Look for more information on these workhorses. 3.0l v6 4wd 90-94 seems to have a reputation of being one of the best trucks ever made by toyota. If anybody has personal experience, troubleshooting, and links to an enthusiasts website, I would appreciate it. Im in school right now, I cant get stuck in the web surfing vortex today, thanks again Keau
I own a 1994 22RE 2WD 5 Spd with 150K miles. I owned a 1989 22RE 4X4 5 Speed. I wish I had the 1989 back.... and refuse to get rid of the 94 (at least for now). I'm currently putting 60+ miles/day on it and it is still only needing normal maintenance -- and a new rear bumper. It's my understanding that most people prefer the 22RE... but that as always is personal choice. I hope this helps somewhat. If you find something else, post it. I, too, am interested.
Let's see, I owned both a 1990 & 1995 (non-tacoma) 4WD SR5 V6 3.0L pickups. I absolutely loved both of them. I put 100k on the 90' then in a weak moment traded for the 95. Toyota did produce some non-tacoma pickups in 95, mine being one of them. I drove that truck daily from Dec 94 till Dec 2003 and it only left me stranded once in my driveway with a dead battery. Neither truck had any of the head gasket issues common to the 3.0. I basically changed the fluids religiously, did the breather mod for the rear differential, changed the timing belt, a couple of exhausts, idler arms, front brakes etc. ya know normal stuff. That was the extent of my maintenance over the course of 9 years & 170k miles. Now believe me, you aren't going to get much "get up an go" out of the 3.0 engine, nicknamed the 3slow. From what I've read there is some tweaking, but honestly I wasn't into that. Maybe others here will have some insight.
Both of mine came with the optional factory 31" tire package so it had 4.56 gearing. I believe if you had an automatic, the gearing was 4.88 and with stock 275/15 tires it was 4.10. To verify, just check out the VIN. This info is also on a plate attached to the driver's side door jamb. I also had the optional rear anti-lock brakes & Auto front hubs (ADD). I know some owners opted for mod'n those out for manual front hubs, but mine never caused me any problems & I used to four wheel with it quite a bit. You can also use the VIN to see if the truck you are interested in qualifies for head gasket recall or if it was done. I've seen on other toyota sites that Toyota may still offer a free fix for the head gasket recall. If you do a google search, I am sure you will come with some hits & info on that.
As far as the models, the SR5 was what Toyota then marketed as its "limited". The other models came either standard or deluxe. There was no such thing as a off-road TRD pkg, you made your own. The optional 7-way factory sport bucket seats were IMO the best factory seats I have ever had. They put the captain chairs I have in my 04 DC to shame. The interior was top notch & gauges easy to read. Of course the extra cab was joke. I mostly used it to carry stuff, but there is plenty of room for subs & stereo upgrades.
As you can tell, I was pretty into my ol' 95. Unfortunately, it started to nickel & dime me due to corrosion (vermont winters=lots of rust). Plus I towed my sleds with it and knew it would just a matter of time & didn't relish the possibility of getting stranded in -20 degrees with a trailer.
Have fun shopping for your new ride. This thread has certainly made me miss mine. I'll have to post a pic in the gallery for old time sake.
p.s. Some good info sites are 4x4pickup.com or 4x4wire.
thanks for the info, 3vz seems to be a real turd. Im looking for a 22r, 22re, or even a 22ret! I found a 94 on Sunday that looks better than most tacomas! Keep them coming, Hopefully I can do a write on the build-up and buy. Keau
Given as many of us who have owned or still own these wonderful trucks, I've wondered why this board doesn't have a section devoted to them. If it wasn't for this particular line of trucks, I don't think Toyota would have had a US truck line at all (even today). Also, in my opinion, it is a bit tough to find info on these trucks out in the internet world... here we are with an opportunity to spread our knowledge for them.... and we just don't seem to do it.
Honestly, if there is a Tacoma forum?? Why not a forum for these here?
By the way, I don't know if I'd call the 3vz a "turd".... having had the 22re for a total 15 years, I always wanted my "pre-Tacoma"s to have a 3vz. I didn't need it, but man I sure wanted it. The 22RE did me fine and continues to serve me extremely well. One dead battery and normal maintenance on two of them in 15 years... can the big three say that?? BTW, the 22RE does suffer from the need to do a timing chain at approximately 100-120K miles .... and not a simple belt replacement --- but the 22RE keeps going and going and going... both Toyota mechanics who have worked on mine said that with normal maintenance and the timing chain fix they don't doubt it can get to 250K....
It is better to remain silent and have people wonder if you are an idiot, rather than to open your mouth and prove to everyone you are an idiot beyond all doubt. ~ Jim Rogers
Blue Ranger:
I know there are Tacoma boards out there.... CustomTacos., Tacomaterritory, etc.
But there aren't really that many places on "Pre-Tacoma" pickups. My question is : is there enough interest in these pickups on this site to warrant a forum.... I'd have to believe there are just as many of us with these pickups as people with Highlanders??
__________________ 2004 Toyota Tundra RWD Access Cab:
4.7L i-force, Phantom Gray Pearl, Gray Interior,SR5, TRD Sport, Towing Package(Reciever Removed)
TRD Supercharger, TRD Air Filter, TRD Headers, Hi-Flow Cats, Bassani Dual exhaust, RAPS Intake, Denso Iridium Plugs, SOS Perf 2" front drop, SOS Perf 4-link, coil over rear suspension (4" drop),TRD Enkei 20X9.5 w/Pirelli Scorpion Zero 295/40 R20 Rear and 265/45 R20 Front, Glassworks Unlimited Hood , custom rollpan w/ dual rear exahaust outlet, SET flares, T3 Grill, Alpine CDA-9835 HU, Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.5 components up front, 6.5 Coaxials in back, Infinity Reference 560 watt 4-channel, Infinity Basslink-T Sub, Debadged, and paraplegic hand controls.
