common 2nd gen 4runner problems?

[AYIAPhoto]

I plan to go check out a '90 4runner as a replacement for my YJ one day this week. I know most will say to find a 3rd gen for the 3.4, but I'm fine with the 3.0 and the '90 is a 2 door adding a certain cool factor. I know what to look for as far as engine/trans/suspension but was wondering if there were any common areas to look at closely for rot or other problems.

[dms1]

The 3.0 liter engine had a head gasket recall, so you might want to make sure this has been done by a Toyota dealer. If you have family, I would highly recommend a four door, it makes getting in and out much easier, and if you don't have family I still recommend the 4 door as it makes getting to your gear much easier.

Having owned a 93 4 Runnner and curently owning a 85 and 99 4 Runner - I recommend getting a 3rd gen.

[Applejack]

X'2 on the head gasket. Even if it has been re-done, you're not likely to get another 100k before it will blow again.
Ask me how I know.:sombrero:

[07 Elephant]

3x on the head gasket. I drove my '90 for 14 years and had the engine rebuilt twice. It was free the first time due to the recall and then on me the second time. I wouldn't deal with it again. Look at a 3rd gen instead.

[ldivinag]

while cool... the 2 doors are treated by the US gov when imported as trucks. and hence the higher tariffs.

4 doors were cars... lower taxes.

anyways, have you tried to get to the back seats in the 2 doors?

also, getting stuff in and out is much much better with 2 additional doors.


if it were me? i'd go with the 3.4 and 3rd gen.

[tacollie]

I would take a 3rd gen with 200k+ mile over a 2nd gen. with 100k+ miles anyday. My second 3.0 for my 90 was on Toyota and my third was $4400 on me. The 4runner had 185k mile when I sold it.

[AYIAPhoto]

The 3.0 liter engine had a head gasket recall, so you might want to make sure this has been done by a Toyota dealer.Already on the trail of checking to be sure the gaskets were done(waiting for the vin# to have it run). With 160k on it I'll probably take the heads from my buddy's old motor(he's going to a 3.4) and have them rebuilt. I can do the heads/gaskets, timing belt and maybe a new oil pump over a weekend. I know a few people with 3.0s with over 300k so I'm not too worried about the motor holding up. If I put a grand into it and it lasts two years I'll be happy. Maybe then I'll look into a 3.4 swap.
If you have family, I would highly recommend a four door, it makes getting in and out much easier, and if you don't have family I still recommend the 4 door as it makes getting to your gear much easier.
have you tried to get to the back seats in the 2 doors?
also, getting stuff in and out is much much better with 2 additional doors.The two doors are fine(back seat would come out anyway). As far as ease of gear access, it couldn't be any worse than my old 2 door explorer or my YJ with the roof on.
while cool... the 2 doors are treated by the US gov when imported as trucks. and hence the higher tariffs.
4 doors were cars... lower taxes.Title fees here are only affected by the sale price(an F550 is the same to title as a Civic if the sales price is the same), and any passenger vehicle(car/pickup/suv/van) costs the same to register so I'm not worried about 20yo tariffs.
The main reason for a 2nd gen is the tailgate(and price), I HATE:mad: lift gates. Plus I'm not too fond of R&P steering on trucks(95 was the last year for a true steering box).
Someone did mention a problem with the passenger side e-brake cable freezing up(said there was a piece of linkage that was the problem but no details), does anyone know about it. My main concern is problem areas of the frame(like the early Taco rust/rot troubles) or ill-designed components.

[Toyotero]

The 3VZE was problematic, but I had an 88 4Runner that hit 235K without a rebuild before it started leaking exhaust gas into the cooling system (which probably actually started at 225K or before).

The 4Runners never have the same frame rust problem as the Tacomas, even the 95+ 4Runners. From what I read, it was an error regarding the anti-corrosion treatment made by Dana who was contracted to manufacture the frames for assembly at NUMMI.

Those two door second gens are kinda cool...

[DaveInDenver]

Don't let the naysayers sway you, the 1990-1992 2-door 4Runners are pretty unique.

You know about the 3VZ-FE gotchas. It wouldn't deter me either. The engine suffers from a lot of Internet folklore. Toyota sold millions of them and there are still millions of them bouncing around with owners oblivious to the fact that their engine is a supposed pile of poo.

Check the ball joints, or probably replace them on principle. I would run it into Toyota, this truck should be included in the relay rod recall, which is the long rod that runs between the tie rods and to which the steering box and idler connect. If it is covered (they had some fractured, so AFAIK all 1989-1995 trucks get new ones, my 1991 pickup did at least), you get a new relay rod and a free alignment. They will check the ball joints and tie rods and probably want you to replace them. The lower ball joints do wear out pretty quick.

