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It is a little difficult to get objective answers to a question like this when you ask those who are sold on the product no matter how bad it might be, but to answer your question in my opinion the 3.0 is a bad engine. I say that because it is way to complicated to work on and has some really bad design built into it with very little power.
However this is how Toyota does things so it is not just this engine.

Duffdog

Ya know,

I just bought a 89 3.0 4runner that has been sort of taken care of. Once I removed all of the PO's horrible homemade wiring and put the truck back to stock, this thing is really a quick truck. Its auto trans and I think it has 4.56 all around. It is really a torquey-- honestly. My girlfriend has an 88 4x4 with the 3.0 manual and that truck has tons more torque than my 22re, even with me geared at 5.29. I don't think that the 3.0 is a bad motor at all. Its just not as awesome as the newer stuff. I'm keeping my cheap 3.0 motor and running the hell out of it-- it has like 235,000 on it now and still going strong.

Epic Ed

Funny -- I just ran across this thread from years ago while searching another topic. For anyone that's interested, I ended up selling the 4Runner for about $4500 after sinking well over $20K into (repairs and mods). I miss the fun times wheeling but I do not miss the money pit.

Since then I've bought and sold a 3rd gen 4Runner that was absolutely fantastic and unmodded as my daily driver. I did purchase the Land Cruiser and still have it. It become my daily driver after I sold the 3rd gen 4Runner and now has over 275K on the OD. I haven't been able to afford many mods to make it an expedition vehicle but it runs like a top and is plenty capable off road.

I just purchased a '96 Taco back in March and it's now my daily driver. 4x4, 2.7L 4cyl, extended cab with about 135K on it. I'm probably going to add sliders to it sooner than later but it will otherwise remain stock.

Overall, I'm still a very loyal and happy Toyota owner. I learned a lot from the fiasco of the 2nd gen 3.slow POS and I vow to never own another one. lol...

Duffdog

Interesting. Now we say that it is a "bad" engine, but the reason there are so many was because it was the most powerful and best designed v6 engine for its time. There were NO better v6 engines in 1988-- everyone wanted one when they came out. Also, to say it is "complicated" might make some mechanics laugh right out of their chair. I will withhold my snide comment about anything being made by Toyota as "complicated"...

Similarly, we say that the 22re is a "weak" engine nowadays. In 1985, it was billed as "the most powerful 4 cylinder engine in any truck worldwide" and that was absolutely true. We just have different expectations today than in 1985.

lerodura

Heres my 2 cents for what they are worth. 1995 4runner 3.0, 239k miles. Reiable ? Oh yeah.
Underpowered ? hell yeah but Im in no hurry. Does it leak oil ? yup but its 17 years old and driven hard and maintained poorly but it keeps on going. It always starts, horrible gas mileage but if you did your research you gotta know this. I'll drive it till it dies and by now its paid for itself. IMHO

thecomedian46

i have a 91 short bed delux its the ONLY! thing in this world that make me happy but..... it has its ups and downs. i got a blown head gasket and started burning anti freeze like nothing iv ever seen! so i stared playing DOCTOR!






my heads were warped so i got them milled down. just like new





im still waiting for some parts but one day it will be runing


this was its when it could move......

TOY89

Hey comedian^ do those hood deflectors actually do anything or is it mostly for looks? Nice rig btw

Back to the 3.0 in my experience i have 198,000 on the clock and both my father and I have never had a problem with this engine. Keep in mind that we dont neglect any maintenance. I always do its routine oil changes, seafoam, lucas injector cleaner etc. Give it some love and it will give some back.

Figit090

holy poop this thread is 6 YEARS old.

jslone

iTrader: (1)

My 89 is a 3.0 is at 249k now and has never had the hg done. Still starts right up and goes right down the road. I am not as worried about it as I am the basketball sized holes in the hood. doors, fenders and bed. I wonder if it will still be running when it just crumbles.

TNRabbit

Holy crap....why didn't you remove the hood to pull the engine? I removed mine to adjust the TPS....it takes 2 minutes by myself...