Alright Yotatechers, I'm back for your advice! I was driving my 93 3vze 4runner up a long slight hill in fifth at about 3500-4000 rpm when I heard a ticking and the engine stalls. I coasted over to the side of the road and started it again. I had no oil pressure and there was a distinct tapping/knock. I drove about 5ft. before turning it off and calling a friend to bring some oil and a tow rope. I put a quart of oil in and started the engine. The knock/tap went away after a couple seconds and I was able to drive about a half mile before I began losing power and stalled again. Popped the hood and had smoke coming out of the crank after I took the cap off. Waited a minute for the smoke to subside and put another quart of oil in. Started the truck and it sounded pretty bad so I had my friend tow me home. At home I have a pretty steep short driveway that goes right into my garage so we couldn't tow it up into the garage. I started the truck and tried to get it up the driveway and it had no power at all so I left it at the bottom of the driveway. Now, two days later, I went out and put another quart of oil in it and was able to get it up and into the garage. I changed the oil and found no water or metal shavings in it. After changing the oil I started it and took this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-rE7znyRp0 You guys think it's the valves ticking?.. a spun rod bearing? Thank you and sorry for the slight rambling!

Cliffs:
-Driving in fifth at ~4000 rpm heard tapping and stalled
-Started again, had no oil pressure
-Put a quart of oil in, able to drive ~1/2 mile before losing power and stalling
-Put another quart in and started again, sounded bad so had a friend tow home
-No power to drive once home
-Added another quart of oil two days later, had enough power to drive up driveway
-Changed oil, no water or metal shavings in oil
-Video
-Spun rod bearing, valve ticking.. ?
-Thank you!

 

Rod knock for sure

 

that's a rod knock. Sorry bud.

 

Thanks guys. I guess the next step is choose whether to have it rebuilt (don't have the time or complete knowledge to do myself), or swap in an already rebuilt engine.. which I'd be able to do. Where would you guys recommend to get a rebuilt 3.0? I've heard of orientengine.com

 

id just get a 3.0 from a wrecked truck and swap it in

 

I'd like to save money and get a 3.0 from a junkyard or someone parting their truck out, but living on a little island there isn't always one available... I'm definitely going to be on the lookout though

 

3.0 from a yard or better yet a 3.4. If getting a 3.4 Grab the wiring harness, ECU everything basically. 3.0's are not all that reliable IMO. I don't know too much on the swap, but I believe it's a rather simple swap. I would trust a yard 3.4 more than I would trust a yard 3.0. And a yard 3.4 about the same as a rebuilt 3.0L and would run about the same cost I would think. If not the 3.4L might actually be the cheaper route.