Still debating whether I am going to keep my 1994 4 Runner (3VZ 5 speed) when my motor build is done because I don't think it will be able to tow what I need to. I currently drive a 2003 ZR2 and tow up to 5000# with it all the time, and its great (towed the 4Runner home on a trailer no problem). I tow 2000# 75-85 MPH about 5000 miles a year with my ZR2, no problem. I have to admit, even with a 5 speed, my 1994 4Runner seems extremely gutless in the very few miles I've driven it. So if I wanted to tow an enclosed snowmobile trailer with two snowmobiles in it and 4 people with gear in the vehicle, how is the Toy going to handle it? Is it even rated for this? Anybody have first hand experience with this? My snowmobiles are 300 miles away in storage, so I can't just hook up and try for myself. Sorry for the stupid questions, I know nothing about Toyotas, I'm a Chevy guy! Any input is apprecaited!

 

When travelling, I load about 1000 lbs of people, dogs and gear into the '95. The gear goes on the roof, so it's not very aerodynamic, and my engine has over 200,000 miles on it. But 75 mph is possible, I just hate pushing it that hard with the engine buzzing about 3300 rpm. It also doesn't have much power for passing.

So could you do it? Maybe. Depends on what you did when you rebuilt the engine. What you can't get past is that it's just a little ol' 3 liter V6, and your ZR2 is a 5.7+ liter V8.

There ain't no cheap substitute for cubic inches.

 

ZR2 is an S-10 with a 4.3 V6.

 

I towed a 2800# trailer with my '90 3.slow plus the kids, dog, wife, and gear. The camper probably was pushing 3200# which was over the 3000# capacity rating. As long as I wasn't in hilly terrain I was fine but I also had no expectations of passing anyone or setting any records. The 3.slow IS a dog without anything latched onto it. Your decision.

 

Kinda confirming what I thought - it might do it, but barely. I figured it would be a struggle and don't plan on passing anybody at all. Darn it. This probably means I'll have to sell it. I really like this vehicle too.

And yeah, my ZR2 has a 4.3 with 190 HP / 250 ft.lb. stock, but I've got about everything you can bolted onto it, so it moves right along and pulls very well. If I got "advertised" gains out of everything I've bolted on, I'd be up over 250 HP / 300 ft.lb., but we know there's no way their claims are true.

 

Hello
I tow 3700lbs (car+ trailer) to the track all the time in a 93 4x4 pickup w/ 227,000 miles on the 22re (2.4Liter 4 cyl.) at 65/70 mph. w/ no real problems. Hills suck but that's more to do w/ the fact that I have 3.9 rear end (don't ask) w/ 32" tires.
I don't see why the 3.0L would have any probblems unless the motor is just weak/worn out.
My 2 cents
C-YA!!

 

I would tow this trailer @ 70mph which is well over 3,000lbs, probably pushing 3,500lbs.



anyways I would be able to cruze @70mph, but wouldn't do much more than that. infact I don't think I drove that truck over 80mph even without a trailer, it didn't really have the guts to do it

 

Shows how much I pay attention to GM's. But it still has more cojones than the 3.0.