I have fallen in love with old 4runners and Have been reading about and searching for one for about a month now. Trying to learn a little about them before I get one.
I noticed that some early models came with the v6. If you were planning on building and engine for it, with cams, heads, and so on. Would you take the v6 over the 22r or 22re when comparing possible HP?
Also, When looking at all recent toyota engines ( tacomas, celica 5cyl). Do these bolt up to the stock trans of an 84-89 4runner? If not, what all does?

 

search harder...I would take a 22r over a 3.0 v-6 any day(unless there was a national no blown head gaskets day then I would think about it)

 

The only way I'd take a V-6 runner is if I was to swap the 5vz-fe out of a Tacoma or later Runner into it.

 

Either way there isn't a lot of tire spinning power from any of these old engines. If you want a bit more hp and torque, consider a v8 swap. 1UZFE or 2UZFE would make awesome powerplants in any truck.

 

What he means is... the early 3.0 V6 engines were prone to headgasket issues. There was a warranty out for free factory repair, but I'm sure that was years ago. I myself use to drive a 92 4Runner with the V6... not very impressive. The 22R is a dog also, but its a fuel efficient dog that can still climb hills.

 

In Regards to the free factory repair, my friends 91 blew a head gasket and the previous owner did not use the " One Free Head Gasket " from the factory yet, and WAH LA! he got a free install. But apparently once your "truck" has used it get out of jail free card (so to speak it) goes into their system and you pay for the next one.

 

They blow h/g's and burn exhaust valves like crazy. Buy a 88 V6 runner and get a used 3.4 to put into it

 

Why get an 88 v6? Why not an '85 with a blown engine if he's just going to swap out the engine. No worries about the solid axle swap down the road.