Hi all

I am going to look at a 1993 Toyota ext cab; 4" lift; V6; 138,000 miles and standard trans tonight. It was from California, so it has no rust. I don't know much about these models, I have been driving a 86 4x4; 22RE; auto for the last 4 months, just doesn't have the snarf (power).

What should I be looking to check on this truck, I heard some of the V6 models have head gasket problems (3vze) but not the 3rz (how do I tell what I have).

How to tell what condition the clutch is in?

Anything to watch for... any advice is appreciated.

cheers

 

I tested the truck out, and the seller let me keep it over the weekend.
It seems to have a loud tick at the 3300 rpm mark. It is present when accelerating at this point and also when you quickly step on the gas and release. Tick is on the release of the gas???

Any help would be appreciated. I will post pic's tonight of the truck.

138,000 miles
3.0 v6
Standard Trans
1993 ext cab
originally from california.. so next to no rust
4" suspension lift

$5500.... ?Too much?

HELP

 

Forgot to mention that it will probably need a new clutch soon, seems very soft (high pedal engagement)

 

Well... seeing how the 3rz didn't come in 93s... you most likely have a 22re or 3vze, as you mentioned. Yes, 3vze's are known for head gasket issues, but if it was taken care of, you'll see 200k+ miles from it.

Another thing... Im from california, so no vehicles here have rust. so 5500 seems a bit overkill to me. especially for a 93. but its up to you. I dont know what the price of a non-rusted vehicle is in other tates.

your clutch question, not too sure. I melted mine at around 110k and replaced both the flywheel and clutch. heh

 

3rz-fe were Tacomas/4runner 4x4 4 cyl ('95.5+/'96+) and '94+ T-100 2wd 4cyl.

A '93 P/U had either the 22re 4cyl or 3vze V6

 

After owning a few 3.0's I will never own one again. They chew up head gaskets and are gas hogs. They are bound to blow their head gaskets multiple times.

That said $5500 sounds a little high to me even with the lift.
If the clutch feels like it's going and he has no proof of it being done then it's probably going to need to be replaced.
You could call a toyota dealer and ask if the head gasket has been done under warranty.

Otherwise, I wouldn't pay more than 3k for a truck of that caliber.
I am just opposed to 3.0's though...

Get a 22re with a stick it will be much faster than a 22re with an auto
As to your question a 93 extended cab is definitely a 3.0 if it's a 6 cylinder.

 

wow...Id have to dissagree after having two newer (07 and an 08) tacomas, I missed the the quality of the build in the older trucks...Im back in another 94. IMHO the head gasket will only be a problem if you dont take care of the truck...keep an eye on your FULL guages (unlike all the newer models) and you should be fine. As for the pronounced ticking, I believe it is the injectors (both of my 94's with the 3vz v6 motor had pronounced ticking at pretty much all rpm if you listen for it. All in all if you can find one in great condition well maintained with no rust, Id say go for it, you won't be dissapointed, just be prepared for the occasional minor repair here and there....I just paid 5k for a 94 with 118k and I couldn't be happier...throw a k&n on it and a cat back and you'll love the way it sounds too. If you question the pricing, keep in mind that these pickups will sell on ebay with 120k + with no rust for over 6K...

 

I agree, the older trucks are definitely built much more stout than the new ones, I just think that the 3VZE is kind of a crappy engine given the head gasket issues and bad gas mileage when you can get a 22re that is much more reliable and gets way better mileage
Two months ago I picked up a 1990 4WD 22RE 5spd with 95K miles with no rust here in Mass for $2200. Trucks with 3vze's of the same vintage go for around 2-3500 here so that's why I thought $5500 was a little steep.
I know they go for alot more out west though

 

I spent 4200 on my 4runner with 107k miles and its a 3vze. The 3vze is a great engine, with some flaws... 22re just makes you lazy. the 3vze just takes some loving, nurturing and caring then, at that point, it'll return the favor...

 

Well I decided to pass on the truck and keep my 86 for now. The price for the truck and repairs were just getting too high...
$5500 for truck
... ~ 800 for new clutch
...~ 600 for new timing belt
... ~ 1000 for fixing the heads

Total for this.... too damn much.

time to keep looking..... maybe... a Nissan

 

you could do the clutch for about 300 and the head gasket and timing belt in the same job not too tuff if you get the haines manual

 

Sounds like a good call. The 4x4 toyota pickups out here pretty much always go for more than blue book, but I wouldn't pay more than $4500 for one unless it was exactly what you were looking for and extremely clean.

 

i found that the pickups , most of the time 2wice the price of a 4runner 4x4

 

The Haynes manuals SUK. There's a REAL FSM available online *GOOGLE*