So i just boight a 90 4runner trd sr5 with a 3.0 automatic. Its got 160k miles. I bout knowing it has needs cause the body and interior are perfect. It has brand new 35x12.5 bfg all terrains, a rlly good tranny, good aftermarket suspension and it was only 1700. So with the leftover 5 grand i wanna have a new or rebuilt or different engine. Its a head ache trying to choose what to do cause theres so many options. Truck still runs good but i need it to be able to rune to phoenix from san diego once a month with no worries. Its leaking oil (very slowley, none even on the ground yet) near the passenger side head on the back and i got a good feeling why. What would be the best option for a 5 grand budget with not much time to make it the best running truck

 

Might run for years with no issues. Change fluids and tune-up. Run it. It's not broke, don't fix it.
If you've got 5 grand, put it in the bank.
You could have it hauled home from wherever it quits and still have a
plenty large rebuild fund.

 

Even a brand new engine can let you sit on the road.

If this runs good just give it a good tune up , belts and hoses your good to go.

 

Like said above, I wouldn't do anything with it at this time. My 3.0 has 259k on it and I have no worries about taking it anywhere. Maybe do a compression check to see what kind of condition the engine is in.

 

I'm assuming you are thinking the head gasket is the cause of the oil leak. You sure it's not from the valve cover (I don't think an external oil leak is a common sign of head gasket failure with this engine)?


Like others said, do a compression check. If the HG is fine, then you may try a high mileage oil to help slow the leak (I use Castrol GTX high mileage).

 

Bank the money, let it build interest while you run the truck. Like above, you could go years with no issue. Save the money for when it does/might break, then look to a 3.4 swap or Lexus 4.0L.