power ratio, I do prefer the 3.4. The first gens were actually not too bad considering their roots were based on the truck but started getting pretty heavy over each of the later years of the generation. Then the V6 showed up in I believe the 1989 model year and then with the body design change in 90' started adding weight to the 4runner and I think they over burdened the 3.0 especially with the design changes they used and coupled with the engineering issue of the head gasket, well it was very frustrating to many Toyota owners. I had a later production 95 (sept 95) so I never saw an issue with the HG but I can tell you it did seem to lag in "grunt" even with the 5 speed manual. I really loved all three of the 4runners I owned, would have been fun to have been able to keep all 3, but you only have so much space! Each generation 4runner has had its strengths and weakness. Amazing what we will put up with, what we find to be proud of. Hey, I won't own another brand of truck again