I recently picked up a clean 88 xtracab pickup that had been maintained with a bad 3.0 for cheap ($1,200) and did a 3.4 swap. If the truck would have had a 22re it would have fetched a premium price. The cost I have into the truck and swap is probably what I would have paid for one with a running 22re (with 200k+ miles).
I've only been driving it for a week or so, but would recommend this route. When I stop and think about it, I've owned Toyota trucks with almost all of the motor options - 20r(79 pu), 22re(92 pu), 5vz(99 taco), 3rz (03 taco), and 2uz(02 tundra). The 22re was bomb proof reliable, but lacked power and the gas mileage suffered because of this. I didn't love the 5vz in the 99 tacoma that I owned, but that truck had been beat on by a previous owner so that is not the best sample of the motor. The 3rz in a 03 tacoma was great, power was sufficient and mileage was great. The 2uz has more power and throttle response than any of the other motors, but it sucks that automatics are the only options (that said, I still own my 02 Tundra and do not plan on selling it).
My swap motor was from a 2000 4runner and it feels great in the 88, very responsive and the gas mileage should be in the low twenties. There is always the option to put a supercharger on the 3.4 because they readily available. The 88 is my new DD because the Tundra is thirsty unless you are doing highway driving.