The idler arm is probably the weakest link of any on the truck. New ones will wear out with wheeling, the Total Chaos ones are major bucks (but the last one you'll ever buy). Going the route of bronze bushings and a truss is probably the best option for value.

Otherwise not much to look at other standard stuff (wheel bearings, clutch, brakes).

I don't remember if the 2 door 4Runner has a two piece rear driveshaft, but if so the carrier bearing on them generally is worn out when they drove off the lot new. So you might have the DS given the once over. New u-joints are never a bad idea and they'll rebalance it.

This vintage truck still had a mechanical speedometer, so you probably will have a bouncy speed needle. That cable is a pain to replace and not cheap, but really pretty minor.

I'd give the power steering pump a good look, open the cap, smell the fluid. Mine has about 250K miles on it and is starting to leak for real. That will be not much fun. But a fluid R&R a couple of years ago helped tremendously to quiet it and slow the leak.

[tacollie]

Outside of the stupid motor problems I did like mine. I really dig the 2 doors.

[AYIAPhoto]

Don't let the naysayers sway you, the 1990-1992 2-door 4Runners are pretty unique.
Toyota sold millions of them and there are still millions of them bouncing around with owners oblivious to the fact that their engine is a supposed pile of poo.It is rather funny how the internet is rife with tales of the horrid 3.slow, while I see these things running around with the 1/4s and fenders rotted off still being driven daily by people with no mechanical knowledge what so ever. Living only a mile from work I'll not be putting too much mileage on it while I get things sorted out. The real test will be some time next spring as I'm planning a trip to the western Carolinas.
Check the ball joints, or probably replace them on principle. I would run it into Toyota, this truck should be included in the relay rod recall,If I do a set of BJ spacers(or probably just while I can over winter down time) the ball joints would be done anyway as cheap insurance. This is the first I've heard of the relay rod recall however, so thanks for that.
The idler arm is probably the weakest link of any on the truck. Going the route of bronze bushings and a truss is probably the best option for value.Any brand you'd recommend? Is the truss bolt or weld on(weld on's not a problem as I got a great welding shop)?
I don't remember if the 2 door 4Runner has a two piece rear driveshaft, but if so the carrier bearing on them generally is worn out when they drove off the lot new.I'll look into it, but being the same wheel base as a 4door, one would think it's the same shaft. If all else fails my local driveline shop could do a 1 piece for about $300.
the 1990-1992 2-door 4Runners are pretty unique.I'd love a first gen, but have no need for the pop top nor the rust issues with any that can be found in this area. A clean second gen, with a cushier interior would be hard to beat.

[Wheelingnoob]

I have a 93 2dr V6 5spd. Great truck, its been reliable and the engine is still strong (320k kms on the ODO). Its surprising how many people do a double take at a 2nd gen 2 door runner. I get lots of thumbs up's.

Getting to stuff in the back really is not that bad, yes having a 4dr would be easier but its easy to make due.

A pic for inspiration.......

http://pwned.my604.ca/cANADA%20dAY/032.jpg

Since this picture it has been lowered 2" and has an ARB front bumper and customer rear bumper.

On my trip last week I still got 19.78 MPG on the hwy stretch. So the 3.0 is not as bad as everyone says just live with its weaknesses.

[AYIAPhoto]

Getting to stuff in the back really is not that bad, yes having a 4dr would be easier but its easy to make due.If I pick it up(gonna check the truck out saturday) the rear seats will be replaced with a "bed" level sleeping platform section. Under that I would mount a compressor and two 10 gallon fresh water tanks. Any tools or recovery gear would go elsewhere. I don't need the back seats or extra doors for passengers as this would be a travel/camping rig for me and maybe +1.
On my trip last week I still got 19.78 MPG on the hwy stretch.MPG or KPG? That high with 33s is damn impressive.
A pic for inspiration...A few years ago I would be asking for details on the SAS, but with one over built toy sitting in the driveway('87 YJ/ford5.0/t-18/4:1 t-case/4.10s and more) I want to keep this one simple. I'm too tired and beat up to be fixing stuff in the mud on the side of the trail.
Proper recovery points, 1" of lift, well mannered but grippy 32's and enough gear to camp unsupported a week at a time should do me just fine. I might not even lift it and just squeeze a set of 265/75/16's on.