0-60 / 6.95 sec.!!! 350 RWHP
Planned for the near future(I have it, now I just need to get it on the truck!!): Unichip, BSM Color Matching
Planned for the less near future
Seat and Harness!,Rear Disc, Bigger front brakes(I spend time at Thunder Hill and Laguna Seca),IPT Valve Body, SOS/TRD Intercooler, Overdrive Pulley, Suggestions Welcome GO COUGS!!!
Which engine did you go with? The 22re efi and then add on there high boost turbo looks like a good option, Im still looking into tranny options as well, sweet ride, its a perfect offroad rippa!
I built the 84 22R. Weber 32/36, Offy split plenum, NWOffroad header, LCEngineering head, with their mid-torque cam, total seal rings(these rule), .060 over, K&N, Magnaflow, Thing is a serious Torque Monster with the dual plenum on there!!
I was always eyeballing LC's supercharger, but I never did make the plunge. I think S/C, Weber side draft is how I would go if I built another one of those. But, alas, now I am off building in V-8 land (2x the cylinders 2x the power!!!)
__________________ 2004 Toyota Tundra RWD Access Cab:
4.7L i-force, Phantom Gray Pearl, Gray Interior,SR5, TRD Sport, Towing Package(Reciever Removed)
TRD Supercharger, TRD Air Filter, TRD Headers, Hi-Flow Cats, Bassani Dual exhaust, RAPS Intake, Denso Iridium Plugs, SOS Perf 2" front drop, SOS Perf 4-link, coil over rear suspension (4" drop),TRD Enkei 20X9.5 w/Pirelli Scorpion Zero 295/40 R20 Rear and 265/45 R20 Front, Glassworks Unlimited Hood , custom rollpan w/ dual rear exahaust outlet, SET flares, T3 Grill, Alpine CDA-9835 HU, Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.5 components up front, 6.5 Coaxials in back, Infinity Reference 560 watt 4-channel, Infinity Basslink-T Sub, Debadged, and paraplegic hand controls.
0-60 / 6.95 sec.!!! 350 RWHP
Planned for the near future(I have it, now I just need to get it on the truck!!): Unichip, BSM Color Matching
Planned for the less near future
Seat and Harness!,Rear Disc, Bigger front brakes(I spend time at Thunder Hill and Laguna Seca),IPT Valve Body, SOS/TRD Intercooler, Overdrive Pulley, Suggestions Welcome GO COUGS!!!
Look for more information on these workhorses. 3.0l v6 4wd 90-94 seems to have a reputation of being one of the best trucks ever made by toyota. If anybody has personal experience, troubleshooting, and links to an enthusiasts website, I would appreciate it. Im in school right now, I cant get stuck in the web surfing vortex today, thanks again Keau
I have a 94 2wd std cab with 22RE 5 spd, AC, header, exhaust, Long Travel suspension, Tundra rear axle, sittin on 33s. I must say its the most reliable vehicle ive had over a long period of time. My Tundra is great but i havent even had it a year(trouble free however).
AS others have mentioned, the 3.0 motor was prone to blown head gaskets, warped heads and in some cases blocks. It was under powered and there is very little room under the hood to work on it. Usually when people get manifold leaks, they replace them with Downey headers to eliminate the ridiculous cross over pipe.
Out of the 22RE or 3VZE, im biased towards the 22RE. Theres a ton more room to work on it, its reliable and has plenty of upgrades available.
As far as links to enthusiast sites, www.off-road.com has a section for these trucks on their BBS.
LC Engineerins says that unless your gonna add low compression pistons to the 22RE, the most you can run is 4-6psi with a turbo kit....unless you can retard the timing alot. Just something to think about.
__________________
Mods: Donahoe TCF coilovers, TC upper arms, rear Bilstein 5100s, Downey headers, 3" exhaust with Spintech Prostreet, BFG MT 285-70-17s on Helo Maxx 6 Chrome, Electric Brake controller. Tsunami RCA converter, PIE AUX adapter, LA Sound amp, MTX 10" band pass sub.
I have a 94 2wd std cab with 22RE 5 spd, AC, header, exhaust, Long Travel suspension, Tundra rear axle, sittin on 33s. I must say its the most reliable vehicle ive had over a long period of time. My Tundra is great but i havent even had it a year(trouble free however).
LC Engineerins says that unless your gonna add low compression pistons to the 22RE, the most you can run is 4-6psi with a turbo kit....unless you can retard the timing alot. Just something to think about.
I think with gearing ratios right the 3.slow is not that bad, my roomates 95 runner isnt that bad.
What makes this truck more appealing is that the swap from a 3vz to a 5vz. the 3.0 trucks use the same motor mounts and tranny that the 3.4l tacoma and 4 runners use. plus with the ability to take in a supercharger and URD fuel kit oooohhhhh yyyyeaaaahhhh!!!!
Looking at the Gen.2 total chaos system makes me want the truck more. But with High mileage on 89-94 4wd, I really dont want to inherit anybodys problem. So its either find a low mileage, inspected sr5 4wd or go with a 5 lug mini that I can build up to do some light offroading.
the 3vz is a pos (droped a valve at 193,000 miles ) -but the R150f tranny that comes with it is a real tough manual gearbox (same as the turbo motor). - ive looked into this a little and found that to swap in a chevy V8 you could buy the parts for under 1k from AA (advance Adapters)
that includes the bellhouse adapter,engine mounts,and clutch...i dont know how much the new oil pan or 3" lift would cost because i dont think the V8 chevy will fit in the IFS config.
Options and info (90-94 toy truck 4wd)
Keau
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