3VZ-E (3.0 V6) life cycle completed.

[leiniesred]

Thanks for the input, team.

An hour ago I was ready to try to sell the 4runner as-is, then trade in my MR2-Spyder on a 2001-2004 Tacoma and build a much smaller, daily driver truck. You know, something that I can drive to Moab without earplugs yet still hit trails with.

The good news is that I have TIME to decide.

If I need a winter 4x4, I can borrow my Father in-law's original Colorado adventure rig, a 1980 full size Jeep named, "Midnight."

 

[Hulk]

No head gaskets, never adjusted the valves, plug wires 150,000 miles ago, platinum plugs 100,000 miles ago, 2 distributor caps, 3 timing belt jobs with water pumps, front main seal, cam seals, hmmm, that's about it. Oh, the oil pan HAS been off, but never put back on. I switched to a T-100 wheel drive pan for solid axle swap clearance about 5 years ago. Always passed smog, original catalytic converter. EGR valve was "broken" for the last 150,000 miles. broke a radiator. Changed the big hoses only. 1 power steering pump, and a few precautionary belt changes.

272,086 miles was the limit for my 3vz-e's con-rod bearings.

You got your money's worth!

Whatever you decide to do, go with your gut. If you still love the 4Runner, drop in a new engine and continue the love affair. If you look at it with despair -- too many rusted panels, too much to do, and it makes you tired just thinking about it -- get something newer and start a new era of fun.

You could have a ton of fun with an FJ Cruiser, couldn't you?

 

[Red_Chili]

At the risk of enduring an Inquisition...

If you are trending toward newer... Spanky, you know a 4 door Rubicon is what you seek. Very little to do to make it go, and it is the only vehicle even close to a 1st gen 4Runner since Toyota abandoned the original vision.

(Squishy reports being quite impressed with his stocker in Maui... and I will go on record that I would buy one if the need arose. Hey, I can be an associate member! Or put a Toyota emblem on the grille )

 

[DaveInDenver]

At the risk of enduring an Inquisition...

If you are trending toward newer... Spanky, you know a 4 door Rubicon is what you seek. Very little to do to make it go, and it is the only vehicle even close to a 1st gen 4Runner since Toyota abandoned the original vision.

(Squishy reports being quite impressed with his stocker in Maui... and I will go on record that I would buy one if the need arose. Hey, I can be an associate member! Or put a Toyota emblem on the grille )

Meh. Ask an owner in 5 years if they're still happy with it. Probably say the Jeep dealer has crappy coffee in the service waiting lounge. I strayed from Hondatoyota and attempted a domestic vehicle once, a Ford Ranger. Drove me straight back to a Toyota in only 3 years. It took a big leap to buy this Jetta... But it was made in Wolfsburg and not Mexico, so I dunno.

 

[Uncle Ben]

At the risk of enduring an Inquisition...

If you are trending toward newer... Spanky, you know a 4 door Rubicon is what you seek. Very little to do to make it go, and it is the only vehicle even close to a 1st gen 4Runner since Toyota abandoned the original vision.

(Squishy reports being quite impressed with his stocker in Maui... and I will go on record that I would buy one if the need arose. Hey, I can be an associate member! Or put a Toyota emblem on the grille )

Why does this mini owner not surprise me on what he views as similar?

 

[Red_Chili]

You're right. An FJ40 is extremely similar to a Jeep. Except only two doors.

 

[Red_Chili]

Meh. Ask an owner in 5 years if they're still happy with it. ... I strayed from Hondatoyota and attempted a domestic vehicle once, a Ford Ranger. Drove me straight back to a Toyota in only 3 years.

Yeah, I was Meh about my '97 Powerstroke too.

As far as happy in 5 years... I know too many Jeep owners who are.

No, not Toyota... but nothing Toyota currently makes has ANY appeal to me at ALL. So what's a country boy to do?

 

[wesintl]

nothing Toyota currently SELLS in the US has ANY appeal to me at ALL.

fixed

 

[DaveInDenver]

Yeah, I was Meh about my '97 Powerstroke too.

As far as happy in 5 years... I know too many Jeep owners who are.

No, not Toyota... but nothing Toyota currently makes has ANY appeal to me at ALL. So what's a country boy to do?

LOL! None of them do much for me, but then again I'm the nut job who doesn't care about a live front axle. That's really the main thing that makes the Jeep all that and more over a Toyota, isn't it? I'll take your word on owners, I know one newer Jeep owner and that's a Cherokee, so I guess they /do/ last longer than 5 years. The couple of people who have Jeeps here own old CJs, so they are usually driving their Civics anyway...

 

[Uncle Ben]

You're right. An FJ40 is extremely similar to a Jeep. Except only two doors.

Opinions vary!

 

[Red_Chili]

Aw, UB, I was just squeezing through a crack in the door you left open...

