I liked my 3.0 in an XtraCab, 1989 model. OK power, decent mileage in an unmodified truck. I hated it in a 4Runner, 1990 model, terrible power, terrible mileage, worse when I lifted it (14mpg was unacceptable in a truck that still could not get out of it's own way in the Colorado mountain highways).

The 3.0 works decently in a lighter truck like the pickup or 1st gen 4Runner. By the way, I am 2 for 2 on 3.0s dying from bad headgaskets well prior to 100K miles, so that also jades me. My 22RE also died from a HG failure... at 145K miles, because the prior owner did not flush the cooling system, nor replace the timing chain per the book.

Oh, yeah, those 22RE plastic timing chain guides, they're junk - have to be replaced every 130K miles, sheesh... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> Quite unlike rubber timing belts at 90K miles.... Same/same. If you don't like them, use the metal backed ones. If you don't like 3.0 HGs, replace them, but you still have to hope a little even so due to the head design.

Nevertheless... If you found a truck that has everything you like, but it's a 3.0, buy it. I would.

The 3.0 to 3.4 swap is very straightforward, requiring only a harness. Another consideration.