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.

[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 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.