But it really is true- removable top/ soft top, 4 doors, live axle (yeah, pretty important) and a pretty well sorted suspension system, good starting platform for a build with a plethora of aftermarket support to build a hell-for-stout 4x4, long enough to serve as a light tow vehicle (trailer)... Downside being the powerplant. Needs oomph. But there are aftermarket folks pouring in to fill the gap.

Sounds familiar in most respects, doesn't it? Put a Toy badge on the concept and watch them go. But they won't.

Squishy currently has a built truck that is competent off road, and a sleeper 4Runner that isn't as much, but will make a decent family car. A JK could do both. Will you get 278,000 miles out of it? Probably not.

I am dead certain Toyota could build a much better version. But alas, they won't.

 

[TIMZTOY]

Id reccomend getting a 96 + 4runner with the 3.4 that way you can just swap all your good parts. Do a SAS and still have the 4runner love. And you'll still be represinting the mini's with a newer, stronger, more reliable version. Of your old truck. That will capable of daily driver duties.

I've got the 3rz In my Tacoma. I know it's a lot better than the 22re but franklly I find it very slugish ( 100% stock prerunner, a340e ) I'm currentlly getting my cards lined up for a 2jz swap. Not sure yet if i want the turbo or none turbo though. And b4 or during I'll be SASing the front (3-link) and 4-link rear.

 

[Uncle Ben]

Aw, UB, I was just squeezing through a crack in the door you left open...

Ya I know I left it ajar. I, like most here, will admit watching the Rubicon blossom into a practical 4 door, trail ready fun machine. Unfortunately, Detroit still falls short in building vehicles that will last dependably as long as I and others hang on to junk. 4Doors, 4-1 T-case, factory Lockers, removable top and aftermarket companies out the kazoo are very much items of desire! But putting that much effort and money into a market class vehicle that is not designed to still have much life after 100k miles just takes the shine right off the package, at least for me.

 

[J Kimmel]

lotta work either way man. I get the idea of starting over...

would you -

build a new one similar? Keeping any parts to swap over?

that would be where I would start my thinking. If I was building something different/something new and you are thinking about ditching most of the parts, then you ought to take the effort to put in a new/used 3VZ since then you can sell it. Parting is not much fun unless you are keeping the lions share for a new build..otherwise you are throwing money away. Its worth much more as a running vehicle, get it that way first !

otherwise you could swap, I dunno, I know its slick but I am too lazy really to do an engine swap, it always ends up being twice what you budgeted and I don't dive mine anyhow (that could be a swaying factor if I did) I don't mind the lack of power in my 22re but then it starts everytime right? (I know you can put in a pretty reliable swap)

Tires are going to be loud no matter what you have with your tires...if you want it to quiet down put a hard top on and get some MTR's...or a trailer for it.

I know the red runner has miles, but a tight newish engine would make a difference. Its not really that worn out, its just showing some wear.

 

[leiniesred]

deciding on a path

I'm amazed at the club's interest in the ol' 89 4runner's nostalgia value with the club!


JKimmel: Thanks for sharing your experiences with engine swaps, parting out, and starting over. All very good points.

If I went to a Tacoma, the only money parts I would be able to keep would be the dual transfer cases I think. Far less then the "lion's share."

I was runnin' the numbers and I think the most economical path is to fix the 4runner IF I can do it for < $1000.

I think Ige has the right idea to start. Get a piece of scrap carpet for comfort, drain the oil, drop the pan, pull the rod caps, clean up the jounals with some crocus cloth, mic the journals, go to Napa and get a set of oversized rod bearings. Install, bolt everything back together, dump the oil back in and see how long that lasts. 1 day, $50 experiment. Robby will be so proud of my farm boy engine repair he'll have tears in his eyes (for some reason).

If a down and dirty bearing swap doesn't do the trick, find a running 3.0 for <$1000 for a direct weekend swap.

 

[rover67]

I like the idea of the dirty bearing swap.. keeps the theme of the truck going.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Sounds like a plan. I would personally refill after the bearing R&R with 10W40 or 20W50 and steer clear of the fancy synthetic stuff.

 

[leiniesred]

Good idea, Marco!

Maybe I can just get some junkyard rod bearings to REALLY stay with the theme.

 

[subzali]

One thought about newer vehicles: I think you would almost have to shift what you want to take the truck on (not sure a new Jeep, without throwing a bunch of $$ into it at least, will do Indy etc. in Penrose) if you were to get a newer vehicle. I like where you're going to start, eventually you'll probably be tired enough to sell it, if you are also tired of taking it on tough trails as well. My two cents.

 

[rover67]

Maybe I can just get some junkyard rod bearings to REALLY stay with the theme.

hey i'm not tryin' to bust your chops! just saying that thing won't Die, and it's not ready to yet!