Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Used Toyota 4Runner Questions

Going to go look at an older, 90 or 91, 4Runner. Manual with low miles, I believe around 100k.

I am looking for a beat-around / hunting outfit. Something to run around in working and running errands in addition to hunting and fishing.

What do I need to be aware of? What should I look for? Be concerned about with this age Toyota?

Which motor?




Travis

I just picked up a 95 4Runner with the V6 for the same reasons you're talking about. Mine has 131K on it. The only thing that don't like about mine is that you have to roll the back window down before you can open the "tailgate". The window motor on mine is slower than the second coming of Christ.

Other than that I really like the car, way easier to get around town in that the long box 4-door dodge cummins. It doesn't get as good of mileage as the dodge, but it pretty close.

Avoid the V6, head gasket issues.

6 cylinder

If it has the 3.0 I'd pass.

Besides it having a head gasket recall they are an absolute fugking dog of a motor.

If you do proceed I'd ask if the head gasket issue was resolved and by which dealership. Then I'd call that dealership with the VIN and confirm.



Dave

What does it typically cost to have the 4Runner head gaskets replaced?

Thinking there might be enough room here, given the price, if that is the only hangup.

I understand the 3.0 is a dog, but I may be able to live with that.

I'd go 1996 or later with the 3.4L. Had a 1999 4x4 with a 5spd/3.4L and it was a good hunting truck.

Not sure. It was free for quite some time.

Once it's done by a dealer, the head gasket issue should be no more.






Travis

Be ready to bend over when you go to the parts counter, Tojo parts are WAY expensive.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/4Runner/

You can do detailed research by year by clicking on the specific year.

I never found this to be true.I had two Toyotas and a Lexus which I did most of the maintenance on.
Of course they didn't need as many parts as the American vehicles I've owned.

This. Although I've not had buy many parts outside of regular replacement of water pump and timing belt, I haven't found Toyota parts to be any more expensive than your average Ford.

I agree with teh comments on the 3.4L V6. It's bullt proof. I put 200,000 on my T100 and 248K on my current Tundra and it is a great engine.

Dealerships are expensive, but online OEM parts are really the same price as Ford, Chevy etc. Any dealership is usually robbery.

I had a 95 toyota truck with the 3.0 liter engine. At about 190,000 miles I had the head gasket issue. Near the rear main seal the aluminum on the block had corroded and that is where the leak was. A couple of mechanics told me they would not guarantee their work because of this so I did not replace the gasket. Instead I used a 'nano technology' gunk that you poured in the radiator. It worked to stop the leak of the head gasket. It also plugged both the radiator and the heater core which I had to replace.

I sold it at 225,000 miles and the guy who I sold it too now has over 300,000 on that motor. Go figure.

I really liked that little truck, I felt it had enough power for what I expected it to do, but I moved up from a 4 cylinder Nissan to it so I may have had low expectations. MPG was only about 20 and that was a disappointment.

Oh brother.




Dave

Don"t buy that Jap junk...

had an '89 V6 4Rnner

was 3.0...thats the motor that had head gasket issues

3.4 has more balls...manual shift is a ++

3.4L also has a T/belt...change every 90K or so...

currently drivin' a Taco V6 3.4 w/224K on it.......5 speed

If it's the 22R motor with a manual jump on it

Still driving my '98 4Runner after 18 years. It's a stick w/ the 3.4 L V6. It's been great.