hey everyone, great forum,
so ive decided to enter the world of 85-89 4runners, ive read through, and know a decent amount of info, been looking for awhile tested a few out(sorry i need AT, i know i know), but cant get this one answered for sure.

for some reason people have advised me in the past to stay away from the v6 sure there was a gasket issue(?), but also said too slow/heavy, especialy on highway?, been seeing some nice V6s in great shape, tempted, but looking for feedback here before spend my few days off a month testing them out.

also, is the gas mileage, all things being equal _much_ worse on the v6 vs 4cylinder? does cruise help at all for highway? if i can get 30mpg on highway on the 4 vs 20 on the v6 i might not bother w/the v6, maybe its crazy to think i'd get 30 on any 4runner, but if there is a substantial difference off the bat i want to know.

im looking for light off-roading in pacificNW, mainly for camping skiing etc, getting around to fire roads/washed out roads, places that require 4wd and some clearance, sure i might want to make some mods and do more ORV stuff later on..

thanks for your help everyone
ajs

If you can get 30 in a 22re 4Runner I will pay big $$$ for it. I don't think that is a reasonable expectation.

Stay away from the automatic transmissions for fuel mileage on either motor.

My 3.0 and auto gets anywhere from 20 on the highway on a perfect day with wind at my back, to 8 mpg strictly in town stop and go driving.

ha ok, thats fine, i was guessing that when people are selling these, they are lying to me, or well exaggerating when i talk to them, yes i know the AT uses more...but the main question was v6 vs. 4cyl on mileage and so on..

For me an auto trans is my preferred choice!! IÆve only got two feet and two hands so I canÆt stand to fight with the brake peddle, clutch peddle, gas peddle, clutch cancel switch, steering wheel, ignition switch, gear lever and usually a cold beverage between my legs when you stall the engine on steep technical section.. with my auto IÆve got one foot on the brake the other on the gas and sometime booth hands on the steering wheel.. but like I said an auto is my personal preference!!

I had the 22RTE in this when I bought it back in 1993.. it had like 70k miles on it.. With 31ö tires on it, it was ridiculously slow from a take off and hi range was worthless in the mountainsà even after I switched to 4:88 gears and 32ö tires.. but on the highway, once the turbo started to build up boost it did quit well.. passing cars on the freeway was not a problem. fuel mileage was about 12mpg hwy and about the same in town.

Now that I have the 3.0 I love it!! It has way more low end grunt that the 22RTEà although I have 5:72 gears and 35ö tires I no longer have to use low range to get up mediocre hills.. One time at band camp, I mean hunting we were crossing over this mountain and I didnÆt have the power to get over/up to the top I was locked up front and rear but just couldnÆt build the revs to build boostà Last time I went over that same mountain I had my current set up plus a 130lb passenger, two 220lb passangers, all their hunting gear and gutted 6x5 bull elk in the backà the v6 powered up it very easily!!! As far as Fuel mileage IÆm guessing about 16mpg average.. I havenÆt had a bit of trouble with the 3.0 but I did check with Toyota and the head gasket recall was done to the truck my engine came out of before it was totaled and sent to the junk yard.. If this 3.0 ever gives out, would I put in another 3.0!?!?! Sure if I could find one for another $300!! Otherwise I think IÆd swap in a ford 5.0 or 5.7.. There are some bell housing floating around out there that will adapt to the A340H trans..


Be Wild,
RAZZ