they run well so long as the timing belt is maintained. i've done a few of them over the years.

 

They are non-interference engines so even if you run it till the belt brakes, just replace and you are good to go. They are one of the most reliable engines toyota has made. I have a '98 with 230k, it is my DD/weekend wheeler. Also have a 2000 with almost 200k. My brother has a '96 that ran perfect with over 250k until he went tree hugging with it.

Check out t4r.org

Throw the keys to your heep in the trash.

Edit* sorry.. don't throw them away. Sell it to buy upgrades for the runner

 

Great motor...i have had two with 200k + and both ran like new.

 

thanks for the replies fellas. was worried since it was a twin cam and didnt know if it would be as reliable as a 4.0. Hows the ifs hold up to light wheeling?

 

Fine, myself and many others have beat them hard with 33-35" tires and they work great. You will break a cv now and then but its a easy, cheap fix.

My old tacoma on 34" tires...truck had been all over the east half the country wheeling, always driven, never trailered, best truck I ever owned...i wish I never sold it.

 

its got my interest but im still not totally sold on the idea of switching over from a jeep to a yota but i do like the looks of them with a small lift and decent size rubber. Ive seen your truck before, i bought some 32x11.50 from you at a gas station in battle creek i belive?

 

You will start wheeling the yoda and never look back. The 3.4 is a very reliable motor. I have been beating on mine for 130,000 with a supercharger and never had any issues.

 

i may be tempted to take ownership of this but it depends on if my jeeps sell?? :teehee:

 

Got pics? Would be awesome to have another yota semi-nearby to wheel with.

 

no pics yet. might throw some up but been on the fence on what i wanna do with my jeeps and the yota

 

Ok well just to help you decide..

All from a trip up north with my brothers 265s on. Normally sits on 285 KM2s

Don't mind my shameless picture whoring..

 

looks good! if i were to get it ide think a small 3" lift on 285's would be a nice set up for what ill be using it for.

 

I love my 97, 155k on it and still purring. Dropping it off at the body shop today to fix some rocker damage from recent trip to Uwharrie. It has been my daily driver/light duty wheeler for almost 4 years and never missed a beat. I've seen several for sale with 250k on them and 1 had 450k.

 

3.4 is extremely reliable. I had an 01 Tacoma with 192k that I sold 2 years ago that I beat the snot out of. Motor and trans still ran like the day I drove it off the lot. The bonus would be if it has the electronic rear locker. Do the grey wire mod and be able to wheel it with the locker in 2h, 4h and 4l.

 

I haven't done the grey wire mod to mine yet. I've heard about it, just need to do some research.

 

It's really simple. I built my own sub-harness when I swapped my elocker axle from my 2000 into my '98 so I have no safeties, which is good ..and bad :naughty:

 

and what is this gray wire mod you fellas speak of? would my 98 have it? drove it to the store, doesnt ride bad at all

 

First, does it have the rear locker push button? Should be to the left of the steering column, rectangular in shape.

 

If you have the locker, follow this to do the mod. Pretty easy, takes 10 minutes.

http://www.customtacos.com/tech/index.php?article=10

 

didnt they do that on an episode of trucks?

 

I love mine. Some say the 3.4 is one of the best motors Toyota ever made. They're known for valve cover gaskets leaking, but a lot of the time it's just loose bolts. I just replaced my V/C gaskets last week.

 

SO you bought one? I also have a 98, 3.4l fantastic. plenty of power 205,000 and climbing, did you get a optional locker? the best vehicle ive ever bought, look at the 4runners with dana 60s theyre very tempting to build. by the way, If anyone knows wheres theres a totaled 4runner or tacoma with a elocker in it I NEED IT and the housing, keep your eyes peeled!

 

If it has the elet. locker and it takes a poop, consider replacing with an ARB. Toyota bought mine but if it goes again, its getting the air locker. There is someone making a mechanical engagement for tehm but they wanta small fortune for it too.

My 3.4 only has 90k but has been flawless.

 

i have a hard time liking it compared to my cherokee, not to mention it has 209xxx so im not really going down milage. Its nice just dunno if its worth selling my old reliable cherokee, and no elocker

 

There is a big difference between your Cherokee frame and the 4Runner's. It has a full one. There are a ton of cheaper suspension options for the 4Runner also. I would go with OME coil springs and Bilstein 5100s all around and call it good. You can get a front CV for @ $60-80 bucks now too.

The 4Runner would make a great trail runner build IMO. Once you get used to the Toy, you may like it more.

 

well a lil update, i did indeed sell my xj and bought it from my father. So far its not bad, plans are still a 2 or 3 inch toytec lift and eventually 285's but i just put brand new 265/75 on. No locker in the rear but its up to 211xxx and runs good. I did find out the the engines been rebuilt by a toyota dealership at 180xxx:woot:

 

To be honest, I think you will be happier with the 265s. Between the rubbing and less power the smaller are better I think. I am running @ "3.5 of lift and I still get some rubbing on my Tacoma. I could get spacers but I ma not a big fan of them and it would just make the fenders need trimming.

If you need a good budget tire, go with Treadwrights and tell the naysayers to f-off. I have had them for 4 years without a problem. Tough to beat 5 of them for $600. The wardens perform better than teh BFG ATs they copy. Go for the kedge-grip. I didn't but wish I did.

I wouldn't mess with coilspacers wither. They ride like shit and bottom out a lot. I would recommend the adjustable 5100 Bilsteins with some good springs (Eibachs or OME, thats what I got) with even just some blocks and/or AALs in the back. Yes, it may be a little more but the ride is 100x better!

 

Almost did get the treadwrights but i was only saving like $60-$80 and figured i might as well spend the extra coin and get brand new. I ended up getting the new Cooper ATP's which do pretty well. The ome lift is probably gonna run me around $800 or so which is pricey but ive been bumped up to Full time at work so maybe. Or i was thinking about a boydylift and putting in rear springs to fix the sag and calling it a day. Got any pics of your yota?