92 Toyo 4 runner, worth a shift

tdatk · 10-22-2005, 02:34 PM

Just saw a 92 4 runner auto 4x4 V6 for $1800. with possible rod knock. Very good body, streight and clean inside. Would it be worth buying and doing a rebuild or swap?
TIA
Tim

Halm · 10-22-2005, 03:15 PM

Tim, IMO it is only good for a swap. That generation 4 and 6 bangers were WAY under powered. The next generation (what I had) was only marginal. They offered a factory blower for the one I had but I never had the $$$ to install it. If you can't do that or a current V6, I's pass.

tdatk · 10-22-2005, 03:46 PM

Thanks Hal, I need a winter truck(daily driver) and a dependible truck for the wife to use to get groceries. She drives a PT Cruiser, it does OK in the snow, but not too good. I drive a F350 dually to work and it has NOOO traction whatsoever. Power is not a concern,but reliablity is. I could do without, but this is tempting...

Halm · 10-22-2005, 03:49 PM

Reliable as the day is long, for sure. In the couple of snow "dustings" we had in Charlotte, I have to tell you that our BMW 325Xi, X5 and our Audi S4 were much better rides.

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

Those are great vehicles, but somewhat underpowered. There really are no good options for upgrading the performance as aftermarket upgrades are very limited necause a few years later a more powerful factory (TRD)supercharged engine (also v6) became available...and everyone who wanted more horses traded up. The factory supercharger does not bolt up to the older engine and no one makes a kit specificlly for that engine. The engine swap is not a straightforward deal either...although there is a pretty expensive kit you can buy from a shop in Colorado to do it.

Rebuilt engines (V6-@150 hp) are readily available and often very inexpensive. The auto transmissions are expensive to have repaired though. A lot of these were sold and used parts are readily available on ebay, etc.

On the bright side...it is a great car in the snow. I bought mine ('94-same drivetrain)when stationed in North Dakota and drove it in many bilzzaeds. They drive very well...almost like a car. They are a great second car or grocery hauler. Perfect for the wife to drive daily, or for you on a snow day. I also found it to be a good car to teach my daughter to drive in (it survived unscathed). They get fair mileage, but not as good as you might expect because they are very heavy for the engine size. If you get a light trailer, you can tow a 911 reasonably well with it.

tdatk · 10-22-2005, 05:54 PM

Thanks Flint,
I am going to see the owner tomorrow and take it for a drive. He said that there may be a broken timing chain tensioner? WTF? IF thats it, then what should I expect from the engine. Is it a non interferance head? If it did jump time, are there other issues I should look at/ Sorry for the ?'s, but I don't know squat about Toyotas although I probly will in the near future.

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

The engine would be a 3VZ-E V-6 with the following:
2959 cc, 180.5 CI
150 hp @ 4800 rpm
180 lb-ft torque @ 3400 rpm
9.0:1 compression ratio
Bore/stroke 87.5 x 82.0

The head is non interference. It would have a timing belt, not a chain. I have seen a failed tensioner on a similar toyota engine. It was siezed (it is basically a large pulley mounted on a bearing. It caused accelerated belt wear. That may well be the problem with the engine if the timing is off/jumped a tooth.
Nothing really unusual to check on these. Just remeber that Toyota technicians are not cheap...so if it needs work, negotiate accordingly. If it has the large tires...they are not cheap. Mine has a power antenna that dies every 4 years like clockwork.. It seems like it is about a hundred bucks for a replacement.

Jared at Pelican Parts · 10-22-2005, 08:09 PM

http://www.kwcengine.com/

I've had good luck with them more than once.