3.0L V6 on a 1st Gen... snatch or pass?

I've been looking for an older Toyota pickup (1st gen tacoma or the awesome pre-taco trucks), but I just saw a 1988 4runner pop up on my local Craigslist that I couldn't scroll past. Only 130k on the odometer.

Problem is, I've heard bad things about these early 3.0L v6 engines that Toyota was using in their trucks, in fact I just had to turn down a truck that stole my heart because it had this very engine. Are the exact same ones used in the 4runners, and are they equally undesirable? With only 130k on the odo, would it be a bad idea to still snag this thing for the right price and just plan on doing an engine swap when the things blows a head gasket or some other failure they're apparently prone to?

 

Welcome!

Yes, it's the same motor as the pickups had, with the same problems. If the 4runner is very clean, it might be worth picking up anyway.

Good luck! And, welcome to the forum!

 

It drives me nuts to hear people say the 3VZE is a garbage engine compared to the 22re. Is not. Both engines carry their own set of issues, however the 3VZE can be a little more expensive to repair due to the complexity vs its 4cyl brother. The extra 50hp is nice to have especially in the heavier 4Runner. If the engine blows later, replace or put a 5vze in it. My truck had 310k miles on it before I replaced the engine. A 3vze can be just as reliable if you have a clean baseline and keep up with oil/coolant flushes and timing belt replacement.

 

To be honest, I don't understand it either. I had a '94 SR5 with the 3VZ, and it was running perfectly when I traded it in with 200K+ miles on it. Maybe I got a Wednesday motor..

 

Cool. I'm hoping to talk the seller down to around $5K, so I guess really the only question is if I should replace the engine sooner or later? This is gonna be my one and onyl for a while, and I don't want to be left stranded if the thing blows.

 

I wasn’t meaning to direct that towards you specifically. There seems to be a grey cloud over the 3VZE in general around the web. I disagree with it. In my area I see equal amounts of both engines still on the road.

 

5k could be a decent deal. But, you have to do your part to make sure all is ok. Compression test, coolant leak check, general condition inspections.

You have to do your part to make sure the deal is right.

 

For sure, buyer beware. I am a young guy without too much experience, so the pre-purchase checks will have to be preformed by a trusted mechanic this time... however hopefully buying a 30-year old car will help me learn my way around an engine

 

It will absolutely teach you some things.

 

After you get it checked out by the mechanic, go back to the seller, and TELL him that you've heard a lot of bad, bad things about the 3VZE. True or not, it's a bargaining chip. Tell him every thing the mechanic found, and maybe...embellish...his report a little bit. Tell him that since you'll probably have to replace the engine, or at least do a LOT of work on it, after all look all the troubles the mechanic found, you can't pay as much as he's asking. Maybe drop it to $3K, and dicker from there. Try to get the lowest price you can.
Nothing wrong with being in this for yourself, not the seller. Don't just roll over and give him what he asks, except as a last resort.

Welcome to the forum, BTW. That truck will be an excellent learning tool. I've had an 87 4Runner and pickup since 88. I'm an electronics tech by trade, but I've learned an amazing amount of mechanical knowledge from my trucks. A lot before the advent of the internet, forums, and such. I did have some help, heck, a LOT of help from the 7 professional mechanics that I worked with, so it was all hands on. They would point, and explain, and then sit back and watch as I strained, groaned, messed up my knuckles, dropped tools in awkward places, loose parts, the whole nine. But I learned fast.

Good fortune to you!
Pat☺

 

99% of the trucks and 4runners at the junkyard are 3.slows.

 

I’m going to need references.

 

Check out picknpull.com
https://www.picknpull.com/check_inv...ke=234&Model=4350&Year=&Distance=25&Lat=&Lon=

 

Likely because from 88-95 a very large percentage of 4Runners had the v6 due to the output versus the 22re. Also the amount sold in that time were higher than earlier models.

All good continue.

 

I say swap the 22re with 3rz's and the 3vz for the 5vz and solve those old problems with better ones.

 

Well this thing is coming in well under my budget, so an engine swap will likely be in order at some point. A junkyard peppered with "3.slow" corpses is just a junkyard full of parts for my ride

 

So basically lie to the guy, and hope he's stupid enough to fall for your fairy tale, so you can knock off a couple thousand bucks. Nice. That's what I call good fortune.

 

Well I truthfully HAVE heard bad things about them... even if I also have heard less bad things about them. $6K is his asking price, $5K is my goal.

 

They are $3k all day here.

 

You think the sellers don't lie their tails off to increase the price?
Simply exaggerating a bit on things found, or things heard on the net, is no more dishonest, or honest.

Not ALL sellers lie, very true. If you find one dealing honestly, all well and good, but I would still check things out very thoroughly. Especially anything the seller specifies as fixed, or new.
Frame rust is a good example. Does the seller specify no frame or body rust? Get under the truck and really LOOK at the frame. Including inside the larger frame rails. Did the seller just cover up rust with paint or the like? Check the little body nooks and crannies. Bubbles in the paint? Sure indication of rust under it.

That's just an example. Some, in fact a lot, of engine problems or repairs are difficult to inspect right off. Can you SEE a new head gasket? Probably not without disassembly. Yes, bad hoses and belts, easy to see, but there's a lot more to an engine than that. And most sellers won't let you really dig in. Understandably. They have no idea what your level of ability is.

But any and everything you can find wrong with the tuck is money off the price, just as any actual, honest to goodness repairs are increases. It's a matter of figuring out who, the buyer or seller, is being the most honest. And then dickering the price. You want the best price you can get. Yes, a few thousand dollars really does matter to many of us.
All this is part and parcel of vehicle sales/purchasing.

So yes, I do wish the buyer good fortune. I hope he gets a good price. Same thing I would with someone on here that is selling a vehicle. I would wish them a good, but honest, price.

Maybe I am just jaded and cynical.
Pat☺

 

You know I have to reiterate...like anything mechanical...anything...it's all about the person maintaining. Air filters, oil changes, running in water off road...can all be related to critical mechanical failures...listen when you drive before buying...pay attention to the oil dip stick and the color...clearly differential, transmission and transfer case oil need to be looked at too...grey oil is a sign of water contamination and can be detrimental if driven without change...it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out deficient maintenance...spend a few minutes and pull all the drain plugs...it will tell a lot!!!