I am currently deciding what to buy. I would love to have a 90's 4runner but keep hearing so much about the headgaskets and the oil consumption of the 6 cylinders. Any suggestions? Are all these things true and enough to avoid these vehicles? What about a 22re 4runner if I am not worried power??? Any help is appreciated.

 

a 22RE powered 4runner will get you through hell and back...you just have to have a little patience

try to find one with a manual transmission, it'll be a little less boggy than an auto

 

I have an 89 v6 and mine doesn't guzzle oil?? I use mobile 1 syn-blend and i don't have to fill it up between oil changes. I used fully syn and it guzzled the oil... I like my v6, little to no problems. Also wasn't recalled for headgaskets.

 

There was a recall on the head gasket for the 3.0 but by now nearly all of them have had it replaced on warentee and there arn't too manny problems. You can always call in the vin number at a dealership and check to see if it has been done on a toyota before you buy it (since I am not sure if they honer that warentee anymore it was so long ago). At any rate, I had an 89 pickup with the 3.0 and I could roast the tires all day if I wanted and that was with 225,000 miles! I currently own a 4runner with the 22re which is not nearly as powerfull but with the manual transmision and some premium fule I can still get up nearly any hill at 65. The main reason I went for the 22re is the gas milage. One time when the wind, temperature, trafic, moon phass.......was right I got 25 MPG!

 

If possible, avoid the 3.0 and look for a 3.4. Offers a peace of mind.

 

dont go with the 4cyl you'll want to kill yourself any time you get on the interstate and cant get up speed nowhere neer quick enuff, i have the v6 it is by no means a powerfull motor but it is tons better than the 4cyl in my opinion. try for the v6 5spd thats about the only way to get a halfway descent powered early 4runner. also the v6 in those years is a great engine. it isnt likely for you to have any more problems if the vehicle your buying has been serviced during the recall on headgaskets. the 3.0 lasts a very long time.

 

My 4-cylinder pickup is bulletproof....I have overheated it, shorted it out, etc. Keeps on running. Slow but reliable.

My 4Runner with the 3.4 is very fast and fun. It has also been reliable so far at 76k.

Depends on what you are looking for.