Topic: About to get a 94 PU with 3.0L...

[ZachMan]

I have been searching and people say the 3.0L is not a great engine and I read about the head gasket issues. Anyways th truck is a 94 ext cab v6 auto SAS and has 120k miles and one owner. The guy said he has never had a problem with it. I was wondering do I run the truck until it does have a problem or do I need to get the head gasket fixed before any issues? Or whats a cheap(er) motor swap? Not looking for huge power, but not looking to go 4cyl either.

[79coyotefrg]

i would run it till you have a problem,  some 3.0's  never have trouble   just the luck of the draw i guess

[crawlerdan]

I have been searching and people say the 3.0L is not a great engine and I read about the head gasket issues. Anyways th truck is a 94 ext cab v6 auto SAS and has 120k miles and one owner. The guy said he has never had a problem with it. I was wondering do I run the truck until it does have a problem or do I need to get the head gasket fixed before any issues? Or whats a cheap(er) motor swap? Not looking for huge power, but not looking to go 4cyl either.

check out toybuilds build up thread, i gave him a drivable 92 s10 blazer with a 4.3 v6, and he paid 700 for a harness, computer, and fuel system, and an adapter to go from a chev v6 to a toy tranny is about 400, you can find 4.3 equiped trucks all day for 500...might think about that

[Rocksurfer]

I'd just leave 'er be, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Like Glen said some never have trouble with the head gasket. The ones that do seem to constantly have the issue, the ones that don't run forever. It is a common problem but not an epidemic but once the bug bites it seems to be chronic.

[ZachMan [OP]]

Well the guy just told me he did replace the head gasket and timing belt last year for the first time. He said thats the only issue he has had and he just told me to not run the engine real hot.

The main thing is its a one owner truck that got a SAS done and bobed bed for $2800 so I don't think I can go wrong. Its mainly so cheap cause it has dents and dings, but its gonna be my trail/once in awhile driver. Might see 2-4k miles a year.

[ZachMan [OP]]

check out toybuilds build up thread, i gave him a drivable 92 s10 blazer with a 4.3 v6, and he paid 700 for a harness, computer, and fuel system, and an adapter to go from a chev v6 to a toy tranny is about 400, you can find 4.3 equiped trucks all day for 500...might think about that

Thats a good idea.

Sorry I am not familar with Yotas, does this truck I ma getting have an AW4 like my XJ or something else? I love those aisen warners.

[Rocksurfer]

Toyota 4wd is part-time 2wd really is 2wd, that's why they get decent gas mileage.

[Hottrod81]

Don't expect a huge power gain over a 22R/RE with a 3.0.

[ZachMan [OP]]

I know my buddy has a '92.

[Rocksurfer]

Don't expect a huge power gain over a 22R/RE with a 3.0.

One time at the 4Runner Jamboree I gave a guy that broke his U-joint a ride to Bakersfield to get a new one. He had a 4Runner with the 3.0 and commented that my Turbo 4Runner 22ret had more power than his 3.0. Oddly enough though my brother who had a 91 extra cab had more power than my 4Runner.

[sof'indetermined]

my 3.0 has 150,000 plus, runs great, not much power i am in need of more for sure so a swap is in the near future but not all 3.0s have issues only most of them. its a little better than a stock 22r but not by much, not enough to matter anyways.

[Plowking]

My 3.0 runs great the best thing you could do is first check the timing belt for dry rott and wear, when it snaps it will trash the top end, go for the k and n air filter if you are mainly out of the deep puddles, the air box location is known for sucking down water into motor. I have seen it happen.

Good Luck

[Alpine4x4]

Don't expect a huge power gain over a 22R/RE with a 3.0.

Have you put the two side by side?  Me and my friend ran the same suspension setup, same tire size and he had a 22re i had the 3.0.  I could out pull him up hills all day long.  Yes it isnt the most powerfull engine but it kicks the crap outta the 22-re when it comes to torque. 
My 3.0 has 257k on it and going strong and my friend has 270k on his still running.  Mine has had the heads done at 250k and dno if his has the heads done.  Good little engines...pushed 110 and can pull 95 with 33" swampers!!!

[Plowking]

I will say the 3.0 i have verses 22R I had, the 3.0 has twice the balls and low end for pushing snow and just driving and clumbing hills, the 22r was beat though

[howdy]

My 3.0 runs great the best thing you could do is first check the timing belt for dry rott and wear, when it snaps it will trash the top end, go for the k and n air filter if you are mainly out of the deep puddles, the air box location is known for sucking down water into motor. I have seen it happen.

Good Luck

The 3.0 is actually a non-interference engine, so if your timing belt were to go it would not make contact with the valves like the 4cyl engine would.

[kneedownnate]

i would run it till you have a problem,  some 3.0's  never have trouble   just the luck of the draw i guess

I was talking to my brothers' friend about this a while ago.  He has a toy 3.0 with over 300k miles on it, and has never had a problem, and it's always been a delivery truck for his junk yard.  He knows about the head problems, he's just been lucky.

[BLACKDOG]

I wouldn't hesitate for that price, especially since he's had the heads done just last year.  I can speak from the other side, went through 2 engines and put in a third in one year.  Original motor went out at 185K, 2nd went out at about 190K, and the third is going strong at a little over 200K ( I think)  happens, not my favorite engines, but hey, when the run they run well

[Plowking]

The 3.0 is actually a non-interference engine, so if your timing belt were to go it would not make contact with the valves like the 4cyl engine would.

Dont buy it, I bought my blue truck with a bad timing belt and it needed a head and it had a bent valve total bs
just check the belt thats all i am saying 40.00 for the belt is worth avoiding the aggrivation and fresh new history

[BLACKDOG]

Dont buy it, I bought my blue truck with a bad timing belt and it needed a head and it had a bent valve total bs
just check the belt thats all i am saying 40.00 for the belt is worth avoiding the aggrivation and fresh new history

I'd check the belt anyway, but it is a PITA to replace, and you have to tear off the front of the motor to do it.  However, the 3.0 is a noninterference motor