I have some interest picking something like this up. Looking to make a basic welding rig. Just something to throw the welders and compressor in. Dosnt look to bad. I haven't looked into 3.0's or this generation too much. Anyone know the major problem areas to look for and thoughts on the deal? My luck it will sell before I can see it in person. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1221689722040095/?mibextid=dXMIcH
They’re good trucks. I have had my 1993 for 16yrs now, it was a red one like that which our neighbor across the street owned when I was a teen that had me drooling over them and it was my dream truck. No experience with owning a 3.0 but I know the HG likes to blow, I believe due to the heat from the crossover pipe. If taken care of they’re reliable enough. 3.4L swap is common, I believe it’s mostly a direct swap. Other than that I can’t think of any common issues with the chassis or body, they’re truly good trucks. The leaf springs do wear out, I swapped in OME leafs years ago and they’re still doing fine holding a bed full of compost. That one looks like it’s got a bracket lift on it, meh. Does look clean though. Seeing that price tag I guess I could make some decent money if I sold mine these days but nah I think I’m gonna hoard it like my 1975 if looking for another truck I’d consider a 1st gen Tacoma. My in-laws have a 98 and had an 03 - pretty much the most refined version of a compact Toyota pickup, until they went and changed it with the 2nd gen. Overall size and interior feel almost the same but it’s got a more cushy suspension, steering, and power.
Thats a clean ass truck to just throw work equipment in lol. Honestly i had a 89 with a 3.0 that wasn't taken care of very well that blew the gaskets within a few months of having it. I scrapped it(stupid move) not tho, i woukd be more than confident in owning and repairing the 3.0. Its alot of vacumm lines and one way/check valves. Otherwise its just another engine with stupid basic sensors
Yeah looking for a nice truck to impress. I think the lift is kind of a deal breaker for me. I was about to look at a first gen Tacoma today but it sold. I had messaged the guy an hour after it listed. Thought it was going to be alot easier to find a truck I like over my dream car I've been working on.
There was a factory recall on the 3.0 for bad head gasket. The VIN should be checked to see if the work was done. Not sure if it can be fixed now under warranty.
Best way to live with a 3.0 is to completely rebuild it. The way I heard it was they lacked seasoning, went from the foundry to the machinist. Operational heat cycles fix that problem. All that's needed is to machine the block and lower manifold. Find a shop that knows what they're doing with "V" engines. MLS gasket and studs are a big plus on any build. I've had 3 of the 3VZE powered pickups without problems, a little underpowered, but reliable(so far). If you do go that route it's a good time to do a few extra bits. Like stated before, blueprint the block, get it as square as possible. Go the max available oversize piston, it'll give the machinist more meat to square up the bores. The deck will be lower so the lower intake will need the head mating surfaces cut to realign the ports. If the shop doesn't mention this bit don't use them. Bump the compression to 10-10.5-1, good valve grind, pocket work, polish the combustion chambers, pay attention to the quench gap, match port the head and mani, balance and you can get a good notable boost in power AND economy. If you want a new cam, go with a little more duration and as much lift as the valvetrain will allow to retain the low end torque characteristics. Basically a mild build, and that would be good off road and be good for everyday driving. Headers and exhaust and the engine will make you smile. The 3VZE is a good engine, don't listen to the people that had to get theirs fixed. The 5VZE is a better engine and easy enough to swap into your '90 if you wanted, but a mild build done right will get you to the stock 5VZE level without losing reliability.
Go to know. Haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet. Hearing more about the 3.0 it's something I think I'll avoid. I want something that I don't have to think about rebuilding right away. If the worst happens I want something I can buy another stock engine and slam it in. It will be a money maker so the idea of waiting on a machine shop or swapping dosnt sound like a good move.
Not trying to steer you away from the 3vz, not at all. The engiine should do well enough if it's running fine now. All the things I said about it would come to need attention if the thing started running bad. Just giving a heads up on what you CAN be looking at, and what I've found needs to be done to make a good engine better. The 3vz is a good engine, like most Toyota engines, overengineered. They just got in a hurry to get it out.
Looking at the add for this pickup. In the header it says it's an SR5. Questionable on that SR5 bit, the dash cluster should have a TACH. Not sure about it, but all the SR5 trimmed pickups I've seen have power windows and locks. It's not an automatic either.
