Topic: 95 3.0 v6 Good motor, or bad

[Gixxer Jon]

I was looking into buying a 1995 4runner with a 3.0 v6 motor and auto tranny.  I was trying to search the forum and really couldnt find what i was looking for.

Is the 3rd gen 4 runner with the 3.0 v6 a good motor to run in a crawler or is the motor junk? If so what are the issues found with running the 3.0 and auto tranny?

Thank you for anyone who has some useful information.

[axled89]

the motors suck.    they have a tendency to blow head gaskets and burn valves.   the two i have had sucked for power and oil pressure is another issue.    find a runner with a four banger or a 3.4 engine swap already done.
and definitely don't buy a automatic.   

[axled89]

    this is what you will be doing a lot if you buy that for a crawler.

[Gixxer Jon [OP]]

Thanks for your opinions, I already had it in my mind that they were junk. I just had to confirm if my opinion was true or not.. thank you

[Gixxer Jon [OP]]

I was just looking abroad and trying to open my options. but looks like ill be sticking back to my original options of what i want for my rig.

[COToy91]

It is a second generation Runner if it is a 95 with a 3.0

Mileage sucks on the highway because of the overdrive. The trans and tcase are one unit. The tcase runs like a auto trans w/ a valve body etc. and robs more power from a gutless  motor. Check to see if the head gasket recall was taken care of on the vehicle for the motor. It is a good motor if it has been taken care of. Same with the trans, but many including myself  swap a manual in to get better mileage and save on the cost of adapters for tcases.

There are adapters the Inchworm sells to adapt crawl boxes and gear driven tcases to the trans

[axled89]

it's just the 3.0 that really sucks azz.    and the lack of power that the automatics give.

[COToy91]

it's just the 3.0 that really sucks azz.    and the lack of power that the automatics give.

I swapped in a 3.4 and a r150f  so i dont have the boat anchor anymore

[axled89]

 

[wayne_l]

i had a 94 4 runner sr5 3.0 with the auto for 12 yrs  . during that time damn near every 35k miles the head gaskets were replaced . after the 3rd time toyota said enough and  next time it was on my dime like i did something wrong .

 so i took the heads  off to the machine shop and were redecked flat and i used ARP studs . now that i picked up a bit of compression back my mileage picked up and ran much better for about 3 years and then the tranny started acting up . this time the head gaskets lasted 80k but i had enough spending money on the motor .

 my tacoma 2.7 has more power better mpg ..

the 3.slow has all the power of a 4cyl and the economy of a v-8 ..

[DieselD]

I have on in my 88 with 200k on it. been fine so far

[dgrant71]

I have herd nothing but bad things about the 3.0's