[Wheelingnoob]

If I pick it up(gonna check the truck out saturday) the rear seats will be replaced with a "bed" level sleeping platform section. Under that I would mount a compressor and two 10 gallon fresh water tanks. Any tools or recovery gear would go elsewhere. I don't need the back seats or extra doors for passengers as this would be a travel/camping rig for me and maybe +1.MPG or KPG? That high with 33s is damn impressive.A few years ago I would be asking for details on the SAS, but with one over built toy sitting in the driveway('87 YJ/ford5.0/t-18/4:1 t-case/4.10s and more) I want to keep this one simple. I'm too tired and beat up to be fixing stuff in the mud on the side of the trail.
Proper recovery points, 1" of lift, well mannered but grippy 32's and enough gear to camp unsupported a week at a time should do me just fine. I might not even lift it and just squeeze a set of 265/75/16's on.

Yeah I look at like this, people say how hard it must be to get stuff out of the back and so on well its quite a bit easier to get stuff out of it than a pick up with a topper.

That was MPG, and yes with the mods and the weight of the truck its fantastic fuel economy. I averaged about 17.5MPG over the whole trip of 15 tanks of gas (3 tanks were on Sand dunes and beaches netting 11-12MPG).

Sounds like your plan will work out well, I do not need the SAS any more its just what I have to work with now.

[dlbrunner]

I have a 2nd gen. I like it quite a bit. my only complaints are economy (15 mpg in town and wheeling, 18 on the highway if I am lucky), and range..

16.5 gallons at 15 mpg = 250 mile range. no bueno.

bottom end tourque is good on the trail, truck likes to grunt over stuff.

[Martinjmpr]

I would take a 3rd gen with 200k+ mile over a 2nd gen. with 100k+ miles anyday. My second 3.0 for my 90 was on Toyota and my third was $4400 on me. The 4runner had 185k mile when I sold it.

Once I learned how to distinguish between 2nd and 3rd gen 4runners, I was truly astonished at how many 2nd gens there were still on the road. And most - the vast majority - are DDs, not dedicated 'wheeling rigs. The vast majority of them are also V6s (recognizable because V6s have a V6 badge on the grille.)

Of course, there's no way to know how many have had the head gaskets replaced, but still, there are sure enough of them on the streets to put to rest the notion that the 2nd gen V6 is an unreliable POS.

Regarding life expectancy, here's the thing to consider: There aren't that many people who will actuall drive a vehicle over 100,000 miles, and the number that will drive one vehicle over 200,000 miles are microscopically small. In fact, of all the vehicles I've owned in 30 years, I've only put a hundred grand on one of them, that was a 1990 Montero I bought in 1992 and sold in 1999. I owned that when I was in the Army, driving back and forth between NC and CO, and then when I moved back to CO, at a time when I was doing a LOT of driving, and when gas was historically cheap. And even then, in 7 years I only put 130,000 miles or so on it (~18,500 miles/year.)

My '99 Ranger was close, and for me it wins the 'miles per year' award: I bought it brand new in July of 99 and traded it in April of '03 with a hair over 93,000 miles (~23,000 miles/year.) However, those years of 1999 to 2003 were years when I was driving an unusually large number of miles. It wasn't uncommon for me to go 2,000 or 2,500 miles a month. That was a time when I was in college, in the National Guard and doing other things that caused me to be driving a lot.

Since I finished college, retired from the Guard, and got married, my average annual mileage has dropped off sharply. In fact, right now my average annual miles driven is probably below the national average at around 11,000 miles a year.

So, extrapolate that: I bought my '99 4runner with 117k on the clock. Even if I keep it 5 years (not likely, but possible I suppose), that still only puts me at 172,000 miles. So, even if I knew with absolute certainty that the engine would explode the instant I went over 200,000 miles, I really wouldn't have any concerns about the truck.

What I'm saying is that buying a 2nd gen 4runner with, say, 125k on it, and spending the bucks for the HG fix and maybe fixing a few other minor issues can make sense if you know you're likely to get rid of the truck before the HG fails again. And most of us will, since the HG seems to be a 100k fix.

[selk78]

one thing i haven't seen is someone post why only the headgasket blows on one side, i've read the the way to fix it is to put headers on the 3.0 because the stock manifold run's too close to the head on the passenger side and heats up the head gasket on that side, and from what i've read it works!
doug thorley headers are 50 states legal, a little costly but it also helps out with horespower and gas mileage, there is also some other little tricks to help out the motor but it also boils down to what you want and can afford.

