Everyone sits there and makes fun of the 3.0 engine in the 2nd gen 4runners and respective tacoma generation. I get pissed everytime I see it, I mean, I don't NEED an engine thats doing a 6 sec 0-60 time, or even a 10 0-60 time. Its a truck, its an older truck, and its not meant to be raced. Unless you're sitting there putting on some 39s, I don't see it being a problem for functionality, you might just not be racing it on abandoned airport runways on the weekends.
In realiability and for 4WD, its been proven to be a great engine, and it has been one of the best I've had. I just don't see why people need to be able to go 120 on the highway and race from light to light, or from work to home. Its not that you need a faster car, I think you just need to calm down. And if you do need a faster car, buy a cheap 3.0 and then put the rest of your money into a project car, a nice little supra or an older classic car.
This is why so many people roll over SUVs, because of this reason exactly. For me to forcefully make mine roll over, I have to get up to a high speed (which is questionable depending on the wind direction), and then be stupid about it.

I do fine with mine for EVERYTHING I do, which is long 30 hour highway drives, to city driving, to 4WD, to offroading. I don't pull out quick off the mark at a light when a ricer's next to me, hell, when a mini vans next to me, but why do I need to?

I love the 3.0 3vze.

 

mine r0x0rs too!

 

We'll see how much you love it when you blow a HG or burn a valve.

The main power complaint about the 3.0 is not because of drag racing or driving fast. It's the matter of being able to pull hills, pass cars, and hold a decent speed with a headwind. My 3.0 is better now that I've done some work to it but there is still more to be desired. The correct gears would also help. Another complaint is that for the lack of power, the gas mileage is pretty crappy. Not to mention the 3.0 is the worst of the Toyota truck engines IMO.

 

Compared to a 3.4 or many other engines, I agree the 3.0 is lacking. But I've driven mine 9 years and its paid for and it gets me from point A to B (and just about anywhere else I want to go). I have no reason to complain because other people I know have reliability problems or they are paying a high note for a brand new car. While I'm still in school, my 3.0 is saving me money and I have little to complain about.

 

I have the same problems as everyone... when I'm on the highway doing... say... 70, and then theres a slight hint of a hill and maybe 2 MPH headwinds, I go down to 50... yeah.
But, I just deal with it. If I had a... lets say, corolla, I would get pissed everytime I bottomed out or everytime I spun out, or everytime I needed a 4WD.
Cars have purposes, and the purpose of the 4runner clearly isn't the ability to "pull hills, pass cars, and hold a decent speed with a headwind." (which is only a problem at high speeds) I'll take slow passing, slow highway speeds on hills for the benefits.

 

I had 225,000 miles on my 3.0 in my pickup when I sold it and it didn't burn any oil. I could roast the tires like crazy if I wanted to. It seemed like a good motor to me. Waaay more powerfull than the 22re that I have now.

 

btw how'd you sound proof your runner? Where were the major spots to work on.

 

I'll tell you - it's all in the gearing and breathing. I've run a K&N FIPK and Borla Cat-Back for many many years now. Even when I went to 33's with the stock 4.88's and an auto, it would still accelerate up most hills. With the 5.29's, it lunges offf the line. I've had mine for nearly 10 years - paid off long ago.

Don't get me wrong, when I can afford it or natural selection takes my 3.0, a 1UZFE is dropping in it's place.

 

That would be interesting to see... props to being nearly the only one to stay within the maker, (w/o including the 3.4 swap)... time and time again I realize how much toyota is underrated

 

I like my 3.0 I have no problems with hills or head winds. Just tune it up and let it Breath and it's a great little motor!

 

i think there are some good 3.0s and some not good ones. the one in my '90 is average, much better than my 22re in my '89, but the one in my dad's '90 is amazing. it's completely stock and you can smoke the tires in 2nd, and i've never once had a problem pulling up a hill or passing in his truck. it's like a completly different engine.

 

It's been done before..... It will be done again......

 

Heh, try doing that at 6000ft. I'll get stuck doing 35 mph with the engine screaming.

 

Good point. I think I'm at 1500ft. It's really hilly around here though....

 

Wow. I live at 5k and frequently take the runner above 7k (Tahoe/Donner) and I've never been owned like that. Perhaps it's time for some engine mods..

 

Or a major tune up. I don't seem to have that much of a problem with the tahoe roads for some reason. The two problem roads are the grades on 395 from bishop to mammoth and from lee vining to virginia lakes.

To be honest, I don't remember it being that bad when it was new.

Near sea level I can keep it up to at least 65 all day long, with help from the OD button.

 

Yeah, that one is a killer. On the way down (south) I can put it in neutral and hold 80+mph for what seems like 5 miles. On the way up, I'm reduced to 55. I wonder how a 3.4 would fair on that climb.

 

I'm at 12 feet. Everything is flat around here, including most of I-95 in southern SC and all of GA going into FL, so I can typically set the cruise at 70-75 and relax. I don't mind my 3.slow at all, it's quicker than my '67 VW!

 

My 3.0 does 0-60 in under 10 seconds?
It really doesn't have any of that low-end grunt until it hits 3000 RPM, but it pulls nicely in gears 1-2-3....

 

Mines somewhere near 15ish, but I don't push it too hard, I shift at 4k when aggressive. Usually more like 3ish. A fast acceleration isn't worth it when this trucks with me for the long haul.