[AYIAPhoto]

one thing i haven't seen is someone post why only the headgasket blows on one side, i've read the the way to fix it is to put headers on the 3.0 because the stock manifold run's too close to the head on the passenger side and heats up the head gasket on that sideFrom what I understand, the 1st problem with the gaskets was no more asbestos in the material(like some kids gonna pick at it for a snack) and the second was the design of the crossover pipe putting a lot of heat to the rear of the passenger head.

[selk78]

the design of the crossover pipe putting a lot of heat to the rear of the passenger head.

thats what i was refering too. the header routes the exhaust down so it doesn't rap around the head and cook the head gasket, it's not a 100% that it won't blow again but it's a big help, a buddy of mine put on headers and put another 80k or so on is truck with no problems.
as soon as i can afford the headers that's the route i'm going, i have 212,xxx on my truck and i'm going to try to keep it running as long as i can, any little thing helps:safari-rig:

oh ya! gen 2 two door 4runner, looks awesome, and it's kind of a rare truck so get it if you can!

[BIGGUY]

I had a 1990 4Runner with the 3.0 and an auto that I bought used as the 3rd owner. I had the head gaskets changed and a burnt valve fixed and put approx 150,000 miles on it with no problems after that.

I bought a 1990 ex-cab pickup with the 3.0 and 5 speed manual brand new with 13 miles on it after a test drive. I had the head gaskets replaced and drove it for 20 years relatively problem free. I replaced a water pump and did normal tune ups and regular oil changes every 3000 miles. I got rid of it in February of this year with the original engine still in it. It had over 475,000 miles and still ran great. I averaged 19.5 mpg over the time I had it as I kept track of the mileage in a notebook, 4 of them over the years.

I used both of these as DD's, I towed, hauled, and took them off road on everything from dirt roads to trails in Moab. They were used, but not abused.

[Martinjmpr]

I think 2nd gen 4runners and 89-95 Hilux pickups (I call them "pre-Tacomas" :D ) have the potential to become very popular, particularly among young kids buying their first 4x4 and/or those who don't mind putting some work into a vehicle (similar to the way the popularity of the 1st gen 4runners took off when they became a favorite of the rock crawler builders.)

The reason I think they'll start becoming popular is because right now there are a lot of them out there and often times they're dirt cheap. 3rd gen 4runners are still pretty pricey unless they're thrashed or have over 200k miles on them, but I've seen 2nd gen 4runners in running, DD condition, going for $1500 - $2000 around here.

[motorgroove]

My 92 4Runner has 180K on the odo and no major problems yet, it has not had the head gasket recall done either. Great vehicle but mileage around town not so hot, i'm usually in the 13-14 mpg range around town and 17-19 on the hwy add that with a smallish fuel tank and range is only around 250'ish range as pointed out by dlbrunner.

[mannytranny]

I picked up a 2nd gen runner ($1200) and yanked out a good running 3.0L and slipped in a 1KZ diesel.

Wish I could have kept the 5 speed, b/c its an auto now. Oh well.

The 4runner itself has about 200k on it. Once the drivetrain is replaced, there isn't much to go wrong. It seems stout.

[dms1]

It is rather funny how the internet is rife with tales of the horrid 3.slow



If you have never driven a third gen 4Runner with a 3.4L, you will never know what your are missing power wise, they are called 3.slow for a reason, no tales here.

My 93 2nd gen ran fine, unfortunately It got rear ended while stopped at a light and was totaled. When I test drove a 3rd Gen with the 3.4L I couldn't beleve the behind the wheel power diffrence.

[cerealjoe]

Hi AYIAPhoto. I think that we have the same problem. I hope that we can find the common areas that has a fair price for the parts. :D

[AYIAPhoto]

If you have never driven a third gen 4Runner with a 3.4L, you will never know what your are missing power wise, they are called 3.slow for a reason, no tales here.I've driven (but never owned) both 3.0 and 3.4 T4Rs, even a 3.4 with the TRD supercharger. I know the 3.0 is slow, but I don't believe all the horror stories of reliability.
I'm sure there are millions of 3.0 owners(T4R & pickup) who view their truck as a mode of transport and nothing else. It is those of us who use trucks for more than daily driving that spend time on forums looking for ways to improve them. That leaves us much more critical of issues possibly caused by harder use. If there were perhaps a forum somewhere populated by pavement pounding stock daily drivers, it may be full of praise for some cars others complain about.

Unfortunately I was going to check the truck out today, but find myself laid up in bed after a fall at work yesterday(ALWAYS use two hands while climbing out of a dump truck).